Mini & Pre-Company Dance Handbook 2012-2013

General Information

The Above the Barre Dance Academy competitive team is comprised of Pre-Company and Company. Pre-Company has two levels based on age and skill level, mini and pre-company. This handbook applies to both levels of Pre-Company. The purpose of the Pre-Company is to be a part of team, improve dance skills, have fun and perform on stage at local venues. Chelsie Klein is the owner and director of Above the Barre Dance Academy Company. Jennifer Lowe is the assistant director of Above the Barre Dance Academy Company. Any issues relating to Above the Barre Dance Academy that are not covered in this handbook, the website or the annual informational meeting are to be addressed to the Company Director(s) electronically at abovethebarre@gmail.com. Phone or face to face meetings can be scheduled outside of instructional time. All information will be supplied to parents by email and/or informational handouts.

Fall/Spring Technique Classes

Dancers will be placed in mini company or pre-company based on age and skill level. Mini Company is required to take mini company class and junior acro. Pre-Company is required to take pre-company ballet/lyrical, pre-company jazz and tap. Optional classes are acro and hip hop. Company dancers may take additional technique classes as approved by the company instructors. The Company Director(s) have nal approval. Company dancers are not allowed to take technique classes at another studio without the written consent of the Company Directors. Technique classes will be held from September to May for all mini and pre-company dancers.
1 August 2012

Dancers are expected to attend all company classes. You are allowed to be absent TWO times per class, any absences greater than TWO will be required to be made up. Please ask the instructor for an appropriate class to attend AND schedule attendance in that class with the front desk. Make up classes need to occur within 14 days of the additional absences. Dancers MUST attend ALL company classes 7 days prior to a scheduled competition. If you are sick, but not contagious it is required that you come and observe. Monthly Tuition is based on the weekly total hours of enrolled classes. There is a sibling discount of 20% per additional sibling. The highest enrollment will be paid rst with the discount applied to all additional siblings. Tuition is paid on the rst of the month by auto-pay. Tuition may be paid by cash or check prior to the rst of the month. Tuition is non-refundable and not prorated.

Required Group(s), Choreography/Rehearsal and Fees

Mini Company and Pre-Company members will be required to participate in one group routine with the possibility of a second group routine. Group rehearsal is during scheduled class time during the week. There is no additional choreography/rehearsal fee for mini company or pre-company. It is included in the monthly tuition. Some group rehearsals will be videotaped by the instructor leading the rehearsal. The video will be made available on you tube through a private account so that dancers can access it for review at home.

Solo/Duo/Trio and Fees

Mini Company and Pre-Company Members are eligible for a solo, duo, trio and/or private lessons. Mini and pre-company may schedule private lessons with any instructor at Above the Barre Dance Academy for additional technique practice, solo, duo and/or trio rehearsals. The cost per half hour private lesson for trio is $11 per dancer. The cost per half hour private lesson for duo is $16 per dancer. The cost per half hour private lesson for solo is $25.
2 August 2012

Accepted forms of payment for private lessons include cash or check. If your private lesson is with Chelsie Klein, you may also pay with a credit card. Solo fees are the same for all company instructor(s). Payment is due immediately following the lesson. Payments must remain current in order to continue to schedule private lessons. There are no sibling discounts for private lessons. There is a one-time charge for music of $15 per solo, duo and/or trio. If you are doing a duo or trio, the fee is split amongst the dancers. This fee is due on August 21, 2012. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if payment is not received by August 26th to the credit card on le. This fee is non-refundable.

Costumes

Group costumes for Mini Company and Pre-Company will not exceed $150 per group routine. Group costume deposits will be paid in the amount of $50 in the months of September, October and November equaling $150 per costume that includes rhinestones, accessories and tights, but excludes shoes. This fee is non-refundable. These fees are due on the 15th of the month. There are no sibling discounts for costumes. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check or charge. Costumes will be distributed to parents upon arrival at the studio. Solo, duo and trio costumes will be coordinated with the company instructor, parent and dancer regarding design and/or selection. Solo, duo and trio costumes may be purchased through second hand costume sales such as P&D Costume Sale, CostumeSwap.com or other. Approval must be received from the company instructor(s). Solo, duo and trio costumes can be custom made, if desired.

Hair, Make Up and Team Apparel

The Company has a standard hairstyle for most of the group routines. The hairstyle will be announced at the hair and make-up clinic Above the Barre Dance Academy has a recommended and required set of make up. o The recommended eye shadow colors are a palette of purple and white. o Powder blush needs to complement skin tone.
3 August 2012

The lips are required to be covered with Pro-Long Wear Lipglass called Lasting Achievement by MAC.

These can be purchased on your own. ATB will provide an instructional handout on make-up application. The Mini Company and Pre-Company will have a required team jacket and/or warm up. The average cost is $50. Team apparel will be ordered in September. They will also have the opportunity to purchase Above the Barre apparel including company specic sweatpants in Above the Barre team colors throughout the year.

Regional Competitions

The Mini Company and Pre-Company will attend TWO regional competitions in the Kansas City Area. Competitions will be announced at the Mandatory Parent Meeting in August. Competition fees and any extra entries such as title, photogenic, etc. These fees are due TWO months prior to the convention and/or competition. If amount owed is not received within 5 days of the due date, then, a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged to the credit card on le. SOLOS are required to compete at ONE pre-selected regional competition, but may compete in all required regional competitions. Any cash, prize or award monies won based on competition results for groups, trio, duo and/or solo will be split 80/20 between the dancer(s) in the routine and the studio. If a dancer does not return for the following season, then the award goes to the studio. Awards are non-transferrable and have no cash value. For solos, a form will be provided for each competition that includes sample entry form information including extra entries for title, best costume, photogenic and/or icon/idol that will need to be completed by the due date for registration per competition. All extra fees are due at that time and are non-refundable. You will receive the competition schedule for each regional and/or national as soon as it becomes available from the hosting organization. If you have a comment, question or concern regarding the competition schedule, you will only direct those questions to the Company Director(s). Any corrections or changes will be handled by Above the Barre Dance Academy. You will receive an instructional handout regarding the rules and recommendations for competition etiquette as established by Above the Barre Dance Academy.
4 August 2012

Team Fee

A team fee in the amount of $25.00 is due on January 15. This fee covers the administrative costs and instructor per diem related to regional competitions. There are no sibling discounts for the team fee. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check or charge. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if the payment is not received by the 20th of the month to the credit card on le.

Summer Technique Classes

Pre-Company Members who will be returning for the following season are required to take technique classes in the summer.

Other Performances
Winter Showcase
Above the Barre Dance Academy will host a winter performance for Mini Company, Pre-Company and Company Routines on Sunday, December 9 at 6:00 pm at Rockhurst High School. This performance is intended to prepare our dancers for the upcoming competitive season. Showcase is the rst time all routines will perform on stage in full make up, hair and costume. There is a fee of $40 per dancer to cover the cost of the venue and two complimentary tickets for parents. This fee is due on November 15th. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if the payment is not received by the 20th of the month to the credit card on le. There are no sibling discounts. Each family will be asked to sell 5 additional tickets for the performance. ATB Dance Company Instructors will provide critiques and comments. All dancers will be provided the opportunity to watch a video re-play and discuss critiques and comments during winter rehearsals. Additional information regarding date, time and venue will be announced later.
5 August 2012

Recital
Above The Barre Dance Academy will have a spring recital on Friday, May 31 at Rockhurst High School. There is a recital fee of $75 per dancer which includes a complimentary shirt and two tickets. Each family will be asked to sell 5 additional tickets for the performance. This fee is due on April 6th. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if the payment is not received by the 13th of the month to the credit card on le. All large groups and production routines will perform. Select small groups may also perform as well as solos, duos and trios; depending on the overall number of routines and time constraints. Any graduating high school senior will perform their solos, duos and/or trios.

6 August 2012