Competition Team

The Competition Team at DTDA is a privilege and a very intensive commitment that should be treated as such. Our team structure will have different levels of teams from Novice to Advanced and Adult. We will hold tryouts every year, as well as observe dancers throughout the year. If we feel a student is ready and will be a good fit for the team, they will receive an invitation letter to join the team. Joining team is solely a child and parent decision. Dancers are expected to participate in the full dance season. All students and their parents will be required to sign a parent/student agreement. No child is ever “held back,” they are always encouraged to develop their skills to their fullest. We want each child to reach their full potential as a dancer.


EXPECTATIONS

Attendance, is a priority, “you must be committed”. Attendance is mandatory for all competition classes, which include, but are not limited to classes, technique, stretching, rehearsals, and guest choreographers. If you have school, sports, or family obligations, we will try to work with you. By accepting to be on the team means you have agreed that this is a priority activity. Any absence other than illness or emergencies needs to be approved by the studio. A team member being absent affects not only you, but your teams learning. Choreography placements and the ability for all to cohesively come together is our utmost priority. Excessive absences will result in removal from the team with no refunds for costumes, classes, or competition fees. Any missed classes you are required to take a makeup class in any other recreation or competition class within 2 weeks of the missed class.

BEHAVIOR/NO DRAMA

Destined to dance academy will not tolerate any rudeness, resentment, disrespect or jealousy toward another team member, their family, a teacher, or the studio owners. To us It makes no difference how good your child is, you are not permitted to bring any negativity whatsoever into this facility. All our families are awesome!!! We want our teams to feel like a family, support each other, dance together, and participate in team building activities. For a team to be a team it requires respect. We have a zero-tolerance policy at no time shall a team member talk about, criticize, demean, be disrespectful to another team member in the studio, out of the studio or on social media. We cannot stress enough how seriously we mean this. One comment to one team member will spread to the entire team and cause turmoil. We are a family! If there are any issues they should be immediately brought to the staff or the studio owners’ attention. There will be a three-strike policy, a warning, parent/studio meeting, and a final dismissal. We understand that a team can be stressful, and we all have bad days, but our bad days should not carry into the studio. We are always available to the students and parents to discuss any concerns and be as supportive as we can.

Parents, the same rules apply to you that apply to your children, you set the example. LET’S MAKE IT A GOOD ONE.

COMPETITION

We will enter three or more Competitions a year. All team members are required to attend them all including Nationals. Most competition schedules do not come out until a week or two before the competition and are subject to change. When you have a competition, it is in your best interest not to make any plans for that entire weekend because many times you are competing numerous days.
All team members are required to be at the competition two hours before their time to go on, dressed in their first number attire and ready to go. This is because sometimes the competition will be running ahead of schedule, it also gives you time for any emergency that may arise, and gives your child the chance to stretch, run the number and just get a feel of the entire scene. If they are late and rushing it often increases anxiety and affects their performance. Also, we want the team to be a team, part of that is the competition experience, hanging out and watching all their teammates and cheering them on. We highly encourage team members to be as early as possible and stay as long as possible to support each other. Attire at competition for team members will be costumes and when not in costume it is mandatory for team JACKETS AND PANTS.

ALL TEAM MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO STAY FOR THE AWARDS AND MUST BE IN TEAM

JACKETS AND PANTS.

All costumes should be clean, ironed or steamed. Make sure you have all shoes, tights, earrings and costumes.
Long nails on at competition or painted nails are not allowed per our studio rules. Small French tips are okay. This is more for the safety of your child. Brightly colored hair is not allowed. Tattoos are not allowed.

BEHAVIOR AT COMPETITION

This will be enforced strictly. We will not only be respectful, we will compliment, cheer, and help other teams and their dancers. We will be respectful to all staff and parents, including our own parents. THIS STUDIO WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY DISRESPECT. We will pick up everything we bring, clothes, food, shoes etc. NO COWBELLS ALLOWED, it is distracting to the dancers on stage.

When team awards are being given, we will have a predetermined student to accept the award. This allows an opportunity for every student to experience the excitement of accepting an award.

COME PREPARED

Most competition venues do not have food on site. You should make sure you have snacks, meals, or whatever is needed, as often there is no time to leave between numbers. If you do have time to leave for a meal, you must be back no less than 30 min before the number is scheduled to go on. Being prepared to go onstage should always be a priority, this helps the dancers with their stress level.
ABSOLUTELY NO CHILDREN SHOULD BE LEFT AT AN EVENT UNSUPERVISED. IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE FOR A SHORT PERIOD YOU MUST ASK ANOTHER PARENT TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CHILD. WE DO NOT HAVE TIME, AS WE ARE SUPPORTING THE TEAMS AS THEY PREPARE TO TAKE THE STAGE.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

Being part of team such as this requires a certain financial commitment. Competition team is a privilege and making sure you can handle the financial commitment is crucial. Below I will breakdown all the financial information for full disclosure. Full monthly tuition is due by the 7th of each month. Starting September 7th. Tuition is paid through automatic withdrawal using your credit or debit card. We can provide you with a weekly or yearly payment plan if you prefer. We accept cash, checks, or money orders for tuition payment. Please write your child’s name in the memo portion of the check. If you pay with cash, please ask for a receipt. If you are more than 2 weeks late we will charge your account a late fee of $15.00. if you are more that 4 weeks late your child will not be allowed to dance until you are caught up or other arrangements have been made with the studio owners. Tuition includes all classes, group choreography, and rehearsals.

COMPETITION FEES

Competition Fees: Fees associated with each competition are based upon prices set by the competition itself. These generally run around $50-$65 per person per group routine. Duet/Trios/Solos are $120-$145 per competition routine. We will add $15 per child per routine to cover the teachers’ expenses for attending the competition, as competitions are not part of their regular schedule. Fees for competitions are due to the studio 30 days before the event. We will give plenty of notice and these fees will be on your account approximately 30 days before we charge your account. Entry fees will be paid through automatic withdrawal from your credit or debit card account on the due date we have given. All solos will be pulled from competing until tuition and competition fees are up to date. We understand how hard each student works throughout the season, if tuition and competition fees are not up to date, they will only be allowed to compete in groups.

COMPETITION COSTS BREAKDOWN

Costumes: the cost for competition vary between 75-200 per routine. These prices are determined by the routine. Group dance costumes are usually at the lower end. Solo, Duos and Trios can be expensive. We however will discuss costumes and fees with parents prior to ordering their solo, duo or trio costumes. We would never put that financial burden on a parent.

Tights: All dancers are required to purchase their rights through the studio for Competition and Recital. Costs will range between $13-$20per pair.

Team Gear: All team members are required to purchase team apparel. The competition team must always have DTDA apparel on during competitions and community events. The cost will be between $125-200. This cost will be a onetime purchase until your child outgrows the gear.

Dance make-up: Specific make-up is required for the Company and will also need to be purchased by you. Everyone is required to purchase the same eye shadow, blush, and lipstick.
Hair: Every Student will need to purchase items like hairpins, bun makers hair ties, gel, hairspray, brushes, combs etc. at your cost.

Competition Earrings: will be purchased at the studio for $10 a pair.

Competition Fees: Cost between $65-$145 plus $15 per student per dance for teacher competition expenses i.e. hotel costs.

Dance Shoes: Costs are between $25-$125 Tap shoes could be more if a parent chooses to purchase higher quality tap shoes.

Prop Fee: If your dancer is in a routine with a prop, you will be billed a prop fee. This fee will be in the range of $5-$25.

Travel & Hotel Costs: These fees will vary. If your child only has a few routines, you may not have to spend the night in a hotel. Each event company does not take in to concertation to group routines on the same day. They must schedule routines in whatever way makes it work for them.

Fundraisers: All students will be required to participate in Team fundraisers. This money will be used to offset competition fee costs. We may ask parents for donations for things like gift baskets in which your child will benefit from.

Thank you,
Lisa Girard
Doreen Piechota