Dance Year

The dance year runs from the beginning of September to the beginning of June. Any class that is not listed as a session on the schedule runs from September to June and culminates with our end-of-the-year performance*. When you register for one of the non-session classes you are responsible for the full year tuition of that class. See the Tuition and Withdrawal Policy below for more details.

The Dance Year culminates with our Dance Concert in June. We assume all students are performing in the show. If you do not plan to be in the show you must fill out this Google Form or notify us in writing by November 30th. There is a $20 fee to perform in the show to help cover the administrative costs of the show and includes a digital recording of the performances. Costume fees will be billed in two installments.  A $38 deposit will be due by December 10th with the balance due by February 10th.

Costume fees will be auto-posted to accounts at the same time as tuition.

*The Dance with Me classes, Pre-Pointe, Intro to Pointe, Saturday Teen Ballet, and Adult Classes do not perform in the show but run over the same period.

Attendance

We expect students to attend all classes; excessive absences could lead to students not advancing to the next level. If they miss classes while the end of the year choreography is being finalized, they could also be removed from sections of the piece. We understand illnesses happen we’d prefer germs stay at home but do encourage students to observe their class if they are able. If your dancer is going to miss a class due to a conflict, please let us know in advance so teachers can plan accordingly. To notify the studio of any student absence, please call the studio, email reception@solecitydance.org or submit the absences via the portal.

If your dancer is running late for class and shows up 15 or more minutes late, they will be able to sit and observe class that day but won’t be able to participate. The first 15 minutes of classes are spent warming up properly before class begins. It’s not fair to the rest of the class or the instructor to have to run multiple warm-ups or hold the class behind due to late arrivals.

Cancellations by SCD

We make every effort possible not to cancel classes. If a cancellation must occur due to weather or instructor illness, a student may schedule a make-up through the front desk. SCD will no longer be holding make-up classes over vacation weeks. The only exception will be if a class is canceled 3 or more times then SCD will schedule a make-up.

Please note:

Sole City Dance does NOT follow local school department weather cancellations. Due to weather predictions and conditions that can change over just a few hours, we decide to cancel as close to class times as we can. A decision is made about MORNING classes one hour before they begin, and AFTERNOON classes are determined by 2:30 pm.

We will notify families through a notification via our app and will post on our social media accounts. If you are unsure, check our Facebook or Instagram before coming to class on days with inclement weather. We do not call people individually so be sure you have the app downloaded and activated.

Make-up Policies for Student Illness or Injury

We do allow make-up classes for full-year classes, not summer or session-based classes. If a class is missed due to student illness, injury, studio cancellation, or any other reason it can be made up. If you would like to make up the class, it must be done so within two weeks of the absence. Make-up classes must be done in the same style and level or lower level of the class that was missed. All make-up classes must be scheduled through the reception desk (reception@solecitydance.org). Make-up classes will not be allowed during the last two weeks of classes.

Class Size Policy

Classes with fewer than 5 students enrolled are subject to cancellation. Any deposits or remaining tuition will be refunded. Smaller classes may run at an increased tuition rate if enrolled students are interested.

Additionally, if fewer than four students are present for any class, the time will be adjusted as follows:

  • Three students in attendance:  75% of regular time

  • Two students:  50% of regular time

  • One student: 50% of regular time

Tuition and Withdrawal

Sole City Dance requires the registration fee and first month’s tuition in advance in order to hold a student’s spot in a class and to be sure classes have the necessary enrollment to run.

Please understand that upon registration for a full-year course, you are responsible for the full-year tuition unless you notify us in writing by emailing info@solecitydance.org 30 days before the next billing cycle. Our billing cycle is on the 10th of each month. For example, if you wanted to withdraw by December, you’d need to notify us by November 10th and your drop date would be December 10th. If you notify us after November 10th your drop date would be January 10th. Marking yourself absent in the portal and putting in a note does not qualify as an official withdrawal notification.

You will be responsible for the full tuition for the upcoming month on any withdrawal made after the 10th of the month.

If we are required to stop in-studio classes due to a health emergency, we will transition to virtual classes. The withdrawal policy remains the same. If you do not formally withdraw from a class tuition fees are still due.

An annual administrative fee of $25 per student or $50 per family (3 or more students) will be charged for those participating in full-year programs who wish to pay in installments (9 payments).  Discounts on the administrative fee are given to those who pay for the year in full (no fee) or in 2 payments (50% off fee).

A fee of $30.00 will be charged for returned checks to cover bank fees and administrative expenses.

Statements will be emailed out by the 1st of the month so you’ll know your account balance. Tuition fees never change month to month unless you make an adjustment to your classes or if costume fees are added.

Monthly tuition payments are due by the 10th of the month. A $10 late fee will be applied to all tuition payments not received within 7 days of the due date (by the 17th of the month). When tuition becomes overdue by more than 14 days, the credit card on file will be billed for the full amount due.

Tuition will not be prorated for missed classes due to illness, snow days, or scheduled holiday breaks. We run on a 34-week program calendar. All classes meet the same number of times during the dance year. If you opt for the 9 payment option tuition is due by at time of registration, 10/10, 11/10, 12/10, 1/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4/10, and 5/10.

There are no refunds for short-term courses or monthly tuition. At the discretion of the director, refunds may be given to those who have prepaid for a semester or full year with written notice of withdrawal.

Registration for fall programs will not be allowed if a tuition balance remains on your account from the prior year or summer.

Please note: All tuition accounts must be current by the start of the winter holiday break or dance concert costumes will not be ordered for your child.

Senior Dance Policies

Every year senior dancers (12th grade) will meet with the director and faculty members to discuss plans for a Senior Group Dance to be performed at the Annual Student Dance Concert. There will be sign up in the waiting room in December for those who choose to participate.

  • ONE group piece

  • Must be choreographed by the dancer(s) with mentorship from a faculty member

  • The piece can be no more than 4 minutes

  • Music and dance style has to be approved by the director

Dress Code

WHY DO WE HAVE A DRESS CODE?

A dress code helps the instructors teach more effectively and efficiently. A uniform look allows the instructor to see the students’ movement quickly and easily and not be distracted by multiple colors or patterns. It allows the instructor to make accurate corrections which the student can also see and understand more clearly.

In addition, it is essential that your hair is pulled up properly–in a bun for ballet and away from the face for all other classes–so as not to distract you or the instructor. For students who forget, a hair elastic can be obtained from the front desk. Together these things contribute to getting the most out of class.

Discount Dance Supply is a great place to order dancewear and get 10% off your first purchase when you use studio code:  TP39789 (and 5% off subsequent orders). You can also order from Conservatory by Primadonna and receive 10% off your order using the coupon code: Sole City Dance. If you are looking to shop local Target and Red’s Shoe Barn carry dance shoes for children and Brixham Dancewear in South Berwick.

We have sizing runs for ballet, tap, and jazz shoes at the studio so we can help you figure out exactly what size to order! Call or email us to make an appointment for fittings, 750-7777 or info@solecitydance.org.

Young Children’s Dance (Dance Explore or Dance Works Classes):

Pale pink leotard, tights (pink or skin tone), leather ballet slippers (pink or skin tone), and black tap shoes. A short attached skirt is okay, please no tutus or long skirts, as they can be distracting to the dancer and instructor. Hair pulled back off of the face.

-or- White t-shirt, black sweatpants or shorts, white socks, white or black ballet slippers, and black tap shoes. Hair pulled back off of the face.

Dance With Me – Stretchy, comfortable clothes, bare feet.

Acro & Lil’ Tumblers:

Any color leotard with footless tights, stretchy shorts or leggings. Bare feet. No shirts that will fall over student’s head when upside down. Longer hair should be in a low bun or ponytail.

-or- Stretchy, relatively form-fitting shorts or pants with a stretchy tight shirt. Bare feet. No shirts that will fall over student’s head when upside down. Longer hair should be in a low bun or ponytail.

**Please note: Bare midriffs are not acceptable in any class.  Sports bras must be covered by a leotard (preferable) or a tight-fitting stretchy shirt of the appropriate color.**

Aerial & Little Flyers:

We highly recommend students be fully covered to avoid fabric/rope burn. All students must wear a leotard or tight-fitting full-length shirt that can be tucked in if needed and leggings or fitted pants, convertible tights, and shorts are also fine. No loose pants or wide-leg pants as they can get caught in the equipment. We do not recommend attending class with bare legs. No loose clothing and no jewelry of any kind will be allowed for the safety of the dancer and the equipment. No socks, shoes, or foot undies, no long nails and avoid lotion before class.

**Please note: Bare midriffs are not acceptable in any class.  Sports bras must be covered by a leotard (preferable) or a tight-fitting stretchy shirt of the appropriate color.**

Ballet: (ABT Primary and up)

Black leotard, tights (pink or skin tone), and ballet slippers (pink or skin tone). Long hair MUST be in a bun, if unable to put hair in a bun make sure it is pulled back and off the face. Short hair MUST be held off the face with a hairband. Fitted black shorts or short black skirt allowed. Form-fitting black dance sweaters or black long-sleeved shirts are allowed in cold weather for barre only. NO BAGGY or multi-colored clothing.

-or- White t-shirt or white leotard, black tights, white socks, white or black ballet slippers.

Jazz & Jazz Mini’s:

Black leotard, pink, skin tone or black tights, fitted black shorts or capris allowed

-or- Solid color t-shirt, black sweatpants or dance pants

Shoes: Tan split-sole jazz shoes. For Contemporary or Lyrical Jazz classes – shoes optional; barefoot, half-soles or foot undies OK; NO full socks allowed unless they are dance socks with special non-slip bottom)

**Please note: Bare midriffs are not acceptable in any class.  Sports bras must be covered by a leotard (preferable) or a tight-fitting stretchy shirt of the appropriate color.**

Modern & Modern Mini’s:

Same as jazz but leotard and shorts/capris may be of any SOLID color. No shoes are required.

**Please note: Bare midriffs are not acceptable in any class.  Sports bras must be covered by a leotard (preferable) or a tight-fitting stretchy shirt of the appropriate color.**

Hip Hop & Lil’ Hip Hoppers:

Loose, stretchy clothing (no tight jeans or non-stretchy pants please) clean black sneakers that are carried into the studio and not worn outside.

**Please note: Bare midriffs are not acceptable in any class.  Sports bras must be covered by a leotard (preferable) or a tight-fitting stretchy shirt of the appropriate color.**

Tap & Lil’ Tappers:

Loose, stretchy clothing (no tight jeans or non-stretchy pants please) black low-heeled tap shoes.

**Please note: Bare midriffs are not acceptable in any class.  Sports bras must be covered by a leotard (preferable) or a tight-fitting stretchy shirt of the appropriate color.**

Youth Combo:

Black leotard, pink, skin tone or black tights, fitted black shorts or capris allowed with tan split-soled jazz shoes and pink or skin tone ballet slippers -or- Solid color t-shirt, black sweatpants or dance pants with black split-soled jazz shoes and black ballet slippers.

Adult Aerial:

We highly recommend students be fully covered to avoid fabric/rope burn. All students must wear a leotard or tight-fitting full-length shirt that can be tucked in if needed and leggings or fitted pants, convertible tights, and shorts are also fine. No loose pants or wide-leg pants as they can get caught in the equipment. We do not recommend attending class with bare legs. No loose clothing and no jewelry of any kind will be allowed for the safety of the dancer and the equipment. No socks, shoes, or foot undies, no long nails and avoid lotion before class.

Adult Ballet:

Wear whatever you can move comfortably in. Ballet shoes are recommended but not required.

Adult Tap:

Comfortable clothes you can move in and tap shoes.

Heels

As the name of the class suggests, this class may be done in heels but sneakers are also encouraged. We recommend choosing a pair of heels that are clean and that you feel comfortable walking in. No stilettos. As far as the rest of your attire anything that is comfortable to move in.