FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

• Getting Started
• Recital and Other Performances
• Absences, Tardies, and Cancellations
• Tuition and Fees
• Other

GETTING STARTED:

When can I start classes?

Our season starts in early September every year. Classes run through June culminating in a final recital in mid-June.

You can register at any time! We typically take registrations through January for most classes based on availability and class level. Call us and we will help you find a class for your dancer.

We also offer classes over the summer which begin post recitals in mid-June and run through the end of July. Summer classes are a great opportunity to try a new class and keep up on skills and strength before the following season begins.

What do we bring on the first day of class?

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early ahead of your first class. Students should arrive dressed in their required attire. If you are new you can pick up your official Academy leotard and tights before your first class. A dance bag and water bottle are suggested to keep their items organized.

Required attire: MIADM official leotard, tights, appropriate shoes

Optional attire: Dance shorts, dance skirt (for classes other than ballet)

Stop by our in-studio dance store to pick-up your leotard and tights. Please head to The Dancer’s Boutique (5760 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor) for any dance shoe or dance accessory needs!

We do offer loaner ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap shoes as needed.

Hair should be NEATLY and SECURELY pulled away from the face for ALL CLASSES. Please reference our “How To Make a Dance Bun” tutorial below:

What classes do you offer?

We offer everything from Ballet to Hip Hop! We teach students as young as 2 all the way up through adults! You can read more about our offerings under Dance → Dance Program Guide.

Each style of dance offers something new. Trying a new style will challenge your student and provide growth.

Ballet/Modern/Stretch & Conditioning/Jumps Leaps Turns: Structure, strength, focus, body alignment

Tap/Jazz: Rhythm, musicality

Lyrical/Contemporary/Hip Hop: Emotional connection, expression

MINI Classes: Ballet, Jazz & Tap Ages 3-4

HAPPY FEET Classes: Ballet, Jazz & Tap Ages 5-6

BEG. BUILD Classes: Ballet, Jazz & Tap Ages 7-8

LEVELS 1-5 Classes: Ballet, Jazz & Tap Ages 8+

SPECIALTY Classes: Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Jumps-Leaps-Turns, Acro & Contemporary Ages 8+

How do I know which level to enroll my student in?

For ages 9 and under, class placement is determined by age. Near the end of every season, you will receive a placement from the following year based on feedback from your student’s instructor(s). It will recommend what level to take for the following year, as well as other classes that your student would enjoy and benefit from. Please note it is normal for students to stay in a level for MORE THAN one year.

If you are a new student over the age of 9, we recommend scheduling a complimentary trial class with us so you can find the perfect fit! Call or email us today to schedule. We also have an Open House during the year where students can sample different classes, so follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming events!

If your student is over the age of 7, they must be registered in Ballet to register for Contemporary, and/or Lyrical. They may register for Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz or Modern individually. Ballet builds the foundational skills and terminology necessary to engage in these other styles of dance with the proper understanding and confidence.

Should I stay at the studio during my student's class?

If your student is under the age of 8, we recommend staying at the studio for the duration of class. If your student is over the age of 8, we recommend staying for just the first couple of weeks to become accustomed to the space, teachers, and other staff/families.

You’re welcome to observe classes through the studio observation window. It is at the teacher’s discretion to keep the curtains of the window open. We like to limit distractions to encourage focus amongst our students.

Once your student is in the room, please do not interrupt the class unless it is an emergency. Our teachers will guide your student outside the room if/when it is necessary.

All students should be picked up at their class end time. All students under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult to leave the building. That includes the sidewalk, parking lot, and surrounding businesses.

RECITAL AND OTHER PERFORMANCES:

What is the recital?

Our recital is in early-mid June every year at Dexter High School. Dress rehearsal will take place during photo week in May, so students only need to bring their costume with them once outside of recital. We do an on-stage rehearsal the week leading up to recital at the high school, so students become familiar with the stage, dressing rooms, auditorium, etc. Students will wear their recital T-shirt, jazz shorts, and appropriate shoes for the on-stage rehearsal.

It is assumed all students will perform in the dance recital unless otherwise notified. Please notify us via email AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you do not wish your student to participate in the recital. Most students participate in our annual recital as a fun culmination to celebrate a year of training!

You can learn more information in our Recital Hub under Recitals → Dance Recital → Visit Our Recital Hub.

Does my student perform any other time throughout the year?

The week before winter break, your student will perform an in-class holiday performance. Teachers will invite guests near the end of class to enjoy the performance.

Does your studio offer a Nutcracker?

Yes, we do! Our Nutcracker performance takes place in mid-late December before winter break at Dexter High School. Students rehearse on Saturday afternoons throughout the fall ahead of the performance.

To participate, we recommend registering for our Nutcracker Workshop over summer. Students get the opportunity to learn different repertoire for each role, as well as audition at the end of the week.

We do offer non-audition roles for students aged 4-8. If you’re interested in participating in the Nutcracker, please contact us!

ABSENCES, TARDIES, AND CANCELLATIONS:

What if my student will be tardy or absent?

If your student has a planned absence, complete the absence form at the bottom of our website under Helpful Links → Absence Reporting. If your student is absent with less than 12 hours’ notice, call or email the studio so we can inform our instructors properly. If a student is more than 10 minutes tardy, they will be asked to observe. Proper time to warm-up is crucial for a dancer’s physical safety.

What if a class is cancelled?

If the studio needs to cancel a class due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will receive an email by noon that day. We will also send alerts out via our app and post on social media.

While uncommon, if the studio needs to permanently cancel a class, you will receive notification within the first couple weeks of classes. We’ll offer suggestions for other classes that may be a good fit for your student.

Do you offer make-up classes?

Our season includes 32 guaranteed weeks of instruction. We build in to our schedule 34 classes to account for snow days, general absences, etc. Because of this, we do not offer make-up classes for students.

We also do not offer pro-rated tuition for absences.

TUITION AND FEES:

When is tuition charged?

Tuition may be paid in full by September 30th to receive a 5% discount. Otherwise, tuition is charged on the first day of every month through June (10 installments).

     Mini Ballet Full Season Tuition: $490 = $49 x10 (ten $49 monthly installments)

You can reference your ledger in the online parent portal. Please contact us with any concerns or questions throughout the year.

Are there other fees throughout the year?

The recital fee is billed on February 15th every year. The recital fee is charged per student and includes 2 recital tickets, a recital T-shirt, a recital program/yearbook, class photos, and a recital video.

The costume deposit is billed on October 15th, and the remaining costume balance is billed on November 15th. These cover the costume costs for the spring recital. The spring costume fees are NON-REFUNDABLE; costumes are ordered in December. If you decide to withdraw from classes after costumes have been ordered, your student will still receive a costume that you can pick up after May 1st at your discretion.

The membership fee is billed on the first day of enrollment or on July 15th for rollover registration (for those already enrolled in classes with us). This reserves your spot in next seasons classes.

OTHER:

Are there opportunities for my student to grow?

Outside of classes, we have a dance company. It consists of a Mini Company (ages 5-8), a Performance Company (ages 9-18) and a Pre-Professional Company (ages 9-18). All groups rehearse on Saturdays and compete in the late winter and spring. You can learn more about our dance company under Dance → Performing Groups.

Can I film my student during class?

Please do not film your students in class unless they are the only one in frame. We do not want other students to be publicly posted without their guardian’s consent. So, for the safety and privacy of our students, please only record your student and only record when the teacher has given permission (ie: recording them at the end of class to practice their recital dance at home).

If my student misplaces an item, where can I find it?

We keep a lost-and-found behind our front desk. Please ask a staff member to check the lost and found for you. Please note due to the high volume of items, we donate our lost and found items that are not picked up, monthly.