Information pack. Please read through carefully

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET

Welcome to Upstage Dance Studio, This booklet provides the terms and conditions to which all students, parents/caregivers must abide by in order to maintain a positive, fun and caring environment for our students.

Studio Goals Upstage Dance Studio is committed to providing excellence in dance education in a fun, friendly and professional environment. Cassie Simaitis is passionate about teaching a nurturing young dancers, helping them to be self-confident. We aim to make every child feel special and ensure that each child gets the attention they need from every class they take. UDS performs at various events throughout the year, our End of Year concert is an especially exciting time. The concert requires a lot of hard work from the UDS team but also from each and every student, it is a time they can demonstrate everything they have learnt throughout the year in a comfortable family friendly setting. Please see website for important dates*

Merit award system At UDS we like to acknowledge our students hard work, there are many things teachers and staff are looking for when awarding the students; Practicing at home, coming early and stretching before class, correct uniform, respecting their teacher, dance and technique development. UDS have developed a merit system to encourage our students to push themselves. Students have to work very hard to receive these awards. Students receiving Gold awards are announced at the concert. 5x White merit awards = 1 silver award 5x Silver awards = GOLD AWARD

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET

2016 Timetable

SCHOFIELDS STUDIO Monday 4.00pm - 4.30pm 4.30pm - 5.00pm 5.00pm - 5.30pm 5.30pm - 6.15pm 6.15pm - 6.45pm 6.45pm - 7.15pm 7.30pm – 8.25pm Tuesday 3.00pm – 3.30pm 3.30pm – 4.00pm 4.00pm – 4.30pm 4.30pm – 5.15pm 5.15pm - 6.00pm 6.00pm – 6.45pm 6.45pm – 7.30pm Thursday 4.00pm - 4.30pm 4.30pm - 5.15pm 5.15pm - 6.00pm 6.00pm - 6.45pm 7.00pm – 7.55pm THE PONDS STUDIO Wednesday 10.00am - 10.30am 10.30am - 11.00am 11.00am - 11.30am 11.30am - 12.00pm (Timetable is subject to change)

Junior Tap Primary Ballet exam class Junior Jazz Grade One Ballet exam class Junior Show group PRIVATE LESSON Adult Dance + Fitness PRIVATE LESSON PRIVATE LESSON Acrobatics LEVEL 1 Cheerleading Acrobatics Level 2 Intermediate Contemporary Intermediate Hip hop Intermediate Tap Intermediate Jazz Grade Two exam Ballet Intermediate Show group Adult Dance + Fitness 3-4 year Little Stars 4-5 year Little Stars Jazz 4-5 year Little Stars Tap Pre Primary Ballet exam class

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET Fees. All Fees are charged per class, Term fees must be paid in full by Week 3 of every term. 2016 due dates for Fees are as follows: Term 1 Fees Due – 15 Feb 2016 Term 3 Fees Due – 01 August 2016

Term 2 Fees Due – 09 April 2016 Term 4 Fees Due – 24 October 2016

If fees are not paid in full by the end of week 3 of each term your child will not be permitted to attend class. In extreme circumstances where you are unable to make payment for an extraordinary reason prior arrangements must be arranged with Lee or Cassie BEFORE THE DUE DATE. Any fees not paid by their due date will incur a $10.00 late fee per child for the administration work incurred in chasing payments. Parents are to pay a yearly non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 per child, this covers personal insurance for your child while attending UDS and administration costs. Procedure for Payment UDS emails all invoices out in the holidays before the next term. Invoices can then be paid via internet transfer, cash or cheque. Once payment is received you will be emailed a receipt, or if you pay at the studio you will receive your reciept immediately. Fees as of 01/01/2016 Little stars 30 min lesson 30 Minute lesson 45 Minute lesson 60 Minute lesson Solo per 30 minute Duo per 30 minute Exams Show group

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$8.00

Sibling Discount Second and subsequent children 5% discount *This does not include private lessons or show group

$10.00 $12.00 $15.00 $25.00 $20.00 P.O.A $12.00 per lesson

All Prices stated are per class All prices stated are per student

Multi-lesson discount Third lessons and lessons thereafter 5% discount *This does not include private lessons or show group

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Students will not receive a double discount. e.g if you have a sibling discounts your third class will not be discounted further.

Missed lessons Any lessons that are missed are non-refundable. If your child is unable to attend a lesson for any reason, where possible they are able to attend a make up class of the same level, prior arrangements must be made with LEE for this to occur.

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET Private Lessons Private lessons offer our students the chance to build on their technique and skills with their teacher one on one. Solo students are encouraged to compete in eisteddfods and performance days. Solo classes are by invitation only and students must attend at least one Ballet class a week to be considered. Private lesson price is $25.00 per 30 mins and discount packages cannot be used for private lessons. There will also be a fee for costumes when performances arise. Private lesson time slots are subject to teacher and studio availability.

Exams Students taking Ballet class will learn exam work as part of every class. Students learn correct technique and terminology. However, not all students will be expected to take their exams. Sitting your Ballet exam is by invitation of your class teacher when they see that you are ready. Entering into exams will incur additional fees. Students who sit their exams will attend extra classes in the lead up to their exam. Students sitting their exams will be required to purchase correct shoes and stockings.

Concert Upstage Dance Studios EOY concert will be at the beginning of December 2016 The concert is compulsory for all students which is an agreement of enrolling your child at UDS. You will need to be available this day for a full day rehearsal with an early evening performance. There will be more information regarding times closer to the date

Photo Day All students are required to attend our photo day on 19 Nov at Schofields Hall. More information will be received closer to the date. Costumes Some costumes will be purchased by you for you to keep for any future performance, other costumes will be hired by you to be returned in the same condition you received them. All costume payments are due by WEEK 5 TERM 3 Monday 15 August to ensure all costumes arrive in time for photo day and the concert. If costumes are not paid for by this date they will not be ordered.

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET Show Group Show group is made up of students who are committed to dance and take at least one Ballet class a week, show group is by INVITE ONLY. This group will perform at all community performances, shows and eisteddfods. Show group students must be available for all eisteddfods that are entered at the beginning of 2016.

Social media 

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UDS has a Facebook page ‘Upstage Dance Studio NSW’ that we encourage all families to follow for updates and photos of classes, please rate our studio on this Facebook page. UDS also has a private FB group, to be invited to this group please find ‘Cassie Upstage’ on Facebook and send a friend request you will then be added to the private group where all information on times, rehearsals, kids dance videos for practice will be uploaded. UDS has also started an Instagram, please support our school by following us on Instagram.

ANY IMAGES OR VIDEO UDS POSTS AS ADVERTISING MAY BE SHARED BY PARENTS ON THEIR PERSONAL ACCOUNT. ANY OTHER PHOTOS OR VIDEOS OF STUDENTS OR ESPECIALLY CHOREOGRAPHY MAY NOT BE UPLOADED OR SHARED BY PARENTS OR STUDENTS

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET

Cassie Simaitis (Principal) Miss Cassie is dedicated and experienced in teaching all forms of dance. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Cheerleading, Hip hop & Theatrical from the age of 5 where her love of dance started, from which it has only grown. Cassie received a scholarship to attend The McDonald College of performing arts where she completed her HSC, she was then accepted to attend fulltime dance at Brent Street. She has completed her BBO Diploma of teaching classical ballet Her performance experience includes QLD theme parks, NRL Grand Final, NRL opening ceremony, dancing and promo at many corporate events, film clips, television appearances, performing at the Sydney Opera House, Resident Showgirl for “walking in Memphis” show and cheerleading for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. She hopes to extend her knowledge and love of dance onto her students which has led to her teaching thousands of students in schools and dance schools throughout Sydney. Cassie hopes to bring energy and excitement to her own students at Upstage Dance Studio.

Jessica Yates (Acrobatics & Cheerleading) Jessica has been dancing for 16 years and is trained in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics and cheerleading. She has had many great opportunities in dance such as dancing at the opera house and crown casino, dancing for Kelly Clarkson at the NRL Grand Final, MTA motor registry awards 2011-2014, coco productions lead in NSW state dance company, school spectacular featured ensembles.. She was also a dancer at Sydney’s iconic Luna Park. Jessica is a qualified AASCF/UASCF cheer/dance and tumbling coach and has also competed in many cheerleading competitions, placing 1st at a national level.

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET

Studio Policies Parent code of conduct  

Classes are run as per the NSW school terms. Fees are invoiced at the start of each term, fees are due by week three of each term. Parents are to pay a yearly non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 per child, this covers personal insurance for your child while attending UDS and administration costs.

Please note registration fee cannot be refunded. Refunds are not permitted if a child misses a class. 

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Parents must notify UDS staff if their child will not be attending a lesson for any reason. Regular attendance is expected, irregular attendance slows progress and improvement. Each student is an important part of each class. If you are absent for three consecutive weeks without contact we will assume you have discontinued lessons and your spot will be opened up to another student. In the event you are running late please notify the office (LEE – 0421 021 954) Parents must check emails regularly, all correspondence is done via email so please ensure you provide your current email address on the registration form. Also please advise if your contact details have changed during the time you attend UDS. Parents must understand that dance is fun but also a discipline, your child may receive corrections, your child may be asked to repeat things numerous times. This is the teacher striving for results, maximising their potential and sometimes working to a deadline (concert, exams, or performances). Corrections mean your child is being watched and the teacher wants the best for them. Parents are asked to have their child at the studio ten minutes prior to the lesson. Parents are asked not to speak to the teacher between lessons. Classes run back to back and it interferes with the other children’s paid lesson time. If you need to speak to the teacher please email to arrange a time which suits both parties the studio email address is [email protected] UDS holds closed classes, parents are not permitted to watch. However, we have a viewing day which is the last week in Term Two. Parents of Little Stars must take their children to the bathroom BEFORE their lesson begins to avoid any embarrassment and to ensure they get the most out of every lesson. UDS holds and End-of-Year Concert. You will be charged a performance Fee of $50.00 and $15.00 for any sibling thereafter, this payment includes ONE DVD.

UPSTAGE DANCE STUDIO INFORMATION BOOKLET

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The Performance Fee must be paid for your child to receive their costume and participate in the EOY concert. Costumes that are hired out must be folded back into their bags and returned to Cassie or Lee directly after any performance. Costumes that are purchased and kept by you must be kept in good condition for re-use. During Term Four, parents are asked to support UDS in the lead up to the concert by having their child at ALL OF THEIR LESSONS. Missed lessons in Term Four may result in less stage time at the concert. Parents are asked to promote UDS in a positive way. If you feel there are any issues you would like addressed please discuss these with the principal immediately rather than other dance parents or on social media. Most issues can be quickly resolved avoiding any negative gossip. Parents should not upload any choreography onto social media unless permission has been given, this is a breach of copyright. In the unlikely event of an injury requiring treatment by a doctor, an ambulance will be called to the studio. Any parent opposed to this should advise prior to enrolment. Every effort will be made to contact the parents if this situation arises.

Student code of conduct     

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All student must arrive 10 minutes prior to their lesson to avoid disrupting the teacher and other students. Students are required to wear appropriate clothing and shoes to class in accordance to the uniform requirements. Hair must be neat and tidy and pulled back into a ponytail. For Ballet lessons hair must be in a bun with pins and a hair net, no exceptions. Bullying and gossiping will not be tolerated at UDS, this also extends to outside of the studio. Students who engage in this behaviour risk being suspended or asked to leave the studio. Students will not use their mobile phones in class; they are to be on silent and kept in their dance bags. Students are NOT to attend any other local dance studios as this creates conflict of interest, No exceptions. All choreography is property of UDS, students will not teach any choreography to any students who do not attend UDS. Students should not upload any choreography onto social media unless permission has been given, this is a breach of copyright. All students are asked to be polite and courteous to all teachers, parents, staff and other students. Disrespectful behaviour will be addressed with parents.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

Little stars are required to wear the baby leotard with Nude jazz stockings in jazz and tap and Ballet

Little Stars Leotard (3-5 years)

All other students are required to wear the Upstage Dance Studio Singlet or Crop top with their own Black Dance wear. (shorts, leotard, Ballet skirt, Black Tights)

Jackets are available to all students. However jackets must be purchased by all students in the performance group.

Canvas split sole ballet shoes

Black slip on split sole jazz shoe

Black buckle tap shoe

Pink ballet stockings