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WELCOME TO DANCE SOUTH!
For eighteen years Dance South has provided Shelby County and the surrounding community with the highest quality dance instruction available. Through our progressive program, professional faculty, and brand new facility, students of all ages have the opportunity to strengthen their bodies and minds as they grow to love the art of dance. From our Tiny Dancer classes to our most advanced level curriculum, our students gain a solid understanding of proper technique and terminology which help to foster physical awareness while improving carriage, poise, and coordination. Dance school is an extension of the educational process, and children, teens, and even adults benefit greatly from dance training. It offers mental and physical challenges, stimulates memory and retention, and provides discipline and camaraderie.

Our professionally trained and caring instructors provide a rewarding and positive experience for all students, helping to promote self-esteem while at the same time providing an outlet for creativity. The emphasis of our school is on dance as a rewarding and fulfilling experience and is designed to meet the needs of any student interested in dance. Great care and individual attention is given in nurturing the abilities of each student to their fullest potentials. Our instructors stress not only skills in dancing but also social development and effective interaction between pupils and teachers. The Dance South staff is fully aware of each student’s capabilities and will place each student in the class level most beneficial to them.

TEACHERS

Nena Maniscalco	Director		Allison Sluder	Hip Hop, Clogging
Claudia Butler	Ballet		J.J. Butler	Hip Hop
Shondra Chance	Tap		Kim Daniels	Tiny Dancer, Combo
Kristin Bundren	Jazz		EA Moore	Tiny Dancer, Combo
Kelly Caudle	Ballet, Jazz		Kimberlynn Edge	Tiny Dancer, Combo
Ellen Laxson	Tap, Jazz		Anna Turner	Tiny Dancer, Combo

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Tiny Dancer is a forty-five minute introductory dance class for ages 3-5 containing ballet and tap. Young dancers will learn the basic steps while learning how to follow direction and imitate movement in a positive environment. Engaging music and the use of props enables the young dancers to use their imagination, creativity and, most of all, have fun!

Combination Classes are one hour classes that combine ballet, tap, and jazz. Each class is age specific for 6-8 year olds or 9-12 year olds. The class introduces the dancers to the basic terminology of the three styles of dance and inspires movement and creativity.

Competition Classes are designed for Dance South student that wish to enhance their performances through competition. Strong technique, dedication, and desire are required. Members of the competition classes take a minimum of 3 hours of dance classes each week. Audition only.

Company Classes include more intensive training for those with a strong interest and ability in dance. Students are placed into five levels of tap, jazz, and ballet according to ability and dedication.

TUITION
Tuition is calculated on a per student basis. Tuition is not based on the number of classes per month, but is a yearly fee for the total classes provided in the school term. A 5% discount is given if yearly tuition is paid before October 1. Monthly fees are due and payable to Dance South on the first lesson of each month. We do not send statements unless an account is delinquent. A $15 late fee will be charged after the 10th of the month. This late fee will be incurred for every month the tuition is delinquent. There is a $15 fee for returned checks.

1 Class	$40
2 Classes	$65
3 Classes	$80
4 Classes	$95
5 Classes	$105
6 Classes	$115
7+ Classes	$125

FAMILY RATES: Siblings enrolled in Dance South competition or company classes will receive a 25% discount (per additional child) off of their tuition. To calculate your family rate, find the tuition of each child using our tuition chart. The child with the most hours is billed at the normal rate and each additional child will be billed at 25% off of their normal tuition rate. For families enrolled in combination and/or Tiny Dancer classes, the first child’s tuition is $40 and the second child’s tuition is $25. Tuition is $15 for any additional children enrolled in Tiny Dancer or combination classes.

WITHDRAW POLICY
If you wish to withdraw your child from dance class you must send written notification to the office. You are responsible for all fees and tuition due up to the date your notification is received. A student will not be allowed to drop out of class for an extended amount of time and then return without payments. All tuition must be paid in full, even if you are absent from class.

ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is essential for progression in dancing. Tardiness and excessive absences are inexcusable and not tolerated. All students are responsible for learning the choreography which requires regular attendance. To be fair to all students, class time will not be used to review material missed. If you miss more than three classes after January 15 you may be required to take private lessons in order to participate in recital. If class enrollment does not exceed 10 students the class will be canceled and students enrolled will be assigned to another class.

CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR
Dance South strives to provide an encouraging, nurturing environment for all its dancers. To ensure that each dancer feels safe and comfortable during class, we have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior that may cause physical or emotional harm to students and instructors in the class. Teachers reserve the right to dismiss any child from a class due to discipline problems.

PRIVATE LESSONS
Students needing or wanting private lessons will need to contact the studio office to set an appointment. Private lessons are $50 per hour. If you miss more than three classes after January 15 you may be required to take private lessons in order to participate in recital.

BRING A FRIEND WEEK
Students who take at the Chelsea studio may bring a friend with them to participate in dance class. This will be the 2nd week of October. This may be a friend who takes dance, wants to try dance, or who wants to come for a day of dance fun! Only one friend per Dance South dancer, please. Visitors should wear dance apparel or clothes that are non-restricting. Dance shoes are not required for visitors. After class, visitors are welcome to register for dance classes. If your friend registers for classes, the Dance South student will receive $20 off October tuition.

ATTIRE
All students must wear proper dance attire. All shoes and dance attire can be purchased through Dance South. An order form with prices is included in the handbook. It is also required that hair be pulled back. If your child does not wear appropriate attire the teacher cannot view the correct body alignment, nor can the student properly stretch and execute certain dance steps. Dance shoes must be worn each week. Dance South is not responsible for belongings left at the studio or other locations. Please put your child’s name on all shoes and belongings. All dancers should wear appropriate cover-ups when entering and leaving dance class. The shoes required for each class is listed below.

Tiny Dancer	pink ballet shoes and white tie tap shoes
Combination	black jazz or ballet shoes and tan buckled tap shoes
Company	pink ballet shoes, tan jazz shoes, tan split-sole tap shoes
Competition	pink ballet shoes, tan jazz shoes, tan split-sole tap shoes

LOST AND FOUND
Please keep up with all belongings and write your name in all dancewear. Dance South is not responsible for any items left at dance class. Items left at the studio will be placed in the lost and found. However, dance shoes without names in them will be added to the Used Shoes Supply after two weeks.

PARENT OBSERVATION
Parents are not allowed to observe dance classes due to distraction. Parents must remain outside the room until dance class has finished. However, parents are invited to watch their child’s class during Observation Week in December. This is a great time to see the wonderful progress you child has made. Dancers are welcome to have a Holiday Celebration during their class, however parent organization and planning is required. Please contact you child’s dance teacher for more information.

QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
We will be pleased to answer all questions and concerns as able through the general office. If you wish to discuss questions or concerns with your teacher, please make an appointment through the office. Catching instructors between class leads to late classes! Please respect your teacher’s time.

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS

Inverness Elementary School	Oak Mountain Elementary School
Mt. Laurel Elementary School	Oak Mountain Intermediate School
CASA at Asbury UMC	Primrose School of Meadowbrook
Chelsea Park Elementary

SHELBY COUNTY COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Dance South is affiliated with the ASCP activities program. Therefore, anyone taking classes in the Shelby County Schools (IES, OME, OMIS, Mt. Laurel) must register with Shelby County Community Education for insurance purposes. They require a registration fee that is fully separate from Dance South fees. A form may be obtained from one of the schools.

COSTUMES
Costumes fees are dependant on the number of dances and the required accessories. Combination and Tiny Dancer classes receive two costumes for a total of $140. This includes the costume, headpiece, and one pair of tights (per child). Additional accessories will result in a $15 accessory fee. Extra tights will cost $10. Prices may vary depending on size and style. An $85 costume deposit (for combination and Tiny Dancer classes) is due October 1st and the remaining balance is due in January. Company and competition classes will owe $120 for the first deposit. Company and competition classes will be notified with the final costume deposit by January 15th.

You will be billed and notified with the final costume payments. Costume fees are not refundable. Students are responsible for any alterations needed. Please notify the instructor by October 1st if your child will not participate in recital. If a costume deposit is not made by November 1st I will assume that your child is not performing in recital and a costume will not be ordered. There will be a shipping charge of $20 if costumes are ordered late.

SPRING RECITAL
Our annual dance recital is part of a child’s education and is an extension of the benefits derived from dance training. A complete recital information packet will be given out in January with details concerning the performances. Our 2009 dance recital will be June 13th at the BJCC Theatre. We have three performances, Morning at 11:00, Matinee at 2:30 and Evening at 6:00. Rehearsal for the morning and matinee recital will be Thursday, June 11th and rehearsal for the evening recital will be Friday, June 12th at the BJCC Theatre. Participation in the recital is optional; however you must inform your child’s instructor as soon as possible.

RECITAL FEE
There is a $45 recital fee per family billed in April. Recital fees cover the cost for the recital packets and also assist in the financial undertaking that Dance South assumes in production of the show. Production costs include: theatre rentals, technical crews, professional music recordings, backdrop rentals, additional staffing, printing, and programs. Recital packets will be distributed in May; however, recital packets will not be given to those with delinquent accounts. The recital packet will include the rehearsal schedule, recital information, a coupon for one recital program, and arm bands. Arm bands allow entrance to the BJCC Theatre and dressing rooms. Families will receive an arm band for each dancer and three extras. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5. Extra programs will also be sold at recital for $5.

TROPHY PRESENTATION
Each year at the end of the recital we present a trophy to students who have had five, ten or fifteen years of dance. We recognize previous years of dance at other studios. If your child meets these qualifications, notify Dance South during picture week.

STUDIO RENTAL
Dance South Studio can be rented for birthday parties, teas, and other events. Dance South also offers to host birthday parties. Please contact the office for more information.