“Excellence is not a singular act; it is a habit.” Aristotle
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney
Today's Dance Center Student Handbook
Welcome to Today’s Dance Center! Please read this student handbook carefully & in its entirety.
We at TDC strive for a high quality, disciplined, yet nurturing dance atmosphere while having a good time. It is pertinent to your child’s dance training that we all follow the school policies, recital policies, dress code, & calendar. Thank you! And we hope you enjoy the show.
Please remember that policies & procedures are created for the safety of our studnts and the effective functioning of our establishment. The handbook is continuously changing and evolving to meet the needs of our students and our programs. Thank you in advance for being good role models to our children!
All classes are in-person at the studio. Registration is open and on-going. All class enrollments will be on a 1st come, 1st serve basis and accounts must be in good standing. All dance apparel & shoes can be purchased in our dance store at www.shopnimbly.com/tdcstudent.
Program Year: Our Dance Season runs for 32-34 weeks from September-May. (This season: Sept 9th, 2024-May 8th, 2025) Students are expected to commit to the complete dance season and participate in our annual spring Recital in May. (Recital 2025: May 10th, 2025-BCIT Theater, Medford) Individual situations should be discussed/cleared with the Artistic Director. Summer programs run Mid/May—August.
Communication: Please check your email, our Bulletin Boards and our social media on Facebook & Instagram for all important information throughout our dance season. Links are listed below for all social media platforms & other important links for the studio.
Class Placement: Students are placed in classes based on age, experience, and maturity. This is at the discretion of the Artistic Director & TDC Staff. Missed classes can be made up in the month that they were missed. Check at front desk for options.
Dress Code: TDC has a dress code for each class. All class requirements can be viewed & purchased at www.shopnimbly.com/tdcstudent. Samples sizes are available in office.
Tuition: Tuition is broken up into 4 payments over our dance season: Auto Payment is available to set up in your dancer’s portal. We accept cash, check, or credit which can be paid through the parent portal. For other options please contact the office. A $15 late fee will be posted for any payments not received by 10th.
Private Lessons: Private lessons are offered at TDC weekly or monthly. Fees for 30 min is $45 and 60 mins is $80. A discounted card can be purchased for 4-hour privates for $280.
Recital: TDC’s Annual Recital is held in May. A Recital Newsletter with all details from head to toe, will come out in the spring when the costumes are delivered by the Artistic Director & Staff.
Costumes: Costume measuring week is November 1st-7th. Costumes will run between $85-$110. Fee includes costume, head piece & props (if required). Tights & Performance earrings are separate.) Fees are due on or before the first week of November. No costume will be ordered if not paid in full. Payment plans may be set up from Sept-Nov. Please contact the office to set up at 609-953-0253. No refunds on costumes.
Inclement Weather/Emergency Studio Closings: In the event that class must be canceled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, please check your email and our social media. Classes may be made up at future date.
Important Links
Today’s Dance Center Website www.todaysdancecenter.com
TDC Nimbly Dance Store www.shopnimbly.com/tdcstudent
Dance Studio Pro (DSP) Parent Portal https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/todaysdancecenter
Dance Recital Ticketing https://29942.danceticketing.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/todaysdancecenter
Instagram www.instagram.com/todaysdancecenter
Payment Plans for Tuition
4 Payment Plan Payment #1 Due Upon Registration +Annual Reg
Payment #2 Due Nov 1st
Payment #3 Due Jan 1st
Payment #4 Due March 1st
8 Payment Plan* July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Dec, Jan, Feb, March
Annual Tuition* Full Amount Due Upon Registration No Refunds/Credit Only *Please contact the office to set up 8 payment plan at 609-953-0253.
Costume Payment Plan
Costume Payments due on or before November 1st
Payment #1 September 5th
Payment #2 October 5th
Payment #3 November 5th
*Please contact the office to set up payment plan at 609-953-0253.
Health Procedures
We at TDC we strive for healthy dancers & staff members. We are cautious of all seasonal illnesses and will continue to monitor all of our participants.
Symptoms to Monitor:
-Temperature of 100 degrees or higher
-Sore throat
-Coughing
-Diarrhea or vomiting
-Rashes
These symptoms indicate a possible illness that may decrease the student’s ability to learn and may increase risk for spreading illness to others.
Students & Staff who arrive to TDC with any of the above symptoms must return home until symptoms have subsided.
We appreciate your understanding and compliance as we continue to do our best to put the health and safety of all our dancers, families, and staff first.
Injured dancers are required to come to class weekly and limitedly participate (at doctors approval) or watch class & take notes so that they do not fall behind and stay connected to their teacher & classmates.
Refunds/Dropped Classes:
TDC does not grant refunds. Registration fees can not be used as credit. Credit is based on "Dropped class notice" in writing/email and are credited 2 weeks from the letter/email date. Injured dancers are expected to attend class(es) and observe until doctor's note allows them back into class to participate. Class fees can be used for Studio Credit only up through the calendar year. Credit is interchangeable with immediate family members only. In lieu of holding studio credit, a customer may donate to our "Annual Scholarship Fund" for a committed dancer in need. In addition, studio credit may be used toward: Birthday parties, Non-recital courses, adult programs, & in-stock apparel (no special orders). Credits will be given for Mommy & Me, KFK, & Showcasers but must be used by the end of the school year. No make-ups or Credits are given for summer classes or programs.
Returned checks: A $30 fee will occur.
Communication: It is extremely important to have good, positive communication between TDC and our students and their families. Please check your email, check our social media, read our news letters published 2x per year, check the studio bulletin boards, or call the front desk with any questions. Any problems, concerns, or suggestions please submit in writing to the director.
Lateness:
We ask that you have your child prepared for class 5-10 minutes before so that classes can start promptly at their scheduled time. Continued lateness disrupts the class and does not allow your child to get warmed-up and prepared for class.
Absences:
TDC does not give refunds for absences or extended absences. All absences (including snow days/or weather related absences) must be made up in the same month that they occur. Please call if your child is going to be late or absent..
Dismissals:
Behavior: TDC staff reserves the right to dismiss any student or parent for in appropriate behavior toward a teacher, staff member, or another student without a refund or credit.
Delinquent Accounts: TDC will have to dismiss families with delinquent accounts over 2 months. We will be happy to discuss payment plan options if you are experiencing financial difficulties.
Evaluation:
The Staff will monitor the progress of each student. Students do not automatically advance to the next level at the end of the year. All students must be recommended by staff for advancement. KFK will have a 4 week evaluation period and then parent/student will be advised by the teacher.
Company/Ensemble/Hip-Hop Crew:
These three intensive programs are for the committed student and families. Students are evaluated by staff throughout the year to determine their readiness to participate. If interested please inform your students teacher, the director, or front desk so that your child may be monitored. Then an audition will be held in late winter early spring.
TDC Recital Policies Recital Performance: Participating in the recital is a pertinent part of your child’s dance education. This is a great time for your child to show family and friends what they have worked so hard for the past year, while having fun. It is also an invaluable stage experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Our show usually runs about 2-2 ½ hours long and is held in late May or early June. All classes except for Mommy & Me and Kick for Kids and Showcasers will participate in the recital. Petite Performers will only perform in one of the shows while the Petite Performer II’s & all other levels will perform in both of our shows. Please look for TDC’s recital packet given out this winter for all further details.
Backstage Etiquette:
Students are expected to arrive backstage with their hair and make-up completed as instructed with street clothes on (except for the PP who come fully dressed with daddy’s button down shirt to cover their costume) 45 minutes prior to show time. It is expected that each student will stay in their assigned dressing room with the assigned room mothers for the entirety of the show (except for PP’s who have the option to leave after intermission with a pass). NO ONE IS PERMITTED BACKSTAGE DURING INTERMISSION!! NO STUDENT IS PERMITTED IN THE THEATER DURING THE SHOW!!! THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS! Anyone caught trying to leave the building or sneaking into the theater will not be welcomed back to TDC. Parents are welcomed to drop off their child to their assigned dressing room and pick them up after the show has ended. This is a wonderful and exciting bonding time for the dancers and if you would like to be part of our backstage experience as a room mother please fill out the form in your recital packet and hand it in ASAP. These positions tend to fill up quickly. Otherwise, PLEASE stay out of the backstage area and enjoy the show. ANY PARENT/S THAT ARE GIVING STAFF A PROBLEM OR TRYING TO SNEAK THEIR CHILD OUT WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE TDC. This is for safety reasons and the security of your child. SORRY, No men are permitted backstage.
Dress Rehearsal:
All students performing in the annual recital are required to participate in the dress rehearsal. This is mandatory! We run our rehearsal on schedule. If you have a problem with your child’s scheduled rehearsal time, please let the front desk know ASAP so that we can try and arrange a time change. Please do not wait until last minute. This affects every dancer in the show, not just your child.
Recital Costumes:
All students performing in the recital are required to purchase a professionally made costume for each class that they are enrolled in. Costume fees are due by the last week of November and every family has the option to pay in three monthly installments between September and November. Costume slips will be handed out in the first few weeks of classes or on the date of enrollment there after. No costumes will be ordered without costume payment in full. No costume will be handed out unless all tuition payments are paid in full. There are NO refunds for costumes.
Recital Tickets:
TDC Students families are not required to purchase a minimum or maximum number of tickets for our annual recital. Tickets go on sale in early Spring and are chosen in the order in which you have registered. All outstanding balances need to be cleared up before any sale of tickets can be made. After ticket day they are sold on a 1st come 1st serve basis and have been known to sell out quickly. There are NO refunds or exchanges on tickets.
Recital Videos:
Professional copyrighted videos are available for purchase of our annual recital through an outside company if enough interest presents.. Audience members are not permitted to bring video cameras into the theater or to videotape the recital. Cameras of any type are strictly prohibited in any theater. This is a technical and safety issue. (Please note: Our recitals have professional lighting set for a live audience. The videographers do the best they can do for clarity under these lighting circumstances.) You may videotape during dress rehearsal in designated area only.
Recital Photos:
TDC offers an independent, professional photographer at the studio prior to the recital. This is an optional service and a scheduled appointment is necessary. The sign up book will be available in early spring at the front desk.
“To dance is to live life in it’s finer and higher vibrations.” Ruth St. Dennis-Mother of modern dance.