Payment for Classes
See Tuition for costs. (In previous semesters/pre-Covid: If you were doing the 3 month payment plan, postdated checks for each of the 3 months is due at the beginning of the semester (August 15, September 15, and October 15 for Fall; January 15, February 15, March 15 for Spring).
If you are paying cash, see Suen for a payment plan.
Payment may be made via Venmo: @suen-hughes.
Perfect Attendance and Attire
Starting in August, for the Fall and Spring Semesters, students can earn a certificate for each of their classes. They will need to be in class, on time, with their hair up in a bun or in a French Braid (up & off their neck), with the correct clothes and shoes for the class. Students can have a make up class count toward their missed class, and still earn a certificate for that class.
If you miss a class you may take a make-up lesson, within a 1 month period of missing that class, in a similar class, or you may try something new… see Suen for suggestions. Your sibling may make up a class for you, too. The make-up lesson must be taken during the current Semester’s time period, and lessons may be pre-made up if you know you’ll be absent.
Pointe shoe students need to wear their pointe shoes for each and every class. Beginning students go through an average of 2 pairs of shoes per year. Intermediate students often go through 3 pairs, and Advanced students through 4 or 6 or more. Each student should order a new pair before the old ones are mushy (ask Suen or Olivia to explain this). Think of it as you would any other “athlete’s” equipment; you can order new shoes, not new feet. Football players wouldn’t think of playing without a helmet; basketball players can’t move with sole-flapping shoes. All Pointe students must take Pointe class twice a week. Ballet students, ages 8 & 9 should begin to take ballet twice a week, in order to strengthen their ankles for pointe work. Dancers usually go on pointe when they are 11 or 12, after 3 or more years of ballet.
On-Time to Class
While I realize we all have our “bad traffic” days, “had to stay late at work” days, etc., if your child is more than 10 minutes late to class, we will have her/him sit and watch class, rather than participate. The first 10 minutes are crucial to the gradual and gentle warm up of the muscles. Being on time for dance class actually means arriving 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of class!
Last Class of the Day
Student pickup is to be promptly on time, please! The last parent to pick up helps the teacher close up & then walks with her to her car, as a safety measure. All students must wait inside the studio for their pickup, as a safety measure also. If the dancers are drivers, the last driver walks out with the teacher, and they both see each other safely to their cars.
Parents of Older Students
We recommend parents of older students observe them in class at least once a month.
Liability Waiver
As legal guardian of the dancer registering, or as the dancer registering who is at least 18 years of age, I hereby assume the risk of any injuries or the loss of any property that may occur while receiving instruction from or performing with Island Dance Academy, hereafter I.D.A.
I will not hold I.D.A., its staff, or its venues responsible for any personal injury or loss of property that may occur while receiving instruction from or performing with I.D.A.
Media Release
We prefer to use photos of our dancers in promotional materials. When applying to I.D.A., we ask you to decide if we may use your dancer’s photos.
Our use of photos is done without compensation or review approval.