Studio Rules

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General Dance Attire Dance Dress Code Boys Dress Code Dancewear & Shoes Class Attendance Class Cancellation Recital Costumes Competition Dance Teams

General Dance Attire

All students wear dance tights and leotards. (No panties under dance attire). Bulky clothing will not be allowed over leotards and tights. Hair must be worn securely tied back off the face. Long braids and ponytails must be pinned up off the neck. Remove all jewelry before leaving home. (Jewelry is not allowed in the dance class and we are not responsible for misplaced articles).

Dance Dress Code

Class Leotard Tights Shoes

Terrific Twos Any color (no ruffles or skirts) Pink / tan / white Pink leather ballet shoes

Pre-school Tiny Tots Any color (no ruffles or skirts) Pink / tan / white Tap-Tan SO-DANCA
#TA-35
Ballet-pink leather ballet shoes

Kinderdance Any color (no ruffles or skirts) Pink / tan / white Tap-Tan Bloch
Techno #S0302
Ballet-pink leather ballet shoes

Danceworks Any color (no ruffles or skirts) Pink / tan / white Tap-Tan Bloch
Techno #S0302
Ballet-pink leather ballet shoes

Tap/Jazz Combo Any color (no skirts) Tan or pink Tap-Tan Bloch
Techno #S0302
Jazz-pink ballet shoes or tan Bloch jazz shoes

Jazz Classes Any color (no skirts) Tan, black or pink stirrup or convertible tights. White nylon ankle socks should be carried at all times. Bloch Super Jazz
#S0401
Pink ballet shoes or Bloch jazz shoes (tan)
Be prepared to dance barefoot and always carry shoes

Competition Jazz Classes Any color Tan, black or pink Bloch Super Jazz
#S0401
Be prepared to dance barefoot and always carry shoes

All Ballet Classes Black** Black knit sweaters and leg warmers are the only warm-up clothes allowed. Pink or tan Bloch # S0203
Pink leather ballet (split sole for all competition classes)

Tap Classes Any color** Some teachers allow dance pants over leotards-tap pants may be purchased at Workout Wearhouse Any color Tan Bloch or Black Bloch Respect #S0361. Check with your teacher during registration.

Hip Hop Any color Any color Black dance sneaker #DS03

Modern Any color Any color Barefoot

Boys Dress Code

Clothing Shoes

Fitted T-shirts and dance pants in all classes Tap Jazz Ballet

Black leather tap oxfords Black leather jazz oxfords Bloch or Capezio black ballet shoes

Dancewear & Shoes

We recommend WorkOut Wear-House on Stafford Street in Worcester for purchasing dancewear and shoes. The staff is experienced in proper fit and knows what is required at this studio. They have a list of all our dance classes and the required shoes.

Have your teacher check all shoes before wearing them in class.

Dancers wearing stirrup tights or footless tights must wear white nylon ankle socks with all dances shoes.
Some teachers occassionally allow dance pants to be worn in tap or jazz classess...please note no sweatpants or street pants allowed - only pants specifically designed for dancing.
Street shoes are never allowed on studio floors. Please be sure never to wear dance shoes outside.
Be sure to print child's name on all shoes.
Please choose warm-up clothing carefully. Street clothes are not allowed in any classes. WorkOut Wearhouse sells dance sweaters and knit warm-up tights. It is a good idea to buy, label, and carry in your dance bag at all times.
All competition dance team members are required to have a Cathy Taylor School of Dance nylon suit (to wear in cooler weather) and Cathy Taylor shorts and a t-shirt for competitions in warmer weather. Studio clothing will be sold in the fall - watch the newsletter for details. (students may wear jogging suits from a previous year if they have one that fits)

Class Attendance

Weekly attendance is mandatory. Students have the opportunity to make up within one month of an absent date. Students with perfect attendance will be awarded a trophy at recital. (Students starting after the first week of classes must make up all missed classes in order to be eligible for a trophy). Absolutely NO make-up classes will be allowed during observation weeks. (Please refer to the make-up sheet which will be handed out during the first month of classes for appropriate make-up times.) NO make-up classes after March 31, 2008 without a doctor's note.

Class Cancellation

During inclement weather, you may also call the studio; if class is cancelled, there will be a message on the answering machine. Cancellations will also be posted on our website, www.tophatter.com. Credits will not be given for snow cancellations. Students may make-up the cancelled class if they so choose by attending a comparable class of the same dance form and level. (Please refer to the make-up sheet which will be handed out during the first month of classes for appropriate times). Classes cancelled by the studio, due to inclement weather will not change a student's perfect attendance status. The studio is not always closed when school is cancelled - do not hesitate to call the studio if you are uncertain.

Recital Costumes

Each Spring a recital is presented by the entire studio. Each student is required to include a $10.00 costume deposit (per weekly class) starting with the October lesson payment. Subsequent payments should be made monthly, with the final balance due the first week of March. Costumes are ordered in December -- costume deposits and lesson payments must be up to date in order for a dancer's costume to be ordered. Costume and lesson payments must be paid in full before any costumes may be taken home.

Competition Dance Teams

Dancers interested in being a member of one of our competition dance teams should let Cathy or another dance teacher know at registration. Some dancers may be ready for a "dance team" as early as 7 years of age (based on maturity, years of experience, and musicality). By the age of 9, competition dancers must add ballet to their weekly dance program.

Being a member of a "dance team" is a 10-month commitment so please make the decision a "family decision". Younger children typically do 2 or 3 competitions each season, while older dancers may do more. The competition schedule is generally available in early December. Families with any conflicts (due to family vacations, weddings, etc.) should let Cathy know immediately. This enables the teachers and choreographers to decide the best course of action before group competition routines have begun.

Do not hestitate to talk with Cathy if you have any questions or concerns.

PLEASE - Drive Slowly
The Dance Studio is located in the heart of a residential area. Many young children live and play in this neighborhood. Some children are in the habit of using the street as a play area or may run out from driveways or parked cars. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY ON ALL STREETS APPROACHING THE STUDIO.

Studio Safety

Outside:
Parents please do not allow your children to use rollerblades or skateboards in the studio parking lot. It is unsafe as vehicles enter and exit the parking lot frequently.

The studio is not responsible for any damage to vehicles or items stolen from vehicles parked in the studio lot or on surrounding streets.

Inside:
Parents, to ensure the safety of everyone please do not allow your children to stand on chairs or leave toys on the lobby floor. Many of our dancers pass through the lobby bare foot and could get hurt from items on the floor.