Dance Program Policies

Soul Studios Dance Program Policies

At Soul Studios, our goal is to create a positive, encouraging environment where dancers can have fun, build confidence, develop strong dance technique, and learn the value of commitment and hard work.

We expect all dancers to show respect for themselves, their instructors, their classmates, our staff, and the studio space. Our instructors will consistently enforce the expectations below so that every dancer has the opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy their time at Soul.

Classroom Expectations

Dancers are expected to:

  • Arrive on time and prepared for class.

  • Follow the dress code for their specific class.

  • Have hair pulled back and secured away from the face. Ballet dancers should have their hair secured in a bun.

  • Use the restroom before class begins.

  • Attend class consistently and follow our attendance policy.

  • Keep cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, and other electronic devices put away during class.

  • Leave gum, food, and drinks other than water outside the dance room.

  • Treat instructors, classmates, Soul Studios staff, and the studio space with kindness and respect.

  • Listen while the instructor is teaching and avoid unnecessary talking during class.

  • Ask questions when clarification or help is needed.

  • Use ballet barres appropriately. Leaning, sitting, lounging, or hanging on the barres is not permitted.

  • Participate in end-of-class applause as a way to recognize the hard work of themselves, their fellow dancers, and their instructor.

  • Let the instructor know before class if they are injured or need modifications.

  • Stay home when they are ill or experiencing symptoms that could be contagious.

Our instructors reserve the right to have a dancer sit out or contact a parent/guardian if behavior becomes disruptive, disrespectful, or unsafe.

Dress Code

Proper dance attire allows our instructors to see alignment and technique, keeps dancers safe, and helps create an environment where dancers are prepared and ready to learn.

Ballet

Dancers should wear:

  • Black leotard

  • Pink ballet tights

  • Pink ballet shoes

  • Hair securely pulled back into a ballet bun

  • Minimal jewelry; small stud earrings are acceptable

Ballet shoes should fit properly and be kept in good condition.

Tap

Dancers should wear:

  • Comfortable, fitted clothing that allows for movement

  • No jeans or flare leggings

  • Black tap shoes

  • Hair pulled back and away from the face

  • Minimal jewelry

Tap shoes should fit properly and be kept in good condition.

Hip Hop

Dancers should wear:

  • Leggings, joggers, or sweatpants

  • Comfortable shirt

  • Clean tennis shoes appropriate for movement

  • Hair secured back and away from the face

Please no jeans or bare feet.

Lyrical

Dancers should wear:

  • Leggings, tights, or other fitted clothing that allows for comfortable movement

  • Foot undies/turners as appropriate for the class

  • Hair secured back and away from the face

Jazz

Dancers should wear:

  • Leggings with a fitted shirt, or tights/leotard with shorts

  • Tan jazz shoes

  • Hair secured back and away from the face

General Dress Code Guidelines

Neatness & Preparation
Dancers should arrive dressed and ready for class. Proper attire helps dancers transition into class with focus and allows instructors to safely correct technique and alignment.

Personal Hygiene
Good personal hygiene is expected. As dancers become older, appropriate use of deodorant is encouraged. Dance shoes and attire should also be kept clean and in good condition.

Jewelry
Jewelry should be kept to a minimum for safety. Instructors may ask dancers to remove jewelry that could interfere with movement or create a safety concern.

Class-Specific Requirements
An instructor may occasionally request different attire or footwear for a particular class, level, rehearsal, or performance. Families will be notified when additional items are needed.

Following the dress code demonstrates preparation, discipline, and respect for both the dancer's training and the classroom environment.

Studio Rules

  • No food or drinks other than water inside the studios. No exceptions!

  • No cell phones, smart watches (like Apple Watch), smart earphones (like Air Pods) are allowed in the dance rooms at any time. If they are inside a dance bag, they should be turned off. If dancers are wearing these in class, they will be asked to remove and take to front desk staff for safekeeping until class is over.

  • Soul is a large studio, so please keep an eye on your children, no running or climbing on furniture please!

  • All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times unless they are in class.

  • All personal belongings may be kept in the studio with the dancer if needed. Soul Studios is not responsible for items left behind. Please make sure you check for all your belongings before leaving the studio.

  • Pre Ballet and Level 1 Parents: Please take your dancer to the restroom BEFORE class begins to avoid accidents and disruptions to class.

  • Please make an effort to be prompt! Excessive tardiness picking up your child will result in additional fees.

  • No parents, friends, or siblings are allowed in the classroom at any time. This is for the benefit of your dancer. They will learn more if we have their complete attention.

  • Viewing windows will be open the first full week of each month.

Attendance

Consistent attendance is an important part of dance training. Dance is a progressive activity, and dancers build upon skills, technique, choreography, and formations from week to week.

  • Families are responsible for communicating known absences to Soul Studios.

  • Tuition is not prorated or refunded for missed classes.

  • Makeup classes are not guaranteed for dancer absences.

  • Excessive absences may result in a dancer being moved to a different level or class when appropriate.

  • A dancer who misses three consecutive weeks or more without communication may be required to forfeit their class space.

  • Excessive absences, particularly during recital preparation, may result in removal from part or all of a recital routine if the instructor determines the dancer cannot safely or confidently perform the choreography.

  • Dress rehearsals and other designated mandatory rehearsals are required for recital participation.

We understand that illness, family emergencies, and unexpected circumstances happen. Communication with our team is always encouraged.

Tuition

Dance tuition is based on the full dance season, divided into scheduled payments for the convenience of our families. Tuition is not calculated based on the number of individual classes held within a particular month.

Because of holidays, school schedules, recital preparation, and planned studio closures, some months may contain more class meetings than others. These variations have already been taken into consideration when determining tuition for the season.

  • Tuition payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

  • No refunds, credits, or prorated tuition will be provided for classes missed by the dancer.

  • Makeup classes are not guaranteed.

  • Families are responsible for keeping their payment method and account information current.

  • Accounts that become more than 30 days delinquent may result in the dancer being unable to participate in class until the account is brought current.

  • Any outstanding balance remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian, even if the dancer stops attending class.