The Madison Studio | Dance Education

Tuition Installment due dates

  Tuition installments are due the first lesson of the months of August, October, January, and April. You have until the third class lesson of those months to make payment; statements are only prepared and sent (by e-mail) if payment have not been received by the third class lesson of those months, and a late fee of $25 is added to your account.  Please see your Fee Schedule, received with your registration, or posted on our lobby bulletin board, for a full explanation of all fees and policies regarding payment. We also post on our lobby info board when installments are due to give you notice as reminders.  Please ask for an additional fee schedule if needed.

Arrival Times

Arriving 5-10 minutes before class is sufficient. Our lobby door unlocks 15 minutes before the first class of the afternoon. Students should wait quietly in the lobby until their teacher indicates entrance to the studio.
Studios not in use cannot be used by students waiting for their classes to begin, parents, siblings or friends - please be comfortable  in our large lobby.

Class Start Times and Notification of Absences

Class times are starting times, not arrival times. Students arriving late miss important information given at the beginning of class, and miss essential warm-ups to prevent injury.

Call or e-mail the studio if you will be absent from class - it is appreciated.

Courtesy and Good Behavior
At MSDE, we encourage positive attitudes, respect for – and support of — others, and courtesy in our interactions with others, both in and out of class. Good “dancesmanship” is as important as self-discipline and respect towards peers and adults. We do not tolerate playing favorites, forming cliques, or idle gossip about others. Each of our dancers, as well as each member of his/her family, is important to us..

Parental Communication
Positive, open communication with parents is one of our major goals. Frequently check the information posted on the lobby and on this website. (Not everything posted in the lobby is on the website, so please come in at least weekly for updates–things happen and change at a brisk pace at MSDE–stay informed!)

If you would like to discuss your dancer’s progress or any situation that concerns you, please call or e-mail your dance teacher for an appointment.

Attendance

The Madison Studio regards regular, punctual class attendance as an example of the discipline that quality dance requires. Regular class activity greatly enhances technique, flexibility, strength, progress and memory development. Because we customize each dance group’s regimen to accommodate the skill levels of each class and set choreography for the class members of each particular group, no credits can be given for missed lessons. Absences, however, may be made up in similar skill or age classes.

More classes at no additional charge

Dance education is based on a student’s full year (or semester) enrollment. The Madison Studio offers a unique opportunity for ambitious students to advance their dance studies at no additional charge: students are encouraged to attend multiple classes each week in the same dance form* in which they are enrolled. He/She may choose classes in the same level or in levels above or below their own (some exceptions apply, as in Dance Majors). Multiple classes give a dancer an opportunity to excel at a much faster rate and to grasp the concepts and techniques of dance training more quickly.
*NOTE: A dance “form” is the category of dance studied - Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, etc.)

Class Attire

Each level is distinguished by color, not dancewear style. Each student may choose a dancewear style they prefer, but should adhere to the color scheme of his/her level. All dancers, regardless of age, may need a light weight, beige liner (leotard) to wear underneath their dance clothes and costumes. Tights may be seamless for all age classes. You will be notified if seamed tights are necessary. We use light pink ballet tights for all ages and levels - it is our standard.

All female Ballet students wear pink tights to class and for performances (unless otherwise specified), with pink leather (preferred) or canvas ballet shoes (no lycra), split-sole preferred, quality brands. Tap students (Pre-Dance through Level III)use black,slip-on tap shoes preferred (any brand, generic okay), or basic black tap shoes (with narrow elastic baste-stitched at top of shoes so they slip on easily, without tying –elastic replaces the ties).   For the specific Tap and Musical Theatre classes, beige Mary-Jane-style or  character shoes with taps attached are preferred by the instructors.

Pre-Dance Program: 3.5, 4s & 5s: (Girls) Pastel baby pink dance dress or light-pink leotard, skirt optional. Pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black patent tap shoes.

Pre-Junior Ballet Program: Level I, 5-6 yrs., K-1st grade: (Girls) bright pink or raspberry dance dress; or leotard with skirt optional; pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black patent tap shoes.

LEVEL II/III, 6-8 yrs., 1st - 2nd grade: (Girls) White dance dress; or white leotard with white skirt optional; pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black patent tap shoes.

LEVEL IV/Diamonds, 7-10 yrs., 2nd - 3rd grade: (Girls) Light or sky blue dance dress or light blue leotard with blue skirt optional; pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black patent tap shoes.

Junior Ballet Program

For Approaching Pointe and Pearls: (Girls) Royal blue or navy leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes.

For Pearls: (Girls) Violet or purple leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes.

Senior Ballet Program

Dance Majors, teen/adult dance: Choice of any solid color leotard (black preferred), pink tights, pink ballet shoes, pink pointe shoes, if applicable. Black jazz shoes (preferably with elastic gores instead of ties) for Musical Theatre or Hip-Hop,  any style Sanda-soles for Modern; possibly dance sneakers, character shoes, tap shoes for special pieces - you will be notified if needed.

About Pointe Shoe Selections

Preferred: European pink pointe shoes of a brand that best fits your individual foot type. Regular ribbon,  wide elastic (enough to criss-cross), Ouch-pouch pads or toe pads.

Other Dance Forms

Jazz or Tap; Any leotard, unitard, bike unitard (solid or print); or closer-fitting tops (no loose t-shirts or bare midriff styles); capri-length pants (preferred), leggings,  or jazz pants. Pull-on jazz shoes.  Dance sneakers only when instructor requests.  Tap shoes for Tap and Musical Theatre: beige character style with taps attached.

Tap shoes: Elastic gore tap shoes or standard black patent tie (ties may be replaced with narrow strips of elastic, baste-stitched together for easy slip-on, with taps attached (Pre-Dance through Level III; for specific Tap and Musical Theatre classes, beige character shoes with the lowest heel with taps attached).

Tumbling, 6-11 yrs: Gymnastics or heavy-weight dance leotard, sofee-type shorts. Bring clean white ankle socks. Boys - close-fitting t-shirt, tight-to-legs bike-length shorts,  bring clean white short socks. Gymnastic non-slip-style shoes may be worn.

Modern: Choice of leotard or unitard, black tights, leggings, tights with dance shorts, Capri-length pants preferred; bare feet, or any style Sanda-soles.

Optional: Solid, watercolor,  or floral ballet skirts; knit dance shorts (black - no imprints). While warming up, leg warmers, dance sweaters, closer-fitting long-sleeved t-shirts, assorted warm-up apparel may be worn with the instructors’ approval. No jazz pants for ballet; ballet skirts for Ballet only. No big t-shirts, leave jewelry at home.

Boys and Men’s Attire: White or black ballets, or black jazz shoes (elastic-gore preferred); Boys black tap shoes; non-patent (smooth leather), if applicable; white t-shirts; black jazz pants; leggings, or thick men’s black tights or stirrup unitard and white socks. Dance belt is necessary. No baggy shorts.

Notes About Make-up, Hair & Jewelry

For performances, recitals and photo sessions, dancers need some stage make-up, (heavier than street wear) to make them more visible to the audience and video/DVD. Below are some suggested color guidelines:

• A plum-colored blush
• A plum or red lipstick (no frosts or shiny lipsticks because stage lights will “bounce” off their lips, and the dancer will appear to have none!)
• Eyeliner - brown, charcoal,  or black for both top and bottom lids. No need to extend the lines out from the eye.
• Eye shadow - apply white or pink eyeshadow over the entire lid and under brows as well as brown or gray in the crease and above the crease. (Do not use bright blues or greens.)
• Optional: foundation, mascara if tolerated, false eyelashes

In performaces and photos, male dancers often look better with some added color to cheeks and lips. Eyeliner will help make eyes more visiable onstage, but use the rules above to apply.

The hair MUST be sleek, preferably in a bun, or whatever the individual instructor needs for their particular piece. NO BANGS! Buns are easier if styled with slightly damp hair, lots of gel & spray. Make a ponytail, then twist the hair and circle it around the elastic. Using a hairnet secures the hair, twisted after covering, then cover the bun a second time and circle hairpins (better than bobby pins) around the bun. Contour clips (the elongated triangle clips that pop open and press flat against the head to close work well for whispies (they are easily found at Kroger, Rite-Aid, Wal-Mart, etc.)  and help secure any headpieces.

Special Notes

We hope you will make many fine memories here, as well as friends, and a sense of caring—a place to be yourself—to find yourself—and your own brand of expression! Please keep in mind the following:

1. Use a Dance Bag – a carry-all for your dance needs.  Keep your “stuff” in it, so you’ll always have what you need for class.

*Shoes – put your name inside each

*Prepare and pack your dance attire (leotard, tights, etc.) the night before class – don’t expect your Mom to do it for you – develop a dancer’s responsibility for your own things.

*Hair elastics, spray, gel, hairnets, hairpins, clasps, barrettes, headbands –a dancer’s hair is properly done  if she doesn’t have to touch it or think about it during class. No bangs, off face and neck. Leave your jewelry at home (stud earrings are okay!)

*Water bottles, a nutritious snack, warm-ups, small towel, antibacterial hand gel, band-aids, tape, needle and thread, etc. are all good to have with you. 

2. Keep our  studio clean – pick up after yourself!  This includes food bags, drinks, water bottles, personal items – you wouldn’t believe the things we’ve found after class!

3. Regular attendance is expected and rewarded.  If you will be absent, a courtesy phone call or e-mail is appreciated.  If you have been absent, please don’t expect the teacher and class to go over again any new material/choreography that was presented earlier.  Keep in mind you may not be placed in every combination within a piece if your attendance is sporadic. Get with a fellow classmate and ask what you missed. You will gain so much –the teacher will know you are responsible and self-disciplined. You, of course, should feel secure here to ask questions regarding details, “how-to”, sequencing, etc., but do take responsibility for your own learning.

4. All three of our studio spaces have “sprung floors”, that is, flooring made specially for dancers to protect and give your legs, feet, and back “spring”. The floor is additionally covered with Harlequin dance flooring to prevent slipping.  Please find and be aware of the “step-ups & downs” within the individual studio(s).