Instructional Class Requirements
These classes are fundamental in teaching dancers the proper foundations of all dances and in strengthening them so that they can perform and execute moves in a manner that is technically correct. Ballet technique class will focus on the fundamentals of the classical ballet, including proper ballet positions, body alignment and technique. Jazz technique class is focused on strengthening dancers with targeted stretches and exercises, as well as focusing on proper technique for leaps, turns, and other integral dance moves incorporated into the competition routines. Tap class is focused on strengthening dancers with targeted exercises to help loosen their ankles and improve their sound articulation and footwork. We will also focus on expanding their tap vocabulary and exposing the dancers to different rhythms and styles of tap. Lyrical focuses on using all your emotion within a specific style of dance and using the lyrics of the song with choreography. Hip Hop focuses on isolations, breaking, locking and popping with dancing to hip hop music. Contemporary dance focuses on the mixture of classical ballet, modern, and jazz dance to make this style. It is the controlled legwork from ballet; stressing torso, with contraction and release, floor work, fall and recovery, with unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction and improvisation which all characterize modern dance.Technique class is a class solely focused on the proper technique of each dance move and the proper placement of legs, feet, arms, hands and head. I require competition students to take a technique or ballet technique in the Fall or both. I also encourage the competitive dancers to take recreational classes that are offered in my schedule. Lyrical, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Hip Hop, Cheerdanceetc…
Practice Attire
All competition team dancers are expected to dress in full dancewear for every dance class. Competition team members are looked to as role models within the studio and should be dressed properly for all classes (hair pulled back for ALL classes and appropriate dancewear, dance SHOES for all classes, and clean tights. I feel this creates a more professional learning environment for my students.
Ballet: Black Leotard, tights, (pink prefer if you only have ballet on this day), ballet skirt or dance shorts, ballet shoes and hair pulled securely back off of the face. Prefer a bun.
Jazz/Technique/Lyrical/Contemporary: Leotard or dance top with fitted shorts, tights and appropriate shoes. Hair pulled securely back off of the face.
Tap: Any tight fitting dance attire and tap shoes.
Hip Hop:Any shorts or sweatpantswith leotard or dance top. T-shirt or tank is accepted with sneakers.
Attendance Policy
A strong attendance record is required of our competition team members.
Regular attendance is essential and mandatory. Students may not miss any of their regularly scheduled classes/choreography the week before competition. Missing the week before competition may result in forfeiting your chance to compete in the dance competition. A few exceptions will be made for school grades or family emergencies, if I have plenty of advanced warning and agree to excuse the absence.
If you miss a regular class, please review the steps with a friend before class. If you miss competition class, please understand you may be asked to make this up with a private at your cost, if you are behind. If you are unable to dance because of any injury or personal matter, please let me know or a teacher before class.
All dancers agree to practice, practice and practice some more. You, along with your teammates and teachers, will be pleased with the results.
Extra Practices
Along with required attendance at weekly classes, there will be some mandatory extra practices throughout the dance year to work on our competition routines or prepare for other performances.
Competitions
During the upcoming competition season, SASD competition team will participate in 2 Regional competitions, and add 1 Hip Hop Regional to those 2, and 1 Nationals (I’m looking at Hershey Park possibly) with all our routines and the SASD annual recital May 20th. The two regional competitions and 1 hip hopwill be during the months of March, April, or May. Each of these regional competitions will be in our area (northeast) and are usually on Saturday and Sunday. Some solos, duets or trios might compete on Friday evenings. I will get the ready times to you as soon as we know the competition times but, please note, specific competition times for each competition are not posted until the week before the competition is to take place. There might be a time the dancers must be present at the competition on both days (Saturday & Sunday), other times, a dancer must only be present on one day or the other – it varies competition by competition. Things to keep in mind during the year: If you know of any conflict within these 3 months, please notify me sooner than later, because I’m already looking at competition dates.
Students must attend all competitions their groups are entered in. Students need to be prepared to stay for award ceremonies recognizing their dances. The only exceptions for leaving early before awards are from the teachers for late Sunday evening awards, or if you have a commitment that was approved prior for you to leave.
Students need to arrive at competitions in their SASD jackets. These need to be worn over costumes at all times out of the dressing room and on stage for awards. This year the names of new members and students who didn’t go up this past year to receive awards, will be picked out from a hat within their group dance for each competition. This way the student knows to listen and pay attention because it will be their turn.
Competitions will usually post their schedules 1 week prior to the competition. A copy of the schedule will be emailed to you. Dancers will be given a ready time for each dance. They should be dressed in costume, hair and make-up done, and fed by this time. This allows for stretching and running of the routine(s) before show time, minimizing stress on all.
Suggested hotels for each competition will also be posted, however it is not necessary to all stay at the same place if you prefer a different hotel, with family or have other accommodations. We will not be making group reservations. Each person is responsible for their own reservation. SASD will sell a practice CD for $5. The CD will contain all of the cut competition music for this season. This will be ready for pick up Dec. 22nd and charged to your account if ordered.
When attending competitions, students and parents must behave in an appropriate manner. Poor sportsmanship, inappropriate attire, and being disrespectful to anyone (including other studios’ dancers and parents), is unacceptable. Please remember you are representing everyone at Step Ahead School of Dance.
Solo Competition
All solos/duos/trios need to be approved by M. Jill. All soloists over 8 need to have competed in dance for 2 years at a minimum and be in ballet or any technique class. Soloist under 8 wishing to compete must be approved by M. Jill based on technique, attitude and maturity. In order to do a Solo or Duo /Trio in competition, the competitor must be on 2 group teams as well.
Payment
I pay and register for competitions one month prior of the event. A rough estimate of cost per dance is:
Groups - $48, Duo/ Trio- $55, Solo’s - $100
Payment is due one month prior to the dates I will send out. Dates will be picked out very early this year for planning. Stay Tuned!!
We have a very big team and I’m looking forward to this year competing! Thank you for all you do……your children AMAZE me everyday!
Lastly, is anyone making thier First Communion this year.
Thank you, M. Jill xo
SASD RELEASE FORM
I agree fully to all the rules & regulations of Step Ahead School of Dance & it's director and teachers. I further agree to hold the above parties harmless of all liabilities for the loss of any property or accident or injury sustained at Step Ahead School of Dance.
STUDENT NAME:______DATE:______
PARENT NAME:______DATE:______
PLEASE PRINT AND SIGN PAGE 7 AND BRING INTO SASD AT YOUR FIRST CLASS TO CONFIRM PARTICIPATION IN COMPETITION AND ANY DANCE CLASSES.