Policies, Tuition, and Fee Information
Tuition and Registration Fee
Tpda Dance charges a non-refundable registration fee of $35 per family for the 2024/2025 dance seasons, due with the first installment and the completed and signed registration form. Tuition is due on a monthly basis September through June. Tuition runs on autopay from Sept.-June. Classes will be on a first come, first served basis. We have the right to combine or cancel any class where enrollment falls below five students. If a class is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment or for any other reason, a credit will be given for use towards another class.
Discounts
Discounts are given to students who take more than one class. Discounts begin for the second and subsequent classes. Please ask about out sibling discounts.
Costumes
Students performing in the annual recital will need to purchase a costume per each of their classes. If your child is in a combo class i.e.: ballet/tap, two costumes will be required.
Recital
The Annual Recital takes place in June.
There are two fees for the recital: (1) a costume fee of $100 per costume; (2) a $75 participation/recital fee per dancer.
Recital costume and participation fees are due with costumes and split into two installs, due October and November. If a student registers after these dates, they will be given another two dates to make their payment relative to the time of year they register. Families have the option of paying in a single install if they prefer. Fees fee do not cover props or shoes (if applicable).
The Recital participation fee covers: dress rehearsal, additional rehearsals, and holiday rehearsals. The fee also pays for the Tpda office staff for their time in planning the event, the cost of vendors, decorations, flooring, lighting, backdrops, the venue staff, as well as other costs incurred for use of the facilities.
All fees relating to recital are non-refundable. If a dancer is unable to attend the Recital after paying full tuition and costume fee(s), the family may pick up their student’s costume(s) by June 30th. Any costumes not picked up by the end June will be forfeited to Tpda. In order to receive costumes, the student’s family account must be paid in full.
Costume Photo Day- Is Mandatory for all students. Photo date Saturday,May 17th, The cost is $20.00 per dancer. The Photo Charge will be applied to the April 1st Tuition. Students are responsible for this payment regardless if they are in attendance or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am paying a dance costume fee, why am I also paying a dance recital fee?
The fee covers production costs such as renting lighting and employing a lighting and/or audio technician, auditorium rental for all rehearsals and the Recital, paying administrative staff to sell tickets or run ticket lotteries and for anything else that needs to be paid for, including the student’s teacher’s time and effort outside of classes in putting the performance together. The fee also covers the medals and trophies for the student and for flowers to the students at the conclusion of the performance.
Why are dance costumes so expensive?
Dance costumes are expensive because:
Although generally made through a wholesaler, costumes are not mass-produced like the clothing or dress-up costumes you see at big box retailers.
The commonly used fabric lycra is not cheap, nor are the rhinestones and sequins used on the costumes. In most instances, costumes are stoned by hand.
For competition dancers: no dance school wants to turn up at competitions in the same costume as another school–therefore, the companies designing these costumes are constantly revising their patterns and embellishments to stay relevant to their market.
Costumes are made to order with different sizes, colors and other elements being interchangeable. Therefore staff need to be paid to receive, sew, pack, and deliver the order.
The companies who make the costumes have large overhead. In particular: the print catalogs and websites involved in listing the company’s full range of products is costly.
Some costume companies absorb postage costs into their cost-price analysis, offering free or reduced shipping for orders over a certain amount.
The school needs to pay its staff for all the time spent off-clock organizing all orders that come through to the school.
Recital Costume Payment Schedule
Recital costumes are paid in two installs: one due in October and the other due in November. For students that enroll after October, a new payment schedule will be generated relative to the time they enroll. Families may be in one install if they prefer.
Tuition Policy
Tuition is priced based on a contracted 10-month dance program with a full year commitment. Those who register mid-year are committed to the remaining tuition payments until June 1st. Those who withdraw prematurely will be responsible for monthly tuition due in full upon withdrawal and all costume fees. Tpda Dance is a full year program.
An active credit card must be given and remain on file for each student’s. No exceptions will be granted. Families may pay using other forms of payment, but a credit card must still remain on file.
All tuition payments are billed automatically through our DSP program. Tuition is due monthly on the first of each month. Those paying with another form of payment who pay after the 1st will be charged a late fee. Payment reminders are sent through our office email.
The studio accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for tuition payments. Cash payments are only accepted in person, at the office.
Non-Sufficient Funds Policy
There is a $25 fee for declined credit cards. This will be added to your bill.
Drop-In/Trial Class Program
Students may trial a class by “dropping in”. The cost is $15.00. All trial classes are paid in advance of the class. Please call the school office with your payment information to try a class.
Attendance
Regular attendance is vital to student progress and group choreography. Please make every effort to attend each class. Students may make up any missed classes until the end of May.
Communications
A Tpda, we due our best to keep you informed and up-to-date.
Emails and paper updates are sent throughout the year. Tpda also uses Facebook and Instagram to announce school-wide matters.
School Rules and Regulations
All students and parents must remove shoes when entering the dance studio.
Students are expected to be on time for every class. This means the student should be in the classroom before the music begins.
Students are expected to stay in a class until the end and should not leave the classroom without permission from their teacher.
Students should make every effort to use the restroom, get a drink of water, secure their hair, and make any other preparations before entering the classroom.
Students are required to wear proper attire and will not be permitted to enter class without the proper attire. Refer to the Dress Code policy for complete information.
Students are expected to be respectful and courteous towards all instructors, staff members, and guests of the school, as well as fellow classmates.
Students are not allowed to use cell phones in the classrooms or dressing rooms. Students with cell phones are required to turn off phones before entering class.
Students are not allowed to take photographs with cell phones in the facility (including during class or in the dressing rooms) without permission from their teacher.
The school cannot assume responsibility for the loss of students’ valuables.
Arrival and departure from classes and rehearsals are expected to be punctual.
Students and their parents are responsible for reading all posted notices.
Understanding and adhering to these rules leads to a more positive experience for the entire Tpda community.
Dress Code
Tpda has a dress code for all its classes and rehearsals. All classes have a specific dress code with a specific leotard color that must be worn to class. All dress code must be purchased through Tpda school. Ballet students must have their hair in a bun, Students are not permitted to wear oversized items during class, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, large earrings, etc.—these items may snag a student’s digits or limbs while in motion, or may inadvertently cause another to trip. Moreover, it is important for teachers to be able to see students’ silhouettes in order to make informed critiques. Teachers may ask students entering the class with oversized items on to remove the item. Students not in dress code will be asked to sit out and the parent will be called.