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Is my child too old to begin? We have beginning level classes for students of all ages, including teens and adults. All classes are divided by age and level to assure students feel comfortable and confident. How are class placements determined? Each student's class placement is determined individually with consideration given to age and ability. Our staff continually monitors each student's placement to assure every child is in a class where he/she will be challenged and motivated. Is this studio right for
my child? Classes are designed to meet the needs of students who enjoy dance as a hobby as well as those with professional aspirations. Additional opportunities are available for students desiring to pursue dance further than weekly classes. Our Student Opportunities page elaborates on the various programs available. Can my child begin mid-season? It is possible, however, our curriculum is progressive throughout the season. Elements and combinations taught during the fall are incorporated into the routines taught throughout the spring. Therefore, it is to each student's advantage to begin as early as possible within the annual season. Makeup classes are utilized for students enrolling mid-season to teach the elements previously taught. Please contact the office staff to inquire about available openings for your child. My son has shown interest in dance. What is available for boys? Boys ages 3 and 4 may participate in our Movement program. All activities and themes are designed for boys and girls. Boys Jam is available for ages 5 through 8. This exclusive class for boys focuses on physical agility and coordination. A curriculum specifically created for boys utilizes tactile exercises and energetic activities to increase motor skills and improve rhythm and spatial awareness. Boys may also choose ballet or tap beginning at age 5 and jazz beginning at age 7. Although the ratio of boys to girls is rarely equal, our instructors are attentive to modifying movements to assure the proper training for male dancers. How large are the classes? Class sizes are limited to allow each student individualized attention. An instructor will generally have 6 to 12 students along with the aid of a class demonstrator or teaching assistant in each class. What qualifications do the instructors have? We are proud to offer an extensive faculty of highly-qualified and caring teachers in a field that currently does not place educational requirements on instructors. Every studio teacher has been trained in our methods and principles and has also been accepted into the membership of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Inc. Membership into the association is determined by written, demonstrative and oral tests along with additional hours of training through the annual workshops. Additionally, Amy Clay and Tammy Seibold are Certified Dance Educators through CNADM's continuing education program. Certified Dance Educators have previously passed the association's membership requirements, have received additional hours of training and successfully passed an additional written and oral exam. Debra Collier and Kristina Crane are certified as a Master Dance Educator having completed a required research paper and additional hours of training following their CDE certification. The studio staff is experienced in all areas of dance and continues to further their education. CNADM's Teacher's Training Schools and Conventions provide the staff with new choreography and styles along with innovative approaches in kinesiology and pedagogy. Guest Instructors are also brought into the studio allowing the staff to observe and discuss various teaching techniques and methods. Can my child be with her friend who has danced before? Students are encouraged to share dance with their friends during our annual Bring-A-Friend-Week and during National Dance Week. However, class placement is based on age and experience. It would be unfair to expect beginning students to execute elements the class has already mastered and, in the same respect, to slow the rate of progression for the remainder of the class. When can my daughter progress onto pointe? A pointe evaluation is utilized to determine a student's readiness for advancement onto pointe. Although pointe shoes appear beautiful, they are very challenging and are not appropriate until a student has been properly trained and has gained enough physical strength. Students must complete a minimum of one year of a ballet enrichment class along with their weekly ballet class as a prerequisite to testing. It is rare for a student younger than 13 years old to have completed enough physical growth to be ready for pointe. Ideally, a student's feet should not be consistently growing while working in pointe shoes. Therefore, a general guideline of 13 years of age is applied when considering a student for evaluation. Once a student qualifies, year round study is required. May I watch my child's class? Classes are closed, but to provide opportunities for you to observe your child in class, we invite parents to watch the last 10 minutes of class during monthly, scheduled Parent Observation Weeks. This format provides a safe environment for the students to feel comfortable learning the elements along with the opportunity to perform them with confidence. What costs are associated with recital? Costumes, tights and recital tickets. Parents are required to purchase a costume and tights for each class in which their child performs. The costumes are ordered in December and are distributed in May after each costume is prepared. Costume prices range from $48 to $65 with the younger students' costumes being in the lower end of the price grouping. These prices do not include tights or sales tax. Our goal is to provide a professional performance experience for both our students and the audience. Costumes are an essential part of the presentation, therefore, many steps are taken to assure each costume is ready for the performance when you receive it. Sizes vary between companies, therefore, the staff will measure each student to assure the proper size is ordered. Since orders must be placed early in the season and students continue to grow, it is often necessary to make alterations. When costumes arrive, each student will be individually fitted and the studio will provide any necessary alterations. Don't worry about the accessories, we assemble those too, so you can be confident your child will look his/her best! Why do we have to pay for recital tickets? Proceeds from the sale of recital tickets are to cover the actual costs of the recital. We must rent the auditorium for all rehearsals and recitals and also pay for the lighting technician, custodial over-time and numerous other expenses. While annual tuition payments cover the overhead of the business, the ticket sales are necessary to produce the recital. Why do you limit the number of recital tickets a family may purchase? Tickets are limited due to the size of the auditorium available to us. We offer four recitals in an effort to provide the opportunity for all your friends and family to attend, however, to assure each family will have tickets, we do start with an initial limit. Additional tickets are normally available since not all families use their allotted amount. We will provide you with as many tickets as possible should you need additional tickets. Do you offer fundraisers to defer any of the costs? An optional Avon fundraiser is offered at the beginning of each season. Participants receive a credit on their account for a percentage of their sales, which may be applied to costume or lessons fees. How do dress rehearsals proceed? Dress rehearsals are attended by students and volunteers only. This allows us to proceed with more efficiency, therefore, keeping the students for a shorter duration. Upon arriving at dress rehearsal, parents will check in their child at the registration table and receive a card detailing their child's information and approximate pick up time. Students will be seated with their class in the auditorium under the supervision of assigned chaperones. These chaperones will also be supervising the same students during the corresponding recital. This format provides us the ability to offer a safe, calm atmosphere for the students, additional organization, and efficiency which benefits everyone. Additionally, having the audience see the dancers on stage for the first time at the performance is much more enjoyable than having them watch the behind-the-scenes tasks of setting staging and lighting. Do you have a question you don't see listed?
Please email it to the studio. Student and Parent thoughts...
"Dance has taught my daughters about
commitment, dedication and hard work. These are essential
qualities for them to be successful throughout life. I can't think
of a more fun and rewarding way for them to learn these valuable
lessons. "Debra Collier's School of Dance focuses on not only technique and dance skills, but respect and self-discipline also. Through my 14 years of dance I have not only improved in dance, I have learned skills that I believe will help me the rest of my life." - Krysta Kindig, age 17
"My daughter decided last summer she wanted to
find a new studio that could offer her more. Boy did we find it. She
tried out for (CADT) and made it. She was taken in by not only the
staff, but by the dancers as well as dancer moms! The level of teaching
is tremendous and a lot of hard work! But she lives to come to class
every week. The support of the teachers and her fellow dancers has again
been awesome. (Following an injury), she was terrified she might be left
behind, but to the contrary, we have only fallen deeper in love with
this studio and staff. I cannot say enough about the level that this
studio upholds. Not only in the teaching, but in the growing of young
individuals as well." - LaKelia Hunter, parent "Debra Collier's School of Dance has opened many doors for me, by allowing me to not only expand my knowledge of dance, but to also become a more confident, well-rounded individual" - Jodie Lieffring, age 18 "I love Debra Collier's school of Dance because I've learned so much about dance. The instructors are great, they make me feel like I am the best dancer in the world. I would encourage everyone to go to Debra Collier's School of Dance." - Staci Groom, age 10
"As
a parent, I love the self-confidence and poise that dance is teaching
(my daughter). She really looks forward to going to her classes
and practices. I believe this is a reflection of the quality instructors
who are friendly, knowledgeable and make it fun for all!" - Sherri
Reneker, parent |
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