Hello 2017!
Can you believe how quickly the holidays went? But the good thing is that it is almost time to get back into the studio!
Although many of our students already know how things run, what to do, where to go, & which teacher is which, some of our new students don't. Below we have popped some of our FAQ's for our students.
As always is you have any queries or are unsure of anything feel free to let us know... Seriously!
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR TO THEIR TRIAL CLASS?
For their first class we suggest your child wears something they feel comfortable in, whether that be a pair of shorts & a t-shirt or their most sparkly princess dress! We prefer children not to wear socks, as it can become quite slippery on the wooden floors, so bare feet are fine.
HOW DO I ENROL & PAY AFTER THE TRIAL?
If you & your child decide to enrol after their trial you can do so online through our registration system. Alternatively you can see the front desk & they will help you to finalise the process.
After enrolling online you will be send an invoice in the following week before your next class. You then have 7 days to finalise your invoice. If you are unable to pay the entire amount up-front we offer payment plans that break up the amount into smaller amounts throughout the term. All payment plan amounts must be finalised by the completion of the term.
WHY DO WE HAVE UNIFORMS?
Uniforms go hand in hand with most recreational activities; you wouldn’t expect a soccer player to take the field in jeans & a t-shirt would you? At Seriously Dance we require a uniform as we believe it helps everyone feel like they are a special part of our team. It takes the stress off parents to constantly have to purchase new dance wear & means that students are able to focus on the class at hand, not what they're wearing.
HOW DO I PURCHASE UNIFORMS?
You can purchase uniforms through the front desk. We suggest trying everything on to ensure that you have the right fit. If payment is made on the day you try your uniform on, you are able to take it with you. If you choose to put the uniform onto a payment plan, you will not be able to take it until the uniform amount is paid off.
We understand that uniforms can be quite a costly outlay at first. We have many second-hand or old-style uniforms for sale that can be a cheaper alternative, however we don’t often have a huge range of sizes. If you would like to enquire about uniforms or second-hand uniforms, please email the office.
WHY DO WE NEED PROPER DANCE SHOES?
Dance shoes are specialised shoes. You could dance with your everyday normal shoes but this can take a toll on the knees and back as most of everyday shoes do not have the proper sole and therefore can introduce unnecessary friction between the dancer and the dance floor.
There are different shoes for different styles of dancing; Tap classes require Tap shoes so that they are able to make the sounds required, Jazz classes require Jazz shoes as they need to have a strong, lightweight shoe that can withstand a higher-energy class etc. We often have Ballet & Jazz shoes available at the studio as well as lots of second-hand dance shoes. Please email the office or see our lovely reception ladies if you are interested.
CAN I BUY MY DANCE SHOES ONLINE?
There are heaps of different dance shoe shops online that offer a cheap alternative to name brand dance shoes. Unfortunately you often get what you pay for, with the shoes not lasting through the term (let alone the year), shoes that are ill-fitting (which can in turn damage the dancers foot) & shoes that are a different colour to what they are advertised as. We suggest going to a proper dance store to have your shoes properly fitted. We recommend these stores:
Sue’s Shop
871 Old Cleveland Rd
Carina QLD 4152
Step By Step (this shop is the best for students needing to be fitted for Pointe shoes - Please ask for Kerry)
2/54-56 Kremzow Rd
Brendale QLD 4500
WHY DO STUDENTS HAVE TO HAVE THEIR HAIR DONE FOR CLASS?
It is important for all students to have their hair done for class. All Ballet & Performance Team students are to have their hair in a bun, all other classes are to have their hair off their faces & pulled back. Having your hair out can make you very hot & sticky & is very distracting for the dancer & the teacher.
Of course, if you have a Teeny or Tiny Ballerina who doesn’t a) have enough hair to pull back or b) refuses to let you pull it back, just try as best you can, it’s all part of their learning experience!
WHEN SHOULD WE ARRIVE FOR CLASS?
Try to arrive at class at least 10-15 minutes before the starting time. This was you can ensure that your student is ready to go & not stressed or rushed.
HOW LONG DOES THE CLASS RUN FOR?
Class times differ depending on age & style. All of our classes for our Pre-Junior age & under (6 years & under) run for 30 minutes as we find that this is the perfect length for them.
WHY CAN’T PARENTS SIT IN ON THE CLASS?
We understand that you want to be a part of your child’s dance experience, however although it may be comforting for your student to have you in the room, many students can become quite self-conscious at the thought of a stranger sitting in on their class. We do have viewing windows in all of our doors & you are most welcome to have a look into the class from time-to-time. Please be mindful that the students are in a learning environment & are not on show, they can become very distracted if their whole family is watching them from the door.
WHAT CONTENT ARE THE STUDENTS BEING TAUGHT?
Class content differs from class to class, style to style. In our younger classes, students are taught not only dance & creative movement, but life skills. For example, students learn how to sit in a circle quietly, how to take turns, how to work together as a team & how to line up. Class begins from the time the students enter the room. Some classes may take a couple of minutes to get ready & a couple of minutes to finish. Please be patient; these little ones are learning valuable skills & after a few weeks of practice they will be using their 30-minutes completely for dancing.
Older students are taught content based on their age, ability & dance style. Our Ballet, Jazz & Tap classes follow the Australian Teachers of Dancing Syllabus (ATOD), our Acrobatic classes follow the Acrobatics Arts syllabus, while other classes, like Hip Hop, Contemporary etc. base their classes of their teachers lesson plans.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO PERFORM AT THE END OF THE YEAR?
We do have an end of year performance each December. This concert is not compulsory, but it is lots of fun! At Seriously Dance we hire out concert costumes to those wanting to be involved in our end of year concert. Concert hire costs are sent out with you term 3 invoices.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Feel free to email us at dance@seriouslydance.com or call us to discuss on 0481 296 062
