Studio Policies
- Students are expected to be ready for their lessons. This means a student is expected to arrive, and warm up and stretch at least 10 to 15 minutes before a lesson or rehearsal begins. This transition period assists in one’s focus and physical well-being.
- Dancers are to be ready for class at the starting time with hair done and shoes on when they walk into their classroom. Students arriving late are not permitted to just walk into class. Late students should ask the teacher for permission to join a class that has already started by waiting just inside of the classroom door.
- A student who comes late to class, based on the instructor’s discretion, may not be permitted to take class yet will be expected to observe. This is to reduce any possible injury. Students arriving 5 minutes late for an hour class or 10 minutes late for a class more than an hour in length can expect to be told to sit and watch for that day. They may make-up the class on another day.
- Teachers should be addressed with respect. Ms. Courtney, Ms. Diane, Ms. Pierce, Ms. Raven, Mr. Mark…unless otherwise instructed by the individual teacher. This is to help the students maintain a more professional demeanor.
- No gum, food or drinks are permitted in the dance studios or dressing rooms. Water is permitted.
- Students may not sit down unless instructed to do so by their teacher.
- No excessive conversations should take place during class. This can be disruptive to fellow classmates on the floor. We all can learn by observing others.
- Please be respectful of yourself and others. Kindness goes far. No foul language will be tolerated.
- Students may not leave the classroom without the teacher’s permission. This is for their safety.
- Girls dancing on Pointe must have shoes that are in good condition. All dancers at the Intermediate and Advanced levels should have a backup pair of Pointe shoes in their dance bags sewn and ready to wear. It can be dangerous and cause tendon and ligament strains as well as bruised toenails if the shoes are too worn.
- Students need to call the studio at (216) 295-2222 to let their teacher know if they are going to miss class. You are expected to make up any missed classes within the semester. You may take a make-up class at your level or lower. Any other options must be discussed with the instructor. This is to keep your training moving forward. Students enrolled in our Chamber Ballet Company are expected to participate in the complete dance program. Modern and Jazz are important in developing a well-rounded dancer. (If one of these times causes a conflict, we have other options such as Pilates and additional ballet classes.)
- Observation is permitted from a waiting room window where available or in the studio during the observation week each semester during the last week of December and April. Please refrain from peaking through the door. This is a distraction to the teachers and students. The doors should not be blocked, as someone may trip over another child or object when leaving class.
- Parents are not allowed to run into on-going classes. If you have a concern please ask the front desk to pass a note onto the teacher and they will meet with you while on break, or after class.
- Parents, if you need to remove your child early from class, please inform the teacher prior to class. If an emergency arises, please inform the front desk, and they will quietly bring your child to you. This will reduce distraction and anxiety.
- Parents please be prompt to pick your children up at the end of class. Teachers tend to have classes back to back, and we cannot baby-sit students. If they must wait, have them prepared ahead of time with some work to keep them occupied. The studio will not stay open more than 10 minutes after the last class of the evening.
1: NO eating in the studios. Please eat in the waiting area to reduce accidents.
2: Water is permitted for sipping while in class. Please refrain from placing water bottles or cups on the piano in studio # 1.
3: NO unattended children are permitted in the dance studios without a teacher. Children have run into the mirrors and ballet barres.
4: Remember no street shoes are permitted on the dance floor as dirt, rainwater, grime, and winter salt can cause the Marley flooring to erode.
5: Please turn off cell phones prior to entering class. Cell phones are a distraction.
1: NO eating in the dressing rooms. Please eat in the waiting area to reduce accidents.
2: Lockers are provided as a courtesy to our students and faculty. If you wish to use a locker for the year, please sign the sheets posted on the lockers. The large pink lockers are for those taking classes 3 or more days a week.
Please lock valuables such as wallets and cell phones in a locker or take them into the studio with you. We are not responsible for lost items.
All lost and found items will be donated to charity at the end of each semester.
At the beginning of the fall semester, lockers must be signed out again. Students who do not return to the studio will have the month of September to claim the items left in their lockers. At the beginning of October any locks remaining from former students will be cut off and the items within the locker will be donated.
1: Children under the age of 8 should not be left unattended in the waiting area. Unattended children should wait in these areas. Children should be picked-up promptly after their classes. If there is an emergency, contact the front desk at 216-295-2222. If your child must wait for you, please let the receptionist know and provide your child with an activity and/or snack to ease your child’s anxiety.
2: Please use the garbage can provided in the waiting area for disposing food items. Please note we do recycle plastics, glass, cans and paper in separate blue receptacles.
3: If food is spilled, please use paper towels from the bathrooms or clean rags available at the front desk to help us reduce stains. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate create terrible stains.
It should be understood that students often remain in a class level for more than one year. Our main interest is to offer our students proper training for each stage of development. Some students are mentally more mature than their body is capable of physically implementing, while some students bodies are physically strong yet mentally not prepared for the increased structure of the next level up. If a change to another level is appropriate, you and the student shall be notified. Promotions are made at the discretion of the instructors along with the director. Parents are welcome to request a conference concerning the student�s progress. Here's a response that you can give a parent when you are sure that a child is in the correct level: �Although I do my best to keep students within a certain age range (for example, 6 � -8, 8 �- 11), my priority regarding class placement is whether the child is physically or mentally ready for the next level. I have seen 13-year-old dancers who were not as strong as 9-year-olds. Other important considerations are attention span, which includes stamina for a longer class time, the ability to take correction, understanding of the technical aspects of the movement, strength, the possibility of injury, and confidence. Another key factor in the decision would be that students who advance before they�re ready might become discouraged and thus no longer enjoy their dance experience.� For young children taking a 45-minute class is a big difference compared to a one-hour class. We offer parents the opportunity to observe classes once each semester. Especially in the case of younger students, parents are asked to refrain from �peeking� as some students are shy or are easily distracted by an "audience". The last week of December and April will be open for observation. We ask that you come at the beginning of class and plan to stay for the duration to reduce student distractions and anxiety. A private conference with the teacher and director may be arranged if a parent is concerned about their child�s progress
Make-up classes are the student’s responsibility. Make-ups must happen in the semester they are missed. Plan ahead for vacations and other activities.
Students need to call the studio at 216-295-2222 to let their teacher know if they are going to miss class. You may take a make-up class at your class level or lower; see below. Any other options must be discussed with the instructor. This is to keep your training moving forward.
Students enrolled in our Chamber Ballet Company are expected to participate in the complete dance program. Modern and Jazz are important in developing a well-rounded dancer. (If one of these times causes a conflict, we have other options such as Pilates, an additional ballet class, and tap or hip-hop classes.)
No refund or credit is given for missed classes.
Ballet Students can take a class at their level or lower on another day; or a Pilates, jazz or modern class at a comparable level. Speak with your instructor.
Jazz students can take a class at their level or lower on another day; or a ballet, jazz, modern or hip-hop class at a comparable level. Speak with your instructor.
Modern students can take a class at their level or lower on another day; or a ballet, jazz, Pilates or hip-hop class at a comparable level. Speak with your instructor.
Hip-hop students can take a class at their level or lower on another time; or a ballet, jazz, or Pilates class at a comparable level. Speak with your instructor.
Written evaluations are given to students in beginning level classes and up to assist students in comprehending their individual class goals. We offer these to parents and students during observation weeks in December and April. The April progress report will inform a student of a promotion to the next level for the next semester.
Conferences can be scheduled by appointment only with both the teachers and the Director. Please call CCD at 216-295-2222 for a private appointment. Teachers are not available after your child’s class, since they often have another class to teach afterwards. If you notice a change in your child’s reaction to class, please advice the staff so they can address your important concern.
In case of inclement weather, please call the studio line 216-295-2222. If you gave your e-mail address at registration, we will send out timely notices when possible.
If the Shaker Heights schools are closed, the classes prior to 3:00pm will be canceled. Evening classes will be determined by road conditions and weather reports. Please call the studio line for updates.
As always we ask for parents and students to use their best judgment, as your safety is our chief concern during these times. For class make-up information, please refer to the CCD make-up policy.
Students are expected to follow the dress code of Cleveland City Dance.
Students may be asked to leave the classroom if they are not dressed properly.
Students are not permitted to wear big hair ribbons, oversized T-shirts, sweaters, and baggy sweatpants.
Students are permitted to wear barrettes and small stud earrings. *
Body leg warmers, ballet sweaters (a tight sweater which permits the waist to be visible), and ballet skirts are permitted only at the
discretion of each teacher.
Minimal jewelry is permitted during ANY class. This is a standard policy to reduce accidents such as dropped earrings someone may step on, or accidental pulls causing beads to scatter or earrings to be pulled from one�s earlobe.
Excessive bracelets, watches, and rings also not permitted.
BALLET
Ladies
- Tights: Available at Capezio Dancewear Shop located at the Greens of Lyndhurst
- Preschool on Mondays wear footless tights
- Preschool, Ballet Fundamentals and Pre-ballet - Pink-footed tights any style
- Beginning Ballet through Level V - Pink-footed tights-mesh with seam is preferred
- Adult Ballet - Pink or Black.
- European pink Capezio #9 or Danskin #71
- NOTE: Tights are not to be rolled up.
- Class Leotards according to Level are as follows in both color & styles (no additional undergarments are needed)
- Available at Capezio Dancewear Shop located at the Greens of Lyndhurst and Footsteps Dancewear on the Westside
- Preschool Ballet Fundamentals and Combo – pale blue, Capezio Princess tank style #CC201C or short sleeve #CC400C
- Pre-ballet and Beginning Ballet – lavender, Capezio Princess tank style #CC101
- Ballet I and Ballet II – pink, Capezio Princess tank style #CC202
- Ballet III – royal blue, Capezio camisole with adjustable straps style #1420
- Ballet IV burgundy camisole leotard #CC110 adjustable or 3 hook position
- Chamber Ballet – white, see Chamber Ballet policies
- Solid color, your choice
- Pink ballet shoes – leather (split sole for Level 2 & up,)to support the foot and offer added resistance to the floor to improve foot strength, with sewn elastic and drawstrings secured inside. Elastics are essential and should not be wrapped around the ankle or arch
- Pointe Shoes- advanced students should have a backup pair sewn & ready for use
- Warmers must be form fitting and removed at the discretion of the instructor
- � Skirts are for pointe class only, as well as during parents� observation week and in studio performance or at the discretion of the instructor. Skirts can be a cause for a student�s distraction and inhibit the instructor from ascertaining proper placement. (When a student has her cycle, she may ask permission from the instructor to wear a skirt.)
Hair
Preschool through Pre-ballet - Ponytail, Braids, Pigtails or Bun and headbands or clips should be used to keep hair neatly out of ones eyes.
Beginning Ballet through Advanced Ballet - worn securely up out of face and off the neck in a secure and neat chignon, breaded bun, French twist� (NO ponytail) If the hair is cropped very short a headband and clips to keep it neatly out of our eyes..
Gentlemen
- Plain firm fitted T-shirt without writing or graphics
- Black or white footed tights
- Black or white ballet shoes
- Warmers must be firm fitting and removed at the discretion of the instructor
JAZZ
- All students: No baggy T-shirts or pants. The teachers can only help you with your technique if they can see what you are doing.
- No excessively short shorts this includes �booty shorts�
- Ladies-Leotard or camisole, snug fitting shorts, jazz pants or black tights.
- Gentlemen-T-shirt and jazz pants.
- Black jazz shoes. They must leave no excessive marks on the floor.
MODERN
- Solid color leotard
- Footless tights or leggings
- No shoes needed
- No baggy pants or shirts
PILATES-MAT
- Comfortable workout attire
- No shoes required. You may wear socks.
- Mats & towel for comfort and to absorb sweat and oils when working on the floor
TAP
- Leotard or camisole, snug fitting shorts, tap skirt, jazz pants or tights.
- Gentlemen-T-shirt and jazz pants.
- Black tap shoes, slip-on taps are now available for younger students.
HIP-HOP
- Leotard, camisole or T-shirt with snug fitting shorts, leggings or Capri ’s, jazz, yoga or athletic pants.
- Hip Hop shoes. ( NO STREET SHOES). They must leave no excessive marks on the floor.
YOGA
- Comfortable workout attire
- No shoes required
- Mats & towel for comfort and to absorb sweat and oils when working on the floor
MIDDLE EASTERN - please contact the instructor (Nailah) for complete dress attire -Nailah (216) 246-8630.
- Barefoot
