Tiffany's Dance Academy - Pleasanton, San Ramon, South San Francisco, Costa Mesa, Livermore, CA

Welcome to Tiffany's Dance Academy Performing Company Information 2008-09

East Bay Placements

Performing Company &

Junior Bay Area Dance Company

2008-09

Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon,

South San Francisco

Team:

A group of people who share the same interests and are all working together to achieve the same goals.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to offer professional dance training in all genres of dance. We strive to expose young aspiring dancers to opportunities that will enhance their dance knowledge and training. We will work as mentors to dancers and give them ample opportunities to perform dance as an art form. We will nurture dancers in a positive structured environment.

TDA Performing Company Goals and Purpose:

The main objective of the TDA “Company” is to give dancers who want to take dance to the next level adequate technical training and opportunities to perform their art. The Company will also serve as a guide for older dancers on their path to a professional career or college. We will achieve these goals by requiring that each student train in a wide range of technical dance classes, participate in many different performance venues, attend professional dance performances in the Bay Area and maintain a sincere love and passion for dance in all of its forms.

TDA Faculty Mission and Purpose:

We understand that each child and young adult possesses different learning styles and progresses on different timelines. The TDA faculty is absolutely committed to understanding these differences and nurturing each student regardless of learning style. Additionally, some students are born with certain favorable or ideal physical or anatomical body characteristics, such as turn-out, hyper mobility in joints, musicality, etc. Although these characteristics are certainly a bonus, they do not make an automatic professional dancer. Dancers turn professional when they have learned how to affect an audience emotionally through movement. This is the goal for all of our students, regardless of their long-term dancing goals. We as teachers are here to pass on our enthusiasm for dance to your children and your family. All that we require from the students is a genuine love for dance. All that is required of the parents is trust in our abilities as teachers and support of our vision for your children.

What is a Convention?

Dance Conventions are weekend events where master teachers from across the nation hold classes. Conventions are awesome for young dancers. Not only do they get to meet dancers from other studios, they also get to see great professional dancers, at the top of their field, perform and teach. These master teachers inspire young dancers as well as give them great role models. Dancers will have classes in tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theatre as well as an opportunity to audition for national scholarships to private professional studios. Conventions also include a competition where the master teachers comprise the panel of judges.

Financial Benefit of Technique Classes:

We have spent a lot of time thinking about ways to cut tuition costs but still provide the absolute best training for our dancers. The cost of costumes can get out of hand very quickly and we are sensitive to this. At TDA, Company dancers can choose whether or not to participate with their technique classes at the annual June recital. In these classes, dance numbers are choreographed and rehearsed during class. For many dancers this is the only performance opportunity they have during the year. But for Company dancers, it may make more financial sense to take the Technique classes but not perform at the year-end concert. The financial benefit is that additional costumes for the year-end concert are not required. All Company members perform their competition pieces in the year-end concert.

Tuition:

All TDA Company members train under our professional, salaried teachers. We believe that our teachers are the best in the Bay Area. They are experienced, highly trained, loyal and dedicated to teaching dance. We have done our best to make tuition rates affordable, while supporting our high-quality teacher salaries. All “Company” classes and technique classes must have a minimum of 7 dancers in order for the class to remain on the schedule. Any class that falls short of the minimum enrollment will be cancelled.

Class Requirements:

There are no specific company group names. All dancers will be cast into different pieces and are all a part of one big company. Please see below for sample class requirements. Company dancers will be placed into their classes by TDA staff prior to the April 21^st registration day. Parents will log onto their TDA account to see their schedules and to accept or decline by June 1, 2008. No charges will incur. Mini dancers, new to the company, will only be cast in 1 dance. All other dancers will be cast in 2 or more dances. Each dancer (except Mini’s) must participate in a minimum of 2 dances. If you are chosen for more than 2 dances and would not like to participate in some of them please let Tiffany know.

Sample Class Requirements for Minis New to TDA: Approximate ages 5-7 years old:

·          1 – Pre-Ballet – 45 minutes

·          1 – Pre-Jazz – 45 minutes

·          1 – Pre-Tap – 45 minutes

·          1 – Mini rehearsal – 30 minutes

·          Monthly Tuition – depends on class load - see rate chart

Sample Class requirements for all other dancers: Fall Schedule will be available on Monday, April 21st 2008. Specific class requirements for each group and dancer will be posted following the audition.

·          Ballet – 1-3 classes per week

·          Jazz – 1-2 classes per week

·          Tap – 1 class per week

·          Hip-Hop – 1 class per week

·          Ballet Variations – 1 class per week through December (Nutcracker Rehearsal) – We try to hold the Nutcracker rehearsals during the week instead of on the weekend. This may not be possible for any dancers cast in a solo or principal part.

·          Rehearsal – 45 minutes per week per dance.

·          Elective Classes – Modern, Lyrical, Pre-Pointe, Ballet Competition Team, etc.

Approximate total cost can be determined when the specific level and class load has been announced. On average the company dancer tuition is about $150 to $250 per month.

Rate Schedule 2008-09*

*additional tuition charges for extra rehearsals and/or classes may be required from time to time depending on enrollment.

**Tuition is calculated on a weekly basis. Some months have 4 classes, some have 5. We exclude dates that don’t have classes, such as Labor Day and Thanksgiving from your monthly tuition calculation. Your monthly tuition will change based on the number of classes per month, but it is based strictly on when class is in session.

Code of Conduct, Parents:

·          Support all dancers, even those not related to you.

·          No negative comments to or about any dancer or parent are tolerated. You will be amazed how fast gossip travels in a dance studio. Comments taken out of context can snowball into ridiculous, petty, damaging and hurtful arguments between parents, dancers and faculty.

·          No negative comments about other dance organizations or studios are tolerated.

·          Please refrain from giving comments to dancers from the “sidelines”.

·          Have a great time watching your children grow and learn! Remember that every parent wants their children to be the best they can be, even though we know that along with the successes there will be failures. It is a natural part of growing up - and learning from those experiences is what makes us who we are.

·          Always give only positive feedback to dancers after they perform. Let them be proud of their performance…leave the corrections to the highly trained staff.

·          Notify Tiffany immediately of unavoidable schedule conflicts. This is extremely important. When, for any reason, your dancer cannot attend a rehearsal or an event, it is important to notify Tiffany immediately so that any necessary adjustments can be made. This includes restaging, changing music and choreography.

·          Understand that performing on a dance team is a year round commitment. Scheduling conflicts, dancer burnout and parent burnout can be avoided by understanding that dancing on the performing team is a major commitment that is more than enough to satisfy any child’s extracurricular desires.

Code of Conduct, Dancers:

·          Have Fun!!

·          Respect all team members and instructors.

·          NO TALKING in rehearsals or class. You are role models at the studio; therefore you set the precedence for ALL other dancers.

·          Dress code is strictly enforced.

·          No gossiping. No Negative comments to or about anyone. This will result in expulsion from the team.

·          Always come to classes and rehearsals prepared. This is called “work ethic”.

·          Always give 100% effort. This is called “heart”. This will pay off in the end, I promise.

·          No sitting down in class or rehearsal, unless authorized by your instructor. Even if you are not dancing during a particular sequence, you should be practicing in the back of the class.

·          Tell your instructor before rehearsal if you are ill or have an injury.

·          Work together as a team. Support each other with positive feedback. Not everyone will be in every dance. Remember that everyone will have his or her turn to shine.

·          Never, and we mean NEVER, make negative comments about any other studio or dancer from another studio. This will result in expulsion from the team.

TDA’s Expectation of Parents:

Parents must agree to TRUST the faculty at TDA to do what is best for their child and for the performance. Trusting TDA is a “freeing” and ultimately wonderful thing. By trusting TDA you can sit back and watch your child’s progress. There are truly an unbelievable number of decisions that must be made to achieve an acceptable performance. Parental involvement in these decisions is not tolerated because it simply doesn’t work. It is literally impossible for twenty or thirty people to agree on anything. Parents, please do not second guess TDA’s decisions on:

1.       Costumes

2.       Music

3.       Teachers

4.       Choreography

5.       Competitions

6.       Conventions

7.       Schedules

8.       Casts

Choice of music, dancers and costumes for routines is solely up to the director and other staff. Not every dancer will be in every dance. Dancers will be placed according to their ability and where they can succeed.

Mandatory Schedule of Events and Performances 2008-2009 – (Tentative until August 2008)

·          April 4th – Company Placement Auditions. Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon audition held at Livermore studio.

·          April 5^th - San Francisco dancers audition at San Francisco studio. 4pm.

·          April 21st – Company dancers register for summer rehearsals and fall classes.

·          August 4^th – August 22^nd – Weekly Summer Rehearsals. Rehearsals will be held during the day.

·          August 30^th – Nutcracker Placement Auditions Time TBD.

·          November 22^nd – 23^rd – Tremaine Dance Convention – ST. Francis Hotel, San Francisco

·          December 5^th and 7^th, 2008 – Nutcracker Performance

·          January 2009 – LA Dance Magic Convention

·          February 2009 – Dance Convention

·          March 2009 – West Coast Dance Explosion Convention

·          April 2009 – Dance Competition

·          May 2009 – Livermore Honey and Wine Festival

·          June 2009 – June Concert – Chabot Community College

·          June 2009 – Company Showcase

·          June 2009 – Twinkle Star Showcase – Bankhead Theater

Optional Super Fun Event:

·          University of Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase – University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona, TBA

General Costs for Conventions and Competitions: All dancers except minis will do 3 conventions and 1-2 competitions. Minis will do 1 convention and 1-2 competitions.

·          Conventions - $180-$200 (Depending on age group) plus competition fees.

·          Observers Passes for Parents or Guardians - $40 per person (You are not required to chaperone your child at Company events. Teachers are present to watch over all dancers. You may want to attend the first event to see what conventions are all about.)

·          Competition - $25 - $30 per dancer per dance (depending on competition)

TDA Performing Company Placement Audition:

Each year dancers must audition for a space on the TDA Performing Company. The audition includes a ballet barre, jazz combination, and a tap combination. All dancers are scored on technique and performance ability. After the audition a cast lists for each dance number will be posted. All dancers will be evaluated and grouped according to ability of the dancer and artistic vision of the director/choreographer. All decisions are final. This is a “Placement” udition – No dancers are eliminated. This audition is for group placement purposes only.

Dancers are placed in the quantity of dances that the directors believe they can handle. All dancers are cast in at least 2 group numbers. (Minis are only cast in 1 group number). Casting decisions are also up to the artistic discretion of the director and choreographer.

Summer Training Requirements:

Dance is a year-round activity that requires training in the summer months in order to maintain technique and encourage growth. This year we will be taking the month of July off. We will begin company rehearsals the week of August 4^th and they will run through the month of August. There will be no summer camp this year. Fall classes begin on August 4th.

Rehearsal Classes and Technique Classes – August 4^th – August 22^nd. Specific days and times for each group will be announced after the April 4^th and April 5^th audition. Classes will take place at the Livermore, Pleasanton, San Francisco and San Ramon studios. The weekly rehearsal classes will give us time to start our company dances for next year. We are also offering technique classes that you may register for during that time, however only the “rehearsal” classes are required.

Costumes:

Costumes are custom designed by the choreographer and tailored to fit each dancer. They may run from $150-$200 each depending on the dance and costume company. We make every effort to keep these costs down without compromising the artistic quality of the dance. This year DA Designs and Broadway Babe will be making the majority of our company costumes. All dancers are measured and costumes are ordered during the summer.

Shoes:

Shoe requirements for Performing Company dances will be determined at the time we design the costumes.   The following shoes are required for classes and may be purchased at Tiffany’s Dancewear:

Black Jazz Shoes, Black Tap Shoes, Pink Ballet Shoes, Pointe Shoes (only dancers on pointe)

Rehearsal and class attire:

For Jazz and Tap classes dancers are required to wear black spaghetti strap leotards, black tights, (footless or convertible) and jazz or tap boots. Ballet dancers need a black leotard, pink ballet tights and the appropriate shoes for their level. All attire is available at our dancewear store. Dancers may wear black jazz pants, not with big legs. All other leotards and half tops are okay, but these are the core requirements. All hair must be worn up and away from their face.

Company Warm-ups:

All dancers must have TDA Company Warm-ups for the 2008-09 season. We will be ordering on September 1^st, 2008. The cost for Warm-ups is approximately $150 for personalized/embroidered jacket and pants.

Attendance Policy:

A team member may not miss more than four classes in any one month. No excuses will be accepted. Any member that misses more than four will be placed on probation for the following month and will not be able to perform in any events during the probation month. If the dancer‘s attendance improves they will return to normal standing in the Company. Dance takes dedication and hard work. You have to be there to improve.

Performance Attendance:

If for any reason you see a conflict with any of the dates mentioned above please tell Tiffany immediately. All of the dates are mandatory (except, of course, for the optional events). If one member is not present it lets the entire team down.

Company Commitment:

The true definition of a “Company” or “Team” of any kind is a group of people who share the same interests and are all working together to achieve the same goals. There is a level of commitment by each individual to the “Company” as a group in order for the “Company” to achieve its goals. The level of commitment needs to be equal by each member of the group. We give each parent and child this document in order to equip you with adequate information regarding expense, time commitment and mandatory dates as we know them at this time. We expect that you can take that information and make a well-informed decision as to your involvement in our Performing Company.

Summary of General Expenses in addition to monthly tuition:

TDA Warm-ups – Approximately $150

Costumes - $150-$200 each. Each dancer is cast in approximately 2 dances. Some will be cast in more than 2 dances. The minis are only cast in 1 company dance for their first year.

June Concert Costumes: Dancers will have a ballet, tap, and jazz costume from “technique” classes for the June Concert. You may choose to buy none or all of those costumes. Most dancers choose to do all dances in the concert. These costumes are generally between $75 and $100 each.

Shoes, tights, accessories, make-up – Depending upon group, see Tiffany’s Dancewear for general pricing.

Convention/Competitions – Three at the approximate cost of $250 per dancer. ”Minis” participate in only one convention.

Competitions – 1-2 at the approximate cost of $60-90 per dancer.

Nutcracker Performance – Costumes for the Nutcracker are approximately $80-$100 per dance. There are additional tuition costs for the rehearsal classes.