Packets in booklet form are available to pick up at the studio.
DRESS CODE
Why is there a dress code at Tiffany’s Dance Academy?
1. The simple leotard, tights, and skirt combination makes it possible for the instructors to see the dancer’s bodies so they can make the proper corrections.
2. The different colors represent growth to the next level of dance and give the dancers a goal they can strive to attain.
3. Young dancers are sometimes distracted by their own dancewear. Large skirts and/or tutus sometimes become the dancer’s focus instead of the instructor.
4. Learning to dance and work together as a team can be more easily achieved by removing the distraction of different dancewear.
5. Instructors are able to choreograph dances more easily when the dancers are dressed the same.
How do I know what color and product to buy?
Twinkle Babies 2-3 and Twinkle Stars 3-4:
Wear light pink leotards, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes. A light pink skirt is optional.
Twinkle Stars 4-5 and 5-6:
Wear lilac leotards, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes. A lilac skirt is optional.
Combo 6-8:
Wear black leotards, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes. Black jazz shorts are optional for Combo 6-8.
All Ballet Levels and Pointe:
Wear black leotards, pink tights, pink ballet shoes.
Jazz and Tap – All levels:
Black leotards, black footed or convertible tights, black jazz or tap shoes. Jazz shorts are optional.
Hip Hop:
Required Shoes: Revolution Dance Sneaker or Revolution Stretch Jazz Boot; Dancewear: wear your own shorts, sweatpants, tank tops, T-Shirts.
*NOTE* No jeans, tennis shoes, skirts, or open toed shoes.
Stop into one of our studios to purchase your dancewear or go to CostumeManager.com and enter Dress Code in the instructor search box.
Code of Conduct, Parents
1. Support all dancers, even those not related to you.
2. No Negative comments to or about any dancer or parent. 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.
3. No Negative comments about other dance organizations or studios are tolerated.
4. Please refrain from giving comments to dancers from the sidelines.
5. 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.
6. Always give positive feedback to dancers after they perform. Let them be proud of their performance.
Code of Conduct, Dancers
1. Have fun!
2. Respect all classmates and instructors.
3. No talking in rehearsals or classes.
4. Dress code is strictly enforced.
5. No gossiping.
6. No negative comments to or about anyone.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Tell your instructor before rehearsal if you are ill or have an injury.
10. Work together as a team. Support each other with positive feedback. Remember that everyone will have his or her time to shine.
11. Never say negative comments about any other studio or dancer from another studio.
Faculty
Subject to change. See our full faculty bios.
Tiffany Henderson
Valentina Elovskaya
Bonnie Fisk
Loree Kenagy
Christie Stong – Costa Mesa
Hollis Wagoner – Costa Mesa
Leah Salaiz – Costa Mesa
Sarah DeGroat
Sarah Garske
Victoria Allen
Malvina Okrojek
Nicole Bridgens
Parent Observation Week(s)
Parent Observation Week is the week where parents, family members and friends are permitted to observe class inside the studio. We provide this opportunity for parents so they can observe the growth of the dancers, and to experience the class from the “inside”. It is a great time to take photographs and video of your little stars. Parent Observation is also free dress day, where dancers may wear their favorite “Ballerina Princess” dress. Please note that some dancers might become shy when there is an audience in the room. Please let them know ahead of the class time that ‘mommies’ will be watching.
*Parent Observation Weeks are listed in the calendar of events. Parent Conduct during observation day: Parents, family and friends follow these guidelines when observing in the classroom in order to provide you and your dancer with a positive, enriching class:
1. Turn off all cell-phones and pagers while in the classroom.
2. Refrain from talking to others while inside the classroom. It is very difficult for the dancers to concentrate with distractions in the room.
3. Refrain from coaching your child verbally while inside the classroom.
4. Siblings are permitted inside the studio; however, we respectfully ask that you keep them in their seats during class.
Twinkle Babies Classes ages 2-3…What to except on the first day - from one parent to another!
We are very excited to welcome your little one to our Twinkle Babies program. Twinkle Babies come into the classroom very slowly, but make the most measurable progress by the end of the year!! We look forward to seeing all of the beautiful little dancers all dressed in pink! We know that as a parent you have a vision for how you think the first day will go. I am writing this letter in order to give you some ideas of how it might go, and how it might not. You may take this advice for whatever it is worth to you. All children are different and react differently in situations.
Usually a brand new 2 year old will cling to mom as they walk in the studio door, as they are unaware of their environment. Everything to them is new. Please arrive early on the first day in order to get them acclimated to their new teacher and environment.
Separation anxiety is one of the most common issues on the first day, you may overcome this by explaining to your child before they arrive that mommy will watch them through the window during the class and that mommy won’t leave.
Our Twinkle Babies class is designed as a teacher/child class. Our policy is that all parents need to be in the lobby when class is in session. We also need to keep the door to the studio closed during class, in order to avoid any wandering Twinkle Babies. We will work with you and your child to achieve success in bringing happy twinkle babies into the classroom without mom. This is a gradual process for most babies.
Have you ever noticed that when one 2 year old begins to cry, the others follow suit? We have observed this as well and it is why we need to have any crying child wait with mom outside at the window until they feel confident to come back in. We know this sounds harsh, but we will make every attempt at calming your child and getting them to join the class that we possibly can, before we ask the mom to exit the room. Sometimes the child is actually upset just being in the room, so you may calm them down more effectively outside. In the past we let the parent of an unsure child remain in the room with the child; however, we found that this practice can distract other dancers, and the inability for Mom to leave the room in subsequent weeks, as the child has learned, “my mommy stays with me”.
Most of the time our little twinkle babies come into the room right away and never look back. Sometimes children aren’t ready for a teacher/child class. As parents, we won’t know until we try. Please remember that it sometimes takes a few weeks in order for the child to warm up to the idea, even if they LOVE to dance.
Lastly, our goal on the first day is to get every child into the class without mom and without crying. If we have done that we have succeeded. Please don’t be alarmed if your child just stands in her hula hoop and stares at the teacher jumping up and down. They are simply observing their environment. They will dance when they are ready!!! We hope you all have a positive experience at our studio. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions or concerns.
Tuition and Payment Information
Please read this information regarding tuition payments and our cancellation policy.
• In order to reserve your space in the class(es) you selected, we require payment information in advance.
• Tuition is refundable up to two weeks before the first class of the session.
• Tuition is non-refundable after attending one or more classes.
• Registration Fees are non-refundable.
• There are no make up classes.
• TDA observes the following holidays in which there are no classes: Thanksgiving and Winter Break. If your regularly scheduled class falls on a Holiday, you pay no tuition for that class that month; however, if there happen to be 5 classes in a month, you will pay extra for the fifth class in that month.
Tuition Payments are automatically withdrawn via Electronic Funds Transfer from a valid checking account or credit card on file on the first of each month. If you wish to drop a class written notice must be given to the administrative department at least two weeks before the end of the month. A late fee of $10 will be assessed on the fifth of the month to all accounts with a balance due.
Tiffany’s Dance Academy Presents
The Nutcracker
Chabot College Theater
East Bay and SSF Dancers
Every December TDA is proud to present their production of the Nutcracker. Learn more about the Nutcracker.
Tiffany’s Dance Academy June 2010 Recitals
Note: Recitals are optional. If your family has more than one dancer it is likely that you will perform in two or more completely different recitals that may or may not be on the same day. (It’s just like if you were on two different soccer teams – you might have games on two different days.) **Most dancers ages 8 and under taking only one class per week will perform in only one show. Dancers ages 9+ might be selected to perform in two shows. TDA Performing Company Dancers perform in all the Big Shows and the Twinkle Stars Showcases for their studio. Daddy Daughter Dancers will perform in the same show as their daughter. Learn more about our recitals.
TDA Performing Company
The main objective of the studio “Company” is to take dancers to the next level technically and to provide them with many opportunities to perform their art. The Company will also serve as a guide for older dancers on their path to a professional career or dance degree in college. We will achieve these goals by requiring that each student train in a wide range of technical classes, participate in many different performance venues, attend professional dance performances in the Bay Area, and maintain a sincere love and passion for dance and all of its forms. Learn more about the TDA Performing Company.
Class Parties
Throughout the year certain classes will enjoy holiday class parties. All parties are specified in the schedule of events calendar. These parties will take place in classes of dancers ages 2-8. Teachers will specify exactly what will happen during the party, for example every dancer brings a healthy treat. All parties will take place in last 15 minutes of class. Inform your teacher if your child has certain dietary needs prior to the party.
Daddy/Daughter Dance 2009-10
The Daddy/Daughter dance is a wonderful opportunity for Dads to spend quality time with their daughters. They will learn a dance that will be performed during the June concert. This dance is incredibly difficult to manage from an administrative standpoint. With over 250 couples in 25 different casts, it’s really important that participants are always aware of their responsibilities. Learn more about the Daddy/Daughter dance.
Volunteers
Without Volunteers most schools and academies would fail miserably. Tiffany’s Dance Academy is no different. At our June Concerts parents volunteer to help with concession donations, concession sales, ushers, ticket takers, flower wrapping, program stuffing and at least two parents stayed backstage with each class during the entire show. These volunteers help the dancers perform with as little stress as possible. Volunteering at TDA is a wonderful way to get involved in the community, meet new friends, and stay involved with your child’s activities. Volunteer at the 2010 recitals.
Here is a sample listing of volunteer jobs available at TDA
· Ticket Takers
· Concert Packet Stuffing
· Concessions Sales
· Concession Donations
· Flower Wrapping
· Backstage Moms (1 or 2 per class)
· Showcase Line Moms
· Ushers
Class Maximums and Minimums
Tiffany’s Dance Academy is very proud to offer the lowest student-teacher ratios in the Bay Area!
Twinkle Babies 2-3
8 to 1 Ratio - Classes for ages 2-3 years need a minimum of 5 dancers and can hold a maximum of 8 dancers.
Twinkle Stars 3-4, 4-5, & 5-6
10 – 1 Ratio - Classes for ages 3-6 years old need a minimum of 6 dancers and can hold a maximum of 10 dancers.
Combo Classes
12 – 1 Ratio – Classes for ages 6-8 years old need a minimum of 6 dancers and can hold a maximum of 12 dancers. Occasionally these classes are “oversold” and a higher than 12 ratio may occur for a couple of months while the dancers “settle” into their correct classes.
“Pre”, “Junior” Tap, Jazz, Ballet Classes
12-15 – 1 Ratio – Classes for ages 5-8 years old need a minimum of 6 dancers and can hold a maximum of 12 dancers. Occasionally these classes are “oversold” and a higher than 12 ratio may occur for a couple of months while the dancers “settle” into their correct classes.
Ballet, Jazz and Tap Classes
15-20 – 1 Ratio – Classes for ages 9+ years old need a minimum of 8 dancers to run and can hold a maximum of 15 dancers.
Hip-Hop Classes
20 – 1 Ratio – Classes for ages 9+ years old need a minimum of 8 dancers to run and can hold a maximum of 20 dancers.
