Studio Guidelines and Policies
 

It’s our absolute pleasure to warmly welcome you into our family at Melrose Dance Academy. Our team is thrilled to see many familiar faces return to the studio and even more excited to see some new faces join our community. While we would love you to take the time to read this information carefully, we have it here on our website for you to refer to as you need, don’t forget that we are always here to help and will happily answer any questions you may have. Nothing is too big or too small, we promise!

Registration

A Registration Form must be completed for every student before enrolling in any lessons or participating in any trial classes. A non-refundable registration fee of $35 will be charged for every student. We will hold your dancer’s spot in a class for 30 days, if after 30 days the registration fee is not paid, we will release the spot in the class. ALL class placements are solely at the discretion of the Instructor and/or Studio Director. All waivers must be signed before a dancer can participate in a class.

Registration fees are non-refundable.

Attendance

Your child’s attendance in class is very important to their peers and our teaching staff. It is a commitment for you to ensure your child attends their classes on time each week. Not only do absences impact the recital routines we create, it also impacts the social and confidence-building principals we work hard to foster in each age group. If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent due to holidays/vacations, commitments or school trips, please let us know. If your child is too unwell to attend class, we ask that you inform us as soon as you can so we can let the teachers know.

Tuition is not refunded for any class your dancer misses.

Tuition

Tuition is based on the total cost for classes and is payable monthly. Invoices are sent out on the 1st of each month to your email. Our dance season runs from September through the beginning of June. Tuition includes classes, additional rehearsals, dress rehearsals, picture day and performances. There will be no reduction in tuition for months with holidays, vacation weeks, or due to illness. In the case of an extended illness, please call the studio to make special arrangements. Acceptable methods of payment include cash, check, or online payments. All checks should be made payable to Melrose Dance Academy.

• Payment for classes must be made by the due date or a $25.00 late fee will be added to your account for each month your payment is late.

• All sales are final and are not refundable or transferable.

• There is a $25.00 fee for returned payments.

  
  Monthly tuition is never pro-rated but determined from an average of the entire season of classes for 9 months. Registration fees and/or tuition are NON-REFUNDABLE & non transferable. If a student account is two months behind, the student will not be allowed to attend class until account is current.

   

Expectations

Melrose Dance Academy promotes kindness, leadership discipline and teamwork. To create an excellent dance environment, students will adhere to the standards set forth in the policies.

We expect our students to behave properly while in class. They must be respectful of their teacher and peers at all times. Should a student become disruptive in class, the Teacher/Director has the right to remove him/her from class. The student will be allowed back into class at the Teacher/Director’s discretion. We do not tolerate any form of disrespect from any student or parent at MDA. We reserve the right to have individuals removed for being disrespectful, rude, threatening or creating conflict.

Social Media

Please remember that your anonymity on Social Media is never guaranteed and to exercise particular caution when posts, images or videos identify children in your care. Any comments or posts perceived to be obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or hateful towards MDA staff, students or families may subject the owner to disciplinary or legal action. Any content revealing or referring to sensitive studio information is not allowed to be shared online.

All matters pertaining directly to the studio - whether it be fees, scheduling, placements or performance opportunities - may not be communicated via Social Media. We have an open door policy and encourage all communication, complaints and feedback to be communicated to the Artistic Director/ Studio Owner directly.

We discourage parents/students and teachers from becoming ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ on Social Media, unless there is an existing relationship. We consider all studio members to be family and as such feel the obligation to respect and monitor personal boundaries.

Dancers and Parents/Guardians are not allowed to represent MDA or the owner/director in any private social media groups or networking sites. MDA has an official website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook page. Dancers and Parents/Guardians are encouraged to participate on any official MDA social media or networking site that is started by the studio owner of MDA. Remember, respect and kindness are expected at all times. If there is any commentary deemed to be disrespectful or inappropriate by the owner of MDA, it may lead to probation, suspension and/or expulsion from MDA.

You may not post photographs/videos that feature MDA dancers other than your own online without the consent of their parent/guardian.

General Policies

• Classes may be cancelled due to low enrollment

• Please be prompt in dropping off and picking up your dancer

• No gum chewing in the studio or waiting room at any time

• No Food or Drink allowed in the studio or waiting room (water ok)

• Parents are responsible for monitoring all siblings not in lessons

• Observation is permitted from the waiting room windows when the instructor chooses to open the blinds. Please refrain from peeking through the door or opening the blinds yourself. This is a distraction to teachers and students.

• Melrose Dance Academy and it’s staff are not liable for any damage to or losses of personal property or valuables

• Any choreography learned by a student is the sole property of Melrose Dance Academy and may not be copied or used for any activity outside of the Studio. Permission must be granted by the Studio for any student to use Studio choreography at any venue where the member is not with the Studio or acting on behalf of the Studio

• NO person(s) allowed in the dance space without an MDA instructor present

• It is the responsibility of the parent to inform MDA of any changes of enrollment – accounts will not be refunded if a dancer takes a month off and has not informed MDA

• Make up classes are offered as a courtesy and will not be guaranteed by MDA.

• 30 Day notice is required to cancel an Account Holder’s studio account. Without a 30 day notice, the Account Holder agrees to pay tuition for all months charged. Students will not be considered withdrawn from the studio or any specific class until the director is notified in writing.

Recital

All MDA students are given the opportunity to perform in our Recital at the end of our season. Participation in our Recital in not mandatory for our dances, however, we must me notified in writing by November 1 if your dancer will not be participating in the Recital. Parents are responsible for costumes deposits and balances by the due
dates. Costume payments are non refundable and non transferable. Parents are also responsible for purchasing tickets to MDA performances in advance – MDA makes no guarantee that tickets will not sell out. Tickets are non refundable and no exchanges can be made.

• Students must be enrolled by February to participate in the June show
• At the Director’s discretion a new student may be invited to perform regardless of enrollment date
• Dress Rehearsals and Recitals are held locally.
• No video/flash photography allowed at studio performances
• Students are required to remain backstage with instructors for the length of the full show
•There are no regularly scheduled classes Recital week – the show activities replace all classes at the studio

Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, please call or text the studio 781-665-6993. An email will also be sent to the email address you provided at registration, we will send out timely notices when possible. You can also check our social media accounts for updates. If the Melrose Public schools are closed, the classes prior to 3:00pm will be canceled. Evening classes will be determined by road conditions and weather reports. As always we ask for parents and students to use their best judgment, as your safety is our main concern during these times.

Communication

MDA sends primary communications via EMAIL. We do not share email addresses with anyone. Monthly newsletters, invoices, and important studio information is all sent via EMAIL. Please check with Amanda to make sure that we have your correct email address on file. It is your responsibility to read our monthly newsletters so you are aware of any important dates!