Frequently Asked Questions

For Dance Discovery for ages 3 - 6

What is the 3 year old trial class for?

The trial class enables you and your daughter to see what the classes are like before you sign them up for a session of classes. It enables us to make sure your daughter is ready for some class structure. Some 3 year olds won't even enter the class room, and it just takes one child running around the room to totally disrupt a class. All children must be potty trained to attend classes. Mothers remain out of the studio during class.


What class should my child be in?

3 year olds are in a 3 year old class.
4 year olds are in the 4/5 year old class.
5 year olds are in the 4/5 year old class if they are new to dance or if their parents feel they would be better off with younger dancers, and in the 5/6 year old class with past dance class experience. Older 5 year olds should probably go into the 5/6 year old class even with no past dance experience.
6 year olds are in the 5/6 year old class is they are new to dance, the regular 6 year old class, or the advance 6 year old class with instructor recommendation.


What outfit does my child wear? (see attached)

Each Dance Discovery age level have a specific color tunic and detached skirt. Etudes sells the correct class tunics at the studio. Each Dance Discovery participant will also need ballet slippers (also offered at the studio), white socks, and black paten leather tap shoes for age 3 and age 4/5 classes.


What is maximum numbers of dancers per class?

8 in a 3 year old class
10 in a 4/5 year old class
12 in a 5/6 year old class


Why do you have a required dress code?

The tunic is part of the structure & discipline of our ballet classes. With all participants having the same outfit there is uniformity in the class, and no distractions with inappropriate outfits. In most cases the same tunics are used at the ballet recitals for pre-ballet dancers.


General Questions

How is the tuition determined?

The tuition is determined by adding the total number of hours of classes a dancer, or a family of dancers, takes in a given week, and then prepaying for the short (8 weeks in fall & 10 in Spring) session, or the long session (16 weeks in the fall & 20 in Spring). Rates will be prorated for late enrollees after the 2nd week. When a family's total hours are over 7, the sibling taking the greater number of hours will be charged the normal rate, and the additional sibling(s) will pay 60% of the normal rate for the number of hours they take.


What is the registration fee for?

The registration fee helps defer the cost of the front desk which provides record keeping and information.


What is the required dress code?

Ballet level I & higher must wear black leotards, pink tights (footed), and pink ballet slippers (leather full sole). Hair is expected to be securely tied back in a bun. Children will not be allowed to participate in classes otherwise. No jewelry can be worn during class.

Jazz dancers must wear form fitting dance clothes such as leotards or fitted jazz pants/shorts. Please do not wear loose or gaucho style pants, or long skirts. Hair should be pulled back into a tight pony tail with bangs pulled back off the forehead. Jazz shoes are required. When purchasing shoes, please request Block jazzy tan jazz booties. No jewelry can be worn during class.


What is the policy on refunds?

There are no refunds for any reason.


What is the policy on missed classes?

Missed classes must be made up in the present term.


Do you have recitals? Is recital participation optional?

We do have offer recitals and participation is optional. For Dance Discovery age 3 - 6, we have had recitals at the end of December and May in the main studio on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. For older dancers our main recitals are at Gulf Coast High School at the end of May or early June.


What are RAD exams? Does my dancer have to participate in them?

Our ballet program teaches the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) method of ballet. Each of the 9 levels of ballet classes we offer offers RAD exams in the Spring where an independent RAD certified examiner assesses each participant's strengths and weaknesses. Participation is recommended by the school, but participation is optional.


I'm visiting. What is the cost to take a class?

$15 per class with a maximum charge of $100 per week


Can my child try a class before registering? What is the cost?

For non-enrolled dancers, the cost to take any student class is $15. This fee will be refunded if the student enrolls for a minimum of 8 weeks..