Company Handbook 2012-2013 Competitive Team

General Information

The Above the Barre Dance Academy competitive team is comprised of Pre-Company and Company. This handbook applies to the Company ONLY. The purpose of the Company is to be a part of team, advancing dance skills through technical classes, nding passion for dance and sharing those traits through performance.

Remember, there is not I in Team or Company! Chelsie Klein is the owner and director of Above the Barre Dance Academy Company. Jennifer Lowe is the assistant director of Above the Barre Dance Academy Company. Any issues relating to Above the Barre Dance Academy that are not covered in this handbook, the website or the annual informational meeting are to be addressed to the Company Director(s) electronically at abovethebarre@gmail.com. Phone or face to face meetings can be scheduled outside of instructional time. All information will be supplied to parents by email and/or informational handouts and the members only company website.

Fall/Spring Technique Classes

Dancers will be placed in specic technique classes based on skill level. Refer to informational handout for specic skills per level. Dancers may cross technique levels. Level 1 is required to take 1 jazz/leaps & turns, 1 ballet/lyrical and 1 tap. Optional classes are acro and hip hop. Level 2 is required to take 1 jazz/leaps & turns, 2 ballet, 1 lyrical and 1 modern. Level 3 and up are required to take 1 jazz/leaps & turns, 2 ballet, 1 pointe, 1 lyrical and 1 modern.

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Optional classes for Levels 2 and up are Tap, Hip Hop and Acro, Pilates. However, if you are in a group routine of one of these styles, then, the class becomes a requirement. All levels are highly encouraged to take Pilates and stretch. Company dancers may take additional technique classes as approved by the company instructors. The Company Director(s) have nal approval. Company dancers are not allowed to take technique classes at another studio without the written consent of the Company Director(s). Technique classes will be held from September - May for all company dancers. Company dancers will be required to take technique classes in June to prepare for Nationals. Dancers are expected to attend all technique classes. You are allowed to be absent TWO times per technique class, any absences greater than TWO will be required to be made up. Please ask the instructor an appropriate class to attend AND schedule attendance in that class with the front desk. Make up classes need to occur within 14 days of the additional absences. Dancers MUST attend ALL technique classes 7 days prior to a scheduled competition. If you are sick, but not contagious it is required that you come and observe. Monthly Tuition is based on the weekly total hours of enrolled classes. There is a sibling discount of 20% per additional sibling. The highest enrollment will be paid rst with the discount applied to all additional siblings. Tuition is paid on the rst of the month by auto-pay. Tuition may be paid by cash or check prior to the rst of the month. Tuition is non-refundable and not prorated.

Required Groups, Choreography/Rehearsal and Fees

Company members will be required to participate in TWO groups: the Production and Junior/Senior Group. Company members will be placed in the Production. Following auditions and the nalization of the team roster, the company instructors may choose to eliminate the production routine for the current season. Then, dancers will be placed in a comparable group, small or large, as a substitute for the production requirement. Company members will be placed in Junior and/or Senior Group based on age and the opinions of the company instructors.

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Company rehearsals may occur during the week based on the members of the group and their placement in technique classes; however, most rehearsals will occur on Saturdays or Sundays. On Saturday, rehearsals begin as early as 8:30 am. On Sunday, rehearsals may begin as early as 12:00 pm. Production routine will be learned during a choreography camp in August/September. Junior and/or Senior Group may be learned during a choreography camp and/or weekly rehearsal. There will be a minimum of two rehearsals per month, but no more than four per month. The rehearsal schedule will be established by the company instructors and support staff and provided after the team roster has been established. Group rehearsals will be led by the choreographer, dance director(s), company instructor(s) and/or assistant on a rotational basis; so that, more rehearsals can be conducted simultaneously. Rehearsals may include direct instruction, video critique, self-critique, peer critique, critique following a competition and company instructor feedback. All rehearsal and private fees are the same regardless of content. Attendance at each rehearsal is crucial and necessary. Dancers are required to be present during choreography camps. Dancers may miss a total of TWO rehearsals per routine in September-December and TWO rehearsals per routine January-June. However, ONE of the excused absences is allowed for attendance to an extra convention or competition with documentation; while, the OTHER excused absent can be for an unspecied reason. Attendance at all rehearsals 7 days prior to any performance is mandatory unless special arrangements have been made in advance. Some group rehearsals will be videotaped by the instructor leading the rehearsal. The video will be made available on the ATB Youtube channel through a private account so that dancers can access it for review at home. If you miss a rehearsal, you will be expected to review and learn the material prior to the next scheduled rehearsal. Production is charged a one-time rehearsal & choreography fee of $135. This fee is due on August 21, 2012. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if payment is not received by August 26 to the credit card on le. This fee is non-refundable. Junior and/or Senior Group, Large Group and Small Group fees can be paid monthly or a one-time payment at a reduced rate. Monthly payment is $12.50 for 10 months payable by the 15th of each month from September to June. Or a one-time rehearsal

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payment with a 20% discount is $100 payable by September 15 per routine. This fee is non-refundable.

There are no sibling discounts for rehearsal/choreography fees.

Extra Groups

Placement in additional groups will be based on audition results and family preference for the number of routines desired for the competitive season per dancer. Styles available may include tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern and/or hip hop.

Solo/Duo/Trio, Private Lessons and Fees

All Company members are eligible for a solo, duo, and/or trio. In order for Company Members to be eligible for a SECOND solo and/or duo, trio, then, you are required to be placed in one additional required group. Company members may schedule private lessons with any instructor at Above the Barre Dance Academy for additional technique practice, solo, duo and/or trio rehearsals. Most trio, duo and solo rehearsals occur on a weekly basis for 30 minutes. The cost per half hour private lesson for trio is $11 per dancer. The cost per half hour private lesson for duo is $16 per dancer. The cost per half hour private lesson for solo is $25. Accepted forms of payment for private lessons and speciality duo/trios include cash, check or Credit Card. Chelsie Klein can accept any form of payment, but all other instructors need to be paid in cash or check. Private lessons and speciality duo/ trios are NOT paid to Above the Barre Dance Academy, they are paid directly to the instructor. Payments must me paid at the time of the lesson or monthly and must be current. For example, if there is a solo or speciality duo/trio that is team choreographed by both Chelsie Klein & Jennifer Lowe, payment will be made to Chelsie Klein. Or Chelsie and any other instructor, payment is made to Chelsie.

Solo fees are the same for all company instructor(s). Payment is due immediately following the lesson. Payments must remain current in order to continue to schedule private lessons. There are no sibling discounts for private lessons. There is a one-time charge for music of $15 per solo, duo and/or trio. If you are doing a duo or trio, the fee is split amongst the dancers. This fee is due on August 21,
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2012. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if payment is not received by August 26th to the credit card on le. This fee is non-refundable.

Guest Choreography

Company members may be selected for a group routine choreographed by a guest instructor. In order to participate in this group routine, members are required to participate in the two required routines choreographed by Above the Barre Dance Academy instructors. Company members may choose to have a guest instructor choreograph a solo, duo and/or trio routine. The Company Director(s) must pre-approve the guest instructor and music selection. Company members will be responsible for the fees related to the guest instructor that may likely include choreography fees, travel, lodging and per diem expenses. If it is a group, these fees will be split amongst the members in the routine. Rehearsals will be scheduled with the company instructors following the same guidelines for group, solo, duo and/or trio routines as previously described.

Costumes

Group costumes for Company including production, line, large and small groups will not exceed $175 per group routine. Group costume deposits will be paid in the amount of $50 in the months of September, October and November equaling $150 per costume that includes rhinestones and accessories, but excludes tights and shoes. This fee is non-refundable. These fees are due on the 15th of the month. There are no sibling discounts for costumes. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check or charge. Costumes will be distributed to parents upon arrival at the studio. For Company Members, if there is a balance owed, payment must be received before the costume is released. Solo, duo and trio costumes will be coordinated with the company instructor, parent and dancer regarding design and/or selection. Solo, duo and trio costumes may be purchased through second hand costume sales such as P&D Costume Sale, CostumeSwap.com or other. Approval must be received from the company instructor(s). Solo, duo and trio costumes can be custom made, if desired.
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Hair, Make Up and Team Apparel

The Company has a standard hairstyle for most of the group routines. The hairstyle will be announced at the hair and make-up clinic. Above the Barre Dance Academy has a required set of make up by M.A.C Cosmetics for eye shadow, blush and lipstick. o The M.A.C. eye shadow colors are Nylon, Nocturnelle, Jest and Carbon. o The M.A.C. powder blush needs to complement skin tone. The lips are covered with Pro-Long Wear Lipglass called Lasting Achievement. These can be purchased on your own, online or at a variety of stores. ATB will provide an instructional handout on make-up application. Company members have a required team jacket and/or warm up. The average cost Is between $110-150. This jacket may be worn multiple years. Team apparel will be ordered in August. Team apparel will remain current at least through the 2015 competitive season. You will also have the opportunity to purchase Above the Barre apparel including company specic sweatpants in Above the Barre team colors throughout the year.
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Convention

Above the Barre Dance Academy Company is required to attend ONE regional convention in the Kansas City Area. Conventions will be announced at the Mandatory Parent Meeting and are included on the company calendar. Levels 3 and up will be required to attend one 2 day convention as listed in the company calendar. Dancers who are in Levels 2 and below will be required to attend one convention that is either day, 1-day or 2-day as listed in the company calendar. The Company Instructors will determine the amount of required participation for those dancers in Levels 2 and below. If Levels are attending different regional conventions, all Levels may attend BOTH regional conventions, but are only REQUIRED to do the one specied per their level. Above the Barre Dance Academy will not require any solo, duo/trio or group routines at conventions that also have competitions. If the convention/competition allows a solo to perform without a required group, then you may enter your solo if you desire. All interested company members will have their
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name entered in a random drawing for selection; however, graduating seniors will be given rst priority.

If a group unanimously decides they would like to compete, we will enter that routine in the convention/competition. This will not be a substitute for a required regional competition. Payment will be due at least two months prior to the scheduled date of the convention; however, it may be required earlier due to the possibility of the convention becoming sold out. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check or charge. Company members are required to wear their team jacket to and from the convention and between sessions. It is highly encouraged that company members wear dancewear in Above the Barre Dance Academy colors that include turquoise and orange. You will receive an instructional handout regarding the rules and recommendations for convention etiquette as established by Above the Barre Dance Academy. Above the Barre Dance Academy supports dancers as they pursue further education at conventions. You are encouraged to participate in these opportunities as they comply with the company calendar. You cannot substitute any additional conventions for the required conventions. You will enroll in these on your own, but register as a dancer with Above the Barre Dance Academy.

Regional Competitions

Company will attend THREE regional competitions. Most regional competitions will be in the Kansas City Area. The company instructors may select a regional that requires out of town travel in order to balance the competitive season over the duration of four months. Competitions will be announced at the Mandatory Parent Meeting in August and included in the Company Calendar. All GROUP routines including production, line, large, small, trio and/or duo will compete at regional competitions. SOLOS are required to compete at ONE pre-selected regional competition, but may compete in all required regional competitions. Any cash, prize or award monies won based on competition results for groups, trio, duo and/or solo will be split 80/20 between the dancer(s) in the routine and the studio. If a dancer does not return for the following season, then the award goes to the studio. Awards are non-transferrable and have no cash value.
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For solos, a form will be provided for each competition that includes sample entry form information including extra entries for title, best costume, photogenic and/or icon/idol that will need to be completed by the due date for registration per competition. All extra fees are due at that time and are non-refundable. Dancers are encouraged to compete in other competitions as long as they t within the company calendar and/or with allowed absences. You will enter these competitions on your own for the exception of convention if it is already on the company calendar, meaning you will complete the entry form and mail directly to the competition. You will enter as a competitor from Above the Barre Dance Academy and not as an independent. You will receive the competition schedule for each regional and/or national as soon as it becomes available from the hosting organization. If you have a comment, question or concern regarding the competition schedule, you will only direct those questions to Company Director(s). Any corrections or changes will be handled by Above the Barre Dance Academy. You will receive an instructional handout regarding the rules and recommendations for competition etiquette as established by Above the Barre Dance Academy.

Nationals & Rehearsals

Company will attend Nationals. During the August Parent Meeting, the location and date of the National Competition based on the selected regional competitions will be announced. Rehearsal schedule will be established by April 30.

Company Payment

Company payments include costume deposits, choreography/rehearsal fees and competition fees. All of these fees are non-refundable. Your company payment will be calculated after the parent meeting and you have selected your chosen payment for choreography/rehearsal (e.g. one time or monthly) and routines have been nalized. There are no sibling discounts for the company payment. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check or charge. Company fees are paid on the 15th of each month beginning in September and ending in May for the exception of June choreography/rehearsal fees. o Costume deposits paid September - November. o Choreography/rehearsal fees paid September June OR paid as a one-time fee at a discounted rate.
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Competition fees paid September May based on the total entry cost per dancer divided by nine. The company payment amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if payment is not received by the 20th of the month to the credit card on le. The only costs NOT included in company fee are conventions and extra competition entries such as title, photogenic, etc. Those fees are due at least TWO months prior to the convention and/or competition. A team fee in the amount of $50.00 per dancer is due on January 15. This fee covers the administrative costs and instructor per diem related to regional competitions. There are no sibling discounts for the team fee. Accepted forms of payment include cash, check or charge. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if the payment is not received by the 20th of the month to the credit card on le.

Summer Technique Classes

Company Members will be required to take technique classes in the month of June to prepare for Nationals as well as participate in rehearsals.

Workshops and Master Classes

Above the Barre Dance Academy may host or co-host various workshops and master classes throughout the year. Company Dancers will be highly encouraged, but not required to take advantage of these opportunities.

Other Performances
Winter Showcase Above the Barre Dance Academy will host a winter performance for Mini Company, Pre-Company and Company Routines on Sunday, December 9 at 6:00 pm at Rockhurst High School. This performance is intended to prepare our dancers for the upcoming competitive season. Showcase is the rst time all routines will perform on stage in full make up, hair and costume. There will be a fee of $40 per dancer to cover the cost of the venue and two complimentary tickets for parents.
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This fee is due on November 15th. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if the payment is not received by the 20th of the month to the credit card on le. There are no sibling discounts. Each family will be asked to sell 5 additional tickets for the performance. Dance Company Instructors will provide their own critiques and comments. All dancers will be provided the opportunity to watch video re-play and discuss critiques and comments during winter rehearsals. Additional information regarding date, time and venue will be announced later.

Recital Above The Barre Dance Academy will have a spring recital on Friday, May 31 at Rockhurst High School. There will be a recital fee per dancer that will be $75 which would include a complimentary shirt and two tickets. This fee is due on April 6th. The amount owed and a late fee of $20 will automatically be charged if the payment is not received by the 13th of the month to the credit card on le. All large groups and production routines will perform. Select small groups may also perform as well as solos, duos and trios; depending on the overall number of routines and time constraints. Any graduating high school senior will perform their solos, duos and/or trios.

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