COMMERCIAL

ACRO

ADULT CLASSES

AERIAL ARTS

BOYS ROTATING COMBO 7+

BOYS COMBO 6+

CONTEMPORARY / MODERN

DANCEMIX ROTATING CLASS 7+

HIP HOP

HIP HOP CREW

JAZZ

MUSICAL THEATRE/JAZZ

NHSDA ENSEMBLE

POM & CHEER DANCE TEAM JR & SR

TAP

YOUTH ENSEMBLE

HAIR is to be neatly secured in a pony tail (away from the face) for classes in the School of Early Childhood and the School of Commercial Dance.

The School of Ballet requires hair to be in classical style, ballet bun with no bangs.

Male students should have the hair brushed away from the face.

WHY HAVE A DRESS CODE?

Having a dress code:

• Helps a dancer understand they are going to a structured class (compared to unstructured playtime). When dancers put on their uniform, they get into a specific mindset before dance class.
• Ensures that the clothing is not a distraction during class.
• Faculty needs to be able to see the dancers’ bodies to make necessary corrections.
• Ensures that each dancer has the same brand, style and color of shoes and tights for on stage performances.
• Uniformity on stage during a performance starts with dress

MORE DETAILS

• During classes, we kindly request that students avoid wearing watches, jewelry, and safety pins.
• Dance shoes should never be worn outside to preserve their quality and cleanliness.
• Female students are encouraged to secure their hair tightly and neatly away from their faces, preferably in a tidy bun.
• Maintaining good personal hygiene habits, including the use of deodorant for students starting at the age of 8-10 aged is expected from all dancers. Bras are also part of healthy hygiene.

Additional Student Information

Class placement is based on ability and age appropriateness of the techniques being taught. A dancer’s progress is dependent upon the consistency and frequency of training, just like any other athlete. Technical work is presented in a sequential format to meet the needs of each student who seeks quality training, enrichment and physical fitness; quality of training is never diminished regardless of the number of classes taken. Students remain in the same level until the skills to progress to the next level are achieved. The School of Early Childhood has specific ages groupings so that parents are assured a progressive class content. Class placement is unique to each student and involves a variety of factors such as: focus, individual maturity, comprehension, physical development, level work talent / work ethic, attitude, competency of execution, and natural abilities.

Artistic Decisions are related to vision, staff, repertoire, sets, choreography, costuming, music, casting, technical training, dancers’ rules and regulations and production.  There are three essential elements to the success of any performing art: an idea, an artist and the audience. Vision is not static. It is something that changes and evolves over time, and we allow our Artistic Director these freedoms. Matters regarding artistic decisions are a closed subject. The dynamics created by parental pressures to cast, level or line-up are unhealthy for everyone, and the directors have set this boundary. They will gladly share their input as to areas of accomplishment or improvement when feedback is requested.

Etiquette & Statement of Community

Dance offers a powerful avenue for expression, creativity, celebration, entertainment, and transformation. At Dance It Forward (DIF), we prioritize creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all community members. DIF is dedicated to providing inclusive programming and services that celebrate the art of dance in all its forms and styles. We strive to ensure all students and families feel valued and respected within our community. DIF recruits and admits students and dancers regardless of race, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation, granting equal access to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities. The school does not discriminate based on these factors in any of its operations or offerings.The Dance It Forward community is based on respect and cooperation. Dancers should be able to enjoy the art of dance in a positive healthy and distraction-free environment. We guide our students to build their skills for life in an environment where honesty, integrity, and respect are taken seriously. All students are asked to abide by dance etiquette and using the following guidelines:

• All students will resolve conflicts peacefully and will be honest and respectful to all members of the DIF community.
• All students will demonstrate stewardship of DIF which includes our property and the property of others.
• Cell phones should be turned off during major rehearsals.
• Video recording anyone with electronic devices without their permission is strictly prohibited.

Dance Etiquette consists of courtesy and good manners. Because dance is fun and exciting and all of our dancers are here because they want to be, rarely are there discipline issues in the studio. We expect courteous, polite and respectful behavior of all who participate in our program.

Professional behavior means being respectful of directors, faculty, facility, art form, and fellow artists; behavior that compromises our good name is unacceptable. TEAMWORK is EXPECTED of everyone. This keeps our dance family healthy. Note: Students may be dismissed for poor behavior or attitude or social media posts or gossip that could be perceived as negative against Dance It Forward, it’s instructors, programs, directors, dancers or that could be perceived “not positive”; all monies are forfeited and account balances are due immediately. 

Dance It Forward needs to be a DRAMA FREE ZONE for the peace and joy of all the artists. 

Class Visitors
For the safety of our students and to fulfill our legal responsibilities, we are unable to permit visitors in the classroom during regular class sessions. Students should refrain from inviting siblings, relatives, or friends to their classes, except for special events such as "Bring a Friend Week" and in-studio performances. These occasions offer a unique opportunity for sharing the joy of dance with loved ones.

Guidelines For The Classroom

• Chewing gum, eating, drinking, talking, sitting down, smoking, leaning against the wall or poor attitude are all unacceptable forms of behavior during a dance class as they would be on stage in front of an audience. 
• Students are expected to arrive dressed for class and on time. 
• No street shoes on dance floors as they bring dirt onto the dance area. Put dance shoes on just prior to class while inside. 
• Electronic Devices including cell phones must be kept out of the classroom by students. No electronic devices may be used inside the studios or during performances or rehearsals unless invited. Absolutely NO recording may be done – in any format – unless you are specifically invited to do so by the Artistic Director, or it is announced as a social media blitz event.

Those not willing to follow the dress code and Dance It Forward policies and standards will not be able to participate.

Health Safety & Illness
The health and well-being of our students and staff are of utmost importance to us. We kindly request your cooperation in keeping our dance community healthy. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, we kindly ask that you keep them at home to prevent the spread of illness:

- Nasal discharge that is green or yellow

- Complaints of ear pain

- Consistent cough

- Severe sore throat

- Pink, burning, itching, or discharging eyes

- Diarrhea or vomiting

- Fever

If these symptoms or any other contagious conditions are observed in your child during a class, we will promptly contact you to arrange for their immediate pick-up. When your child has a fever, please keep them at home until their temperature returns to normal. Furthermore, if there are any lingering signs of illness such as glassy or watery eyes, listlessness, or drowsiness, we kindly request that you keep your child at home. This precaution will ensure that the illness has fully passed, and your child will be well enough to fully participate in class activities the following week.

Food Allergies

Please review the waiver statement for food allergies. If a parent has concerns, they need to remain with their child to assure that they are safe and not exposed to anything that causes allergic reactions for them.

Event Participation Policy

At Dance It Forward, we are committed to fostering a positive, respectful, and inclusive environment for all dancers, families, staff and attendees. We believe that mutual respect and support contribute to the success of our programs and the well-being of our dance community.

Respect & Conduct Policy

Any individual—whether a dancer, parent, or community member—who chooses to publicly or privately engage in negative discourse, defamatory remarks, or actions that undermine Dance It Forward, its programs, or its staff may be restricted from attending or participating in our public events.

Enforcement

Decisions regarding participation and attendance restrictions will be at the sole discretion of leadership of Dance It Forward. This includes the right to decline ticket purchases and event entry to any individual whose behavior is deemed detrimental to the center's positive and professional environment. Our goal is to ensure that all dancers, families, staff and guests can enjoy a supportive and uplifting experience.

We appreciate the cooperation of all attendees in maintaining a culture of kindness, encouragement, and respect.

Our Newsletters keep everything organized!

These monthly newsletters provide you with lots of important information for the dancers.

Always read the CURRENT MONTH's newsletter first as its information supersedes all others.