Policies & Dress Code             

• Consistent attendance is important. Students with inconsistent attendance slow not only their own progress but the progress of the entire class.
  
  
• Arriving on time is crucial. Arriving late is disruptive to the class. Please make sure dancers arrive 5 minutes before the class start time to prepare for class so the class can start as a group. All dancers should prepare for class (shoes and coats off, hair up, dance shoes on, etc.) quietly outside the studio.
  
  
• Parents and siblings are asked to avoid coming into the studio between classes. This will allow back-to-back classes to run on time and with less distraction. All young dancers will remain in the dance studio until the parent picks them up at the studio door. If you may be late picking up your child, please ask them to remain in the room with the teacher.
  
  
• Please respect the dance studio and its property. Parents can NOT leave children unattended outside of class time. Parents must control and monitor siblings and other children with them while waiting. Quiet, calm behavior is expected at all times in the waiting area and halls (just like at the Library). Destructive and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. The reputation and future of the studio is at stake. Please respect businesses in the dance studio building. The halls are not a play area. No running or playing in the halls.
  
  
• Clean shoes only in the dance studio. Please do not use outdoor shoes for taking class.
  
  
• COSTUMES are an additional fee. $40 postdated payment is collected for EACH CLASS at the time of registration (Adult and Special Sessions are exempt). If a costume costs less than the deposit you will be refunded. If it costs more than the deposit you will be expected to pay the balance. Costume fees can NOT be refunded after January 15. Costumes and materials must be ordered early (usually February) to get them in time as costume companies are busy and go in order of when they are received. The studio can not get the money back after the costume is order or materials are purchased. Each teacher is responsible for organizing costumes as THEY see fit. They are not required to use volunteers and may order them for you without discussion. Kids LOVE costumes and they are an important part of a show. Costumes cost money. Organizing and creating costumes for your child takes work. The studio makes no profit on costumes.
  
  
• Withdraw policy: 1 MONTH ADVANCE WRITTEN NOTICE (email acceptable) required for all withdraw. Notice must be given at least one month BEFORE the cheque is dated to be posted. This allows the studio time to find replacement student if applicable and make accounting adjustments for instructor fees. No partial month refunds.
  
  
• Dance fees are not refundable after March 1 (with written notice by February 1). Show choreography and costumes are set at this time.
  
  
• All student placements are subject to teacher evaluation. Class ages and levels are dependent upon maturity and experience. Instructors have ultimate discretion on student placement. This decision is based on what benefits the student's progression AND the class as a whole.
  
  
•  Joining or switching classes after December is not guaranteed and at the discretion of Carole and the instructor.
  
• We appreciate your business and encourage your comments and questions.

Dress code

ALL classes:

Long HAIR MUST BE UP out of the face. Headband or clips for bangs or layered hair.

No costume jewelry. No necklaces, bracelets, watches or dangling earrings

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet classes :  
For ALL classes, correct ballet uniform must be worn. Leather ballet shoes - no split soles! 

Pre-Primary & Primary:
Girls

• pink tank style or short sleeve leotard
• pink semi sheer skirt, faux wrap style, (semi-sheer skirt, length should be half-way between mid-thigh and knee for proper line of arms when holding skirt in demi-seconde per the RAD) 
• pink short socks or pink tights (socks recommended - last longer)
• pink leather ballet shoes - must be full sole.

Boys

• white close-fitting T shirt or leotard (prefer short sleeve)
• black shorts (snug-fitting bike shorts) & short white socks; OR may wear black stirrup tights or footless tights long enough for socks to overlap 
• White short socks & white leather ballet shoes (no split sole)

Grade 1 & 2:

Girls

• pink tank style leotard with same colour waist elastic
• pink short socks or tights
• pink leather ballet shoes
• Character shoes - low heel
• Character skirt - black with blue ribbons (can be ordered from instructor. Please inquire.)

Boys

as for primary plus black low heel canvas character shoe (NO jazz shoes as teacher finds shoes not hard enough and can hurt the heel.  Boys may use dress shoes or tap shoe oxfords with no taps.                                                                                                               

Grade 3-5:

Girls

• Navy tank style leotard: Bloch L5415 or Mondor 1633 pinch-front tank with matching

  waist elastic (NO Capezio CC202 as too low at front)

• pink tights
• Skirt – black character skirt with blue ribbons (available through Mrs. Hunwick; please inquire)

• Shoes – both:

·         pink leather full-sole ballet shoes (NO split soles!)

·         black canvas character shoes with Cuban heel  

Boys

• As previous grades except OR may wear black stirrup tights or footless tights long enough for socks to overlap  boys stirrup tights may be worn
• Character shoes - cuban heel

Recreational Ballet:

Creative Ballet: dancer's favorite dancewear, soft ballet slipper or barefoot

Ages 5 and up:  dancer's favorite dancewear, soft ballet slipper. No street clothes.

Toddler, Creative Dance, Dance Medley &  Ballet/Tap Combo: dance leotards and tights OR form fitting comfortable clothes that will allow your child to jump, stretch and roll on the floor; ballet shoes, gymnastics slippers or bare feet.

*Dance Medley: real' tap shoes are not required, but a hard sole dress shoe or tap shoe for the tap portion will allow your child to get the full enjoyment out of the class. PLEASE try to find a pair of hard soled shoes that are easy and quick to put on.

Tap:

Clothing: Girls: Any colour tank, short, short or cap sleeve bodysuit OR any colour tank top or fitted t-shirt. No spaghetti straps. Ballet pink tights OR black Capri pants with socks any colour (note: may need pink tights for recital costume). Skirts or tutus optional. NO jeans. Boys: Short sleeve t-shirt or tank top any colour. Dance shorts or fitted pants. NO jeans.

Shoes: Proper tap shoes will allow your child to experience the class more fully and get the most enjoyment out of it. Buying    second hand shoes for beginners is fine (Please find a pair of shoes with a solid, hard sole (not a pliable, soft sole).  Second hand can be bought at Bee’s Knees Consignment (1340-6660 Sooke Road) or Ellswear (616 Hillside Avenue).

For NEW shoes we recommend (available at Ellswear, 616 Hillside Avenue or Toes & Taps, 1733 Cook Street).

Girls: Tap 1 – Capezio 625 patent shoe or Capezio 3800 matte leather Mary Jane (for wider/taller foot).

Junior Tap – Capezio 3800 matte leather Mary Jane (may wear old shoes until outgrown but if buying new please buy 3800.)

Boys: Capezio 442 Tapster or Capezio CG17 Fluid or Capezio CG2100 Hoof. (No Capezio 442 for Tap 2).

Senior & Adult Tap – T-shirt or loose-fitting dancewear, jeans or loose-fitting dancewear. Shoes: Capezio brand jazz taps; prefer Capezio CG100 Hoof Master for weight of sole and material of upper, but may wear Capezio CG17 Fluid with manmade upper. No split soles.

Jazz: Jazz shoe or barefoot and dancewear or fitted athletic wear. No jeans. Jazz shoes required for performance.

Hip Hop: Loose baggy clothes, sweat pants preferred. No jeans! Flexible runners or hip hop shoes (no jazz sneakers). NO outside or dirty shoes permitted.

Modern/Contemporay: barefoot or dance sock, fitted top, dance pant, Capri or shorts (no oversized clothing).

Musical Theatre: Clean, indoor runners and athletic wear.

Adult dance: comfortable exercise wear, barefoot or soft dance shoe. Tap shoes as noted in Tap section above.

Performance Company: Required – black tank or camisole body suit, nude tights (convertible foot preferred), black dance pant, black dance shorts, black jazz shoe.

The Instructors

Carole Cave is owner and Director of the Sooke Dance Studio. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance (emphasis modern dance & choreography) from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her University degree included courses in Pedagogy. After graduation from University, she taught children's dance at a Montessori School in Santa Barbara, CA. In 2006/2007 Carole studied Brain Dance including a comprehensive 6 week workshop "Brain Dance for Choreography" with Annemarie Cabri. She has over 25 years teaching experience with dancers of all ages and abilities. She strives for her dancers to grow and blossom in a positive, creative, non-competitive environment. She is known for her use of creativity and imagination to make dance fun, use of positive reinforcement to encourage confidence while establishing structure and discipline that children crave. Carole has been providing Sooke with dance and performance opportunities for 20 years.

Kathie Hunwick has studied Music and Dance, specializing in Ballet, Singing and Musical Theatre. Her professional qualifications include BA (Hons) Music with Dance, PGCE Drama, RAD Teaching Diploma, AISTD (Dip), LTCL (Teachers) Singing. She is currently contracted as a Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Royal Academy of Dance teaching certificate and degree programs, lectures trainee teachers, and is involved in teaching Preschool to Professional Dancers and Singers. As a teacher, she is proud to have taught several young dancers and singers (boys and girls) who have gone on to professional careers, or have auditioned successfully for top dance schools. She is the Director of Lighthouse Academy of Dance, and is pleased to enter into this affiliation with Sooke Dance Studio to promote the worldwide renowned Royal Academy of Dance Ballet examination syllabi.

Kristal Weening started training at age 5 at Stage Performing Arts School and is currently on the teaching staff at Stages. She is formally trained in Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern, Flamenco and Acrobatics. She has performed in local productions of Babes in Toyland, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver and Miracle on 34th Street. She has also performed locally in the Commonwealth Games and abroad in China.

Kelsey Stoehr has been dancing since the age of 3 and has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, musical theatre & hip hop. She is trained in Al Gilbert Tap and RAD Ballet (Intermediate Level exams). Her recent tap exams were awarded with Honours & Honours with Distinctions including her Silver Lower exams. She was awarded the A.I.D.T Tap Bursary for Vancouver Island. She attended the Las Vegas Tremaine Dance Convention Summer '08. Kelsey trained at Dance Connection Studios in Alberta where she co-taught ballet and tap. She was a member of the Rhythm Kids touring group and competed individually in many competitions. She currently dances at Boston Dance Collective and is a member of the BDC Tap Company. Kelsey lives in Sooke and looks forward to sharing her passion for Tap with Sooke's young dancers.

Brandy Baybutt Brandy was most recently seen performing at the Vancouver International Dance Festival in the “White Spider” by Mascall Dance. Previous to that she performed at the VIDF with Kokoro Dance and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She also performed at Dancing on the Edge festival with Kokoro Dance in “Ghosts.” In 2007 Brandy Baybutt formed the Victoria based dance company "A Horse of Air" with writer and poet Erin Robinsong. Her work has been shown in Victoria at The Metro Theatre, The McPherson Theatre, Bounce (Victoria Event Centre), Upstairs Dances, and in Vancouver at 12 Minutes Max. She has had the opportunity of working with Lynda Raino, Lori Hamar (Suddenly Dance Theatre), Constance Cooke, Ballet Victoria, tripod Collective, and Co.Erasga’s Dance Lab with Lydia Wagerer among others. She has been on faculty at the Lynda Raino Dance Studio since 2003. She graduated from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre in 2000. She is currently pursuing clowning studies with Cheryl Cashman in the Pochinko tradition.

Kelly Okuszko is a graduate of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) School, where she trained professionally for six years under the Russian Vaganova method.  She was the recipient of many scholarships including the prestigious Prince Edward Award. She performed leading roles in numerous classical works with the RWB School including “Kitri” in Don Quixote and “Swanhilda” in Coppelia and was a soloist in Swan Lake with the RWB Company.  Kelly danced with Alberta Ballet for one season before retiring due to injury.  During this time she learned numerous roles in their newly choreographed Nutcracker under Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.  Kelly also performed with Alberta Ballet in The Nutcracker as a child. She is delighted to be a teaching at the Sooke Dance Studio and sharing her love of dance with others.