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 behaviour is expected at all times in the waiting area and halls (just like at the Library). Destructive and disruptive behaviour 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 they are ordered or materials are purchased. 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. 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
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, mid-thigh length (end of fingertips)
- 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
- Navy shorts (bike shorts/close fit)
- White short socks & white ballet shoes
Grade 1 & 2:
Girls
Boys
as for primary plus character shoes (low heel) Grade 3-5:
Girls
- Navy tank style leotard (ruched front preferred) with matching elastic belt
- pink tights
- pink leather ballet shoes (no split soles!)
-
Character shoes - cuban heel, and character skirt
(skirt can be ordered from instructor. Please inquire.)
Boys
- As previous grades except boys stirrup tights may be worn
- Character shoes - cuban heel
Recreational Ballet:
Creative Ballet: dancer's favorite dancewear, soft ballet slipper or barefoot
Ages 4-8: ballet slipper, pink body suit, white or light pink tights
Age 9 and up: ballet slippers, black body suit and soft pink tights and/or black dance pant (fitted with narrow bell) and fitted top (no oversized clothing)
Toddler, Creative Dance & Dance Medley*: 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 for the tap portion will allow your child to get thefull enjoyment out of the class. PLEASE try to find a pair of hard soled shoes that are easy and quick to put on.
Tap:
dance leotards with tights are always welcome OR form fitting clothes that allow you and the teacher to see your body
movements; proper tap shoes will allow your child to experience the class more fully and get the most enjoyment out of it HOWEVER buy second hand shoes (they're just as great!)
NOTE: If you are buying tap shoes for the first time, please find a pair of shoes with a solid, hard sole (not a pliable, soft sole). Second hand shoes are great and can be bought at Bee’s Knees Consignment (1340-6660 Sooke Road) or Ellswear (616 Hillside Avenue).
Jazz: Jazz shoe or barefoot and dancewear or athletic wear
Hip Hop: Barefoot and/or Clean, indoor runners. Dance pants, athletic pants, cargos etc.
Modern: barefoot or dance sock, black dance pant (narrow bell), fitted top (no oversized clothing)
Musical Theatre: Barefoot and/or clean, indoor runners and athletic wear.
Adult dance: comfortable exercise wear, barefoot or soft dance 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. She has been teaching ages three to adult for over twenty years, fifteen years in Sooke.
Niki Martin is an award winning dancer and choreographer, and a certified fitness instructor. A competitive dancer from the age of 12, she was trained in Brian Foley ADAPT syllabus and specializes in tap. She has performed on television and internationally on stage. Passionate about sharing her love of dance, she has taught dance and movement to music for more than 15 years. Niki is also a wife and mother and thrilled to be joining the Sooke Dance Studio team where she hopes to bring her joy of dance, family and community.
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.
Melanie Dawson trained at the Joy Spriggs School of Dance (London, England), the Stella Mann School of Dance (London, England) and with Ballet Rambert (London, England). She studied classical and modern ballet, jazz and character dancing. She danced professionally in London, England and across Europe on stage, film and TV. She has attended workshops with Bertram Ross (Martha Graham Company) and Kazuko (Martha Graham Company) at the Toronto Dance Theatre. She gave up her professional dance career when she moved to B.C. to start her family. She looks forward to teaching at the Sooke Dance Studio in September.
Allyssa Butt is versed in a multitude of choreographic styles including Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Modern. Her performances include the Alberta Winter Games, the Nutcracker, Legends Alive, competitions throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan, and choreography for Jack and the Beanstalk. She was also selected to attend three summers at the Banff Center for the Arts and Alberta Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program. In 2000, Alyssa attended the University of Lethbridge graduating with a B. Sc. in Neuroscience. She furthered her dance education with university Jazz courses, competed as a member of the U of L Dance Crew, danced in the Goh Ballet’s Summer Program (Dramatic Arts Independent Study), and won Best Student Teacher of the Year Award from Joy’s Dance Factory. Alyssa now lives in Victoria, BC, furthering her studies in pre-medicine, dancing at Lynda Raino Dance, and teaching the dancers of tomorrow.
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.
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