studio policies

DRESS CODE 

• All dancewear is available locally at Ellman’s in Carytown (Richmond, Virginia) and Pointe Dance Boutique (Midlothian, Virginia), or it can be purchased from the link on our home page.
• Combination classes may wear economy ballet and tap shoes as long as the ballet shoes have a suede or leather sole. DO NOT WEAR BEDROOM SLIPPERS!
• All dancers must have their hair secured back for class. A bun is mandatory for ballet class, and ponytails and braids are acceptable for combination and all other classes. Hair must be secured back for any class, so please make sure your dancer is prepared when she/he arrives for class.
• Cheer style shorts are not appropriate dance attire. If shorts are worn, leotard and tights MUST also be worn.

CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR
We strive to provide an encouraging, nurturing environment for all dancers. To ensure each dancer feels safe and comfortable during class, we have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior that may cause a disruptive learning environment or emotional harm to students and instructors in a class. Teachers reserve the right to dismiss any student from a class due to discipline problems or verbal disrespect.

ATTENDANCE 
Regular attendance is essential for progression in dancing. Tardiness and excessive absences are inexcusable and not tolerated. All students are responsible for learning the choreography, which requires regular attendance. To be fair to all students, class time will not be used to review material missed. If you miss more than three classes after Jan. 15, your may be required to take private lessons in order to participate in the recital. Make-up classes are very difficult to arrange, so please make class attendance a priority.

CANCELLATION/WITHDRAWAL
Student withdrawal will only be accepted through November 1. Medical release from a licensed physician (stating the physical reasoning the dancer can no longer physically participate in dance lessons) will be necessary to terminate the account after the final drop date of November 1. If a student drops or cancels registration, prior to the start of class, Encore Studio will refund half of the registration payment unless refund is needed for class cancellation. Every effort will be made to find alternate classes in the event of class cancellation.  Refunds will not be given if a student decides to withdraw.  Student withdrawal will be effective the last day of the current month to ensure termination prior to another billing cycle. Proper notice must be give to the office to terminate account prior to November 1. Cancellations and withdraws will not be accommodated for students in the Summer session after June 1. 

REGISTRATION: 
ALL REGISTRATION MUST BE RECEIVED 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRST CLASS.

Class enrollment must exceed 8 students.

Register early for the best selection and availability. We will close, add or change classes as registration demands, but we will not be able to add students to a class once it has closed.

If a class does not meet minimum enrollment we will notify you prior to confirm an alternate selection. We confirm classes through email so please notify your spam filters.

Class times may adjust prior to the first class, so please make note of your pass code and check your schedule and account through your student profile prior to the first class.

The most up-to-date schedule is available through your student profile. If you do not have one, please create one.

PAYMENT POLICIES 

Installation Payment Plan: Tuition for the regular season is divided into 10 tuition installments billed over the season, September through May. The first installment is due at registration.

Your first installment or full payment will hold your place in class, and must be received upon registration.

Written notice must be given to the office to cancel billing. To make billing changes, notice must be received by November 1st of each season. If notice is not received, payment is expected for the remainder of the season.

• We do not offer refunds
• Attendance does not change or alter tuition installments.
• Tuition price does NOT include practice clothes and additional merchandise.

Accepted payments: Mastercard and Visa are accepted. A credit card must be on file to complete registration. Credit cards on file will be charged on the first day on each month for tuition installments.

Late payments: Tuition installments are due by the 5th of each month. After the 5th, all accounts with an outstanding balance will be subject to a $25 late fee and charged to the credit card on file.

Discount: Tuition paid in full at registration will receive a 5% discount.

Checks: Personal checks will be accepted for annual payments only. There will be a $35 fee on all returned checks.