CLASS MAKE-UP POLICY:

It is in the best interest of your child to come to their registered class, as they are familiar with their classmates, their teacher, and their class structure, and we encourage consistent attendance for optimal growth. Any dancer who has missed his/her class due to illness or schedule conflict may make up that class with an appropriate class based on age, ability and discipline within 4 weeks of the absence (beginning October 7, 2024 and continuing through the end of December, 2024). There will be no make-up classes available after December as our dancers are focusing on their spring performance. 

CANCELLATION/DROP POLICY:

FOR SCHOOL-YEAR SESSION: Written notice of intent to cancel enrollment is required two weeks in advance of the intended end date. There is no refund for tuition due, or paid, in the month the class is dropped. Please put your withdrawal request in writing, via email, to [email protected]. If your account becomes 35 days past-due, your dancer(s) will be automatically dropped from all classes. Dancers with four consecutive unexcused absences in an individual class may be automatically withdrawn. Regardless of dancer(s) attendance, tuition for the months enrolled is still owed, no exceptions.

ATTENDANCE:

Consistent attendance enables the student to fully progress along with his/her classmates. Students with poor attendance may be removed from a class if/when they are not able to keep up with the skill development within that class, and/or be removed from choreography and participating in our spring show performance.

ANNUAL FAMILY MEMBERSHIP FEES:

All families new to Backstage for the 2024-2025 School-Year (or those returning after not participating in the 2023-2024 School-Year Session) will be charged an annual family COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP fee (also referred to as a registration fee) of $65 per family. This fee is charged at the time of registration and is NON-REFUNDABLE. (NOTE: 2023-2024 School-Year Session RETURNING FAMILIES were given the option to choose between PREMIUM LEVEL MEMBERSHIP and COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP and associated fees were charged prior to registration).

PAYMENT INFORMATION:

FOR SCHOOL-YEAR SESSION: Tuition is based on STUDENT hours per week and is paid monthly. All accounts are required to be set up for Autopay, using the credit card provided upon registration. The first tuition installment and non-refundable annual family COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP FEE are processed at the time of enrollment to save your dancer(s) place in their class(es). Subsequent auto-pay tuition payments are processed on the first several business days of every month. Tuition is considered late if payment is not able to successfully process after the 10th of the month, at which time a $30.00 late fee per family will be charged to your account. WE DO NOT BILL UNLESS AN ACCOUNT BECOMES DELINQUENT. Pro-rated tuition will be allowed for enrollments/registration after the first class of the month, but not for missed classes. If the studio needs to close in-person classes due to COVID-19 or another pandemic-related situation, we will immediately switch to Zoom or video classes, and no refunds will be given for virtual classes.

NON-TUITION-RELATED FEES:

In addition to monthly tuition fees, there are other fees that families whose children will participate in our annual Spring Show are responsible for, charged by Backstage Dance Studio. These fees include, but are not limited to, the following:

Costume Fees: $85-$105. Costumes Fees typically range from $85-$105 per costume, on average. These fees are typically charged at the end of November through mid-December.

Spring Show Media Fee: approx. $80. The Spring Show Media Fee includes a digital download of individual and class photos taken (in costume) by a professional photographer during Spring Show Photo Week, in addition to digital downloads of all show performances (videotaped and edited by a professional videographer). This fee is typically charged in mid-April.

Spring Show Tickets: Dancers do not need to purchase a ticket to the shows they participate in, however, tickets are required of those who will be attending the performance. Our Spring Shows take place at IKEA Performing Arts Center at Renton High School, and ticket fees typically range from $20 to $30 per ticket (tiered pricing). Spring Show dates for 2024-2025 have not yet been set, however, we usually target our shows to take place in late May or early June.

CONCUSSION POLICY:

Any dancer suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the class or performance immediately. No dancer may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the dancer should continue for several hours. The new “Zackery Lystedt Law” in Washington requires the consistent and uniform implementation of long and well-established return to play concussion guidelines that have been recommended for several years: “A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time” and”…may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider”. You should also inform your child’s instructor if you think that your child may have a concussion. Remember, it’s better to miss one event than miss the whole season. And, when in doubt, the dancer sits out. For current information on concussions, see: http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/

DRESS CODE POLICY:

Proper dance attire enables the student to fully participate in class and to maintain a disciplined attitude towards dance studies. The Backstage Dance Studio Dress Code is posted online here, and dancers not dressed in accordance with these requirements will not be allowed to participate in class or performances.

CODE OF CONDUCT:

Backstage strives to create an inclusive environment where children are inspired, encouraged and supported. With this goal in mind, the following rules are set as a guideline to provide a safe, educational and respectful experience for all students, families and staff at Backstage Dance Studio. We reserve the right to deny service to anyone who fails to follow our full code of conduct here.