Policies

Policy & Waiver Agreement

Upon enrollment with Encore, participants automatically agree to our Studio policies and waivers outlined below. A signed copy of the waiver form must be submitted prior to participation in classes (digital or paper copy are both acceptable). Participants may be asked to sign annually.

Emergency Contact: For liability and safety reasons, every participant must provide the phone number and name of an emergency contact (other than the primary contact on the account). Should an incident arise (whether illness or a medical situation) the primary contact for a participant will be contacted first, and an emergency contact second if the primary contact is not reachable.

Not A Licensed Child Care Center: Encore Dance Studio is not a licensed child care center, we are a privately owned dance Studio.


Family Membership

Annual family membership is required for participants (excluding shortened 6 or 8 week classes and summer session). The membership covers all immediate family members of the household. Membership gives participants access to our sibling discount, family maximum tuition discount, annual performance opportunities, renewal also gives priority placement into the following season’s classes.

Auto-Renewal: All participants (excluding shortened 6 or 8 week classes and summer session) will have their membership renewed for the following season (see page 9 for season information) on April 25th annually. Once charged, membership is non-refundable. Families who wish to opt-out of renewal must do so by April 24th if they do not want to return, or are unsure if they will return for the following season.


Open Door Policy

Participants are encouraged to remain at the Studio however we cannot legally require a participant to stay on the premises. Encore Dance Studio is NOT a licensed child care facility, NOT a daycare center, and is NOT responsible for the time and/or manner in which a participant arrives or departs the Studio.


Dropping A Class

If a participant wishes to drop a class we require 15 days notice prior to the next auto-pay date via email. If notice is not received (or is received less than 15 days prior to the next auto-pay date) the participant’s account will be billed for the class.

Costumes For Dropped Classes: If costumes for the class(es) have already been ordered, the Studio will try to re-sell the costume(s) to another participant if possible (and a credit will be given to the participant). If the costume(s) is(are) not able to be re-sold, the participant will not be credited for the costume(s) cost and they may pick up the costume(s) in late spring of the current session. Any costumes not picked up by July may be forfeited.


Withdrawing

If for any reason during the dance session it is necessary for a participant to completely withdraw from classes a written notice must be submitted (email or hard copy is acceptable). We require 30 days notice to remove a participant from classes. Participants are responsible for any and all charges incurred on their account until 30 days after the withdrawal notice is received.

Costumes For Withdrawn Participants: If costumes for the class(es) have already been ordered, the Studio will try to re-sell the costume(s) to another participant if possible (and a credit will be given to the participant). If the costume(s) is(are) not able to be re-sold, the participant will not be credited for the costume(s) cost and they may pick up the costume(s) in late spring of the current session. Any costumes not picked up by July may be forfeited.


Tuition/Auto-Payment

Regular season tuition is a flat monthly rate regardless of month length or holidays. Tuition payment is due on the 25th day of each month from August through May for the season September through June, and is non-refundable.

Auto Pay: Enrollment in the auto-pay system is required for participants (excluding shortened 6 or 8 week sessions and summer classes). Tuition (and any outstanding balances) are automatically charged according to the above schedule.

Late/Declined Payment: If payment is not paid by the 25th or is auto-payment is declined a $15 late fee per family is applied to accounts to cover administrative costs in tracking accounts.

Overdue Accounts: Tuition and any other dues on accounts must be paid by the 25th day of the month. If there is any balance due on a family’s account by the 5th of the next month then participants from that family will sit and observe classes until the account balance is at zero.

Prior to participation in any events with the Studio (including but not limited to: recitals, parades, competitions, dance team events etc.) or private lessons accounts must have a zero balance.

Cash/Check Payment: We accept payment via cash (exact only please) or check for tuition or any purchases. To pay via cash or check for tuition, please submit payment prior to the 25th of the month, if payment is not received prior to the 25th, the card on file will be auto-charged.
Account Credits: If the studio is able to offer an account credit for a tuition, event, package, or membership when a student/family withdraws, the account credit will be held on file for 1 year. After 1 year unused account credits are removed.


Holiday Experience

Students enrolled in participating classes will be part of the performance and will be auto-charged for the experience on August 25th for the $125 package (per experience). The package includes additional rehearsals as needed, a workshop, costume rental, and costume cleaning. Package does not include tights or shoes.

  • All ballet classes will participate in the Nutcracker

  • All tap & jazz classes will participate in the Holiday Spectacular

Ask if you aren’t in an above class & wish to participate in either holiday experience!


Spring RECITAL

Our annual spring recital closes out the year with a big bang! Costumes are required for all dance classes that participate in the recital. Participants will need to provide their own shoes. Tights and any accessories (if needed) are included with costumes. Costs are as follows (per costume):

  • Standard individual costume: $85

  • 2-in-1 for combination dance class: $95

Costumes are automatically billed to all active participants in dance classes (excluding shortened 6 or 8 week sessions and summer classes) in 2 payment installments. Half of the total cost of all costumes is charged on October 25th and half is charged on November 25th. If a participant registers after November, costume availability is not guaranteed and cost of costumes is due at sign-up.

Recital Opt-Out: If a dancer will not be performing at our end-of-year Spring Recital, they may opt out of purchasing a costume. Opt-out must be received in writing by October 24th (the day before the first costume charge is due).

Missing A Class

If a participant will miss a class, we request to be notified (even if it’s the day of class!) so that we can let the Teacher know.

Make-Up Classes: Participants who miss a class due to illness or school function may inquire if a Make up class is available for their student.

DRESS CODE

Participants should wear proper attire for all classes. It is at the Teacher’s discretion to not allow participation in class for safety reasons if a participant is not wearing proper attire. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that dangle should be removed prior to participation in classes.

Ballet Classes: Basic leotard, pink tights, and ballet shoes. (Ballet skirt optional)

Tap Classes: Basic leotard, tan tights/shorts/leggings, and tap shoes.

Jazz Classes: Basic leotard, tan tights/shorts/leggings, and jazz shoes.

Tumbling or Acro Classes: Basic leotard, shorts/leggings, and bare feet.

Hip Hop Classes: Danceable streetwear and white tennis shoes. (Shoes can not be worn outside)

Lyrical Classes: Basic leotard, convertible tan tights/leggings/ballet skirt, and jazz/ballet shoes or bare feet.

Etiquette

Participants and visitors at the Studio should adhere to all etiquette policies outlined below.

Drop-off: Participants may be dropped off no more than 10 minutes prior to class start

Pick-up: Participants must be picked up promptly when class is done. Participants who are not picked up after 10 minutes will be enrolled into our Kids Club at a rate of $1 per minute until picked up.

Food/Drink: Participants may bring water (in a sealable container) into the Studios. No other food or drink is allowed in the Studios. NO GUM is allowed in the Studios.

Shoes: Please note that street worn shoes are not allowed to be worn into the Studios.

Viewing Classes: At the Gearhart Studio visitors may view class through the window into Studio A, and may view a live-feed monitor of Studio A or Studio B. At the Warrenton Studio visitors may view class through windows into each Studio.

The viewing windows are 2-way (participants can see you watching them) so please refrain from distracting, waving at, or talking to participants during class time.

Bullying/Harassment: Our Studio has a zero tolerance policy regarding bullying and harassment of our participants, their families, and our Staff. Anyone who bullies or harrasses anyone at a Studio or event will be asked to leave the Studio or event. If the person continues to bully or harass anyone they may be asked to cease their participation with Encore Dance Studio permanently.

Health & Wellness

All participants and visitors to the Studio should be in good health and free of any illness or infection which could be transmitted to other persons. To help keep our Staff, participants, and visitors healthy we adhere to the below policy, and reserve the right to require visitors or participants to exclude themselves from entrance or participation in classes or events.

Our Studio has a zero tolerance policy on head lice. We take preventative measures to prevent the spread of lice, including conducting checks of participants hair. If any participant is found to have eggs (nits) or lice (live or dead) the participant will be sent home immediately.

  • Participants and visitors should not participate in classes or events and should not enter the Studio space if they have lice (alive or dead) and/or eggs (nits). Further they should be free of lice and/or eggs for at least 24 hours. NOTE: Treating for lice/eggs does NOT ensure that all specimen are dead and removed.

  • Participants and visitors should be fever* free for 24 hours prior to participation in classes or events or entering the Studio space (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).

  • Participants and visitors should be free from continuous coughing.

  • Participants and visitors should not participate in classes or events and should not enter the Studio space for 24 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhea AND after taking a first dose of antibiotics for an infection.

  • Participants and visitors should not participate in classes or events and should not enter the Studio space with pink eye (conjunctivitis) until they have been on medication for at least 24 hours and have been told by a physician that the infection is no longer contagious.

  • Participants and visitors should not participate in classes or events and should not enter the Studio space if they have any illness presenting with rash, recurring episodes of bleeding, skin lesions or sores until they have been told by a physician that they are not contagious.