COMPETITION TEAM
Parent/Student Handbook
2015-2016
Competition Information
Read carefully, and keep for reference
Philosophy
"We believe in helping children feel good about themselves. We create a friendly, personal
atmosphere allowing dancers to express themselves. As they dance, our students grow into
young adults with self-confidence and positive attitude, At Johnston Dance Academy (JDA), we
make a difference in children's lives. Dance directly benefits our students by building
coordination, flexibility, strength and stamina. With continued development, self-confidence
grows leading to superior social and leadership skills.”
-Jeanne Chelsen
Required Classes/ Attendance
All company members must be enrolled in Technique classes. Each company member has a required amount of
technique classes he/she must attend.
Little Dippers
Minimum of 1 hour of technique classes per week
Shooting Stars and Comets
Minimum of 2-Hours of technique classes per week
Supernovas
Minimum of 3-hours of technique classes per week
Classes
Fitted dance wear must be worn for all competition practices plus the appropriate shoes. Black ballet leotards and
tights must be worn during ballet technique with ballet shoes. Good attendance is essential for any progress. Dancers
and parents need to realize that missing a rehearsal not only affects you, but the entire group. Dancers rehearse their
spacing as well as choreography. It’s not just your time and money it’s others as well. Parents need to be aware that
when your child is late for rehearsal or competition, it affects the rest of the team members.
Conflicts concerning classes or rehearsals should be submitted to Jeanne by email or phone call. If a dancer misses more
than 3 un-excused absences, you will be required to schedule a private class with your instructor at your cost. Illness or
conflicts with school events are excused absences. It is our belief if your dancer is well enough to attend school, she
should be well enough to participate in dance. Optional competitions should not conflict with rehearsals.
All classes are closed for viewing by parents. You will be notified when you will be able to sit and watch/record the
routines.
Competition Routines
Routines will be rehearsed at the same scheduled time each week. We will have one week in the summer that consists
of the choreography for all of our company dances, considered our “Choreography Week”. Choreography week is
required of all competitive dancers and will be August 17th-21st. You will be charged choreography fees of $27.50 per
group routine your dancer is in (excluding solos/duets/trios). The schedule will be available in late June, but please
reserve the entire week (morning-evening). . All Choreography will be done strictly through the studio/guest
choreographers. It is critical that our competitive dancers pick up choreography quickly and take all corrections as they
are made. There may be times that extra practice is required of them at home, as well as additional practices on the
weekends.
Competitions
Dancers and their parents/guardian will be committed to attend ALL scheduled competitions. For our dancers in Little
Dippers and Shooting Stars, a parent/guardian must be available to assist them back stage with costume, hair and makeup changes. This means devoting the entire weekend to the competition, until you have the final schedule. Your
dancer may only dance on Saturday or Sunday but we do not receive final schedules until a week prior to the
competition, so it’s imperative you reserve the entire weekend for the competition. The competition schedule will be
available in early fall. We will send out a survey in July asking for schedule conflicts. Please note that we will try to
accommodate everyone’s schedule but as we grow, it becomes nearly impossible to meet everyone’s needs. The
competition season typically lasts from February – April.
Conventions and Master Classes
Dancers will be required to attend 1 in-house master class and 1 outside convention.
Sportsmanship at Competitions
Parents and dancers, it is our expectation you are courteous and considerate to all dance teams and individuals. Please
don’t speak negatively about any dancer, studio, decision or result. Anyone who behaves inappropriately in our studio or
at a competition/performance may be asked to leave our program. We are trying to create a positive learning
environment for our dancers.
Our dancers always respond to lots of applause and enthusiasm. All dancers will accept their awards graciously and with
huge THANKS! You would be surprised at how many judges watch each studio to see their reactions and how they
present themselves onstage during each ceremony. Whether it is a group or a solo, it is an award for Johnston Dance
Academy, so represent us well. There is a lot to be learned about gracious winning and gracious losing. Make sure to
extend compliments to other dancers/studio members at competitions. It feels good to get a compliment, so try to give
one back when you can! We also ask that you maintain control of your dancers during competitions. They should either
be in the dressing room preparing for competition or sitting in the audience, watching dances. Please do not allow them
to run freely through the event venue. These events are open to the public and are often in large, open spaces with lots
of entrances and exits. For their safety, they need to be with a parent, teacher or together as a team.
No one at any time should approach a Competition Director/Judge unless to express a thank you. Any concerns about
the competition event or results should be presented to one of our faculty members. We will address this as we see fits.
Team Representative for Awards
A team representative will be appointed for each routine to accept the award at the awards. The representative will
change with each competition. Return the awards to the dance studio the week after the competition during the class
time allotted for that dance (pass out to other dancers at this time). Do not pass the ribbons and medals out at the
competitions. All cash awards will be applied to the dancer’s accounts for group routines. Solos/Duets/Trios will receive
cash or will get the option to put towards their account.
Parental Support
Parents, please tell your children how proud you are of them, no matter what. Studio staff and the judges are their
critics. You provide the love and we provide the instruction. Let us do our jobs and you do yours. Our staff puts in a lot
of hard work and time into this program and we ask that you respect our decisions. Be supportive of ALL of our studio
routines. Sit together as a team and cheer for all of our dancers. Be careful what you say because your children hear
you and so does everyone around you. Keep unfavorable comments to yourself. We want our season to be fun and one
to remember!
Recital and Competition Rehearsals
Barefoot Theater is a full run-through in costume of all of our competition routines, held in January. We typically hold
this event at an off-site location and minimal charges are incurred for the rental of the space. Barefoot Theater and
Barefoot rehearsal are required as well as spring production dress rehearsals, unless approved by Jeanne.
Waiting and Dressing Room Etiquette
We know many of you spend countless hours at the studio and competitions. We want you to be comfortable. We
would ask that you treat it with respect, just as you would your own house or room - the dance studios, dressing room,
bathrooms, etc. Please clean up after yourselves. If you make a mess in the dressing room, clean it up. If there is trash
or food on the floor, throw it away. Hold yourself and your fellow dancers accountable for cleaning up. We also ask that
no food is taken into the studios and that water is the only drink consumed in there, unless it is a special occasion such
as the holiday party.
Costumes/Shoes/Tights
Costumes will be chosen by the choreographer, or by the person instructing a dance done by a guest choreographer.
Costumes will be designed and decided by the Instructor. We take the song and student(s) into consideration when
designing or choosing a costume. We do sometimes ask if there is a preference in color for a Solo/Duet/Trio, but not
always. You can choose to rhinestone your own costume or pay an instructor to rhinestone it for you.
Costumes are to be kept neat and not wrinkled. Check all pieces before leaving home!!! Please put names on
everything! Hang up all of your costumes after wearing them. Clothes racks on rollers or dream duffels are a GREAT
idea if you have several costumes. Competitions don’t usually provide hanging space. Shoes and tights for each routine
will most likely be decided when the costumes are decided on so please don’t make any purchases until you’ve heard
from your dancer’s instructor.
Accessories
Dancers not having all parts to their costume the day of competition (last minute) will not be allowed to perform. So
please make sure you have everything you need before leaving your home.
Team Wear/Appearance
Warm-Ups/Spirit wear: JDA team jackets, JDA team cardigan or team t-shirt will be required to be worn on stage (order
forms for these items will be available in late summer)
Team t-shirt: we will be purchasing a team comp t-shirt to be worn during parades, public appearances and on stage at
comps/conventions.
Hair: To be determined.
Jewelry: To be determined.
Make-up: To be determined.
Volunteers
Lots of volunteers are needed for many countless tasks. Your help is always greatly appreciated.
All parents are required to assist at one time during the year.
Examples:
-Door Signs
-Treat Good luck Bags
-Routine Parent: Phone Calling, line up at competition
-Spirit Team Committee: Group to help promote team building and establish fun activities at competitions with
Maddie.
-Props: Paint, Haul, Set & Strike
-We need parents for setting props up on the stage during performances
-Fundraising ideas and planning
-Help with the Dress Rehearsals
-Simple Sewing/ Rhinestoning Costumes and Accessories
Hotel Information
During some seasons we attend competitions held out of town that require us to stay at hotels. The competition
schedule of your dancer will depend on the number of nights you will need for a hotel. You may have the option to
drive to the location and back in a day if your routines end up on one day. We will provide you with hotel information
for each out of town event. Hotel rooms should be booked as soon as our competition dates are announced, hotels
near the location book up quickly.
Fundraising
Fundraising is a great way to help defray from the cost of competition. Many of our projects are on an individual basis.
It is up to you. Everyone will be informed of what is available. Any additional suggestions are appreciated. Look for your
first company newsletter for information about fundraising.
Competition Fee Information
Our competition team will be performing at 3 regional competitions this year, with an additional dance Nationals the
summer of 2016. Our competition dates will be announced in late summer. The range for competition fees will range
from $30-$50 per group dance. Duets and Trios range from $90-$100 (split between each dancer) and each solo fee will
range from $80-$105.
As our studio has grown and the competitions have become larger and longer, our teachers put in a tremendous amount
of time and energy during competitions, typically 15-16 hour work days. In order to remain competitive and retain our
outstanding staff, we will begin assessing administrative fees to competition fees, $5 per dance, per competition. All of
the money collected from administrative fees will go directly to the teachers who assist at competition.
1st competition deadline - December 1st
2nd Competition deadline - January 1st
3rd Competition deadline- February 1st
If your dance would like to do an optional competition, please let the studio know 45 days before the competition date
so we can register your dance. All fees for optional competitions are due at time of registration. JDA can’t not
guarantee your teacher will be able to attend the optional competitions.
Props
Routines choreographed with a prop will be charged for the prop. You are also responsible for getting the prop to and
from the competitions. If your dancer is in a group that has a newly purchased prop, the cost will be divided between
the dancers in that group.
Solo/Duet/Trios
Solo, duet, trio fees are to be paid in full in order to begin. Some routines will be started right after recital. Accounts are
to be current.
Choreography Fees
Solo $200
Duet $250 (split between two dancers)
Trio $300 (split between three dancers)
This price will cover choreography only. Rehearsal is $25 per hour. Once choreography is done we will rehearse
15 minutes a week bringing your total to $25 a month for solo. Once the fall schedule begins, each dance will be
allotted 15 minutes a week, totaling out to $25 dollars a month per solo. You are more than welcome to practice
on your own in the dance rooms that are available. We need to be courteous and share the space with others.
Please check with Jeanne, Maddie, or the front desk to see when there is a room available. No one is allowed to
unhook or change any cords to the audio equipment. It is suggested that you bring your own sound equipment.
Practice/Back-Up CD’s
All solos will receive 1 CD. Each dancer in a duet and trio will each receive a CD. Your CD is to be brought to every
rehearsal and competitions as an extra back-up. We will have 2 copies of your music as well. It is advised to download
your CD to your home computer as soon as you get it, in case it is lost or broken. This will save you from having to
purchase additional CD’s from us.
Scheduling a practice for Solo/Duet/Trio
All solo, duet, trio’s will need to have a regularly scheduled rehearsal time. Permanent rehearsal schedule will be set by
the Instructor. Do not schedule a practice with another teacher. Parents are not allowed in the studio during the
choreography or rehearsals. You may video tape at the end of the rehearsal.
Solo/Duet/Trio routines carried over for a 2nd season
If you choose to keep your solo for a 2nd season, they will not be re-choreographed. Rehearsal fees will be set at the
same price.
The Solo/Duet/Trio Experience
What your responsibilities are to make sure you are ready for your solo/duet/trio!!!!
-Make a serious commitment to yourself, your dance and/or your partner.
-Be willing to practice at the studio and on your own in your home by yourself.
-Remember your choreography. We lose valuable time if the teacher has to constantly re-teach the routine.
-Be willing to practice your routine count by count and make sure you know what’s up technically; where your arms are
on every count, the body angles, etc. This is done with your teachers and can also be done on your own at home.
-Trust the judgment of your teachers on the choreography of your routine. Perfecting is done with repetition, changing
your routine each time will not build your routine.
-Be willing to do your routine “FULL OUT” all the time to build a strong stamina level and PERFORM IT!
Please make sure you are ready before you commit to competition dance. It is an extremely rewarding experience for
both dancers and their families, but it is a huge time and financial commitment. Competing is a way to build selfconfidence, make us better dancers, and build friendships. We are also a team, so we need to be supportive of
everyone. It is our expectation that you show good sportsmanship to all of your teammates and treat everyone with
respect. The scores are only the opinion of the judges. We are proud to watch our dancers grow no matter what type of
trophy they hold in their hand.
Agreement:
After reading over the competition packet, I understand that this team is a commitment. I must attend all required
rehearsals, competitions, and nationals during the summer of 2016. The only time a competition will not be required is
if it reads the word “Optional” next to it. My child intends on being a dedicated member of this team.
Signature ________________________________________________Date_________________________
Student__________________________________________________Date_________________________
By signing this agreement, we agree to the __________ (number of dances) offered by the instructors of Johnston Dance
Academy.
Notes: