Recreational Dance Policy
Recreational Dance
Students take recreational classes for many reasons from fitness to fun. We encourage all students to try all dance styles to find the class that best meets their needs.
Classes Available and Placement
RDP offers a wide scope of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acro, lyrical, and pointe. Periodically we offer Master Classes for an additional fee outside class times on a first come, first serve basis. These classes are typically run by guest instructors and give students a chance to experience another instructor’s perspective of dance.
Students are placed in classes where they will feel the most comfortable. If a student enrolls in a class that is either too advanced or too elementary, she/he will be moved to the appropriate level at the teacher’s discretion.
We begin Introductory dance classes at age three. Recreational classes typically proceed from Intro, to Combo 2-4 classes, and then to Levels A-D. However, if a beginning student is older when she/he begins dance instruction, class placement is at the discretion of the teacher.
Appropriate Attire
Intro, Combination, and Ballet classes are required to wear a solid color leotard, ballet pink tights, ballet shoes, and hair pulled back neatly in a bun. Ballet skirts are acceptable. Ballet is the most structured dance class, and is the basis for all other dance, and therefore has more strict rules concerning dress code. The neatness in the ballet dress code sets a precedent for neatness in form and attitude.
Combo 2-3 classes require black buckle tap shoes. Levels AD Tap classes need black pullon boot style tap shoes. Solid leotards and light suntan or ballet pink tights are required. Dance shorts or skirts are acceptable.
Combo 4 and Levels A-D Jazz classes require black pull on jazz shoes, solid leotards, and light suntan or ballet pink tights. Dance shorts or jazz pants are acceptable.
Acro classes are done in bare feet to prevent slipping while tumbling. Convertible tights are acceptable, and leotards are recommended. Shirts and shorts are discouraged unless worn over leotards due to unnecessary exposure while tumbling.
Hip hop classes are flexible in dress code, but require jazz or athletic shoes. Hip hop shoes are not required. Long hair should always be pulled back in a bun or ponytail. Boys are asked to wear comfortable clothing and footwear.
Attendance
Dance class is a commitment and students are expected to attend regularly. Each class should be seen as a team, and every student’s role is important and attendance is paramount. Tardiness is very disruptive to instruction, so please plan to be on time for adequate stretching and warm ups. If you know you are not going to be at a class or that you will be late, please let your teacher know in advance. This is especially important after Christmas when instruction time focuses on rehearsing the recital dance.