SDC&A Frequently Asked Questions and Policies

How do I register for a class?
Registration is online through our website. Click “Register Now” and follow the prompts. The annual registration fee is $35 for one student or $55 for a family. The registration fee automatically renews one year from your enrollment date. Families with three or more students enrolled receive a 10% discount on the lowest-level child’s tuition.

Do you offer trial classes to new students?
Yes! A new student can try any class on our schedule by paying a drop-in fee of $22. Please register online before attending your drop-in class and complete the online waiver. You are allowed one drop-in class for $22. Should you choose to enroll in any of the classes you dropped-in to, your drop-in fee for that class will be credited towards your first tuition payment if you sign up same month.

How much is tuition, and how do I pay my tuition?
Tuition is based on your class level, as well as the number of classes you attend per week. Tuition may be paid monthly, by single term (Fall or Spring), by double term (both Fall and Spring), or by full year (includes Fall, Spring, and Summer). Tuition paid monthly will be collected on the 1^st of every month and must be paid through our online portal. Setup of an automated monthly tuition payment of either an Electronic Funds Transfer/EFT (no extra charges applied) or by Credit Card (with a 2.5% surcharge/convenience fee) kept on file, is required. Tuition paid for by Full Year or Double Term will receive a discount and should be paid by check in the studio. Denied credit cards, or a denied EFT will incur a $25 penalty fee.

Is tuition prorated for months that have holidays or that schools are closed for breaks?
No, tuition is not prorated for months with holidays or when the studio is closed for breaks (spring break, winter break, etc.) Tuition is billed at a flat monthly rate regardless of how many weeks there are in any given month. As such, some months have four weeks, while others have five weeks. We do not increase tuition on the months that have five weeks, resulting in more classes. Therefore, we do not prorate tuition for months where there are weeks that we are closed for holidays and breaks between terms.

How do I know when you are closed for breaks?
We generally follow the San Ramon Valley Unified School District calendar.
We have spring classes, summer classes, and fall classes. Studio closure reminders are also announced through the Soo Dance Academy Newsletter.

What is the appropriate class attire, and where can it be purchased?
For Ballet classes, Each level is designed by color of their leotard that must be purchased directly from the Soo dance academy. Ballet students are required to have their hair pulled back into a neat, tight Ballet bun

 

What is your refund policy?
We do not offer refunds on tuition or individual missed classes.

What is your withdrawal policy?
To withdraw from a class, a written email must be sent to soodance225@gmail.com at least one week before you intend to discontinue the class. All withdrawals must be done before the 1st of the upcoming month to avoid being charged tuition for that month.

What is your make-up policy?
You may make-up for a class in the month that the absence occurred. The class must be of the same level or lower than your current class level. We do not offer refunds for missed classes. If, for some reason, you will miss multiple classes in a month due to personal circumstances, know that credit for tuition is given for absences from class due to vacation, illness or any other reason in the form of a make-up class only during the same month as the absence. We cannot offer only make-up class without sign up. Make-up classes must be scheduled online through Studio Director in advance in a class that is not currently full.

Is there an on-time arrival/departure policy?
Students must arrive at least 10 minutes before the beginning of their class to change into their dance shoes, use the bathroom, and/or stretch. Students who are left unattended during class must have a parent/chaperone arrive five minutes before the end of class to pick them up. We will charge a late pick-up fee of $1 per minute starting at 5 minutes past the end of their class. Children who are not attending class cannot be left unattended in the studio.

 

How do I know which Level is appropriate for my dancer?                                                                                              Our Pre-Ballet, Level 1,2, and Level 3 classes are primarily based on the age of the dancer. Following the dancer’s trial class, a brief conference with the instructor can help you confirm if your dancer is in the appropriate level. (Pre level: age 2.5-4) (Level 1: age 4-5.5) (Level 2: age 5.5-7) (Level 3 age 8+ or Pre-approved students) (Level 4 age 9+ or Pre-approved students). Students may only advance into Level 5 with instructor permission. Ballet classes of Levels 5 are further divided into Groups A (ages 7-8), B (ages 9-11), and C (ages 12-17) which allows dancers to learn in an environment with other students of their age. We offer a Level Exam near the end of the Fall and Spring terms to determine the whether a dancer would best benefit from continuing classes at their current level or advancing into the next level.

I would like to participate in a performance. What do I need to do?                                                                     Participation in a performance requires a minimum enrollment in two classes per week for Pre-Ballet, Level 1, and Level 2 ballet students. Ballet students in Levels 3, 4, and 5 are required to attend two classes per week as well as two company ballet rehearsals per week. Participants are required to sign a contract committing to attending their level’s required number of classes for five months from the date they begin attending them.

Enrollment in two weekly company rehearsal classes is required for all Level 3, 4, and 5 students participating in the show. These rehearsals are mandatory, and do not count toward your weekly technique classes. You are allowed one excused absence. If you are absent for more than two company rehearsals, you will be required to take a private 45-minute make–up at your own cost to maintain your spot in the performance. Students who miss more than five rehearsals will be dropped from the show. The tuition rate for each company rehearsal is $150 per term in addition to your standard class tuition.

What is the cost of participating in a performance?
There is a participation fee of $25.00, as well as a mandatory payment of $40.00, which covers professional photography and videography of the performance. Photos and a downloadable video or DVD of the performance will be available to you following the performance date. You are required to cover the expense of your costume (determined once the studio selects the costumes). Tickets to the performance are sold separately and may be purchased at your discretion. Ballet students of Level 3, 4, and 5 also require company rehearsals which are an additional $150 each, per term.

There’s no time in my schedule to sign up for a 2nd class, but I still want to join the show; what should I do?         We have a ‘Prep Class’ for those who want to join the show but have no time to commit to a 2nd class. We can set up a one hour Prep Class (semi private lesson) costing $100 before the winter show!

 

I am only interested in attending classes, not participating in the performance, how many classes are required?Students who do not wish to participate in the performance are welcome to attend classes! All students do not have a minimum enrollment requirement. The last 15 minutes of all non-ballet classes are spent rehearsing for the upcoming show. Students who choose not to participate in the show will be excused from class at that time. Tuition is not adjusted down for students who choose not to participate in the performance.