Dear Parents and Students,
    For more than five years, Dance Kids Canada has provided students with an exciting performance experience through its May recital. The annual staple of the dance school, the recital, conjures images of childhood for many. It’s a rite of passage for thousands of youngsters, a chance to shine in front of family and friends that they anticipate with nervous excitement.
    The recital offers our students a professionally directed performance that allows them to present to their families and friends the results of a year’s hard work, dedication, and progress.
    A big part of the dance training process includes learning through performance. The experience helps build self-esteem, self-assurance, and contributes to a sense of confidence. Although performance opportunities can help prepare some students for a possible career in dance, they also contribute to children’s success in non-dance activities. That onstage experience can result in better in-school presentations, improved social skills, and strong interview skills for future college or job opportunities. The rehearsal process is a tremendous learning experience as well. It helps the children develop retention skills, and by working with their classmates on a group performance, they learn the positive aspects of working as a team to create the best end result.
    Dedication to recital commitments is the responsibility of both students and their parents. We’ve created this handbook in an effort to clarify what we expect from you in terms of commitments and responsibility to the annual recital, the school, and other students and parents.

PART 1:     The Commitment
Important Dates
By allowing your child to participate in the Dance Kids Canada recital, you commit yourself and/or your child to the following dates and events.
February 1, 2009  
Costume Fee $45.00 per class
    Includes: Costume, 2 5x7 Solo Pictures, 1 5x7 Group Picture        
May 1, 2009  
Recital Fee $50.00 per Family
    Includes: 2 Recital Tickets, 1 DVD of the Recital, 1 Yearbook      
                                      
June 13, 2009 Performance - Ontario Science Centre

Updates
As the season progresses, additional recital information or updates will be posted on the website, www.dancekidscanada.com, in monthly newsletters, and on the school bulletin board. Make it your responsibility to keep abreast of this important information. Our goal is to make the recital an organized, exciting experience for everyone involved. It’s a team effort; students, their parents, the teachers, and the director are key players in the show’s success.

PART 2: Costumes
We spend many hours determining the correct costumes for each class. They are always age-appropriate. Students will need one costume for each subject they train in. Costumes include all accessories (hats, gloves, etc.), but not tights or shoes.

Costume Deposits
In an effort to ensure that costumes are delivered in time for school photographs and an organized distribution to our students, costume orders are placed during the March break. Costume manufacturers do not accept cancellations or offer refunds; therefore the school does not refund costume deposits. Costumes will not be ordered until they are paid for in full. Parents or guardians accept full responsibility for all expenses, including surcharges and postage for costumes that are ordered late. Dance Kids Canada is not responsible if costumes are not received in time for the recital due to late payments.

Sizing
Costume measuring begins during the last week in January, during scheduled class times. Each child will be measured in order to determine his or her proper costume size(s). During the first week in February you will be required to sign a confirmation form stating that you agree with the size(s) to be ordered for your child. You can make adjustments on the form; however, your signature indicates that you take full responsibility for any necessary costume alterations.

Alterations
Although rare, alterations are sometimes needed after the costumes have been distributed and are the sole responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian.

Withdrawal
No refunds will be made if a parent or guardian withdraws a child from the school after costumes have been ordered and prior to the recital. Parent or guardians may pick up purchased costumes at the school at the time of general costume distribution and up to 15 days after the performance. Costumes not picked up after 15 days will be donated to charity.

PART 3: Tights, Shoes, Hair, and Makeup
Tights
All ballet students require white tights. Jazz, tap, hip hop, and broadway students do not require tights.

Shoes
Ballet students require pink ballet slippers, jazz students require black jazz shoes, tap students require black tap shoes, hip hop students require clean running shoes and broadway students please inquire with the instructor.

Hair and Makeup
All female students are required to wear makeup for the recital: red lipstick, blush, eye shadow (not blue), and mascara. For the boys, a little blush works well.Uniform hairstyles are required.

PART 4: Dress Rehearsal
We run an organized and timely dress rehearsal; your help with the process will guarantee a professional production. Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to curtain time. Students must arrive in their first performance costume.

Finale
All students are required to participate in the finale, which will be rehearsed during the last month of classes. A run-through of the finale will take place at the dress rehearsal before the show. All students will remain in their first performance costume for the finale.

Dressing-Room Etiquette
Students must respect other students’ space and property in the dressing rooms. The students will spend more time in the dressing rooms than onstage or in the auditorium, so please do your best to keep them organized and clean. No food or drink is allowed in the dressing rooms.

PART 6: Student Drop-Off and Pickup
Recital Performance Arrival and Dismissal
Parents or guardians should bring the students to their assigned dressing rooms. Students will remain backstage for the entire performance. Parents are not allowed in the dressing rooms after the children have been checked in for the recital. Special note:  Please do not attempt to pick up your child during the performance. All students will be under the supervision of responsible adults and will be safe for the length of the performance. The dressing rooms will be stocked with various activities as well as a video input of the performance.

PART 7: Recital Photography and Videos
Recital Photos
Class photos on will be taken on Saturday, May 9, at the studio. Dates and times are subject to change. Please confirm your child’s time on the updated schedule to be distributed the week of April 15. All students are required to be present for their class picture. After the group photo shoot, students may choose to have solo portraits made in any or all of their costumes. There is no obligation to purchase photos. Please arrive at least half an hour before your child’s scheduled time, since photo shoots tend to run ahead of schedule.

PART 8: Recital Tickets
Ticket Policies
Tickets go on sale March 1, 2008 and cost $15 each. No children will be allowed to sit on a parent’s lap. If younger siblings would be uncomfortable remaining seated for two hours, please don’t bring them to the recital. Children who are running around the auditorium are distracting to audience members. All of our recitals are considered family entertainment and are less than two hours in length.

PART 9: Recital Policies:
(Video and Photography: Please note: No video or photography will be allowed at the recital.)

Backstage
Family members and friends don’t belong backstage or in the dressing rooms during rehearsals or the recital. The same applies during intermission and after the show. There is a lot of backstage activity in a limited space, and dressing rooms are a private area. Please remind your family and guests to be respectful of these areas. Those who wish to greet a performer after the show or present flowers should do so in the lobby areas.