a.     Dancers and parents must show respect for teachers, choreographers, directors, staff, other dancers, and parents at all times.  Inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal from the program.  

b.     In addition, parents will have positive interactions with staff and volunteers at performance venues.  They are not there to serve us, we are there to serve our community with grace and dignity. 

c. Foul language or alcohol use at MDC or any event MDC attends or sponsors will not be tolerated.  

UNITY POLICY:

d.  Negative talk or gossip about any MDC policy, staff, staff decision, or student at MDC, any event MDC attends or sponsors, on social media, in a group text, outside in the parking lot, or otherwise will not be tolerated.  If you have a question about your own child, please approach MDC staff directly.  Other children are not your concern.  This applies to dancers and parents.  MDC will not tolerate bullying from dancers or parents in any of the following forms: parent to parent, parent to staff, parent to dancer, dancer to dancer, dancer to staff, or dancer to parent.  We take this very seriously, and any gossip or bullying will result in disciplinary action immediately.  We have had issues in the past with parents and dancers speculating about the abilities and placement of other dancers, and it will not be tolerated at MD Students and parents will be kind to each other, and respect the decisions made by the trained, professional staff at MDC.  When you, as a parent, look in the window at dancers, you do not have the right or qualifications to judge a child and their placement or abilities.  If you do not think you have ability to control your judgement, please drop your child off, and exit the parking lot during classes and rehearsals.  Staff will not tolerate the questioning of dancers' placement or abilities, whether vocalized to staff, or to other parents, your child, or other children.

DRESS CODE

Dancers will follow full dress code details at all times during classes and rehearsal.  Performance Company dancers are the leaders of MDC, and should exemplify the MDC dress code during classes.  

a.     SS, JE Shining Stars & Junioir Elite Rehearsals: 

GIRLS: Class dress code, Jazz Shoes

Hair in a high bun.

a.2.     SS, JE Travel Clothing:

 When traveling to and from performances, dancers will wear: 

GIRLS: Comnpany TShirt, earrings, and their red shoes with hair in a bun.

b.     ET, CS Elite Team & Select

GIRLS: Black PC Leotard, or Red PC Leotard, PC Shorts (Red or Black) or Leggings.  Flesh tone tights are optional.  Flesh Tone jazz shoes.  All dance shoes must be brought to every rehearsal, including red shoes.  

Hair in a high bun. 

BOYS: PC Boys TShirt, PC Boys Shorts or PC Boys Team Pant.  Black Jazz Shoes

b.2    ET, CS  Travel Clothing:

 When traveling to and from performances, dancers will wear: 

GIRLS: BLACK PC leggings, BLACK PC leotard, their performance company jacket, earrings, and their red shoes with hair in a bun.

BOYS: PC TShirt, their performance company jacket, PC Pants, and Black Shoes

**Please note, all elite dancers must have the standard Black MDC Travel Gear.  The red leotard and shorts are optional, and may be worn for rehearsals.**

b.3  ET, CS  ELITE TEAM Required MDC Travel Gear: 

Black Leotard

Jacket (With First Name)

Pants (Glitter) 

Garment Bag*

*Please note, the  garment bag is not required for Junior Elite. 

**Some dancers prefer to wear shorts during rehearsals.  They are optional, but we recommend them for older dancers.

All other items listed on the ordering website are optional. 

Placements and Casting

a.     Parents and dancers will respect and understand that the decisions of MDC staff in placement and performance ability are final, in your best interest, and in the best interest of the team.  We do not discuss placements.

Tuition and Expenses Expectations

a.     Staying current with all accounts is required for participation in Performance Company.  Unpaid accounts will directly affect your participation in private lessons, classes, rehearsals, and performances, as well as the ability to take costumes home.  Costs include, class fees, private lesson fees, and/or any other fee you accrue on your account at MDC. 

b.    If you have an outstanding balance at the end of the month, you will receive a notification suspending all dancer activity.  

COMMUNICATION

a.     We go to great lengths to keep our families and students informed.  Email is our main source of communication.  We also have a private Company Facebook page & will utilize the Team App for notifications.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

a.  Whenever possible, all performances dates will be will released with 4 week’s notice to families.  

b. Performance details (including times, locations, and what to wear) will be given with "2 Weeks Notice". 

c.  A Reminder email will be sent within 24 hours of the performance.

Questions?

a.     Please contact us at info@midwestdancecenter.net with any questions.  

b.    Please do not contact teachers and staff on their personal cell phones or personal social media accounts.  Contacting staff on their personal cell phones or social media accounts will result in dismissal from the Performance Company.  This is becoming a rising issue.  This year, phone numbers will be blocked if we receive a personal text or call regarding dance.  Please, please, do not contact any of the teachers on their personal cell phone or social media sites.  It is difficult for us as staff to ignore personal texts and messages and puts them in a very awkward position.  All staff members have been instructed to respond with the following message should they receive a personal message from you:  "Thank you for your message.  Please send your question to info@midwestdancecenter.net.  I am unable to respond to personal texts, calls, or messages as it breaks my employment contract with Midwest Dance Center."

Consistent classroom attendance is crucial to success in the MDC Performance Company.  

Classroom attendance refers to their weekly technique classes, NOT to their Saturday morning rehearsals.  

Dancers may miss class when necessary for the following reasons:  (All Groups) These are considered an excused absence.

o   Family emergency (death, serious illness), an illness with doctors note, school award ceremonies, and required school choir/band concerts.  Special considerations will be made for religious education, i.e. confirmation.  Missing class because of these reasons wil not count against you in any way.  These classes do not need to be made up.

The following reasons will be counted as an absence: 

• Staying home sick, homework, extracurricular activities, injury, and vacations.  In the event of injury, dancers should attend rehearsals to observe and make note of any changes to choreography.  

SS,  JE Shining Stars & Junior Elite:

We believe kids are kids and should have time to be involved in activities and spend with their friends and family.  Because of this reason, we have allotted 7 classroom absences for your child throughout the year.  If your child exceeds the 7 absences, they can make up those classes at no consequence. 

o   A maximum of 5 unexcused class days is allowed. (Absences are counted by day, not by class.  i.e. if your child has tap, jazz, and ballet on a Tuesday, and is absent, it is counted as 1 absence, not 3 absences.)

o   Dancers are allowed an additional 2 classroom absences for previously approved extracurricular activities.  

o   Any additional absences are required to be made up by taking equivalent technique classes by the end of the calendar month.  

• Dancers that have exceeded the 5 allotted unexcused absences plus the 2 previously approved absences will be placed on probation until the next performance.  If absences are not made up by the next performance, the dancer will not perform.  

ET, CS Elite Teams & Select

o   All unexcused classes must be made up by the end of the calendar month.  Classes should be made up in-person. 

• If you need a make up class, please email at info@midwestdancecenter.net.  

• It is each dancer’s responsibility to arrive early enough to allow sufficient time to warm up prior to a rehearsal or performance.  10-15 minutes is recommended for class.  

• b.     There are times when additional rehearsals or extended rehearsal time may be needed.  We will inform families of any additions or changes via email as soon as possible.  

• c.     A maximum of three (3) Saturday rehearsals may be missed. 

•                  i.      Any additional absences must be made up by scheduling a 30 minute private lesson by the end of the calendar month with your child's team instructor at $35/lesson.  

• d.    Any dancer absent from a rehearsal is responsible for learning any missed choreography, formation, and cleaning corrections prior to arriving for the next rehearsal.  If they do not know the choreography, formations, or corrections by the next rehearsal, they may not be placed in that portion of the dance.  

• e.     Missing the final rehearsal prior to a performance will result in not being able to participate in the performance unless given permission by the teacher.  

• Please expect rehearsals to end within 10 minutes of their designated end time.  Occasionally rehearsals may need to run late, but we will not exceed 10 minutes over.

• ·      In order to perform at an event, dancers must be present at the rehearsal immediately prior to an event.

• ·      Missing multiple rehearsals prior to an event will be taken into consideration for performance eligibility.

• ·      Attendance at all events is mandatory.

• ·      Special consideration will be made for family trips with 60 days’ notice, mandatory (grade dependent) school functions, and mandatory religious education.   

• ·      Consideration will not be made for non-mandatory school events or other extra-curricular events such as practices or games, non-mandatory church events, camps, etc., and absence from a performance for these reasons will result in possible expulsion from the program at the directors discretion.  

• Performance Company Dancers should not partake in dance classes, activities, or performances at a studio outside of MDC.  Doing so will result in dismissal from the MDC Performance Company program.  If a dancer is considering Summer Intensive programs, they should consult with their teacher prior to enrolling. 

• Please remember that extreme sports are just that... extreme.  Please take caution to protect your bodies when participating in extreme sports.

Required Weekly Classes

Shining Stars & Junior Elite

·      Ballet, Tap 

·      Weekly Rehearsal, $54/month

Conservatory A+

·      All required conservatory classes and required electives.  Tap is highly recommended.

·      Saturday Rehearsal, $54/month

Select dancers are additionally required to take acro.

SS, JE, ET, CS Fundraisers/Expos

·      Typically local events in and around the Burlington Area that we have been invited to perform at.  These events are booked with 30 days’ notice to families. 

SS, JE, ET, CS In-Studio Performances

·      In-Studio Performances are an opportunity for PC dancers to share with the students and families at MDC.  Select groups will be asked to perform in-studio each year.  

ET, CS Parades

·      All Elite Dancers perform in 1-2 parades each year.  These dates are set on the calendar at the beginning of the year.  

SS, JE, ET, CS Nursing Homes

·      We perform at Nursing Homes each year.  These events are drop off only.  

SS, JE, ET, CS Large Events $

·      Large events consist of performances such as sporting events, festivals, and Six Flags.  Large events are booked with 30-60 days’ notice and typically incur additional expense for dancers and spectators.

SS, JE, ET, CS Recitals

·      All team dances and solos are performed at the Spring Showcase in June.  

CS Other $

·      We occasionally have members of the community reach out to us to bring a piece for special events.  These dancers will be hand-selected for specific events by staff.  Selection for these events is final and non-negotiable.   Selection is subject to availability.  

SS, JE, ET, CS Trips $

·      Large trips (ex. Paris '26) are optional for Performance Company dancers.  and happen approximately every 2 years for Performance Company Dancers Only.  These trips require a large commitment and include separate rehearsals and fundraising events. 

All Performances may be cancelled at any time for any reason - including, but not limited to, weather, third-party cancellation, etc.  Althoough we try to avoid cancellation of performances, please understand that this happens.  We will always act for the safety of dancers first.

TBD

ALL DANCERS WILL NEED THE MDC RED SHOES.   More info coming soon.

WEEKLY SATURDAY REHEARSAL TIMES: (Beginning Nov. 8)

SS Shining Stars: Mondays 5:30-6pm

JE Junior Elite: Wednesdays 4:30-5pm

ET, CS Saturdays: 

9-9:30 My Days

9:30-10 Cruisin' for a Bruisin

10-10:30 Soda Pop

10:30-11 The Sweater

11:30-12:30 All Company Select

ET, CS LAST SATURDAY REHEARSAL OF EACH MONTH: 11:30-1  ARENA REHEARSALS (All dancers).  During this time we will work on large group dances. Ex: Sports Performances, Parades, etc.  On these days, there will be no other company rehearsals.

*Please note, company rehearsal fees are exempt from sibling, paid in full, and multiple class discounts.