GDC HANDBOOK - Generation Dance Company

Generation Dance Company, LLC

Studio Location: 102 North Main Street, Columbiana, OH 44408

Office Location: 5723 Yorktown Ln., Austintown, OH 44515

Phone: 330-519-8537

Email: (best form of communication) generationdance@zoominternet.net . For payment concerns contact J.P. at walker5@zoominternet.net.

Website: GenerationDanceCompany.com

Owners: J.P. & Kimberly Walker

Facebook: Generation Dance Company

Instructors: Sara Beilstein, Amy Bordonaro, Aubrie Sakotas, Kimberly Walker

Generation Dance Company Overview

Generation Dance Company “GDC” is a Christian Dance School designed to help young dancers develop their dance technique, grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and bless others with the gift of dance. GDC is a non-competitive dance studio that functions to bring God glory with our talent and love for the art of dance.

Class Prices

1 Class – $42 ▪ 2 Classes – $65 ▪ 3 Classes $88 ▪ 4 Classes $111

PRICES ARE BASED PER FAMILY, PER MONTH. CLASSES ARE HELD ONE TIME PER WEEK.

A SECOND/THIRD CHILD = A SECOND/THIRD CLASS

Private & Semi-Private Lessons Available for Enrolled Students Only

PRICES ARE BASED ON 8 MONTH SEASON TUITION RATES.

TUITION CAN BE PAID YEARLY OR SEMI-YEARLY, IF DESIRED.

GDC 2015-2016 Season Calendar

August 1, 2015 Fall Registration Begins

September 28 First Day of Classes

October 26-31 Watch Week

November 26-28 Thanksgiving – No Classes

December 14-19 Watch Week

December 21-Jan.2 Christmas Break – No Classes

January 4, 2016 Classes Resume

January 18 MLK Jr. Day – Classes Held

February 15 Presidents’ Day – Classes Held

February 22-27 Watch Week

March 26-31 Easter Break – No Classes

April 2 Classes Resume

April 25-30 Watch Week

May ??? Picture Day

May/June ??? 2 Recital Shows

GDC Policies & Procedures

Dates, Times, and Holidays

The 2015-2016 dance season will run from September 28, 2015 – May 2016. Please see our GDC 2015-2016 Season Calendar for our observances of holidays, etc.

Tuition/Fees

Registration – There is a one-time annual non-refundable registration fee of $20.00 per family for returning students, and $25.00 per family for new students.
Tuition – First payment is due the first week of class (September 28-October 3, 2015.) Monthly payment is due on or before the first week of each month. Tuition is prorated and will not be reimbursed for days off for holidays. Missed classes cannot be made up, unless it is approved by the instructor. A payment is considered late if it is not received by the 15^th of the month. Please let JP Walker know at walker5@zoominternet.net if there are ANY issues regarding payment. A late fee of $10 will be charged if payment is not received by the 15^th and no contact has been made. Monthly statements will not be emailed unless an account is past due.
Costume Fee – $40 per child/per class. Costume payment is due December 1, 2015 and can be paid ANYTIME prior to December 1, 2015. There will be very specific rules/guidelines given regarding costumes once they are distributed. Parents who do not adhere to the costume guidelines will be responsible for any additional fees that may be necessary. Costumes will not be passed out unless all outstanding balances are paid.
Tights – Parents are responsible for purchasing the proper style & color tights for the recital.
Recital Tickets – Parents/Families will be responsible for purchasing tickets to see their dancer perform. If your child is in an advanced class or more than one class, there is a possibility your child will perform in both recital shows.
Returned Checks – All returned checks will incur a $35 fee.
Dancewear/Shoes – Parents are responsible for providing proper attire & dance shoes for class and recital.
Missed Classes Injury/Sickness– If your child sustains an injury or illness during the dance season and will miss at least a month of class, one month free tuition will be granted. However, any additional time off will need to be paid in full to maintain good standing.
Missed Classes Vacation/Sports/Etc. – If your child misses a month of class for vacation or sports, tuition must be paid in full to preserve your child’s place in class and maintain good standing.

Weekly Email Communication

In order to keep families up to date with information, an email will be sent out weekly with all that is going on at the studio including our weekly verse. A hard copy will be posted at the studio by Monday at 5:30pm each week. If you do not have an email account or have difficulty retrieving our email, please stop in to get caught up!

Dress Policy

Dancers are expected to follow the attire requirements for each class. Most of the requirements for clothing and shoes are for the benefit of the dancer to help improve technique, flexibility, etc. However, at GDC, modesty is a high priority. We desire our young girls to wear appropriate clothing that would cover them completely (without midriffs exposed) when moving on the floor or upside down. Dancers do not have to wear any “high-end” clothing, however the instructors at GDC believe a dancer should “dress for success” in dance. Dressing properly is a discipline each dancer should develop to improve their ability in dance. *CLOTHING WITH GLITTER IS NOT PERMITTED IN CLASS*

Recital

There will be a year-end recital, however the May/June date is yet to be determined. Dancers are expected to attend the recital. Families will be informed of the show dates ASAP. Planning your vacations around the recital date is greatly appreciated.

Please be aware that our recital will be two shows. Dancers may be required to attend one show or both.

Class Expectations

All dancers are expected to follow the class routine and structure to the best of their ability. As a practice, we want to honor God by giving Him our best. While having fun will be part of the dancing process, learning technique will require hard work and dedication.

Listen and obey the instructor.
Try your best.
Encourage your fellow dancers.
If someone is having trouble, try to help them.
Practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Discipline

Sometimes we make mistakes! Discipline is an opportunity to teach a child how to make choices that would be pleasing to God. However, any repeated behavior that does not comply with the class expectations will be addressed privately with the dancer and parent.

Class Procedures

Sign In.
Come dressed for class. Restrooms are available for changing only when necessary.
Use restroom before class. Using the restroom during class is for emergencies only.
Parents may wait in the waiting room or drop off their child and return at the end of class. Please pick up your child from class on time.
Please be mindful of the instructor’s time. Need to let the instructor know something quick? No problem. Need to discuss something at length? Please call, email, or schedule an appointment.

Studio Rules

Please keep studio as clean as possible.
Please bring quiet activities for younger children if staying throughout lesson. Please keep an eye on children who may cause damage to property.
No running throughout the studio.
NO STREET SHOES inside the dance rooms, with the exceptions of the areas indicated.
MIRRORS ARE NOT TO BE TOUCHED AT ANY TIME. Mirrors in Room 2 are especially fragile. Please, please, please do not allow your children to touch them.
No climbing on stacked mats, barres, or other apparatus.

Health

You are the best judge of your child’s health and we trust you will not bring a sick child to class. However, if in the opinion your child is sick, we will call you or ask you to come and pick-up your child.

Hair & Lice Policy

It is our greatest desire to keep our studio as clean as possible and to avoid the spread of lice. ALL DANCER’S HAIR MUST BE PULLED BACK FOR EVERY CLASS. As the winter months approach, it is the responsibility of the parent to check your child regularly for lice. Dancers should not touch one another’s hair or put heads together during class.

If a lice case is reported, we will inform the class members of the reported case.

Attendance

There will be an attendance sheet for your child’s class each week. Upon arrival, please sign your initials by your child’s name. Also, if you are leaving during class, please put your cell phone number by your child’s name. It is important that your child attends dance class every week. Missing often can not only set your child back, but hold up the progression of the entire class. Dancers age 10 or older are permitted to sign themselves in, however parents are responsible for their welfare entering and leaving the studio.

Inclement Weather Policy

If at any time it is necessary to cancel lessons due to bad weather, there will be a notice posted on the website as well as an email sent out. You may also call 330-519-8537 for an updated voicemail if you do not have access to the web. Notice will be posted by 2:30pm regarding the cancelation of evening classes. Saturday cancelations will be posted by 8:30 am on the day of lessons. If one or two classes are missed due to inclement weather, class will not be made up nor tuition reimbursed. If three or more classes are missed, make-ups will be provided.

Parent Observation – Watch Week

During Watch Week, parents & family members are invited into the last 10 minutes of class. This is designed for parents to see what kinds of things your dancer is learning in class and how she/he is improving. There will be four Watch Week’s throughout the season in October, December, February, and April. Please check our GDC Season Calendar for specific dates.

Prayer/Devotion & Offering

At the beginning of class, we will have a short devotion and prayer covering the needs of the group. Each week we will talk about the verse of the week that centers around our yearly theme. There will also be a “GDC Offering” jar located in the classroom each week. If you or your child feels led, have them drop in a few coins/dollars that will add up to buy something for a need within (or beyond) the dance company. It could be for a student in need of help with tuition or for any cause that God leads us to help. It’s a way for the dancers to give of themselves to help continue the call of serving others.

Used Dancewear

Generation Dance Company will be collecting any used dancewear (of appropriate nature) or dance shoes. Items will be given away or resold for a small fee (maybe a donation to the GDC Offering Jar?). All items will be stored at the studio, so if you need a leotard, pair of dance shorts, tights, etc., please check out what we have!

Meet the Instructors

Kimberly Walker (KW)

Mrs. Kimberly Walker is a technically trained dancer and has studied several dance styles under professionals such as Buddy Thompson from the Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh, PA and Dee Hillier in Cleveland, OH. Kimberly has a B.A. in Dance and Health Education from Baldwin-Wallace College and a M.S. in Education in School Counseling. In addition to technical training, for 3 years Kimberly had the opportunity to use the gift of dance to help others through Worldview International, an arts ministry designed to seek those in need. Kimberly has many years of experience working with children of all backgrounds and ages. By starting Generation Dance Company she is fulfilling a call to teach others dance in a way that builds self-esteem and pleases God. To God alone be the glory!

Amy Bordonaro (AB)

Amy has been in the dance and arts industry for 30 years. She was trained in all forms of dance and participated in both performance and competition groups throughout the nation. She began teaching and choreographing at the age of 16. She has choreographed and taught for numerous schools, studios, competition teams, theater companies as well as university dance teams. She has trained hundreds of students from all ages. In addition, Amy has judged many competitions on the regional, state, and national level. Although Amy loves children and the art of dance, her greatest passion is for The Lord. She is blessed to be a part of the wonderful dance program here at Generation Dance Company.

Sara Beilstein (SB)

Sara is a graduate of Youngstown State where she received a major in pre-law and a minor in dance. She has been dancing for 12 years now and has competed in many national winning teams in tap, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and hip hop. She has been dancing in the YSU dance ensemble for the last 3 years. She has also choreographed dances for her church dance group Undignified and for the YSU dance ensemble. Her heart is to bring children closer to The Lord through movement and to see them praise His name while pursuing what they love.

Aubrie Sakotas (AS)

Aubrie is an 18 year old from Boardman, OH. She has been involved in dance and theater arts industry since the age of 4. She has held numerous leadership roles and has been dancing with GDC for 3 years. Aubrie is excited to share her love for dance and love for the Lord at GDC.

Class Descriptions & Attire

Tiny Tots Ballet & Tumbling – Introducing the world of dance through creative movement, songs, and techniques that will build a foundation for dance training. Must be 3 years of age and potty-trained. Class is 35 minutes in length.

Attire: Leather ballet shoes (Capezio, Bloch, Balera, etc. brand – no slippers please). Leotard and tights (footless or convertible) required. Short dance skirt or shorts are permitted. Full tutus or costumes are not permitted.

Pre-Ballet: Building the foundation of dance through creative movement and basic ballet technique. Fun environment designed for the younger dancer. Must be 4 years of age.

Attire: Leather ballet shoes (Capezio, Balera, Bloch, etc. brand – no slippers please), leotard, and tights required. Short ballet skirts or appropriate dance shorts are permitted. Full tutus or costumes are not permitted.

Ballet I: Designed to teach the student proper technique, discipline, strength, flexibility and confidence. Dancer should be at least six years old with prior ballet or dance experience.

Ballet II: Building on prior ballet experience, this class will continue to develop proper alignment and ballet technique.

Lyrical I, II, & III : Created to combine prior ballet training with the expressive and flowing movement of lyrical jazz. This class will focus on exploring the student’s emotions through their dance movement. Lyrical I is designed for beginner lyrical students. Lyrical II is for dancers with at least one year lyrical experience. Lyrical III is for dancers with at least one year of lyrical experience and at least 11 years of age.

Attire: Leotard, footless/convertible tights, Half-Sole Lyrical Sandal (or something similar) required. Appropriate dance shorts or skirt are permitted.

Hip-Hop – (Beginner, Intermediate, Boys) A fun approach to urban dance. Style varies but maintains movement appropriate for all different age and ability levels.

Attire Girls: Leotard with jazz pants, sweatpants or shorts. Jazz shoes and black dance sneakers are permitted. No street shoes or white shoes permitted.

Attire Boys: T-Shirt and shorts/sweatpants. No jeans or jean shorts. Sneakers are permitted, however no street shoes. Please use sneakers for class only.

Hip-Hop/Jazz: This class is designed to teach proper technique, lines, & flexibility using the basic foundation of jazz technique. Some Hip-Hop will be included.

Attire: Leotard & tights along with jazz pants, capris, or shorts. Jazz shoes or black dance sneakers are required.

Tap: Students will learn the foundational steps of tap and rhythmically perform those steps in different combinations.

Attire: Leotard with leggings, capris, or shorts. Tap shoes required. No specific type necessary.

Tumbling (Beginner-Intermediate) – Students will learn basic tumbling skills that will include flexibility and strength. Basic skills such as rolls, handstands, cartwheels, roundoffs, and front handsprings will be the focus.

Attire: Leotard/Unitard and footless or convertible tights are required. Shorts or capris are permitted but not required. No shoes needed.

Acro I: Students will learn the slow and controlled discipline of acrobatic tricks and contortions. Students should be able to demonstrate balance & flexibility in legs and back. Designed for first year acro students.

Attire: Leotard/Unitard and footless or convertible tights are required. Shorts or capris are permitted but not required. No shoes needed.

*Advanced Tumbling – This class is designed for students with 3 or more years of tumbling or gymnastics. Students should be able to demonstrate strength, balance, and flexibility. Required skills mastered: backwalkover, front walkover, & front handspring. Aerials, backhandsprings, and tucks will be skills of focus.

*Ballet Lights I (6&up)– A serious and disciplined approach to ballet technique for dancers who are willing to work hard to improve footwork and proper form. Dancers should have 1-2 years of prior ballet experience. Dancers should be able to: tendu, passé, plié, sauté, and arabesque with proper alignment and know the basic ballet positions for feet and arms. Acceptance is required. Attire is the same as Ballet.

*Ballet Lights II – (9&up) – A disciplined and serious approach to ballet for dancers with at least 2 years of ballet training who are willing to work hard to improve proper technique in all areas. Dancers should be able to: passé, arabesque, glissade, pas de bourree, and jete as well as know the basic ballet positions for feet and arms. Acceptance is required. Attire is the same as Ballet.

*Acro Lights I (6-8yrs.)– A combination of acrobatics and dance technique. Dancers in this group must be able to bear weight on their hands and exhibit balance and flexibility with confidence. Dancers should have the following skills mastered: right or left split, backbend, heel stretch, cartwheel, & front limber. Acceptance is required. Attire is the same as Tumbling/Acro.

*Acro Lights II (9&up)- A combination of acrobatics and dance technique. This class is designed to build on at least two years experience in acrobatics and tumbling. Dancers should have the following skills mastered: backbend, front limber, one-handed cartwheel, roundoff, front or back walkover. Acceptance is required. Attire is the same as Tumbling/Acro.

*Acro Lights III – A combination of acrobatics and tumbling. Dancers should have the following skills mastered: front walkover, back walkover, right or left split, front handspring. Dancers should be able to demonstrate flexibility and strength in legs, back, and shoulders as well as back handspring training. Acceptance required. Skills of focus: aerials, back handsprings, and tucks. Attire is the same as Tumbling/Acro.

*Teen Hip-Hop & Teen Lyrical – Students need to have had at least two years of prior dance training as well as a heart for sharing the love of Christ. These dancers may be used to represent GDC in the community performances. Parents signing their dancer up for either group need to be aware of additional fees. Acceptance is required.

*Performance Lyrical, Performance Jazz/Hip-Hop, & Performance Acro – These groups are designed to be outreach in nature. Students need to have had at least two years of prior dance training as well as a heart for sharing the love of Christ. Performance dancers will represent GDC in the community. Parents signing their dancer up for either group need to be aware of additional fees. Acceptance is required. Attire is the same as Lyrical, Hip-Hop/Jazz, and Tumbling/Acro.