SPDC Handbook

Thank you for choosing Saint Pete Dance Center for your dance education. With numerous dance studios in Pinellas County, we are very pleased you have chosen us. The SPDC staff strives to provide the best customer service to all of our students and their families. We spare no effort in providing a positive and nurturing, yet disciplined environment. We want your time spent at our studio to be enjoyable, and we will make sure you and your student will have all the information necessary to succeed at Saint Pete Dance Center.

Please address all questions and concerns you may have to the front desk, or the owner, Miss Katie. If we are unaware of any issues, we cannot begin to address them. Since there are no breaks in between classes, please contact Miss Katie during non-class hours so she may give her full attention to any of your concerns.

Please do not participate in any gossip or “Dance Drama.” We ask that all who walk in to the doors of SPDC act in a kind, respectful manner. Parents and students are expected to always lead by example, act as role models, as well as empower and encourage those around us.

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Classes

At Saint Pete Dance Center, our goal is for our dancers to have fun. We want to provide a fun, family-friendly learning environment where anyone can learn to dance or improve on their existing skills.

Our classes offered include:

Tiny Twos (Ages 2-3)

3-4 Ballet and Tap (Ages 3-4)

4-6 Ballet and Jazz (Ages 4-6)

4-6 Ballet, Jazz and Tap (Ages 4-6)

Musical Theater

Ballet

Tap

Jazz

Lyrical

Modern

Contemporary

Hip Hop

Boys Hip Hop (Boys Only)

Ninjas (Ages 5-8) (Boys Only)

Adult classes (18+): Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Heels, and Yoga

Saint Pete Dance Center avoids the overly feminine color palette and décor you’ll find on many websites and in many dance facilities. In general, dancing is perceived as a feminine activity, but dance is an extremely physical and athletic activity that requires skill, strength, and agility. We at SPDC want boys to feel comfortable at our studio and want to help change public perception by offering boys only classes.

​*SPDC reserves the right to cancel or change classes that do not fill minimum enrollment requirements.  In the event of a cancellation, parents will receive a credit to their account.  No refunds will be given.

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Studio & Waiting Room Etiquette

Please arrive on time and ready for class. Coming in to class late can be extremely disruptive to instructors as well as other students. If you arrive late please have shoes on and enter class ready to dance.

We highly encourage dancers to use the restroom prior to the beginning of class. We do break for water and bathrooms if needed during class, but this can take up valuable instruction time.

Dancers should approach all classes with energy, enthusiasm, and the desire to learn. Dancers should maintain an open and responsive attitude, and always be respectful toward his or her peers, instructor, and staff. Students are encouraged to adopt good manners in and out of class. If a student is being disruptive, their instructor may send them home until the following class.

Food, chewing gum, toys, and drinks other than water are not permitted in class. However, all water bottles MUST BE SPILL PROOF!

Parents and students are to respect the judgement of the instructor regarding his or her progress in the curriculum, readiness for advancement, or performance.

Parents, students, and all other family members should be respectful of those working in the building. Running, shouting, and horseplay is not acceptable.

Parents are responsible for supervising their children and ensuring that they appropriately control their behavior. Please refrain from standing or sitting on tables. Please cleanup after your children. Please keep food messes to a minimum.

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Dress Code

All long hair must be pulled back in a pony tail or bun.

No jewelry or costumes are allowed in class as they may become a hazard and a distraction.

Jeans, school clothes, or play clothes are not suitable for dance class.

Dance clothes must be able to stretch, and give with the movements performed in class. They also should not be able to inhibit the child’s range of motion or the teacher’s ability to give proper instruction.

Dance shoes must NEVER be worn outside!

Ballet/Lyrical/Contemporary: Leotard, tights, and pink ballet shoes.

Tap: Leotard and tights

Ages 5 and under: Black Mary Jane style tap shoes, preferably with a Velcro strap so they can change their shoes unassisted.

Ages 6 and up: Black Oxford style tap shoes with laces.

Jazz: Leotard, tights, and black slip-on jazz shoes. You may also wear “booty shorts.”

Convertible tights are preferred.

Hip Hop: Sneakers must be worn in class*. You are free to express yourself fashionably but appropriately. Wear clothes that are comfortable to move in. NO JEANS! Pants are encouraged for floor work.

On Pointe Dancewear located at 2113 Central Ave in St. Pete knows all of our required shoes. Please visit them for all of your dancewear needs.

*Please have a change of shoes, like slides or flip flops, to wear in and out of the building. Street shoes are permitted outside of the classroom.

Detailed information regarding the dance attire policy can be found under the Dance Attire Policy tab.

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Performances/Events

A recital will be held annually at the end of the season. Please inform us if you wish to participate.

Each student that performs in the recital will be required to purchase a costume for each class they wish to perform in. Special shoes or accessories may need to be purchased as well. Date and Prices TBD.

While participating in community events, competitions, or conventions we ask that you please exhibit your best behavior and etiquette. You may be asked to wear specific things. Please arrive on time, if not early. We will always demonstrate a positive, supportive, and courteous attitude towards everyone around us. Please represent Saint Pete Dance Center respectfully.

Chaperones are always needed for our events, so please inform us if you would like to be contacted as someone who is willing to help out behind the scenes.

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Payment Policies

Tuition is due on the 1st of every month and is based on a four-week month. Prompt payment secures your child’s space in the class. If your account goes two months unpaid, your account will become inactive and you will surrender your child’s spot in the class.

There will be a late fee of $15.00 automatically added to your account if payment is not received by the 9th of each month.

SPDC will be closed on various holidays, and tuition is not adjusted for any of these holidays. You can find which days the studio will be closed at www.stpetedancecenter.com.

Tuition is not reduced to reflect missed classes due to illness, work schedules, vacations, or holidays.

We do have an option to pay all of your tuition at a discounted rate at the beginning of the fall season. Please contact the front desk for more information regarding this.

We have an Auto-Pay option, which is highly suggested.

Accounts with overdue balances will not be able to participate in classes, workshops, special events, or the recital until balances are paid in full.