Policies

If you choose the 10 Installment payment plan, a credit or debit card (ACH if offered) will be required to remain on account. If your account is 60 days past due we will charge your credit card. There is a $10 late fee per month for tuition not received during the week due (7 DAY GRACE PERIOD).

The dancer will not be able to participate in class/annual recital if the account is not up to date. DDA reserves the right to drop any student for non-payment of their tuition. Invoices will only be sent out via email if a payment is late.

Please note, if you prepay and are unable to complete the season, refunds cannot be granted. Tuition is non -refundable.

DDA staff and Director determine placement in classes, as we strive to provide each student with an optimal dance experience. Age is a guideline for class placement but not the determining factor. We not only assess of the student’s ability and development, but by their dedication, loyalty, performance in class and attitude.

Should the studio be closed due to inclement weather or emergencies, dance class cancellations and information will be emailed, posted on our website/Facebook/Instagram or you can call 201.819.7989 and check the studio message an hour before classes commence. The academy reserves the right to use substitute teachers when necessary.

We will be closed during Thanksgiving, Winter Recess, February Recess, Spring Recess, and Memorial Day Weekend. Please refer to our calendar document for specific dates.

View IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE

Parents please check your email regularly, almost all information and photos will be communicated via email.

Please make sure emails from info@ddadance.com are not being blocked and going into your spam folder!** Thank you!

Newsletters, reminders, and any statements of account will be communicated by email. Information may also be posted on our bulletin in the lobby. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to be aware of important dates and all studio activities. Please inform us of any address, telephone, or email changes throughout the year.

To preserve quality of instruction and minimize distractions to your child and/or others, we ask that a parent/guardian drop dancer off at the start of their class time and pick child up directly outside their classroom door 5 minutes prior to the end of class. Parents are not allowed inside the room to watch class. However, we have a closed circuit camera system set up for you to view classes on a TV in the lobby at times during the year. Please respect our viewing policy and wait for parent’s observation week.  While we offer zoom for 2.5-5 years old throughout the year, please note  your child may not be seen for the entire duration of the class as they are constantly moving around.

Due to limited space and in order to prevent distractions, parents only are welcome to observe the dance classes during this week (if space allows, grandparents invited as well). Parents will be able to experience the classroom atmosphere, while the dancers can show off their skills. Don’t forget to bring your video camera! Parent’s observation will be during your child’s scheduled class time. Stay tuned… specific observation times, more information, and date to be announced later in the year. Observation may be in person or on ZOOM TBA. Observation classes might not be offered for Company classes.

Proper attire is important to start a good attitude toward dance class discipline and allows the instructor to view and correct body placement. Please have your child(s) wear their required dance attire. Hair should be up and away from their face in order to participate.

View DRESS CODE

The dates for this performance to be announced. Last years recital was the 3rd weekend of May at Paramus Catholic High School. Recital dates for next season are TBA. We try to keep the weekend the same if possible. DDA has the right to make any necessary changes if we are not permitted to offer an in-person performance. In the event we can not the recital performance will be offered virtually. The schedule for our mandatory dress rehearsal will also be given later in the school year. Dress rehearsal runs the week of recital. Tickets may be purchased for approximately $27-$31 for base price. Tickets go on sale several weeks before the recital. Ticket companies charge an additional service fee. There may be tiered ticket pricing for the 2024-2025 dance season. 

Costume deposit of $75/student/class due November 1st. Child costumes average in price from $90-$110. Child XL-Adult costumes average from $90-$115. If tights are included pricing will be higher. Balances are due by December 1st. Costume fees are non-refundable. Parents/Guardians accept full responsibility for all expenses, including surcharges and postage for costumes ordered late. Recital costumes tights, t-shirts, program ads and flowers are final sale once order is placed.

Mandatory recital media fee approx. $40 will be due February 1st. This will include a download of 1 showtime. If you would like an additional download for a different showtime, there will be a discounted charge added to your account.

View RECITAL

Attendance will be taken each class. To reach full potential in class, a student must attend on a consistent basis. We expect regular attendance from all of our students at DDA. Any student arriving 10 minutes after the class has begun will have to observe due to safety reasons. If a student must miss a class, please notify the Academy. Poor class attendance may result in dismissal from performances at the discretion of the instructor.

Dance Classes can be changed within the first two weeks of commencement FREE of charge. Students are expected to complete the dance year. To withdraw/or change from a class, parents/or guardians must fill out and sign a withdrawal/or change form and return it to the studio prior to the first of the month to avoid additional tuition or late charges. Please notify us immediately. If it is not received, you will be responsible for the remaining tuition.

There is no deduction/credits/refunds in tuition for missed or discontinued lessons.  For any missed classes, dancers are permitted to take a makeup class within 4 weeks from the  missed class date. If you are unable to make up a class due to recital season, makeup classes will be offered until the last date of the 2024-25 season.  Absolutely no makeup classes will be permitted after the last date of class.  Please note, there may only be makeup classes offered in a different style than the one currently enrolled in.  It is your responsibility to take advantage of the make-up class offered.

There is a $25 trial fee for our “no obligation” first time dance class. Students who register after the trial class will have the trial class fee credited that day. A waiver form must be filled out by the parent/guardian of the dancer(s) and handed in prior to participating in the class.

DDA strives to offer a place of fun and learning however, students are expected to behave respectfully and courteously at all times toward DDA faculty and staff, as well as towards each other. If a student is found to be disruptive, frequently arriving late without permission, and generally misbehaving, it will not be tolerated. Parents will be notified. They may be asked to sit for a few minutes before continuing with class or in extreme cases will be asked to leave the course and fees will be forfeited.

DDA is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items. Please label all belongings! Please check our lost and found box located in schools lobby. All unclaimed items will be discarded or donated to charity every 6 months.

If classes are held after school, children must be dropped off and picked up in a timely fashion. We do not provide child-care. DDA reserves the right to charge account and credit card on file a $20-$30 fee if dancer is not dropped off or picked up in a timely fashion.

DDA will only hold onto ordered items that have not been picked up until October of the year ordered. We are not responsible for items that have not been picked up. Items may be donated if not signed out. No refunds will be given.

Certain classes will have a student assistant teacher to ensure individual attention to each dancer. These assistants are also learning valuable teaching skills under an experienced instructor’s guidance. Please apply for DDA’s Assistant Teaching Program by contacting Ms. Deana.

Parent Volunteers are one of the essential elements that will make DDA Dance Academy Recitals so special. Interested in helping out? Please contact Deana for more information. Thank you in advance for your help – it is greatly appreciated.