Student Handbook
Welcome to Longmont Dance Theatre
Welcome to the Longmont Dance Theatre. You have chosen the best school for classical dance in the state of Colorado. The dance training you experience at Longmont Dance Theatre (LDT) is so much more than a simple extracurricular activity. At LDT you will not only learn the technical aspects of a fine art form, but you will develop self- confidence, self-motivation, and self-assessment skills that will serve you well in other aspects of your life.
Classical dance training is a methodical, graded process that demands a high level of commitment to reach your maximum potential. It requires a self-discipline rarely matched by any other endeavor. You become an active partner in the process, developing a respect for the art form of classical ballet.
The LDT Student Handbook is designed to help answer questions regarding policies of the Longmont Dance Theatre. You should review this book thoroughly, discuss it with your family, and direct any questions to your instructor or to the school office staff. The policies, rules, and regulations set forth should be strictly followed.
Below are some of the most important highlights:
I/my child will respect the art and discipline of classical ballet by:
~respecting my instructor, accompanist, and fellow dancers
~coming to each class ready to learn and with a positive attitude
~being fully attentive during all classes
~dressing in the proper dress code for my level
~arriving a few minutes early to class so that I/my child am/is ready to dance when class is scheduled to begin
~departing class on time
~keeping the dressing rooms and waiting areas clean
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Longmont Dance Theatre Thanks You
Thank you for your cooperation and active participation in your training.
The Faculty will use their best judgment while enforcing all LDT policies. If you have questions or concerns, please see your instructor. You may also seek information from the Office Staff. If you feel your needs have not been met, please contact the School Director regarding instruction or artistic matters, or the Office Manager regarding administrative issues.
Longmont Dance Theatre Staff
Artistic Director/School Director Kristin Kingsley St. John
Office Manager Cassandra Schnarr
Office Assistants Angela Carter, Debbie Stamp, and Lisa Taft
Longmont Dance Theatre Faculty
Cynthia Beschel, Hillary Brennan, Kelsey Chilton, Randy Downing, Renee Ford, Julie Glass, Stacy Hepp, Tamarin Kelly-Nelson, Shireen Malik, Jessica Pearson, Suzanne Richebacher, Michael Richmond, Georgeanna Russel, Larry Southall, David Taylor, Kerry Temple-Wood, Stephanie Tuley
Longmont Dance Theatre Accompanist
Amy Lynn
Voluntarism
As with any arts organization, LDT depends on volunteers for critical support throughout the year. LDT encourages every family to participate in one (or more) volunteer opportunities. Please be generous with your time to help our students achieve their dreams. Volunteer sign-up sheets will be available on the Studio 2 viewing window. Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to: administrative, backstage, ushering, ticket sales, and load in/out.
Dress Code Requirements
Class Attire
Dance Supplies
Dance supplies are available from Boulder Body Wear. Students of Longmont Dance Theatre will receive special discounts on all of their dance needs. Don’t forget to ask for your LDT discount as a registered student.
Boulder Body Wear
2660 Canyon Blvd Suite A-1
Boulder, CO
303-447-9100
LDT encourages all students to have their shoes properly fitted by an expert.
Ballet Attire for Children's Division and Pre-professional Ballet Program:
In keeping with the classical ballet tradition, and to achieve a uniformity of appearance within class levels, LDT requires students to comply with the following Dress Code:
Girls:
1) Any style solid black leotard (no designs or sequins) or the Ballet Recital Blue/Purple Leotard with attached skirt, No unattached skirts for Ballet Levels 1-4, Levels 5-7 may wear skirts during pointe class only
2) Pink canvas or leather ballet slippers with drawstring bows tucked in, or/and pointe shoes, where applicable, must be properly fitted by Boulder Body Wear
3) Hair must be in a secure bun or pulled away from the neck and face/no swinging ponytails
Boys:
1) White T-shirts, dark colored (black preferred) jazz/yoga pants, shorts, or tights, socks (white preferred), and black leather or canvas ballet slippers
Girls and Boys:
Leotard or shirt with loose fitting pants, jazz or plain flat bottom tennis shoes (Shoes must not be worn outside. This prevents damage to our studio flooring from glass, rocks, or pebbles.) Hair must be pulled back from face and neck (No skirts, no shorts, no half shirts will be accepted during class.)
Tap/Jazz:
Girls:
1) Leotard of any style and color
2) Tan non-shiny tights
3) Lycra jazz pants or lycra bike shorts
4) Black tap shoes and/or black jazz shoes
5) No baggy clothes, no sneakers, no jeans
6) Hair must be pulled back from face and neck
Boys:
1) T-shirt of any color
2) Lycra jazz pants or lycra bike shorts
3) Black tap shoes and/or black jazz shoes
4) No baggy clothes, no sneakers, no jeans
Modern:
Girls:
1) Leotard of any style and color
2) Any color footless tights
3) No shoes or socks
4) Hair pulled back from face and neck
Boys:
1) T-shirt of any color
2) Loose fitting pants (no jeans)
3) No shoes or socks
Flamenco:
Girls:
1) Leotard of any style and color
2) Any color tights
3) Flamenco shoes
4) Flamenco skirt
Boys:
1) T-shirt of any color
2) Loose fitting pants (no jeans)
3) Appropriate shoes (see instructor on first day)
Etiquette, Rules and Regulations
Parents should be prompt in picking up students within 10 minutes after class ends. If students must arrive early, they should bring something to keep them occupied until class time. Students are not allowed into the studios unsupervised, must not wander away from the premises, and should remain in the building from the time they arrive until the time they depart.
LDT expects students to be attentive, quiet, and courteous while on school premises. Unacceptable behavior will result in dismissal from class and a phone call to the parents. Continued misbehavior could result in student suspension or dismissal from LDT. LDT reserves the right to suspend any student whose conduct or attendance is unsatisfactory.
Students may not leave class without permission. Students are not allowed to use the piano or electronic equipment without permission. Students should take all valuables into class with them. LDT is not responsible for lost or stolen items. The LDT telephone is not to be used without permission. LDT is a smoke-free environment. Please respect the business that must be conducted at LDT. Refrain from loud and boisterous behavior in the waiting area.
Class Placement
Class placements are at the discretion of the faculty and Artistic Director. Please understand that not all children advance at the same rate; your child’s age-mates/friends may not be in the same level as your child.
Longmont Dance Theatre Calendar
Semesters:
Fall 2009
August 24-December 20 (16 week semester)
Winter/Spring 2010
January 11-May 22 (18 week semester)
Summer 2010
June 7-July 31 (8 week semester)
Shoe Exchange and Costume Sale
September 12, 2009, 3:00-6:00 PM (LDT back parking lot)
January 16, 2010, 3:00-6:00 PM (Studio 3)
Closures
09/07/2009 (Labor Day) - All Classes
11/23/2009-11/28/2009 (Thanksgiving Break) - All Classes
12/14/2009-12/19/2009 (Nutcracker Production Week) - Ballet Classes Only
12/21/2009-01/10/2010 (Winter Break) - All Classes
03/29/2010-04/10/2010 (Spring Break) - All Classes
04/05/2010-04/10/2010 (Gala Production Week) - Ballet Classes Only
05/23/2010-06/06/2010 (Summer Break #1) - All Classes
06/27/2010-07/04/2010 (Summer Break #2) - All Classes
Tuition Due Dates
Fall 2009
August 24 - Semester Pre-paid Tuition
August 24 - Semester Payment #1 of 4
September 10 - Semester Payment #2 of 4
October 10 - Semester Payment #3 of 4
November 10 - Semester Payment #4 of 4
Winter/Spring 2010
January 11 - Semester Pre-pain Tuition
January 11 - Semester Payment #1 of 5
February 10 - Semester Payment #2 of 5
March 10 - Semester Payment #3 of 5
April 10 - Semester Payment #4 of 5
May 10 - Semester Payment #5 of 5
June 7 - Summer Semester Tuition
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Audition Dates & Times
Note: Only registered LDT students may audition
The Nutcracker (Saturday, September 12, 2009)
Ballet 1 1:30-2:00 PM
Ballet 2 3:30-4:00 PM
Ballet 3A & 3B 4:00-4:30 PM
Ballet 4A 4:30-5:00 PM
Ballet 4B 5:00-5:30 PM
Ballet 4C 5:30-6:00 PM
Ballet 5 3:00-3:30 PM
Ballet 6 2:30-3:00 PM
Ballet 7 2:00-2:30 PM
Pinocchio and Family Concert (Saturday, January 16, 2010)
Ballet 1 1:30-2:00 PM
Ballet 2 3:30-4:00 PM
Ballet 3A & 3B 4:00-4:30 PM
Ballet 4A 4:30-5:00 PM
Ballet 4B 5:00-5:30 PM
Ballet 4C 5:30-6:00 PM
Ballet 5 3:00-3:30 PM
Ballet 6 2:30-3:00 PM
Ballet 7 2:00-2:30 PM
Performances
Sugar Plum Tea Party (September 29, 2009)
1:00 PM and 3:00 PM LDT Studios
Children's Division Holiday Recital (December 5, 2009)
4:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM LDT Studios
The Nutcracker
September 19, 2009
1:00 PM and 7:00 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
September 20, 2009
2:00 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
Family Concert w/ Niwot Timberline Symphony (February 14, 2010)
2:00 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
Pinocchio
April 10, 2010
2:00 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
April 11, 2010
2:00 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
Children's Division Annual Recital (May 15, 2010)
1:00 PM, 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
Pre-Professional Ballet Program Recital (May 15, 2010)
4:30 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
Student and Adult/Teen Open Division Recital (May 15, 2010)
6:00 PM Niwot HS Auditorium
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Missed Classes
Classes missed due to illness, injury, or school/family commitments may be made up at the same level or one level lower. Students are strongly encouraged to make up missed classes, as progress can be greatly affected by even one absence. Make-ups cannot be carried over into another semester. Tuition cannot be exchanged for missed classes, and no credits or refunds will be given for absences during a tuition period.
Please note on both the brochure and website LDT’s holiday closures. Ballet classes are canceled the performance week leading up to Nutcracker and the Spring Gala. Students may make-up classes missed for holidays and performance week closures at any point in the semester.
Weather
In the event of inclement weather, which would cause class cancellations, LDT will place an outgoing message to that effect on the voicemail. When St. Vrain Valley Schools are closed due to weather, LDT will cancel classes for that day.
Communication
Both healthy and constructive communication is necessary for the advancement and progress of our students, and the development of their self-esteem. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the student’s instructor by leaving your name, number, and a convenient time you may be reached with our office staff. The instructor will then contact the parent. Please do not try to catch the instructor in the hallway. Please make every effort to resolve any issue(s) with the instructor before contacting Office Manager or the Artistic Director.
LDT highly recommends parental involvement in the dance education of students. Please share the information from this handbook with your enrolled student. Disciplinary actions are time consuming and detract from the progress of everyone in the school. LDT requests parental assistance when resolving matter of student discipline.
Shoe Exchange and Costume Sale
LDT volunteers organize an exchange and sale of dance shoes early in the fall semester. Additionally costumes and leotards are for sale, which can be worn to LDT classes. The purple spaghetti-strap leotards used by ballet students in the recital are available.
Information Changes
Please fill out a Change of Information Form if your address, email or other contact information has changed, and return it to the school office promptly so there is no disruption of communication.
Registration and Payment
Students register by semester (Fall-16 weeks, Winter/Spring-18 weeks, and Summer-8 weeks). To offer students the highest quality dance education, all class sizes are limited. Therefore, students and parents are encouraged to register early. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served, space available basis. Late registrations will be pro-rated after the third week of both classes. Registration will close after the 6th week of the Fall and Winter/Spring semesters. Classes not meeting minimum enrollment may be rescheduled or canceled. Students registered for a canceled or rescheduled class will be notified prior to the first day of class.
Tuition cannot be pro-rated for vacations or missed classes. Students who are registered, either online, over the phone, or in person will be expected to pay for the class(es) for which they are registered. You will be charged whether or not you attend. LDT will not assume that absenteeism equals class withdrawal. Please notify the office if you must withdraw from classes.
Tuition paid in full by the 1st day of class is given a 5% discount. Installments for the Fall semester are made in four equal payments due by the first day of classes and then the 10th of September, October, and November. Winter/Spring semester installments are made in five equal installments due by the 10th of January, February, March, April, and May. Students with delinquent accounts may not be allowed to participate in class. Please call the school office at 303-772-1335 to make any special arrangements regarding tuition payment. Registration fees are non-refundable. For a receipt, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope along with any payments.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals within the first four weeks of class will owe a $30 penalty (deducted from a refund of pre-paid tuition, or paid as the difference between an installment payment minus the number of weeks enrolled.) After the first four weeks of the semester, a penalty fee equal to 25% of the tuition due for the remainder of the semester will be charged.
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Attendance
Students are expected to attend the classes for which they are registered. Poor attendance affects learning and progress, and can have a detrimental effect upon the entire class. Please call the LDT office if your student will miss a class. Classes missed due to illness, injury, or school/family commitments may be made up at the same level or one level lower. Students are strongly encouraged to make up missed classes, as progress can be greatly affected by even one absence. Make-ups cannot be carried over into another semester.
The Ballet Program (Levels 1-7) is for students who are serious about studying ballet. It provides a reduced cost incentive to participate in extra ballet classes and allows students to expand their training to other forms of dance. If a student’s attendance in ballet classes falls below what is required, then LDT reserves the right to remove the student from Ballet Program Tuition status, and charge them normal tuition rates. LDT also reserves the right to excuse a student from any auditioned performance or recital due to poor class or rehearsal attendance.
Newsletter/Bulletin Boards
In order to reduce printing waste, LDT posts information on bulletin boards in the lobby. Messages specific to Children’s Division students are posted outside Studio 2. Newsletters are handed out to students twice a year, once in the Fall (September), once in the Winter/Spring (February) and are also available in the lobby. These newsletters include important dates and reminders.
Dressing Rooms
Dressing rooms are provided for your convenience. LDT is not responsible for items left in dressing rooms. Please help keep the dressing rooms tidy by picking up after yourself or your child and do not eat in the dressing rooms.
Lobby
Our lobby is small; please be respectful of others. Crying babies and cell phones should be taken outside or into the back hallway. We do have a collection of toys and books for waiting siblings. Please help keep the lobby tidy by picking up after yourself and your children. For siblings who need some fresh air, the St. Vrain Greenway is two blocks to the east of the LDT studios.
Lost and Found
Lost and found items are placed in the cubbies nearest Studio 1. Valuable and small items are kept in the office.
Ticket Information
Reserved seating tickets for Nutcracker and Spring Gala Performances are available for purchase at the LDT office. Participation fees for Nutcracker and Spring Gala Performances do not cover the cost of any tickets. Five general seating tickets per dancer are provided for the Children’s Division, Ballet, and Annual Recitals for participating students with their Recital Fee.
Recitals
Students in all of our classes have the opportunity to show off their dance skills to friends and family in LDT’s end of the year recitals in May. Additionally, Children’s Division students may participate in the Holiday Recital in December.
Recital Participation Forms are sent out to families in February in order for LDT to have time to order costumes and choreograph dances. Please understand that once you tell LDT your student is participating, the piece is choreographed to include him/her. If your student must drop out of the recital, inform the office and teacher immediately. Choreography must be changed so that no student is forced to perform without a partner.
Recital fees are $50 per student, discounted to $35 if a family member volunteers either backstage or at the boutique. The recital process is faster and easier for everyone if LDT has plenty of volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help children change shoes and outfits, sign students in and out, bring students to the sign out table when their piece is finished, and to sell souvenirs in the boutique. The recital fee is charged so that LDT can pay for the program printing, auditorium rental, stagehands, and auditorium cleaning.
Nutcracker and Spring Gala
Our Ballet Division students have the opportunity to participate in professional-quality performances. Rehearsals for these are separate from classes and take place on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 6pm. These require a serious commitment on the part of the dancer and his/her family. Rehearsals are every weekend from September through December, or January through May. There are rehearsals every evening at the auditorium during performance week, which is the week leading up to the performances. Rehearsal schedules can change depending on the progress of each piece. The participation fee is $75, discounted if a family member volunteers to help with the production.
Longmont Dance Theatre’s ballets are a way to give back to the community, and offer our students a memory that last a lifetime.