FDC Information & Policies 2022-2023

Welcome to FOCUS Dance Center for the Performing Arts where our “FOCUS” is on inspiring students and athletes of all ages and levels in the pure fun and artistry of dance performance and fitness. Our talented master faculty will provide you with the benefits of physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness, through the very best quality in training and techniques. We are thrilled you have chosen our Performing Arts Center and look forward to the opportunity to work with you. Here’s to a year filled with new, fresh, exciting, and inspiring beginnings!

 

FOCUS offerings:

  • Merit/Reward Based Training Classes
  • Adult Classes
  • Fitness only Classes
  • Competing Programs
  • Open Company Training Blocks
  • Social Dance Classes
  • Yearly Prestigious Concert Opportunity (separate from training classes)
  • Summer Camp/Workshop/Intensives
  • School Fundraising Partnerships
  • Creative Mind and Arts Academy for the tiny tot 9:00am-12:00pm (coming soon)
  • Morning Adult Fit Program: (Coming Soon)
  • Tap Jams/Improv: (Coming Soon)
  • Hip-Hop Dance Crew Classes and Companies (Coming Soon)

For more information about the above offerings, please contact us at 949.737.5151 or connect@focusdance.com

Merit/Reward-Based Training Classes:

Merit/Reward-based training classes provide on-going weekly growth encouragement training, for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancer, in all styles of dance, ages, 2.5 to 102. Classes are designed for fitness, dance technique/performance, team building, confidence, posture, and presence, positive social skills, refined listening skills, mental and physical stamina, discipline, greater sense of responsibility, goal setting and achieving, as well as new friendships. The skills gained in each class, help to enhance all areas of one’s life.

  • The Merit/Reward-based training classes are on-going with no set beginning or ending dates to the training program to give the student the ability to continue challenging themselves to more advanced levels of ability when they are ready.
  • Dancers challenge themselves to advancement through three yearly informal/inhouse showcase/progress presentations where dancers advance through three rankings (Example: 1A, 1B, and 1C etc.) within each training level as well as the ability to graduate to more advanced levels when ready. Carefully planned curriculum and training are given to successfully master the skills of each ranking and put the control in the hands of the student as to how quickly they grow and advance.

Honors Concert Series:

The Concert participation opportunity held in early May, equivalent to the super bowl in its magnitude, prestige, and grandeur, is now offered separately from the Merit/Reward-based training classes giving the student the opportunity to continue training uninterrupted. The choreography and rehearsals are taught outside of the weekly Merit training classes (day(s) and time(s) TBD) over a shortened period in preparation for participation in this prestigious event. The Concert is the next level up to the success of the dance experience. It is a collaboration of like-minded dancers interested in participating in the added benefits of confidence, and composer in front of an audience, the united challenges of working with a team on a professional stage, and a sense of completion in successfully applying and presenting the skills gained from their on-going training, and the opportunity to share the stage with our Competition level dancers.

  •  Honors Performance Concert Series involves a participation fee as well as costume charges for each dance.  Every participating dancer is responsible for these fees. Please be aware that you may have some additional costs for the performance, i.e. accessories for costumes, and basic makeup. Optional costs may include reserved seating, professional photos, USB of performance, flowers etc.
  • Students who join a class after March 1st will need to be assessed and approved to participate in the Spring Concert Series

Evaluations/progress reports are always available upon request.

Welcome to Social Media

  • Most important is our FOCUS Talk weekly newsletter; This weekly e-mail is sent to all FOCUS clients and is our main form  of communication with valuable ongoing information, reminders, promotions, Holiday closures and important time-sensitive information throughout the season. Be sure you provide us with your EMAIL ADDRESS. Our main form of communication is via FOCUS Talk Newsletter, and e-mail. Please ensure we have your correct email on file and notify us in the office if you change it on the parent portal.
  • Parent Portal: Our Portal located on our website, focusdancecenter.com, that parents can use to enroll in classes, pay their bill, add siblings, etc! Please use this to update card information, enroll for automatic payments.
  • To be informed and aware, also check us out on -

NON-COMPETING STUDENT TUITION POLICIES

  • A non-refundable $50 (or $75 per family if enrolled at the same time) registration fee per dancer is applied at time of registration, and when reactivating your account
  • Tuition received after the 5th of the month will result in a $25.00 late fee
  • Tuition is due regardless of attendance in class
  • Returned checks, will be charged the initial amount plus the bank and FOCUS processing fees. After 1 returned check, we will accept payment in credit card only
  • Approved special circumstance refunds are accompanied by a $25.00 processing fee
  • Families must give a 30-day notice if you choose to take a break from FOCUS. If a dancer takes a break mid-season, you are required to re-activate and pay the $50.00 re-activation fee
  • All drop-ins are non refundable

Make-up policy:

  • Limited make-up policy: all make-ups require a doctor’s note
  • Approved Make-ups are only issued to students that are still actively enrolled in the studio and must be requested within one month of the missed class
  • Once account is made inactive, all makeups become invalid

Clients are responsible for the tuition until they withdraw from the class. You may email to request an add/drop at any time. Your class is not dropped until you receive a confirmation email. Withdrawals will not be accepted over the phone.

Holiday-Vouchers are available through the front desk for students affected by the following holidays:

  • Thanksgiving (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
  •  Easter/Spring Break (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
  • Memorial Day (Monday)
  • Independence Day (Monday)
  • Labor Day (Monday)

All other breaks will not receive a voucher.

Holiday-Vouchers cannot be applied to tuition.

There will be no refunds for missed classes.

Students with poor attendance may be required to take private lessons to learn missed material.

 

IN-PERSON DANCE CENTER POLICIES

Dancers:

Please arrive at the designated class time, ready to dance.  For safety reasons, dancers who arrive more than 10 minutes late will need to sit and observe.

Instruction begins 5 minutes into each class and instruction ends on the hour or half-hour depending on when class is scheduled.

Please wear proper attire and appropriate shoes for dance listed on our dress code.  For safety reasons, dancers without proper attire will not be able to participate.

Please write the dancer’s name inside all dance attire and shoes.

Dancers in all ballet classes must wear their hair in a bun.  For all other classes, hair must be secured off the face and neck.

During class, dancers may ask instructors questions.  All other talking is inappropriate.

Please be respectful and considerate of instructors and fellow students.

Disruptive behavior will result in temporary or permanent loss of class participation privileges.

Ask the instructor for permission to leave the classroom.  After tiny dancer classes, dancers will be escorted to the front office until their parents arrive.  FOCUS Dance Center is not responsible for students once they have left the Dance Center.

No food, drinks, candies, or gum is allowed in the dance rooms or down the hallway.  Closed water bottles are acceptable and encouraged.  All food must be eaten in the study area or outside.  No cell phone use during class.  Please keep all cell phones on vibrate and in your dance bag.

Students with inconsistent attendance may be required to take private lessons to learn missed material.

Lost & found baskets are located in each dance room. The lost items are held for one month then taken to a local charity.

Please keep the hallways clear.  No Strollers are allowed in the hallways. Due to the fire Marshall rules, we need to maintain a 36” clearance in the hallways.

Parents:

  • Please do not interrupt classes to speak with instructors.  Contact the FOCUS Dance Center office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding our instructors, classes, or placement.  Please contact the office to make an appointment to speak with the instructor.
  • Photography or videotaping of the students by parents is strictly prohibited. It is a distraction to the dancers, instructors, and class, as a whole.  Please respect the privacy and comfort of all involved and reserve your videotaping and photography for outside of the studio.
  • FOCUS reserves the right to cancel or reschedule classes due to low enrollment or other FOCUS circumstances.
  • Please call the office in advance to check on the status of a particular class that is listed as Call First.
  • For Pre-Ballet Dance levels and higher…In Dance, tights are considered underwear.  It is difficult to dance with too many layers when wearing tights, leotards and also underwear.
  • Please be advised the front office doors are locked promptly at the end of office business hours.  All dancers still have the ability to exit from any exterior door after hours. Just no one will be able to enter without assistance.
  • Please ALWAYS have them go to the bathroom before class. Parents of Tiny dancer classes, please stay during their class time to assist if they need to use the bathroom. 
  • Allowed to watch the class in the hallway at the studio window for the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes only. Please use the monitors in the front lobby to watch the entire class. There are no parents allowed in the classrooms at any time.
  • Parents are responsible to come on time at the end of classes to pick up their child. Any child under the age of 7 will be walked to the front desk by the instructor to wait for your arrival. Anyone over the age of 7, parents are responsible to be here on time to pick up their child. The office / instructors are NOT responsible for your child once class has ended. Note: if you know ahead that you will be late, please phone the office.

VIRTUAL DANCE CENTER POLICIES

Dancers:

  • Please arrive at the designated class time, ready to dance. 
  • Virtual class Instruction begins 5 minutes into each class and instruction ends 5 minutes before the end of the hour or half-hour depending on when class is scheduled.
  • Please wear proper attire and appropriate shoes for dance listed on our dress code. For safety reasons, dancers without proper attire will not be able to participate.
  • Dancers in all ballet classes must wear their hair in a bun. For all other classes, hair must be secured off the face and neck.
  • Please put yourself on mute until the instructor requests otherwise.
  • Make sure to never go barefoot if you are needing to dance on carpet. Socks or dance shoes only.
  •  Make sure your dance space is safe to move around in.
  • During class, dancers may ask instructors questions, please raise your hand. All other talking is inappropriate.
  • Please be respectful and considerate of instructors and fellow students.
  • Disruptive behavior will result in temporary or permanent loss of class participation privileges.
  • Ask the instructor for permission to leave the screen.
  • No food/gum is allowed while taking class. All food must be eaten before or after class.
  • No cell phone use during class.
  • Students with inconsistent attendance may be required to take private lessons to learn missed material.

Parents:

  • Please do not interrupt classes to speak with instructors. Contact the FOCUS Dance Center office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding our instructors, classes, or placement. Please contact the office to make an appointment to speak with the instructor.

MORE INFORMATION

FOCUS reserves the right to cancel classes due to low enrollment.

Please call-in advance to check on the status of a particular class that is listed as “Coming Soon!”

For Pre-Ballet Dance levels and higher…In Dance, tights are considered underwear. It is difficult to dance with too many layers when wearing tights, leotards and also underwear.

 

FOCUS DANCE CENTER DRESS CODE

The following list will assist you in your dance-wear purchases. Updated 8.19.21

  • Dancers must wear appropriate dance shoes to each class.
  • Warm-up attire is at the discretion of the instructor.
  •  Please do not wear baggy clothes to class. The instructor needs to be able to see your posture and alignment to properly assist you in your lessons.
  • No sports bras or bra straps to be shown in Ballet classes.
  • For Pre-Ballet levels and higher…In dance, tights are considered underwear. It is distracting from the dancers' lines to see underwear.
    • Note: Please be aware that our class shoes and tights’ dress code will also be required and worn for Showcases and performances.

 

Pre-Primary/Primary-A/Primary-B/Primary-C/Ballet

Hairstyle: In a bun

Leotard and Ballet Skirt: FOCUS/ABT required colors and styles sold exclusively at The FIT

Tights: Capezio Ballet Pink #1916C 

Ballet Shoes: Girls – Light Pink Canvas split sole (Buy either style below) 

Hanami #2037C (Child) or Hanami #2037W (Adult)

Boys – Black canvas split sole (Buy either style below) 

Hanami #2037C (Child) or Hanami #2037 (Adult)

 

Competing Ballet Training Blocks

Hairstyle: In a bun

Leotard: Solid Black (any style)

Tights: Capezio Ballet Pink #1916C or #1916 required for class and the concert.

Ballet Shoes: Girls – Pink canvas split sole (Buy either style below)

Capezio Hanami #2037C (Child) or Capezio Hanami #2037 

(Adult) Boys – Black canvas split sole (Buy either style below)

Capezio Hanami #2037C (Child) or Capezio Hanami #2037 

(Adult) Pointe Shoes (with teacher approval only, teacher will advise)

 

Jr Tap/Tap

Hairstyle: In a bun or ponytail. Hair must be pulled back from face. 

Top: Solid colored tight fitting (any style)

Tights: Capezio Light SunTan #1816 (convertible) 

Will be required for the concert. 

Bottom: Athletic leggings or booty shorts with tights

Tap Shoes: Girls and Boys Black lace up tap shoes 

Capezio Cadence #CG19C (child) or Capezio Cadence #CG19 (adult)

*If the lace up is too big, purchase the Mary Jane Capezio #3800 (child) in black leather (NOT patent)*

 

Jump Start/Jr. Jazz/Jazz/Lyrical/Turns & Tech/Musical Theater

Hairstyle: In a bun or ponytail. Hair must be pulled back from face

Top: Solid colored tight fitting (any style)

Tights: Capezio Light SunTan #1816 (convertible) Will be required for the concert.

Bottom: Athletic leggings or booty shorts with tights  

Shoes: Boys and Girls

E-Series Jazz Slip Ons  #EJ2C (child) or E-Series Jazz Slip Ons #EJ2 (adult) 

Jazz/ Musical Theatre (Black) Lyrical (Tan) Turns and Tech (Tan or Black)

 

Jr. Hip-Hop and Hip-Hop

Hairstyle: In a bun or ponytail. Hair must be pulled back from face

Top: Loose or long fitted tops

Tights: Capezio Skin Color #1916 (convertible) Will be required for the concert.

Bottom: Athletic leggings, sweat pants, basketball shorts, or cargo shorts…..NO JEANS

Shoes: Boys and Girls see styles below

Non-marking rubber soled shoes or sneakers…..NO BOOTS

Concert Shoes: Converse style sneakers. Low top, black with white toe cap and white rubber side & white laces. Can be purchased at Target, Payless, DSW

 

Tumbling/Acro/Stretch and Conditioning

Hairstyle: In a bun or ponytail. Hair must be pulled back from face

Top: Solid colored tight fitting (any style)

Tights: Capezio Skin Color #1916 (convertible) 

Tights will be required for the concert.

Bottom: Athletic leggings or booty shorts with tights Shoes: Boys and Girls see styles below

Capezio Nude Turning Point #H063C (child) or Capezio Nude Turning Point #H063W (adult)

 

Boys Dress Code

Ballet: Plain white T-Shirt, black jazz pants, joggers or shorts See ballet dress code for shoes

Tap/Jazz/MT/Lyrical/T & T/Tumbling:

Solid colored T-Shirt, black basketball shorts, joggers or sweats Tap/Jazz/MT/Lyrical/T & T/Tumbling see dress code for shoes The FIT (@ FDC)

For your convenience,

“The FIT” RETAIL STORE IS IN THE LOBBY OF FOCUS!

Providing all dancewear and activewear needs including

tights, leotards, leggings, dance shoes, training tools, FOCUS gear, and MUCH more…

IMPORTANT FDC DATES

2022/2023

OPEN - Columbus Day:

Monday, October 10th 2022

Wear your costume to class:

Tuesday, October 25th - Monday, October 31st 2022

CLOSED - Thanksgiving:

Thursday, November 24th - Sunday, November 27th 2022 (vouchers given to JUST Thurs / Fri / Sat)

Classes resume: Monday – 11/28/22

Assessment Presentation Week:

Monday, December 12th - Saturday, December 17th 2022

CLOSED - Christmas/Winter Break: (No vouchers)

Sunday, December 18th 2022 - Sunday, January 1st 2023

Classes resume: Monday – 1/2/23

OPEN - Martin Luther King Jr Day:

Monday, January 16th 2023

OPEN - President’s Day:

Monday, February 20th 2023

CLOSED - Easter/Spring Break:

Friday, April 7th 2023 - Sunday, April 9th 2023 (vouchers given to JUST Fri / Sat)

Classes resume: Monday – 4/10/23

Tech Rehearsal:

Saturday, April 15th 2023 & Monday, April 17th - Friday, April 21st 2023

Dress Rehearsal:

Saturday, April 22nd 2023 & Monday, April 24th - Friday, April 28th 2023

FOCUS Concert:

Saturday, May 6th 2023

CLOSED Memorial Day:

Monday, May 29th 2023 (Voucher available for JUST Monday)

Classes resume: Tuesday – 5/30/23

Assessment Presentation Week:

Monday, June 5th 2023 - Saturday, June 10th 2023

Summer Break: 

Thursday, June 29th - Tuesday, July 4th 2023 (Voucher given for JUST Tuesday)

Classes resume: Wednesday, July 5th 2023

Summer Intensive / Audition:

Monday, August 7th - August 11th 2023

Competing Audition:

Saturday, August 12th 2023

Assessment Presentation Week:

Monday, August 14th - August 19th 2023

End of Summer Break/Labor Day:

Monday, August 21st - September 4th 2023 (Voucher given for JUST September 4th / Labor Day!)

Classes resume: Tuesday, September 5th 2023