Which classes should I enrol my child if they are new to dance?

The best place to begin dancing is in our ballet classes. These classes nurture your child's love of dance by being structured to teach movement before form.

What should my child wear to class?

All our uniform details are available on our Uniform Information page. All items are available at either Encore Dancewear or Ashley Ellen Dance in Palmerston North. Some items may be available at either Farmers or Kmart.

Why does my child need to wear the uniform?

Uniform is compulsory for all students at our school. Dance is an activity in which practicality of clothing needs to be considered. Inappropriate clothes can cause distractions, discomfort and even injury. Our uniform has been designed to cover all genres of dance and in a fashion which suits the kids choice and parents budgets. Our students feel a sense of belonging and know they are part of our special community; much like team sports wear uniforms, our students are proud of the high standards they can achieve and that good grooming is part of the practice of great dancing. Another positive aspect of our uniform is that it does not distract from the students performance and instructors can easily gauge performance equally between individuals allowing them to quickly help those that need assistance.

We do understand that the initial outlay for the uniform can be expensive however our studio often has a range of secondhand outgrown items that can be passed on. Trade me and FB marketplace are also great places to source secondhand uniform items.

Can I watch my child’s classes?

We occasionally invite parents to watch the last 5 minutes of class only as the children are more focused without distractions. This does not apply to the 2-3 year old preschool class during which parents are welcome to join in. There will be a waiting area right next to where we are dancing and if your child is nervous you are welcome to stay while they settle into class especially in the first few weeks.

I went to enroll my child and the class is full, what can I do?

We have a limited number of spaces for each class to enable our teachers to give each student personalised correction. It is essential we remain able to monitor the progress of both the class as a whole and the individual dancer.

If you try register your child for a class and it says that the class is full, you can add your child to the waitlist. Then if a spot opens up in the class, you will receive an email that your child has been added to the class and the balance will be added to your account. Your position on the waitlist is determined on the day/time you added your child to the list so if a spot opens up, it goes to the first person on the list. We do understand that commitments and schedules can change throughout the year, so if you are offered a place and can’t accept it, please contact us ASAP so we can offer it to the next person on the list.

When do I need to pay my fees by?

Our full fee policy can be located here. Fees are strictly payable before classes commence each term unless prior arrangement has been made. Fees that remain outstanding will incur a $15 administration fee. Failure to pay fees may result in your child losing their place in the class. After commencement of classes no refunds will be given.

My child has said they don’t want to do their class anymore, what should I do?

If your child has said that they don’t want to do their class, we encourage that they continue class til the end of term to make sure they are set in their decision. We cannot hold spots if your child changes their mind as many of our classes are full and have waitlists. . Fees are paid in advance and you will not receive a refund if your child drops out in the middle of the term. Feel free to talk to your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.

To avoid incurring term fees upon cancellation of enrolment, 2 (two) weeks notice before the start of term must be given to Louise via email. If this is not provided you will be liable for the associated term fee.

How does TSOD communicate with parents?

We rely heavily on email and BAND to get our information out! It is therefore important that we have your best email contact and that you please check your emails regularly. We often post on social channels with the latest news so make sure you like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

Are Exams compulsory?

We offer both Jazz and The Royal Academy of Dance(RAD) examination opportunities. Exams are not compulsory and we understand that not everyone is into exams, however doing some form of assessment is a good idea. Exams give students and parents an idea of how they are progressing and the standard of their work.

 *please note exams are only available for children over the age of 5.

Do I have to enrol each term?

Dance is considered a year long commitment and therefore your enrollment rolls over each term. If you wish to un-enrol from a class, please notify us at least two weeks before the next term otherwise a full term’s fee will be charged to your account.

Is there a performance and what is the parent commitment involved?

Our 2024 Show dates are the 14th/15th of December

In December we have a big concert at Tararua College to showcase all the wonderful talents and skills our dancers have been developing in class throughout the year. The kids really enjoy the full experience of performing on the big stage with lights and costumes in front of their family and friends. Costumes for the show are hired for a small fee and are added to your account at the beginning of Term 4.

We are aware that family life is chaotic and want to ensure our show is enjoyable so we have lessened the amount of preparation for the show. We usually only do two dress rehearsals that children need to attend before the concert. Our youngest dancers are only needed for the first half of both rehearsals. There are parent volunteers backstage who can help with hair/makeup for those who are not confident in doing this. We’ve also created some helpful How To videos that will be posted on BAND prior to our dress rehearsals so you will have plenty of time to practice.