Where Everyone IS a Star!

Please refer to this Studio Handbook (distributed to each studio family upon enrollment), contact us at the studio 799-3223 or on our website: www.techniquesinmotion.com.

5202 Carolina Beach Rd

Austin Commons Units 16-18

Wilmington, NC 28412

(910) 799- 3223

www.techniquesinmotion.com

Mission Statement:

Techniques In Motion Dance Studio is a school that is dedicated to promoting a positive environment for physical fitness and an appreciation of the art of dance to its participants at all levels and skills. The professional quality dance arts curriculum is designed to develop skills, enhance the grace and talent of each student and encourage them to be the very best they can be. Techniques In Motion is a family type atmosphere home to supportive parents & talented students and where all students are created & treated equally, gain confidence, poise & lasting friendships by studying with nurturing teachers. The experienced staff holds a superior commitment to the students, their families and our professional business philosophies. We are customer-friendly, honest, provide personal attention & good communication, organized, full of passion for dance, aware of the influence we have on every child, and truly care about what we do for each and every student in nurturing them for much more than dancing. We are dedicated to helping students succeed physically, mentally and socially as well as in their dance skills. T.I.M. dance educators know that success doesn't come from awards or accolades or the size of the school's enrollment. It comes from the knowledge that we have made a difference in the lives of the students we teach. We are thrilled to be a part of the village that raises confident young students with great attitudes. Seeing successful people with exceptional confidence in everyday life is a reward. Giving the gift of dance classes is an investment into your child's self confidence.

The Curriculum: "THE ADVANTAGE":

                The dance season runs from August through May. Age appropriate Dance Programs of Study: Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Acrobatics, Lyrical, Technique, Modern, Discovery Motion, Pilates, Barbie Jazz, Hippity Hop, Pointe, Hip-Hop & MORE for all ages and skill levels Preschool thru Adult, are offered through a diverse curriculum directed by Terrie Batson and artistic director Jennifer Spivey. Additional Dance Educators Include: Miss Kasi Lynch, Mrs. Melissa Fowler, Miss Tara Webb, Miss Lindsay Husch, Mrs. Gretchen Merix, Mrs. Malinda Hall.

Summer Dance Camps & Class Schedules Info: See studio website. June-July the studio offers summer dance day camps along with afternoon & evening dance classes.

Why Dance?

Dance develops the individual physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Dance students join an artistic family where they develop enduring friendships and nurture a passion for the arts. While having fun, dance students gain many benefits. At every level of the program The Artistic Dance Curriculum is designed to build kids from the inside out by enhancing and developing poise, inspiring creativity, self expression & rising a basic understanding of musicality, molding personalities, discipline of mind & body, pride, confidence, commitment, determination, self respect, accomplishment, self-confidence, life lessons, graciousness (such as being patient and waiting one's turn), understanding authority in a classroom situation and imagination. Extended education in Math (counting, rhythm, time and the joy of moving through space), Intellectual Skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, time management, concentration & focus, and self-discipline, Science & Health (body placement, balance, coordination, structured physical activity, correct postural awareness, strength & flexibility) and Social Skills (camaraderie, responsibility, respect for others, teamwork, tolerance, communication, friendships & partnering) is also enhanced. Dance education inspires good work habits and healthy lifestyle choices. Studies show that a structured dance program enhances academic achievement for school age students & stress relief for adults. At every age & ability dancing is exciting & joyful.

Dance Studios provide a safe wholesome environment where children can enjoy their spare time. Some of the biggest rewards of dance are: Fitness, Self Esteem, Friendship, Fun, Knowledge, Wisdom, Accomplishment, Growth & Learning Not to Quit.

Attentive assistant teachers are available to insure each child receives the proper amount of individual attention required. Class size: If a class number drops below 3 students the class may be combined with another class or cancelled. If a class size becomes too large then class may be split in order to provide the best possible quality instruction for each student enrolled.

Performance & Competition companies are open to seriously interested students who meet the criteria of adequate proficiency and maturity to withstand the demands of arduous rehearsals and extra classes. Auditions are held in the summer for the Junior & Elite Companies. Directors & instructors reserve the right to hold private auditions. The Petite Company is by invitation only. Company classes are closed to non-company members. Company Dancers & their families sponsor many fundraisers throughout the dance season. Please see fundraiser table in front lobby or check the website.

Understanding Dance Education:

Dance has been called a sport but more importantly it is AN ART! Dance lessons develop strength, endurance, flexibility and artistry based upon participation with others in a GROUP setting. Students are taught the value of movement with others to develop individual expertise. With adequate interest, students will not only learn an art form, but will develop an increased amount of self and peer respect, physical agility and fitness, social skills and an appreciation for music and art. Dance is something students can and should, enjoy for a lifetime even if they choose not to earn a living as a dancer. As a parent, the financial support of your student is important, but of equal, perhaps even greater, value is your emotional support. Encourage your child to be the best that he or she can be without regard to what others achieve. Dance is an individual art form; each child needs to achieve at a pace that's comfortable for him or her. No two students will progress at the same rate, even if they experience the exact same training. It's important to encourage the children to focus on themselves, give their all, and be satisfied with their own accomplishments. Dance education encompasses far more than technique or the steps your children will learn. We believe the discipline of dance training gives young people a better understanding of commitment by offering them the chance to learn, experience teamwork, and understand what hard work can accomplish. Our goal is to educate the minds, bodies and souls of each student and to teach them the skills needed for a successful life, whether or not they stay involved in dance.

Tender Techniques:

We invite you to visit our consignment area, "Tender Techniques" located in the back of the studio for great deals on used shoes and FREE dancewear!! Please continue to bring in used dancewear to share with other studio families. We will continue to accept & sell used shoes for our studio families. If you have old dance shoes taking up space bring them into the studio with your name and the price you desire. Please see a staff member for assistance.

Lost & found may also be located in this area. Please check the lost & found container for missing items. Unclaimed property will be donated at the end of each month.

Monthly Newsletters & Website:

Monthly news is available to all students enrolled at T.I.M. School of Dance. Please take the time to read all information provided and take note of the announcements that are periodically posted throughout the studio regarding due dates, fundraisers, special workshops, studio closings, etc. This will help to eliminate confusion or missed due dates at a later point. Newsletters, class schedules, announcements, handbooks, and registration forms are also posted on studio website: www.techniquesinmotion.com, Newsletters are available in studio lobbies and distributed via the Email addresses provided on registration forms at the time of registration. Studio events are posted in newsletters, on front door and throughout studio, website and answering machine. If you are a small business owner and would like to link your business to the studio website please give us a call or contact us through the website. To view other businesses click on Friends of T.I.M.

"Meeting of the Minds" See Dance Educator Bios on T.I.M. Website: www.techniquesinmotion.com

Classroom & Studio Protocol:

Please join us in maintaining the presentable atmosphere for all studio families and staff members. No food or drinks in studio. Please do not bring drinks, coffee or tea from fast food restaurants in the studio. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to class or may purchase from receptionist ($1.00 per bottle)

Please do not allow children to stand on furniture, tap on windows or hang from the window sills and bump into the walls. We can hear the sounds while teaching and it is VERY distracting to the students & teachers in the classrooms.

Please do not block the drive thru or area near the pond with your cars.

Please remind students to use restroom prior to class time.

Siblings & friends of All Students should not be left unattended in the dance school at any time. An adult MUST supervise siblings and/or friends not participating in class. Friends are not allowed to attend classes with the dancers unless they are having one free trial class to enroll in dance classes. We cannot be responsible for unsupervised children. Due to liability reasons students under 18 that are not enrolled in dance school must have a parent or guardian present while child is inside or immediately outside the studio facility.

Students enrolled at the studio should be dropped off 10 minutes prior to class and promptly retrieved after their class time is over. Parental supervision is required prior to and immediately following class time.

For each 30 minutes the dancer is left at dance school after their last class $5.00 will be added to dance account.

To aid us in providing professional and quality instruction and to ensure that students are comfortable in their dance space while learning or rehearsing teachers & enrolled students are the only persons allowed in dance rooms during class times. (unless otherwise invited by teacher). We appreciate your cooperation & understanding.

Proper attention & behavior is expected of all students at all times. No chewing gum, eating or drinking in dance areas.

Every effort is made by the instructors to begin and end classes on time. If for any reason the instructor runs over time the following class will be extended to compensate. Please realize that the stretching exercises performed in the beginning of class are a vital part of safety in dance. Please make every effort to have the student on time for class.

Get the most out of dance lessons:

Encourage and express pride in dancer's efforts & accomplishments. Make sure he or she is on time and attends all lessons & rehearsals. Missing class can be discouraging and often they will have a difficult & frustrating time catching up. Encourage dancers of all ages to practice choreography or new material at home. This makes them confident and the dance experience more enjoyable. Talk with your dancers about what they learn in class and ask them to show you. Dance with them! Show respect for the dance educator. Feel free to contact the school to schedule a conference with any of the teachers. Avoid judgmental statements and be proud to be a non-gossiping dancer or parent. That is a negative influence on productivity both inside and outside of the dance school. Promptness with tuition, costume deposits & other funds is essential. Payments should be made prior to or on the due dates. Be proud that you and your dancer have healthy bodies and are focused on one of the greatest art forms of all!

Dress code:

Proper dance attire& shoes are necessary for all students in all classes. Leotards and tights of any color and style are required. Underwear is not necessary with leotards and tights. Tap & Jazz students may wear jazz pants over leotard and tights. Hip-Hop students may wear jazz pants over leotard or shorts & T-shirts. Jeans or revealing clothing, etc., are not acceptable. Hair must be secured away from the face. No excessive jewelry should be worn to class. Male dancers should wear loose fitting clothing for all dance classes to allow for stretching. For male ballet dancers: form fitting pants & sleeveless tank. Adult students should wear comfortable clothing. If the students dress like dancers, they will feel like dancers, act like dancers and perform like dancers!!!

Monthly Tuition Payments & Fees:

Registration Fee $20 per student (non-refundable. $10.00 after Jan. 1^st. Registration fee includes administrative cost, insurance, monthly newsletter printing, etc.

Tuition rates: 30 minute classes: $35.00 per month per element, 45 minute classes: $40.00 per month per element, 1 hour classes: $45.00 per month per element. "Carte Blanche" TUITION RATE UNLIMITED CLASSES EACH WEEK: For $160.00 per month enroll in any and all recreational dance classes offered. Monthly Studio Tuition is due the first lesson of each month and is not prorated for missed lessons or for holiday closing or class attendance. Each tuition payment is the same regardless of the amount of lessons in a given month. Whether we have a short month (3 weeks) or a long month (5 weeks), tuition remains the same. There are no adjustments, deductions for vacations or short months or missed lessons as our schedule is planned so that each class receives the same amount of classes per dance season. Monthly tuition reminders will be sent to all studio families via email. Statements will also be sent via email or regular mail to those past due accounts. If tuition is two months past due the student will not be allowed to participate in class until account is paid in full. Payments may be mailed, deposited in the payment box located in the lobby or paid to receptionist. Please indicate student's name on the payment especially if dancer's last name is not the same as the parents. Please attempt to bring exact cash payments otherwise we will credit the dancer's accounts for the following month. NEW! Online pay & Credit Cards. Info TBA

Discount options: *Pay August-May TUITION IN FULL by Labor Day and receive 10 % discount off total. *Pay 6 months TUITION IN FULL and receive 5% discount off total. Multi-family discounts available for immediate family members only.

NEW!! Class cards are available for Adult Classes. See Receptionist.

Private lessons: $25.00 per hour or $175.00 (solos, duets, trios), $200 (groups) Choreography charge. Due & must be paid in full to individual instructor before classes begin.

Late fees: An absence is not an excuse for late payment and the late fee of $20 is enforced. All tuition payments are considered late if not paid by the 15^th of each month.

Check policy: Studio charges $20 returned check fee and if check is dishonored or returned for any reason the studio ECollect system also electronically debits your account for the amount of check plus a processing fee of $30 plus any applicable sales tax.

Spring Recital:

Techniques In Motion School of Dance emphasizes a regimen of technical and artistic instruction. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their instruction with performances in the annual spring recital. Our Spring Recital is the "Highlight" of the dance year! The students train very hard all year for this performance.

Recital Handbooks & Detailed Information (Recital Photography Schedule, costume & Hair Requirements, Video Orders, Tickets, etc) will be distributed with recital costumes Approx April -May. Exact dates and additional information will be provided in our monthly newsletter and on studio website. Recital Programs are written in April and we do our best to accommodate everyone's needs and schedules. We make every effort possible to keep family members in the same program but we cannot guarantee it. When writing the rehearsal & recital programs many issues must be considered: the amount of dancers & relatives enrolled in the school, the number of classes & routines they may be involved in, keeping the length of the shows at an enjoyable amount of time for all, making sure all events regarding rehearsal & recital are organized and clearly understood by all involved...plus other situations that may arise. Your patience & understanding is greatly appreciated.

NEW!! If dancer is enrolled in classes that are of different levels or ages they will be performing in more than one recital program. Sibling dancers may not be in same recital program.

Rehearsal & Recital Dates: TENTATIVE

Thursday May 26, 2011 Dress Rehearsals

Exact days & times for each class will be announced in April

Dress Rehearsal IS MANDATORY in order to participate in Spring Recital Stage performance. Please have Full costume, hair & make-up for on stage rehearsal

Friday May 27, Saturday May 28 & Sunday May 29, 2011

Recital Programs

Exact days & times for each class will be announced in April.

ALL Events are at the UNCW Campus Kenan Auditorium

Recital Costume Payments:

1. First Spring Recital Costume fee: $40.00 due in October

2. Final Spring Recital Costume fee: $40.00 due in November

Any costume orders placed or changed after January 15^th will include additional shipping charges. (approx: $15.00).

Recital Costumes must be ordered and paid for in advance to insure dancer's participation. The costume fee is $80.00 and must be paid within 2 installments. This fee includes, recital costume, all accessories (except shoes) such as props, hairpieces, tights etc.

All costume payments are final and non-refundable regardless of circumstance.

8 years-teen students enrolled in ballet will require a separate costume. Additional charges will be assessed if a student is enrolled in more than one "block" of classes and therefore need more than the allotted class costume.

For example: a student is enrolled in ballet & hip-hop. Pay for one costume in full ($80), second or third costume, etc. will be discounted and billing statements for additional costumes will be distributed at a later date (approx March). Adult Students DO participate in the Spring Recital however in most cases Adult Classes (Tap & Hip-Hop) Do Not pay for a Recital Costume. The instructor & adult class members decide upon stage outfits for adults for the performance. Photos of the Recital Costumes for recreational classes will be posted in studio lobby & on website in April.

Recital Participation Fee:

$20.00 per student due in March. ALL students performing in Spring Recital Programs MUST PAY a recital fee. Recital fee covers the expenses for the rental of the auditorium, programs & admission tickets. 5 tickets will be distributed with costume. Additional tickets are available first come first serve. NEW!!!! A limit of 10 extra tickets per dancer per recital program. Additional Tickets requested (all tickets exceeding the 10 limit $10 each)

Recital tickets will also serve as the Fee Year of Dance Raffle ticket and are available in studio lobby approx. May 1

If not participating in recital event, extended family members, step relatives or out of town visitors: Tickets are $10.00 each and must be purchased at dance school prior to recital day.

Community Events:

1. T.I. M. proudly sponsors a Toy Drive benefit November-December each year on behalf of the Parents and Students of T.I.M. Please place a new unwrapped toy in boxes provided in studio lobbies. We feel this is a wonderful way to begin the holiday season by providing a service to the community of less fortunate.

2. Techniques in Motion participates in community parades throughout the dance season during Christmas & the Azalea Festival. All T.I.M. students & families are invited to participate. In order to participate permission slips must be signed by a parent or guardian, T.I.M. shirts must be worn and donations are requested for driver of truck. More information will be given in monthly newsletters & on website as event draws near.

3. The studio accepts tabs from aluminum drink, vegetable, soup & pet food cans to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill, NC.

Birthday Parties & Studio Rental:

$100 paid to teacher/ $50 paid to studio. Saturday or Sunday parties feature a professionally trained instructor leading a dance party according to the age of students. We provide a clean, safe atmosphere for activities, opening presents, refreshments & of course Dance! A unique holiday experience that will be long remembered. 4 hour block (2 hour party, 1 hour set-up & decorations, 1 hour clean up). Call during morning business hours 799-3223 to reserve space.  The studio is also available for rent for meetings or parties. Contact Ms. Terrie @ 799-3223 or www.techniquesinmotion.com

How are we doing?

T.I.M. is a Dance School but also a Business. Please help us serve you better by

experience. We welcome your comments or suggestions to the T.I.M. Staff.

send us an email

Thank you so much for your time, cooperation & support! Please complete and return to studio.

As the owner of Techniques In Motion School of Dance, I want to thank you

for giving us the opportunity to serve you & your family.

Sincerely,

Terrie Batson

Owner