Performing Group Details
Performing Group Philosophy
The Performing Group was created for those students who are interested in enhancing their dance knowledge, technique, and experience. It is for those who wish to excel at dance and who wish to perfect their art. Participants will be supported in a positive environment while being pushed and encouraged to reach their highest potential. Students in the Performing Group will be given many different opportunities to perform and to show the skills they have learned. The students will be engaged in events such as the following:
- Performances: Pieces will be performed at our end of the year Recital (and time permitting - possibly at some community events).
- Conventions: Conventions are typically exciting and intense all day affairs where classes are taught in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, etc. by some of the best instructors in the country. It is a great opportunity to see some truly excellent dancers. There may be over 200 students in a hotel ballroom all enthusiastically striving to better themselves in class.
- Competitions: These are events where dancers perform their performing group routines and are judged according to technique, performance skills, choreography, costumes, etc. They will be given points according to what someone (the judge) feels they have earned and deserved. It is our goal to instill in our students a passion for performing rather than the desire to win awards. Performing to the best of our ability without comparing ourselves to others is what it's all about; whether we win or lose is secondary. If dancers feel good about their performance and understand that they become better each time they go onstage, the experience gained from competition can be an excellent source of self-confidence. Through participation in quality competitions we hope to instill an appreciation for other dancers and schools. We are not out to beat anyone; instead, we hope to motivate by exposing our students to a high caliber of talent and constructive critique from an outside voice.
Performance: Types of Dances Being Taught
Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and other Group Dances
Depending on the dancer's level and the options chosen, Performing Group students have the opportunity to learn dances in several genres, and to perform these dances in competition and possibly for additional events. Most groups learn a jazz dance in their weekday class, with an opportunity to learn lyrical, contemporary, and/or other dances in their optional weekend classes.
Tap Dances
Tap is not a requirement of the group and we have not in the past done group tap dances in competition. On occasion, performing group students who take tap are invited to create additional optional tap numbers that are rehearsed on weekends. Note: Most of the conventions that we attend offer instruction in tap; therefore, we recommend that students take tap to round out their dance education.
Production Numbers
Time permitting, we have occasionally created large production numbers for the groups. Any such numbers would be optional and be rehearsed on weekends.
Special Numbers (Solos, Duets, Trios)
All Performing Group members have the option of learning a solo, duo, or trio to perform in competitions. We typically do not do (except under extremely specific circumstances) solos, duets, and trios in our Recitals or at competitions that have limited entry rules; we do, however, offer opportunities for these numbers to be performed at the many competitions that do not have limited entry rules. If you are interested in performing a solo, duet, or trio at an open competition; please make sure to read our Special Number Contract and the Solo/Duet/Trio page and discuss this with us.
Communication
We will communicate with our Performing Group families in the following ways using the following tools.
- MONDAY EMAILS – every Monday (before midnight) an email will be sent to all parents and dancers. These emails may be very brief; however, many will be lengthy and extremely important. If you wish to be a member of the Performing Group, you must check your email by Tuesday and read these emails. If you DO NOT receive a “Monday Email”, you must contact us immediately!!
- PERFROMING GROUP CALENDAR – each parent and dancer will be emailed a calendar covering the September through June dance season. All rehearsals, competitions, conventions (mandatory and optional ones), payment due dates, etc. will be listed on this calendar. When you receive this email in September, please print it out and put in a place where you can check it frequently.
- CONTACT SHEET – every parent and dancer in this year’s performing group will be emailed a contact sheet with phone numbers and emails of all dancers (including information for one parent or guardian). You will be able to contact each other for things such as carpools, fundraising, etc. When you receive this email in September, please print it out and put in a safe place. If you would NOT like others to know your contact info, you must let us know immediately. If your info changes, you must let us know.
Payments
A payment form will be emailed to you when competition and/or convention fees are due. This payment form must be filled out completely, and must accompany your full payment by the due date. (You will incur additional costs if you miss the due date.) Place these two items in an envelope and clearly label the envelope with the word “Performing Group”. You may either hand this envelope to Miss Angela Bates directly or hand the envelope in to the studio main office. If you wish to pay by credit card, you may do so at the Studio; we still must have the form with your payment.
Dress Code
Members are responsible for all shoes and tights for all competitions and performances. Once routines have been taught and costumes chosen, a list of specific shoes, tights, and accessories will be given out.
For Class and Rehearsals
If you dress like a dancer for class, you will dance like a dancer in class. Performing Group dancers must be dressed properly for classes and rehearsals. Unless the teachers tell you otherwise, all students need to wear leotards and tights to rehearsals and have their hair pulled back into a ponytail or bun. Please refer to our published Dress Code for what is appropriate.
For Performances and Competitions
Members are responsible for all shoes and tights for all competitions and performances. Once routines have been taught and costumes chosen, a list of specific shoes, tights, and accessories will be given out.
Jazz and Lyrical: Dancers will need either caramel colored SoDanca JZ45 (or JZ43) slip on jazz shoes or Bloch S0495L Tan Neo Flex jazz shoes for jazz and lyrical.
Ballet: If students have ballet numbers, they will need pink leather ballet slippers (not canvas), and the elastics on the ballet shoes will need to be criss-crossed (ask if you do not know what this means). Note: if students do not have ballet dances for Performing Group performances, they do NOT need to have criss-crossed elastics.
Hairfalls: In addition, members might need to obtain a hairfall (fake hairpiece); however, please do not buy one until talking to the studio as we have not done this for several years.
Costumes
The Paul Klocke Studio of Dance will provide most costumes for Performing Group routines. We reuse costumes that we have in our inventory.
We also reuse costumes from previous recitals or borrow from other dancers or studios. We may ask to borrow your old recital costumes to be used with other Performing Group levels. To keep costs down, performing group members are required to lend any past costumes to the studio. Your cooperation with this is essential to keeping performing group costume costs minimal. Our alternative is to charge the group large costume fees.
You may need to purchase small costume accessories or pieces such as earrings, dance shorts, tops, pants, etc. We will do our best to keep the costs as low as possible.
Please be responsible for all of your costumes and take care of them. If a costume is damaged or lost it is your responsibility to replace it (if it is even possible to do so - some are old and are discontinued).
| Styles of Tights |
|
|---|---|
All tights should be Bloch brand “pink”, “light tan”, or “salmon”. Note: Do not get Bloch Brand “light pink” tights. |
|
| Item | Colors |
| Footed Tights | |
| Bloch (adult T0920L) (For older ballet students only; check to see which color your child's class is wearing.) |
Salmon |
| Bloch (child T0921G, adult T0920L) (Note: Do not buy Bloch "Light Pink", we use Bloch "Pink".) |
Light Tan, Pink, Black |
| Footless Tights | |
| Bloch (child T0940G) | Light Tan |
| Bloch (adult T0940L) | Light Tan |
| Convertible Tights | |
| Bloch (adult T0935L) (For older ballet students only; check to see which color your child's class is wearing.) |
Salmon |
| Bloch (child T0935G, adult T0935L) (Note: Do not buy Bloch "Light Pink", we use Bloch "Pink".) |
Light Tan, Pink, Black |
Brandywine Dance Shoppe Discount
The studio has worked out an arrangement with the Brandywine Dance Shoppe that offers all performing group members a 20% discount on all of their dancing supplies. You need to mention that you are one of our Performing Group Members when you go to the Shoppe.
Performing Group Products
There are some products available to make us look like a team when going to competitions and performances. They are completely optional. The available items will be displayed in the studio lobby and can be used for sizing. An order will be taken in October.
Track Jacket
If you are deciding between the track jacket and other items, it’s highly recommended that you choose the track jacket if you do not have one already. When we attend events it is easier to find people if they have a uniform we recognize.
Earrings
Most of the older Performing Group dancers are required to purchase specific rhinestone earrings that will be worn for all competitions and performances. Earrings must be purchased thru the studio to insure that all dancers have the exact same kind. They are available in both pierced and clip on; cost is approximately $10-$15.
Fundraising
Obviously being a part of the performing group is an investment in time and money, and we are always looking for ways to help cut costs.
Fund Raising: In prior years, interested parents have organized a variety of fundraisers. The studio offered logistical help with these events; however, these events were, for the most part, completely organized by parents and students of the performing group. If this year’s performing group parents are interested in organizing and participating in fundraisers, or if anyone has fundraising ideas that you think we might try, let us know. Note 1: all events must be cleared with the studio before being implemented. Note 2: We try to avoid anything that has to do with door-to-door selling since families are already inundated with this type of selling at school.
Birthday Parties: The studio holds dance birthday parties for people who request them. Performing Group members frequently assist at these parties, and we give each helping student a $15-25 credit (depending on the time involved) for doing so. We cannot, however, predict how many parties we will have, when they will be, or how much help is needed. If a large number of performing group students wish to help at the same party, we obviously cannot accommodate them all. We try to divide the opportunity as equally as we can; and if we have to turn down someone’s request to help, we will move that student’s name to the top of the list for the next birthday party.
Performing Group Sisters
We will assign each dancer a "sister" for the year. We try to match new dancers with previous dancers. It may be someone you know well or not at all. It also may be someone that is older, younger, or the same age. It’s merely to have a buddy for the year and a way to get to know each other. In the past, sisters have made cards and/or small homemade gifts that were given at competition. They have also helped each other with hair and makeup during competitions and performances. Please: We cannot accept requests to assign specific students to one another as sisters. It creates an untenable situation for us. The studio will assign sisters, and we expect that everyone will treat their sisters with respect, caring, and enthusiasm.
