Policies

Lauren Ashley Dance Studio

Welcome to the 2023-2024 Season at LADC!

We are so happy to have you with us. We want to keep you as informed as possible so we have listed several things to help with that! Find our dress code, special dates, recital information, due dates, and more below. Please make sure you have logged into the parent portal and signed all waivers.

Also, make sure you are on our band app for important updates. We will use the app for almost all communication.
https://band.us/n/a1ac9dX2WaB3V

Dress Code

Each dancer has 3 weeks from the date of enrollment to purchase appropriate shoes for class. If shoes have not been purchased yet and you are within the 3 weeks, please bring socks and be prepared to go barefoot for dance styles requiring more traction. Most of the Dancewear required can be purchased at www.dancewearsolutions.com or Dove Dancewear or Tights N Things in Springfield, MO.

We recommend keeping hair ties, bobby pins, and hairspray in your dancer’s dance bag. This way if the teachers’ assistance is ever needed to help pull hair back, we have the proper tools to do so.

Hair

Please note it is extremely distracting for the dancer to have their hair down and in their face. Often times it will hit them in the eye while turning and is very bothersome. We ask you follow the rule of getting hair completely out of their face. BALLET Level 1-3, hair must be worn in a BUN. Level 4-6 can have any hairstyle where hair is completely out of face. ALL OTHER STYLES may wear any style as long as it is out of the dancers face.

Creative Movement:

Leotard (with or without attached skirt) and tights. Hair needs to be pulled back and out of face. Shoes: Pink Ballet shoes or Black Ballet shoes for boys.

Level 6:

Hair is required to be pulled back and out of face for all styles.
Ballet: Tights and Leotard. Pink Ballet shoes (split sole only) or black ballet shoes for boys.
Hip Hop: Athletic wear, sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc.and tennis shoes. NOTE: Tennis shoes must be studio specific and can not be worn outside. Any kind of lace up tennis shoes will work. Black tennis shoes required for recital.
Tap: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for Tap. Tap shoes required.
Lyrical: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for lyrical. No baggy clothes. Tan Lyrical shoes.

Level 5:

Hair is required to be pulled back and out of face for all styles.
Ballet: Leotard and tights. Dancers may also wear a ballet skirt (wrap skirt) or sweater shorts over leo. Booty shorts/spankies, athletic shorts, leggings etc will not be permitted. Pink Ballet shoes (split sole only) (canvas or leather) or black ballet shoes for boys.
Jazz: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for jazz. Jazz shoes, Canvas or Leather (black is more practical for practice as they don’t get dirty as fast however please note Tan Jazz shoes will be required for recitals).
Hip Hop: Athletic wear, sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc.and tennis shoes. NOTE: Tennis shoes must be studio specific and can not be worn outside. Any kind of lace up tennis shoes will work. Black tennis shoes required for recital.
Tap: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for Tap. Tap shoes required.
Lyrical: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for lyrical. No baggy clothes. Tan Lyrical shoes.

Level 4 and Up:

Ballet: Black leotard and pink tights. (Level 1 and 2 will wear seamed tights for recitals) Check the events page on our website to view “colored leotard days” where any leo can be worn). Hair MUST be worn in a secure bun for ballet. Dancers may also wear a ballet skirt (wrap skirt) or sweater shorts over leo. Booty shorts/spankies, athletic shorts, leggings etc will not be permitted. Pink Ballet shoes (split sole only) (canvas or leather) or black ballet shoes for boys.
Jazz: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for jazz. Jazz shoes, Canvas or Leather (black is more practical for practice as they don’t get dirty as fast however please note Tan Jazz shoes will be required for recitals).
Hip Hop: Athletic wear, sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc.and tennis shoes. NOTE: Tennis shoes must be studio specific and can not be worn outside. Any kind of lace up tennis shoes will work. Dancers wearing tennis shoes that have been worn outside will be asked to dance in socks. Black tennis shoes required for recital.
Tap: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for Tap. Tap shoes required. NOTE: The patent leather tap shoe will not be allowed for this level. Lyrical: Leotards, tights, form fitting shorts, crop tops/sports bras, leggings etc may be worn for lyrical. No baggy clothes. Lyrical shoes.

Pointe: Dancers are only eligible to go up on pointe when the following has been met…
● Attended an hour long ballet class for one full season
● Is 12 or over
● Has taken one year of pre-pointe or pointe 2
● Consults teacher for what type of pointe shoes to purchase

Boys: Wear comfortable activewear, non baggy shirts, and appropriate shoes as listed above for each style (black jazz shoes).

Shoe requirements and recommendations:

Level 6 Tap Shoe: Patent leather is required. See photo below. The “Mary Jane” with the buckle is preferred. (can be found at www.dancewearsolutions.com or Dove Dancewear in Springfield).

Level 5 and up Tap shoes: Lace up, leather. Must not be the patent leather. See photo below. (can be found at www.dancewearsolutions.com or Dove Dancewear in Springfield).

ALL Levels recommended Jazz Shoe: Bloch Pulse Jazz Shoe (can be found at www.dancewearsolutions.com or Dove Dancewear in Springfield).

ALL Levels Ballet shoes: Must be split sole. No full sole. Pink for girls, black for boys. Recommended types: Bloch Prolite, Bloch Pro Elastic, Bloch Perfoma

Lyrical shoe: Half sole shoe

Fees

All payments are due on the 1st of each month. Any payments past the 5th of each month will incur a $15 late fee. If payments are delinquent past the 10th of each month, student or students will not be allowed to participate in class. All returned checks are subject to a $25 return check fee. There are no refunds for classes or registration fees. Anyone using the monthly rates MUST agree to auto-pay otherwise there will be a 5% upcharge. If it is ever necessary to remove yourself from our monthly plan, 2 weeks’ notice must be given in writing in order to stop all recurring charges. If an injury occurs and the dancer is no longer able to participate in class, a doctor’s note must be presented and the account will be credited for any remaining tuition paid. Refunds can not be issued. If dropping a class that has been previously billed, one week’s notice must be given and the account will be credited for the remainder of the tuition already paid.

Please note our tuition is calculated based on 40 sessions total and then divided into monthly installments for the convenience of our clients. We do not prorate holidays or shorter months except August. Snow days/closure days will not be prorated but instead, other class options will be added to make up the classes at the end of the season.

We offer unlimited plans and sibling discounts. Inquire for pricing.

We offer a 5% discount for tuition paid in full for the season.

Recital fee is $75 and includes a t-shirt, dress rehearsal time, staffing, and two show tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased for $15.

Recital costumes are $85 + tax and include required tights ($15 value)

Other Important Notes:

More information on our Annual Recital

Recital is your dancer’s time to take the stage and truly SHINE. Though not required to participate, we highly recommend it. Your dancer will get the ultimate performance experience with their very own special costume, special dance for each class, special commemorative recital t-shirt, optional photos, optional recital video AND we welcome you to invite all friends and family!
*To participate in recital, dancers must be enrolled in monthly classes from February 1st through the entire month of June.
*Alterations for recital costumes are the responsibility of the client.
*Dancer must attend the ENTIRE recital. Parents can not pick up until the end of the show.

Snacks and Beverages

Snacks, Water, Gatorade etc will be available for purchase.
Water is $1.00, Snacks range from 75 cents to $2.00. Gatorade $2.00.
Auto Charge to accounts is available! Please let us know at the front if your child is allowed to auto-charge if ever needing any of these items.
Otherwise, acceptable forms will be cash, and due upon purchase. We will not be able to bill later.

We recommend sending water bottles with students, with their names on them.

No food or drink aside from water will be allowed in the studios. Gum will not be allowed.

Hair Accessories

Hair kits with bobby pins and hair ties will be available for purchase if a dancer ever forgets the necessary items to slick hair back. They will run $1.00 and are available at Time to Shine Dancewear. Please let us know at the front if your child is allowed to auto-charge if ever needing any of these items. Otherwise, acceptable forms will be cash, and due upon purchase. We will not be able to bill later.

Cell Phones

We have a strict no cell phone policy. Cell phones are not to be used or brought into class at any time. In the event of an emergency please call the studio number. AGES 12 & Under: To protect the privacy of children and keep them safe, no child under the age of 12 will be allowed to use their phone or iPad in the lobby or bathroom/changing area or studios.

All classes are closed to observers.

Attendance/Cancelled Classes Policy

If you are sick or miss class, no refund is available. If a dancer is leaving early without their parent picking them up, a parent MUST text or call the studio line to notify teachers prior to the dancer leaving the building. This will apply to dancers of all ages. We ask you respect this policy and follow it as it is in place to ensure the safety of all students enrolled.