The questions every new family asks. Answered short and clear.
Dance has two sessions: Summer Session and Fall Session (September thru May). Fees associated with the Fall Session are a registration fee, a yearly tuition fee broken into monthly payments, a costume fee for each type of dance performed in the year-end recital, and a recital fee for the recital in May/June. Optional fees include: a recital program book, a finale t-shirt for the last number in the show, advanced-sale tickets to the recital, and individual and group recital program book picture fees. Fees for the Summer Session, intensives, or summer camps are a registration fee and summer tuition. All fees are collected via automatic debit or automatic draft, known as "the draft."
All dance-related fees are collected on the 1st of each month via automatic draft, known as "the draft." Once fees have been collected, the next month's fees are placed on your personal account ("customer portal") so that you may review them for accuracy. To avoid the draft, you may pay by check or cash at the front office before the 1st of each month.
Costumes are for the end-of-year performance. Costumes are ordered per class for each child participating. If your dancer is in a combo class (Ballet/Tap), she will have two dance numbers — one costume per dance. The Costume Fee is broken into 2 monthly payments (Costume Deposits) per the draft schedule. Students are measured in October. The first deposit places a non-refundable down payment with costume companies. The second pays the balance in November to ensure costumes arrive in time for recital book pictures. Costume Deposits are non-refundable. Note: Be Bop / Hip Hop may require an additional shoe purchase for recital not covered in the costume fee.
If enrolling May–August, the Registration Fee and first month's tuition are due and will be drafted at the time of registration from the payment form on file. If enrolling September or later, additional fees per the draft schedule may apply — call the office for the current breakdown.
Yes. Elite Dance extends a 5% TUITION-ONLY discount to anyone paying the year in full. To qualify, all fees listed on the draft schedule must be paid in full.
The Recital, sometimes called the Revue, is a performance on stage at the end of the dance year. The recital is the time when your dancer gets to show off what they've worked on all year. The recital is typically held the third weekend in May and is preceded by a rehearsal. Participation in the recital is optional. Students registering on a non-recital basis will be charged according to the draft schedule from registration through May.
The Recital Fee is used to produce the dance recital. It covers the venue, production company, music, special effects, lighting, stage, stage curtains, side screens, video production work, recital webcast, and participation awards for all dancers participating. Due dates for recital fees and recital-related optional fees (such as finale t-shirts) are notated on the draft schedule. Recital fees are non-refundable the moment they are drafted.
To maximize value for our families — and so families only buy the tickets they need at the show of their choice — we no longer include tickets in the recital fee. Tickets are purchased through our online ticketing system in May, separately from recital fees.
Every student who registers has the option to choose whether or not to participate in the recital. If you are unsure, choose "Not Doing Recital" on the registration form and you will not incur costume and recital fee charges. Note: If you choose to have your dancer participate, you will be responsible for all recital and costume-related fees. If you decide later that you'd like to participate, just let the office know.
Classes range in size depending on a number of factors. Class sizes do not become bigger than what a teacher can comfortably handle. Multiple teachers and/or assistants may be present. Assistants are chosen to maximize personal attention for every student. Each student is pushed on his or her level.
The easiest (and best) course of action is to register first by the age of the student regardless of years of dance or upcoming birthdays. During the first month, should we feel the student should be moved to another class, we will contact you. If you are still uncertain, email or call us — we'd love to help.
During registration, many of our classes become full. We provide a waitlist on which you may put your dancer. To place your dancer on a waitlist, you go through the normal registration process — there is no charge to register as a waitlister. If a spot becomes available, Elite Dance will notify you via email, place the waitlisted student into the class, and charge the payment form on file. To withdraw a student from the waitlist, please contact the office.
Yes! Picture Week takes place in late March or very early April, based on the photographer's schedule. We offer an all-inclusive Picture Package that includes one individual picture in the Recital Program Book, your dancer's inclusion in all class photos in the Recital Program Book, the photographer's session fee, photo editing & finishing, and a digital download link of your dancer's individual picture emailed directly to you. The Picture Package fee is conveniently drafted on March 1st so that when you come in for pictures, the only thing to do is enjoy the smile on your dancer's face.
For the first class, parents will be allowed to walk students into class to put both the child's and the parents' fears to rest. After the first class, the assistants and/or the teacher will take your child at the door and attend to any needs while they are in class, other than bathroom. Please wait until after class to speak with your child or the teacher about concerns. Knocking on windows or "poking your head in" are not permitted, as it diverts the attention of every child in the class. You are encouraged to stay and watch class in the viewing area.
We do accept students not yet potty trained, but we will not attend to any bathroom needs. If a student needs to use the bathroom, they will be escorted out of the classroom by an assistant and allowed back in when ready. Parents must notify the teacher and office should they have to leave the premises. Students 7 and under should always have an adult present in the lobby.
Only 18mo–2 yr, 2&3 yr, and 4&5 yr classes are allowed to bring in their dance bag. If absolutely necessary, students may bring comfort items (pacifier, blanket, doll). The necessity is determined on an individual basis at the discretion of our Children's Works director. Food, drink, candy, or gum is not allowed in the classroom.
Many things arise during the year. However, please try to ensure that students miss class as little as possible. With younger children, routine is everything. Since students only come once a week, attendance is vital to developing both a quality relationship and important dance skills. If you know in advance you are going to miss, click "Going to Be Absent" in the Parent Portal or contact form.
Costume measurements happen during the Halloween parties. The teacher may show pictures of costumes and have a song sample sometime before Christmas vacation. Each child will be introduced at the beginning of one of their dances. Costume pictures are usually available between October and December. Specific tights and shoes will be required for class pictures and recital — those are part of the costume.
Depending on the class, assistants will be other teachers at Elite, former teacher graduates from Elite, or current teacher graduate candidates. When graduated or graduate students are not available, faculty will choose other qualified assistants. In order to assist, a student must be approved by the owners and the teacher, and must be at least 10 years old.
Every child has a different personality. A teacher or assistant will attempt to comfort each child personally if a child is upset. It often takes several classes for students to be acclimated to the classroom environment — because class is only once a week, it takes children a little longer to feel comfortable than in a daycare or preschool environment. Tailored responses are made to each child according to the child's personality. Please talk to the teacher about any behavior that troubles you.
Each Ballet/Tap combo class changes shoes halfway through. Teachers and assistants will change your child's shoes until they're old enough to do it themselves. Please label the inside of your child's shoes with their last name or initials at the start of the dance year — shoes may otherwise be switched by accident.
See the Required Dancewear page for a full list of acceptable class wear by class type — leotard, tights, and shoe specifics. We encourage all the frilly fun outfits!
Yes! Beginning approximately in January, eligible students attend a graduate class with the director, study dance syllabi, choreograph routines, and are tested on their knowledge. Elite Dance Teacher Graduates are presented onstage during recital with a formal flower presentation, a graduate trophy, and a special plaque. The Graduation Fee is $600, paid in two installments of $300 in February and March. While not required, graduation instills a sense of completion and opens the door for future employment opportunities at Elite Dance.
The draft schedule details what is due and when, including a breakdown of fees. Get a copy of the draft schedule from the Downloads section of the website or by calling the office.
No. All pertinent policies and procedures are available on this website. Any other important information is communicated via the email address on file, the bulletin boards in the studio, and the studio newsletters.
Yes — $25 per student per class during the Fall Session (Sept – May) for students 5 years and older, and $30 per student per class during the Summer Session. Maximum of 2 classes total for any one dance genre. Non-Elite students must sign the Try a Class Waiver before taking class.
Elite Dance reserves the right to cancel classes if St. Tammany Parish is under a flash flood or tornado watch/warning or other potentially dangerous weather. An email will be sent to the contact information on file at least 45 minutes before the start of classes. There will be no refunds or makeup classes.
No. However, if you feel your child needs a little extra attention, our teachers would be happy to schedule a private lesson for a fee.
Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. A student who is late may be marked absent. If you know in advance that you will be absent, click "Going to Be Absent" via the parent portal or contact form.
To withdraw completely, complete the online Withdrawal form. A parent or guardian's signature must be present on the form. The date of withdrawal is the date the form is timestamped via email after submission. Elite Dance is not responsible for "word of mouth" or "verbal" withdrawals.
Elite Dance adheres to strict protocol regarding past-due accounts. Depending on severity, any of the following may apply: NSF fee added, past-due email and phone call, Pink Slip emailed or given to parent, student not allowed to take class until balance is satisfied, student dropped from registered classes, authorities notified. The registering parent takes full responsibility for all fees due regardless of personal circumstances. Call the office immediately if you have a balance question.
Elite Dance creates an exciting, positive, and structured environment. To maintain a positive experience for everyone, certain behavior won't be tolerated. A parent and student may be immediately dismissed for any of the following — including but not limited to:
There are absolutely no refunds or credits for any student or family dismissed from the studio.
Tuition is based on approximately 30 classes per year, multiplied by regional and national per-class tuition averages, plus other variables. The yearly fee is divided into nine monthly payments (September – May). Studio holidays, rehearsals, picture week, or events are outside the scope of the tuition breakdown.
Registration is complete only when the registration fee, first month's tuition, fees due per the draft schedule, registration form (online or paper), and waiver are submitted online or in person to the office.
Yes. Elite Dance extends a 5% TUITION-only discount to anyone paying the year in full. To qualify, all fees on the draft schedule must be paid in full.
Accounts and customer portals are limited to siblings and/or immediate family members of the same household only. Extended family members must register separately. It is the responsibility of the registered parent/guardian to keep personal information current via the customer portal or by contacting the office.
The primary communication method is email. We also use the bulletin boards in the studio and monthly studio newsletters. All information regarding fees, policies, classes, costuming, competitions, conventions, teachers, rehearsals, pictures, and recitals is subject to change — pertinent updates are made via email and the website.
Dancers should be on time, dressed in proper attire, and remain in the waiting area until class begins. No dangling jewelry. No smoking, eating, drinking, or gum chewing in the dance rooms. No running, hanging on barres, or otherwise misusing equipment. Doors are not opened while class is in progress. To participate in recital class dances, students must learn the recital choreography in its entirety.
Elite Dance Academy LLC is bonded, licensed, and insured. The studio reserves the right to reschedule or cancel a class with little or no notice, transfer students into comparable classes if a class is too big or too small, and refuse service to anyone for any reason. Items left in the studio are placed in lost and found — unclaimed items are donated to Goodwill at the end of each month.
Register your dancer in the "COMPANY — INTERESTED IN COMPETITION" class on the website. There's no fee — it's an interest-only class so the office knows you're curious. Someone will reach out directly to walk you through next steps.
Placement is by ability and not just age. Ages on the company tiers (Mini through Teen/Senior) are starting points only. The studio director makes final placement decisions based on what will be most beneficial for the dancer.
No. Interested students attend specified summer classes where they're evaluated. Selected dancers are notified the last week of summer classes. (Anyone who can't attend summer classes but is still interested should contact the office directly.)
Membership fee: $200 first competitive student per family, $150 each additional. Company Week (mandatory intensive): $150 per dancer. Company class tuition runs at the discounted company rate of approximately $55/month per class. Plus competition entry fees, costumes, and travel — varies by season. Full details on the Company Details page.
A routine performed at the recital where dads and daughters dance together. Dancers practice several times before the show, then make their debut on stage. Open to all dancers ages 3 and up — and yes, uncles, grandpas, brothers, and even moms are welcome to fill in if Dad isn't available.
$175 first child, $125 each additional child. Each dancer's costume is included. Dads provide their own costume — details given the first night of rehearsal.
Four flavors: a 3-week summer session of regular weekly classes (June – early July, all ages); Pretty Princess Dance Camp for ages 3-6 (multiple sessions in June/July, must be fully potty trained); the RISE Technique Intensive in July (ages 6-8 half-day · ages 8+ full-day); and the Stretch, Strength & Gym Intensive for flexibility, conditioning, and tumbling skills.
Ages 3-6, and dancers must be fully potty trained — no exceptions. Camp covers Cinderella, Elsa, Ariel, & Belle themed activities, ballet & jazz curriculum, ending with a Royal Coronation Pizza Party and a magical show for family.
No — RISE is open to all dancers, not just company. It's a one-of-a-kind ballet & technique intensive designed to keep dancers conditioned over summer. Half-day for ages 6-8 and full-day for ages 8+ (Levels 1 & 2).
Late March each year. No regular classes during picture week — your dancer's class meets at a specific picture-time slot instead. The studio sends out the full schedule once it's set; specific dates vary by year.
The all-inclusive Picture Package Deal includes a 1/4-page picture space in the recital book, a Photo Session Event, photo editing & processing, and one individual digital download — plus your bonus class pictures in the recital book. The Package auto-drafts March 1 unless you opt out before March 1.
From January through March, students sell program-book ads to friends, family, and businesses. Hit a sales tier and your dancer's picture appears in the recital book — for free. Top sellers can earn priority seating, free recital book pictures, photo shoots, and Covergirl status. See the Ad Contest page for the full reward chart.
Yes — a 2.89% surcharge is added to credit-card payments through the online portal. To avoid the surcharge, pay by cash, check, or ACH/eCheck. The surcharge appears as a separate line item before checkout.
No cash refunds. If a student drops after prepayment, the remaining credit becomes Elite Dance credit good for future fees. The 1st costume deposit and all recital fees are non-refundable regardless of when you withdraw. The 2nd costume deposit can become in-house credit only if you withdraw in October or November.
Yes — by registering you grant Elite Dance permission to use photographs, video, and recordings of dance lessons, rehearsals, competitions, and recitals for any legitimate studio purpose. All photos/recordings taken by or given to Elite Dance become studio property.