Teens Policies and Procedures
To all Students and Parents/Guardians: THE MAIN COMMUNICATION LINE
FOR THIS PROGRAM IS E-MAIL. All students and parents must give the office
current e-mail addresses. If you change your primary address please notify us
immediately. Tuition reminders, special events, schedules etc. are all sent via email.
Tuition
Tuition is due in full at the time of registration or paid according to the installment plan you choose.
Those paying in full for the full year will receive a 5% discounted rate on your child’s tuition. Please
keep a copy of the Tuition Breakdown and tuition due dates. You will receive e-mail reminders.
The annual $25.00 registration fee and minimum deposit of $100 is non-refundable and is due with
initial payment. You must make your initial minimum payment on or before the first day of classes
(Saturday September 15, 2012). No student will be allowed to start classes without proper registration.
If you wish to have your child’s tuition automatically taken from your credit card please check the
appropriate box on the registration form. Payments may be made with check (made out to the Martha
Graham School of Contemporary Dance Inc.), money order, cash, American Express, Visa or
MasterCard credit cards. If you mail your child’s tuition please address it to The Martha Graham
School of Contemporary Dance 55 Bethune Street New York, NY 10014, Attn. Young Artists
Program.
Late Payments
An automatic late fee of $10.00 will be issued for payments that are not received on the scheduled due
date. There will be a $25.00 fee for all returned checks in addition to any late fees. Any student more
than two weeks delinquent will not be allowed to participate in any classes. Students who have not
paid after repeated notification will not be eligible to perform and may be asked to leave the program.
If you cannot meet a tuition deadline, please contact Tami Alesson, Director of Education to discuss
payment options.
Missed Classes
All classes are mandatory. If absences occur due to illness injury etc., you must notify the school via
e-mail at youngartists@marthagraham.org immediately. You may make up to two classes by taking
the Open Mixed classes or ballet (if you child is not already registered) per semester. There will be no
make-up classes for any remaining absences. No monetary re-imbursement or pro-rating is allowed
for missed classes. Please note that excessive absences will result in slowing progress and may result
in dismissal from the program.
Tardiness
Punctuality is mandatory. Students arriving late are expected to apologize to the instructor and request
permission to join the class. Students arriving 10 minutes late or more will be required to observe
class, as they are missing important warm up exercises. Habitual lateness will jeopardize enrollment.
Students should arrive at the school approximately 20-30 minutes before class starts to make sure they
are in proper attire and ready for class.
Snow Days
All classes will observe public school closings do to weather. For weekend classes please check the
Martha Graham School’s Facebook page. Your child’s safety is important to us. Our students come
from throughout the New York area. If you feel the weather is dangerous for your child, and the
school is still conducting classes, please e-mail us, and your child will be excused.
Vacation Dates
The Martha Graham School Teens program observe most of the same holidays as the New York Public
Schools. See Calendar for details.
Withdrawal Policy
There are no refunds or pro-rating of tuition upon withdrawal from the Teens@Graham programs. The
same applies for any student dismissed from the school due to negligent payments of tuition and/or
non-compliance with the rules and standards of the Martha Graham School. Refund or pro-rate will be
considered due to a proven medical condition with a Doctors letter. If, for any other reason, a student
stops attending classes, we will not refund any tuition already paid, including the registration fee.
Dress Code
Ladies may wear any style or color leotard and footless tights (preferably black) or a unitard. Hair
must be securely off face and neck preferably in a bun if possible. Artificial fingernails and dangling
jewelry are not permitted. Gentleman must wear footless tights, and a clean t-shirt (any color without
logos or writing). Gentlemen may wear sweatpants or shorts over their tights. Ballet slippers are
required for the ballet class. Street shoes are not allowed in the studio. Leave street clothing in the
dressing room and dance bags in the studio. We are not responsible for lost items. Leave valuables at
home.
Close fitting warm-up clothing may be worn at the beginning of class during the cold months with
teacher’s permission. Dancers should enter the studio in full dance attire and ready to dance. Do not
use the studio as a dressing room.
Etiquette
The Martha Graham School has the honor of being the longest established dance school in the United
States. We are committed to upholding the traditions set by Martha Graham. Dance is an art form that
demands discipline and mutual respect. We expect all students to behave in a way befitting that of any
serious dance student. We expect that all students will act with decorum both in and out of the studio.
Students are to behave courteously to faculty, staff, and their peers at all times.
Studio rules:
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No food of any kind in the studio. Only water. (Soda, coffee, sports drinks, vitamin water etc.
are not allowed.)
No gum allowed during class or workshops
No talking during class
No hanging on barres at any time
No sitting in class (besides floor work) or in between combinations
Please clean up after yourself, leave with everything you entered the studio with
Do not play or place any objects on the musical instruments.
Bulletin Boards and Website
Information will be posted on our Teens bulletin board, on our Facebook page as well as e-mailed to
your family. Please check the board on a regular basis. Dancers and parent/guardian’s e-mail must be
submitted on registration form. PLEASE print neatly. If e-mail addresses change please notify us at
youngartists@marthagraham.org as soon as possible.
General Information/ School facilities – East 63rd Street Studios
Emergency exits: There are three emergency exits: one in the rear by the dressing rooms/bathrooms,
one by the front desk and one through the entranceway. For the rear and front desk exits, push the door
hard and use the staircase in the corridor and exit through the lobby of the building. From the entrance
way, exit through the garden gate. Note that there are two exits from studio 1: one is from the men’s
dressing room/bathroom and the other by the glass doors.
Remember to keep emergency exit clear at all time.
Studios: The school comprises three studios.
Studio 1 is where most technique classes occur.
Studio 2 is expendable into the common area.
Studio 3 is primarily used by Marymount Manhattan College
Kitchen: A kitchen area is provided to the students. A microwave, refrigerator with icebox and dishes
are available. It is up to the students to keep this area clean and healthy.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms with showers are located in the rear of the school.
Front Desk: Front desk area is for staff members and work-studies only. Personal uses of the
computers and any other material such as telephone, copy machine are prohibited.
Faculty Lounge: A faculty lounge is located next to the kitchen. Students are not permitted to use.
Garden: The garden is a quiet place. Students are welcomed to sit outdoors but noise must be kept to a
minimum. (Windows of other professional offices are adjacent to the garden and respect of our
neighbors is strongly stressed).
Garbage and recycle: No one should use the trash cans outside for loose trash, but must use the inside
can or carry garbage out to a street garbage container. Garbage and recycle bins are clearly marked
inside the school. Please place trash in the corresponding bin. RECYCLE!
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited inside the School as well as in the Garden.
General Information/ School facilities – Westbeth
Front Door Person: When arriving at the Westbeth location please announce yourself by name to the
front door person and inform them you are with the Martha Graham School. They will have a list of
all students. Enter the elevators and proceed to the 11th floor.
Emergency Exits: There are three elevators to the 11th floor. The Martha Graham Center is the sole
occupant of the floor. There are four emergency exits as well as two roof top areas.
Studios:
Studio 1 is primarily where morning Technique classes occur as well as Graham Company
rehearsals. The studio also transforms into a black box theater. No student is allowed to touch
any lighting or electrical equipment.
Studio 2 is primarily where morning Technique classes occur as well as Graham II and
Graham Company rehearsals.
Second Floor classroom house resource materials, library materials, desks, chairs, air
conditioning and heating, bathrooms, and piano keyboard. This space is used to teach all nondance classes (i.e. Music; Dance History; Anatomy; Acting).
Front Desk: Located directly off the elevators. This area is for staff members and work-studies only.
Personal uses of the computers and any other material such as telephone, copy machine are prohibited
Green Room: The Green room, located next to the front desk, through the double doors, is the
students and parents lounge. There are couches, chairs, tables, and microwave; there also will be a
water cooler, vending machine and small refrigerator.
Dressing Rooms: The female student dressing room is located across the hall from the ladies and
men’s bathroom. The men’s dressing room is located through the men’s bathroom. Space beyond the
female students dressing room is prohibited.
Garbage and recycle: Garbage and recycle bins are clearly marked inside the school. Please place
trash in the corresponding bin. RECYCLE!
Roof Top Area: NO student is allowed on the roof.
Please remember we are sharing this beautiful space with the Graham School full-time students and
faculty as well as the Graham Company. When rehearsals are in progress please keep the noise to a
minimum. This will be a great opportunity for you to see and meet the wonderful dancers of the
Graham Company.
Information to know
Studios:
The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance
316 East 63rd Street (between 1st and 2nd Ave on the south side of the Street – through the iron gate and down the path)
New York, NY 10065
School Phone:
212-838-5886
School Fax:
212-838-0339
Mailing Address:
Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance
55 Bethune Street
New York, NY 10014
School Phone:
212-229-9200
Website: www.marthagraham.org click on school, courses of study, the information is in the right
hand column. Click on the links to find a more detailed description of the program.
Teens E-Mail Address:
youngartists@marthagraham.org
Tami Alesson, Director of Education
E-mail: talesson@marthagraham.org
Phone: 212-229-9200 ext.16
Virginie Mecene, Director of the Martha Graham School and Graham II
If your child’s school would be interested in Graham II performing at their school contact Ms. Mecene
at vmecene@marthagraham.org
Wilma Casal, Young Artists Program Assistant
E-mail: youngartists@marthagraham.org
Phone: Saturdays – 212-838-5886 Weekdays – 212-229-9200
PLEASE NOTE: Please call Ms. Casal at 212-838-5886 if you know your child will be late or absent,
or e-mail youngartists@marthagraham.org. Do not leave a message on Ms. Alesson’s voice mail or email for weekend absences or lateness unless they are left before Friday afternoon.