Team Information
Team
Maximum Age (as of 5-31-07)
Mini Pom
Mini Hip-Hop
Youth Pom
Youth Hip-Hop
Junior Pom
Junior Hip-Hop
Senior Pom
Senior Prep Pom
Senior Hip-Hop
Senior Jazz
Open Hip-Hop
Open Pom
Special Needs Team
8
8
11
11
14
14
18
18
18
18
Must be 18 or over
Must be 18 and over
No age requirements
Monthly Tuition Outline:
1 hour/week:
2 hours/week:
1 1/2 hours/week:
2 ½ hours week:
3 hours/week:
4 hours/week:
(Mini/Youth Hip-Hop/Open)
$50/month
(Youth Pom)
$50/month
(Junior Hip-Hop)
$70/month
(Junior Pom)
$70/month
(Senior Hip-Hop)
$90/month
(Senior Pom/Senior Jazz)
$90/month
Each additional team/class a dancer joins will be discounted by 50% on monthly
tuition. An example would be the following: Senior dancer elects to be on both
Sr Pom and Sr HipHop Total cost = $90/month for Sr Pom + $90/month for Sr
HipHop x 50% = a total of $135/month.
THESE COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE COMPETITION FEES,
TRAVEL FEES, UNIFORM FEES, ETC.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the “Enrollment/Skills Evaluation” Weekend?
“Enrollment/Skills Evaluation” weekend is May 17th-18th, and is mandatory
for all Youth/Junior/Senior/Open team members. This is a chance for the
dancers to get to know the coaches, and for the coaches to familiarize
themselves with the dancers and their ability levels. Elite Dance Force does
not make “cuts” as we believe that there is a place for everyone.
2. What should I wear to the “Enrollment/Skills Evaluation”?
Comfortable dance clothing, dance pants, tank top or t-shirt, split sole jazz
shoes, cheer shoes or regular sneakers. No jewelry or gum is allowed.
3. How do I find out what team I am on?
After May 20th team lists will be posted on the program website:
www.elitedanceforcepa.com
4. When will I receive a competition schedule?
During Placement Clinics each dancer will receive a “tentative” competition
schedule.
5. What types of teams are offered?
Pom: A Pom team is a dance team with characteristics closely linked to
cheerleading.
Important characteristics of a pom routine include
synchronization and visual effect, clean and precise motions, strong pom
technique, and dance technical elements (e.g. turns/jumps/leaps). Poms will
be used throughout the routine.
Hip-Hop: Routines emphasize street style movements with an emphasis on
execution, style, creativity, body isolations and control, and team uniformity.
Additional skills such as jumps, combo jumps, and other tricks will be
included in the routine.
Jazz: A Jazz routine incorporates stylized dance movements and
combinations, formation changes, group work, leaps and turns. Emphasis is
placed on proper technical execution, extension, control, body placement
and team uniformity.
6. What is the difference between a class and a team? Classes are strictly
for learning and practicing new skills. Teams will learn a routine, and will
compete regionally and nationally throughout the year. Practices for all
teams are MANDATORY.
7. Why are practices and competitions mandatory? Routines for all teams
are choreographed with a certain number of dancers in mind. Intricate
formation changes require EVERY team member to be present to practice
effectively.
Likewise, team members MUST be present at ALL
competitions for the team to perform at its fullest potential.
Elite Dance Force Policies
1. Purpose of the program:
a) Increase knowledge and skill in the area of competitive dance.
b) Compete at the local, regional, and national level.
c) Promote good sportsmanship intrinsically and extrinsically.
d) To give back to the community year-round through multiple volunteer
programs.
2. Billing:
a) Monthly tuition is due at THE FIRST PRACTICE OF THE MONTH.
Payments can be made in the form of cash or check. Checks should be
made out to “Elite Dance Force”.
b) A $25 registration fee will be due on or before the “Enrollment/Skills
Evaluation” weekend.
c) If a dancer quits a team for any reason he/she will not be refunded any
tuition payments and will lose all membership benefits.
d) If a team is disbanded for any reason directors will make every attempt to
move team members to another appropriate team. Should a dancer decide
not to continue with the program paid tuition will not be refunded.
e) Tuition will not be refunded for missed or cancelled practices. There will
be times when practices will be cancelled due to weather, holidays, or
other circumstances. These cancellations are figured in to the overall cost
for the year.
f) There are breaks built into the season, during which monthly tuition
remains the same. Breaks are figured in to the overall cost for the year.
3. Competitions/Performances:
a) All competition fees are the responsibility of the dancers and their
parent(s)/guardian(s).
b) An estimated cost for the competition/travel fees will be provided at
placement clinics. Please remember that both the competition schedule
and the costs are only an estimate and may change. Fundraising will be
provided throughout the year to help defray costs.
c) Deposits for competitions will be due several months before the
competitions. Failure to have competition monies prior to the payment
deadline may result in the dancer not being able to attend that specific
competition. Deposits are due several months in advance because buses
and hotel reservations need to be made early.
d) Competitions are mandatory. Membership on an Elite Dance Force
team means traveling to several local competitions from November-April,
and attending overnight weekend trips (Junior/Senior/Open teams) from
January-April.
e) Competitions last for several hours. Please plan accordingly.
f) All team members must travel with Elite Dance Force, and stay at the
competition until all teams are done performing, and the award ceremony
is complete.
g) Dancers are required to wear their full uniform while competing.
h) Acceptable reasons for missing a competition/performance are
illness/injury (doctor’s note required), family emergency, death in the
family, or family wedding.
4. Regulations
a) Dancers are required to give 100% commitment to their fellow team
members and coaches at all times.
b) Parents are required to notify coaches as soon as possible for a planned
absence from a practice/competition due to illness, family emergency,
death in the family, or a family wedding.
c) Internal conflict should be discussed with the directors immediately.
d) Dancers are required to own all practice attire and uniforms.
e) Dancers are required to have a medical release form on file.
f) If a dancer misses more than 2 weeks of practice without making
arrangements with their coach ahead of time, he/she will be automatically
removed from the team without paid tuition reimbursed, and all
membership benefits will be revoked.
g) If a dancer is injured/mildly ill, he/she is required to attend all practices
and continue to pay tuition fees. If a dancer’s injury is severe, the directors
will make a decision as to whether that team member can take a leave from
the team without losing membership benefits.
h) If a dancer is ill/injured he/she is required to bring in a doctor’s note
stating when they may safely resume practicing.
i) Confidentiality will be upheld by all directors/coaches. Individual and
personal situations/circumstances will not be discussed with other team
members or parents.
j) Elite Dance Force DANCERS and PARENTS are required to follow all
Rules and Regulations.
5. Conduct
a) Being a member of Elite Dance Force means conducting yourself in a
respectable manner at all times. Derogatory remarks toward other team
members, coaches, parents, or other teams WILL NOT be tolerated.
b) The following list of infractions may result in removal from a scheduled
competition, probation from a team, and/or removal from a team:
- Missing a scheduled practice without noticed.
- Minimal effort during practice/competitions
- Failure to follow coaches’ instructions
- Wearing incorrect uniform (poms included).
- Use of inappropriate language at practices/competitions,
performances, or community service project.
- Inappropriate conduct at practice, competition, performances, or
community service projects.
c) Additional rules may be added during the year at the directors’ discretion.
d) We reserve the right to remove a dancer from a team if the dancer/family
cannot resolve an internal conflict, and the conflict has a negative impact
on the team. All monies that are paid toward the team at that point will not
be refunded.
e) A dancer that is placed on probation still needs to be present at all
functions including, but not limited to: practices, competitions,
performances, community service projects, etc.
Additional Policies
1. Dancers should place all of their belongings in a cubby at the start of
practice or class.
2. Parents are to remain outside of the studio during practice/class to minimize
distractions. At the coaches’ discretion parents will be invited to watch
practice/class. If parents are invited to view a practice/class please
remember to be respectful of the coaches and dancers, and keep the talking
to a minimum.
3. Dancers are required to order/purchase certain practice attire. All
practice will be made available through the Elite Dance Force directors.
Communication
1. All communication will be made via e-mail. Upon registration please
provide the coaching staff with an appropriate e-mail where your family can
be reached.
2. If your team’s practice is cancelled for any reason, it will be posted on the
Home page of the website. We will also send out an e-mail at least one hour
prior to practice or class to inform you of the cancellation.
3. In the event that weather conditions approach very quickly, there will also be
a sign posted on the door of the studio.
4. If you do not have an e-mail address, it will be your responsibility to have
someone from your team/class contact you with updates.
This page will be signed, removed from the Handbook
packet and returned to the director/coaches of the Elite
Dance Force program.
I have read the entire Elite Dance Force 2007 – 2008 Handbook and agree
to the policies outlined in this document. My signature below reflects this
agreement.
Signature of Parent or Guardian
Date
Printed Name of Parent or Guardian
Signature of Dancer
Printed Name of Dancer
Date