Welcome to the Buffalo Dance Center family!  All communication and newsletters are sent via email; please keep a current address on file with us. News will also be available on our online parent portal.  It is extremely important that you read each update as they contain information regarding important dates, studio news, recital information, etc. so we can stay connected.

Calendar Year

The school year will consist of 35 weeks of classes held over a 10 month period, September – June. The studio will be closed for some holidays and school vacations – please see our studio calendar.

Snow Cancellations will be emailed to families and posted on our studio Facebook page.  We will also notify the local television and radio affiliates. No credit will be given for snow cancellations however students are welcome to take make-up classes with similar classes offered at additional times.

Workshops for adult dance/ fitness and some children’s classes will be offered throughout the year in 6-week sessions.  Please see our workshop schedule on our website (www.BuffaloDanceCenter.com) for more information. Summer Dance Camps and workshops are available in July and August.

We reserve the right to cancel any scheduled classes that do not meet minimum registration requirements.

2024-2025 Studio Calendar

Classes Begin September 9th

Elma Pumpkin Festival Performance October 7th

Hallo-Week Parties – October 24th-30th

WILD Dance Convention – November 3rd

Dancers Give Back -TBD

Visitor Watch Week – November 18th -23rd

Thanksgiving Break November 25th-30th

Nutcracker Performance at Shea’s TBD

Holiday Pajama Week – December 16th-21st

Holiday Vacation December 23rd – January 4th

Student Mid-Year Assessments February 1st

Valentine Spirit Days – February 10th -15th

Winter Vacation February 17th-22nd

Competition Dress Rehearsal – March 1st

BDC Spirit Week – March 3rd-8th

Parent Watch Week / Recital Meetings – March 17th-22nd

AMP Dance Competition- March 21st-23rd

StarQuest Dance Competition – April 4th-6th

Hall of Fame Dance Challenge – April 10th-13th

Spring Vacation April 14th-19th

Picture Day April 27th

Summer Fun Spirit Week – April 28th-May 3rd

Starpower Talent Competition – May 2nd-4th

Memorial Day (no classes) / Elma Parade – May 26th

Parent Appreciation Week June 9th-14th

Studio Rehersal – June 18th

Dress Rehearsal Morning Show – June 19th

Dress Rehearsal Afternoon Show- June 20th

Recital 2025- June 21st

Competition Team Auditions – June 25th-26th

Summer Classes Begin – July 7th

Starquest Nationals – July 7th-11th

Please note the above dates that the studio will be open and closed in observation of school vacations and some holidays.  Students are welcome to arrange for make-ups to accommodate their particular vacation or holiday plans. If you have any questions, please check with the office.

Dress Code for Classes

It’s important for students abide by a dress code policy as a neat and tidy appearance sets an attitude of attentiveness and respect for students, teacher, and the art of dance.  Also, teachers must be able to see the dancer’s body outline clearly in order to make proper corrections on posture, alignment, etc.

• No street clothes of any kind.
• Hair must be properly secured and tied up off of the face and neck for all styles of dance.
• Jewelry is not permitted on children with the exception of small earrings for pierced ears.
• Gum chewing is not allowed due to danger of choking.

Dance Attire

Please dress appropriately for your class by referring to the dress code for proper attire.  Dress code requirements are listed by class and include specifics for color and style of leotard, tights, shoes and other dancewear.

Fall 2024 Tuition & Payment Information

Tuition is based on 35 weeks of classes held over 10 months September – June. This is an average of 3.5 classes per month. You are not paying for scheduled school vacations and holidays. If for any reason you decide to discontinue your classes, you are not obligated to pay for the balance of the school year with proper and advance notice.

Registration Fee: $50 (individual student) is due at time of registration. For families with more than one dancer, please add $25 for each additional child. This fee secures your enrollment in our school year program classes and includes priority registration for workshops and camps, priority waitlist and class transfer status plus access to our BDC app and parent portal.

Costume Fee: due in November – per child for each performing class. Includes tights for Twirl & Tumble and Pre classes.

• $75 for Twirl & Tumble and Pre-dance classes
• $85 for Mini classes
• $95 for Jr and Teen classes 

Performance Fee: due in Feb – $105 (individual student, $15 each additional child)

Includes participation in our June recital plus all rehearsals, digital program, HD download of all performances and souvenir t-shirt. The performance fee also helps to cover the auditorium rental, sound and lighting, backdrops, props, staff compensation and other expenses related to our production. Tickets are required to attend the show and may be purchased for $14 per ticket plus a small processing fee.

Monthly Tuition

Our monthly tuition payments are based on total classes per family not for each individual student.

*Add $35 for each additional class/month.  Maximum monthly tuition $455 / month per family (does not include costume, competition or performance fees).
Private Lessons for intermediate/advanced dancers: $40/ 30 minute class weekly October-May 

Payments

• Payments are due on the first of each calendar month are are auto-processed via credit card or bank draft. Any account unable to be processed after the 10th of the month will be automatically charged a $15  late fee.  Monthly account statements can be found in the online Parent Portal.
• Any student with an overdue balance of more than 30 days will not be allowed into class until payment in full is received.
• If you wish to change or drop a class you must inform us in writing.
• Please make up any missed classes within one month of your absence; no credit or refunds will be given for missed classes. 

Parent Handbook

Please note the following guidelines regarding all classes:

1. To best support your child’s training, consistent attendance is required. Students are allowed a total of four absences for the 10 month class year. If more than 4 absences occur you may be asked to withdraw from the program.  Valid absences include illness, religious commitments, graded school activities, family emergency, etc.)
2. For your safety and to receive the full benefit from your class, any student arriving more than 15 minutes late will not be admitted to class.  Please arrange for a make-up class if you expect to be very late. 
3. All students are encouraged to stay in the room once class has begun. Please allow for appropriate restroom use prior to class.  Very young children will be treated sensitively as the need arises. Preschool children may need a parent’s attention from time to time for various reasons including bathroom or behavior issues. Please do not leave the waiting room when very young children are in class without informing the instructor or having another parent responsible during your absence. We make every effort to have all children feel safe and cared for in a loving learning environment.
4. School age children and teens: PLEASE PRACTICE RESPECT.  Students are not to be socializing in a disruptive manner during the class.  This includes checking voicemail and email or texting during class. Please come early or stay late to enjoy friends in the waiting area.  Please honor your teacher and fellow students by giving full attention and co-operation.  You will be advised if we feel any student is not well adjusted to the classroom environment for any reason over time.
5. During class if a student complains of being ill, or sustains an injury and cannot participate, the instructor will send them to the waiting area where the parents will be notified if not on the premises.
6. Only students with a pre-existing sickness/injury are allowed to observe class.  The parents must notify the office if a student is to observe class.
7. Parents, our open-concept studio allows you to see and hear all aspects of our class. Please be respectful and refrain from speaking to your children during class and commenting to others regarding dancers other than your own.  If any parent is heard making negative comments about our dancers they will be asked to leave.

Dance class is educational and fun, however, an important part of class work is developing an attitude of discipline and respect for teachers and fellow students. We trust that following our classroom etiquette will provide an environment whereby classes at Buffalo Dance Center will be a pleasure for all concerned.