Glens Falls Guiding Steps Dance School

Welcome Packet 

 

Welcome to Glens Falls Guiding Steps Dance School. We are proud to be celebrating our 28th season! This packet includes various information that is important for students ranging from KinderDancers to Company members. Our fall schedule will remain the same until May, but additional classes may be added in January. Classes and times are subject to change due to the enrollment of students.

 

For those students and parents who are new to Glens Falls Guiding Steps, we have a few attire guidelines that we require students to follow.

 

It is important for each student to have proper attire while attending class for safety reasons and to also help the teachers properly correct form and posture. Please be advised that for our recital, you may be required to purchase different colored tights and/or shoes.

 

Ballet:

All students must be prepared with tights, leotard, and ballet shoes.

While purchasing ballet shoes, parents should be aware to avoid ballet "slippers". These are bath like slippers and may even have a satin texture.

They are extremely slippery and not proper for class. Pink or white tights and pink ballet shoes are preferred for class, along with a pink or black leotard.

Warm-ups and ballet skirts are permitted.

 

Tap:

all students must be prepared with tights, a leotard and tap shoes.

White, black and pink tights are acceptable for tap. Black tap shoes are required for class. Knit warm-ups are permitted.

 

Jazz:

Preferred is a standard black leotard but other colors are acceptable.

Black or tan tights, and a black jazz shoe is required. Knit warm-ups are permitted.

 

HipHop:

Any athletic wear, sneakers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats are allowed. However, pants should not be dragging on the ground.

 

Contemporary & Acro: 

Form fitting athletic wear, barefoot. Mini’s may wear a gymnastics leotard. 

All Classes please take note of the following:

 

Gum chewing is not allowed while in class. Any and all jewelry must be removed before starting class, especially hoop earrings and other "dangly" jewelry.

 

A Message to Parents: 

Making you and your child comfortable is our biggest concern. However, while class is in session, we ask that parents remain in our waiting area. This gives the teacher the opportunity to instruct all of the dancers without distractions. If at any point during the class Guiding Steps staff, you, or your child feel as though the student should need their guardian, a staff member will bring your child to you. We will provide many opportunities for parents to view the progress of the class and take videos/pictures. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Communication

All communication will be posted on our website www.guidingsteps.com. We will post monthly newsletters, announcements, and changes. Our Facebook page - Glens Falls Guiding Steps will also have general postings, and snow day/closing announcements.

 

Questions are always welcome. Call or Text (518) 232-7122, or email info@guidingsteps.com or jbrownguidingsteps@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

 

Recitals and Show Dates:

 

Our Winter recital will TENTATIVELY take place December 8th at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls. Dress rehearsal will be Thursday, December 7th  @ 4:00pm.

 

December 8th the show will start @ 7:00 pm, the dancers needing to arrive by 6:00 pm. Both nights, the dancers will need to be dressed and ready to dance when they arrive at the venue. For this recital, Guiding Steps will costume the dancers or let the parents know what will need to be purchased or provided! Please stay tuned to our Monthly Newsletters for further information.

 

Each year we have our recital in May. This year our Spring recital will take place May 25th-26th at the Strand Theatre (Dress Rehearsal May 24th). The exact times are TBD in later newsletters. Costumes for students will be ordered by Guiding Steps after winter vacation. (Details regarding amounts and due dates will be in newsletters to follow). Students MUST attend the dress rehearsal for last minute details and to prepare them for the evening ahead of them.

Holiday Schedule:

 

We follow the area school district's vacation calendar. In addition, Guiding Steps may close due to poor winter/ road conditions. If you are questioning a closure, you may call 518-232-7122, or visit www.guidingsteps.com, or our Facebook page - Glens Falls Guiding Steps.

 

Make-up days will be provided, please refer to the instructor or your email for the day/times. Also, please be advised you will not be reimbursed for any absences as make-up classes are available.

 

What is the Praise Dance Company?

 

Company is split into two groups of dancers

- Intermediate and Advanced.

 

These companies are a dedicated group of dancers who consistently represent Guiding Steps and who dance to inspire with integrity. As well as performing in both shows, Company members will perform at various places throughout the year. They have performed at Aviation Mall, The Glens Falls Civic Center, The Festival of Trees, Disney World, Youth for Christ-Excel & Breakout and Project Dance in Times Square. These dancers are dedicated to advance in the different styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre.

 

As a member of the Praise Dance Company, you also pledge your loyalty to Guiding Steps by not participating in any other dance studio activities and/or training. Should you be interested in auditioning or looking for more details, please call 518-232-7122 or email

info@guidingsteps.com.

 

Costumes:

Payments for our Spring Recital costumes will be due in February, 2024. We will have a price list posted in the studio sometime in January and also emailed to you. 

 

The studio costumes the dancers for the Christmas show. We will notify in advance if something needs to be purchased and/ or provided by the parents. Although, we will keep the cost very minimal if at all. No costume will need to be purchased from the catalog for this show.

Payment Policy

 

> There is a non-refundable $20 registration fee for NEW students. All online fees include Square processing fees. (2.9% + $.30).

 

> Payments are taken in 4 week intervals. Each class is $14. All Tuition is required to be PREPAID via the payment portal on our website: www.guidingsteps.com.

 

> Private lessons are available upon request for 30 minute intervals weekly. They are $100/month.

 

>Please see the attached schedule for payment due dates and payment options. 

 

> If your child is sick, or the studio must close for weather/vacation, there will be a comparable makeup class that your child can attend. Refunds will not be issued.

 

School vacations have already been figured into the payment schedule when the dance school is closed. We WILL be operating on Monday holidays. 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to call, email, or text.

 

518-232-7122

jbrownguidingsteps@gmail.com

 

All Payments are due once a month and the Payment Schedule for 2023//024 is as follows:

 

For Non-Company Members: 

*September 1st 2023

*October 1st 2023

*November 1st 2023

*December 1st 2023 (Half payment made in studio)

*January 1st 2024

*February 1st 2024

*March 1st 2024

*April 1st 2024

*May 1st 2023

 

Company Members: 

Monthly tuition require PAID IN FULL BY the 15th of each month! 

 

• After 1 week, a $25 late fee will be added to your past due balance. Please pay your tuition in a timely manner as it assures that we can keep our studio open to serve our beloved dance families! Thank you in advance!

Important Dates:

 

We will be CLOSED  the following days:

 

*November 22-25,  2023

*December 24-January 1, 2024

*February 19-24,2024

*April 1-6, 2024

 

For your convenience, we have outlined our Payment Policy and Payment weeks on a separate sheet. It is required that the bottom portion is signed, dated, and returned WITHIN first month of dance class. We recommend that you keep the bottom for your records and as a reminder of Payment Due dates. Thank you! 

 

***PLEASE communicate with the studio if you are having financial difficulty meeting your payment obligation. We appreciate that very much. THANK YOU!

 

*The studio WILL NOT offer refunds for missed classes. Make-ups will be provided for any cancellations by the studio or closures for weather. If a student is ill or discusses with a teacher ahead of time and plans for a make-up, one may be provided.

*ALL privates MUST be paid in advance. There will be no refunds for missed privates. Make-ups may be provided with PRIOR arrangement w/ instructor.