Placement
At Kinetics, we understand that parents want the best instruction for their children and also want to see them progress. Proper level placement helps avoid discouragement and disappointment in students and allows them to work with others of similar skills and abilities, allowing for instruction in specific technique and form for each class. Advancement through dance levels at an accelerated and unwarranted pace is a disservice to the student. If a child is advanced too soon, then he or she will miss valuable training and become frustrated.  In addition, moving too quickly through the work can be injurious and wearing to the dancer’s joints. While students' ages may vary within a given class, we always make a concerted effort to keep the age range as small as possible. However, when considering class placement, we primarily look at each individual student's technical achievement. We place our dancers in the level that we feel will encourage the most progress. A dancer must be challenged but not overwhelmed.

Most dancers should expect to spend more than two years in a given level, especially if they are training only once a week per class. For instance, if they only study ballet once a week for one hour, they will take longer to progress to the next level than a dancer who studies ballet two or three times a week. The more they practice, the faster they can expect to progress. A dancer will generally not be promoted every year, as this would not be in their best interest.  Keep in mind that while a dancer may spend several years working on classes at the same level, those classes will, in fact, be different every time.  They will continue to work on core skills at the same level, but not through the same exercises or vocabulary.  No two classes at the same level are the same, and students can expect a different experience with each class. Our dancers are always placed with care and consideration at every level of training. Please understand that vocabulary from each level needs to be mastered before advancement and placement can change during the year if a student makes efforts to improve within that level. Please remember that all placements are at the discretion of the instructor and the school director, regardless of age and years of previous training.

Payment Policies

• Tuition refund policy: the cost of printing, postage and service hours. This will be deducted from your tuition refund. No refunds will be given after March 15. Yearly payees: If you have paid for the year and withdraw from your class/es before October 31, you will receive a 75% tuition refund. If you withdraw from class/es before December 31, you will receive a 50% tuition refund. If you withdraw from your class/es before February 28, you will receive a 25% tuition refund. No refunds will be given after February 28, 2011. No refunds shall be made for withdrawals not made in a timely manner and the undersigned dancer and the parent/guardian shall remain responsible for the full annual tuition. All refunds will include a $5.00 service fee to cover cost of printing, postage and service hours.
  
• There are three options for payment:
  1) Yearly: Pay for the entire year and receive 9% off your annual tuition.
  2) Tri-monthly: Pay for tri-monthly and receive 4% off your annual tuition. First payment: September-November, due at registration. Second payment: December-February, due November 25.Third payment: March-May, due February 25.
  3) Monthly: Pay monthly in nine installments. Each payment includes a $5.00 monthly service fee. First and last month’s tuition is due at registration.
• IIf tuition is not paid by the 8th of the following month, you will be charged a $10.00 late fee and a bill will be mailed. If tuition is not paid by the 15th of the month, Kinetics has the right to withdraw the student from his/her class. If the student is withdrawn from class, a $10.00 registration fee must be paid in order to re-register the student.
  
• A returned check fee of $30.00 will be charged for returned checks. Customers with more than one returned check will be asked to pay in cash in the future.
• Registration fees and performance fees are non-refundable.
  
• Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal. We require two weeks advanced written notice if you or your child wishes to withdraw from our program. You will be billed 60 days beyond receipt of said notification, while we attempt to fill your spot in the class.
  
• We do not refund absences. No refunds/credits are given to for dancers missing classes, classes cancelled due to inclement weather, missed classes due to vacation, holidays and/or days off from school.
• Tuition refund policy: Yearly payees: If you have paid for the year and withdraw from your class/es before October 31, you will receive a 75% tuition refund. If you withdraw from class/es before December 31, you will receive a 50% tuition refund. If you withdraw from your class/es before February 28, you will receive a 25% tuition refund. No refunds will be given after February 28. No refunds shall be made for withdrawals not made in a timely manner and the undersigned dancer and the parent/guardian shall remain responsible for the full annual tuition.
• You may mail in your payment or drop it off in our tuition box located in the downstairs office. Our address is 3280 Pine Orchard Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042.

Drop-In Policy

• All prospective students are encouraged to visit our studio and observe or try a class before registering. Please call us in advance to let us know when you may be visiting. Your trial class is free.
• The drop-in fee for all ongoing classes is $15.00 per class for adults and $13.00 per class for students.

Studio Policies

• Kinetics has the right to cancel any class due to insufficient attendance.
• Kinetics is not responsible for loss of, or damage to personal property.
• Kinetics expects all students to be courteous, polite and respectful of each other and their teachers. Students are expected to arrive on time for class and dressed appropriately. Students may not eat or chew gum in the studios. Water bottles are acceptable.
• Kinetics has the right to remove a student due to disorderly conduct or behavior.
• Please telephone ahead, if possible, if you will be absent. The studio’s number is 410-480-1686.  Absences resulting from illness, injury or vacations may be made up within three weeks.  Planned absences may be made up in advance.  Please note that we do not refund absences.  In the event of school closings due to inclement weather, students must make up the lesson in another class within one month and no later than March 31.

Inclement Weather Policy
Inclement Weather Policy for Howard County Recreation & Parks Classes (410) 480-1686. Kinetics Dance Theatre’s Inclement Weather Policy for Howard County Recreation & Parks classes is as follows:

• Morning Classes:  All classes that begin before noon will be canceled if the Howard County Public School System is closed or delayed due to inclement weather.
• Afternoon Classes:  All classes that begin after 12:00 noon will be evaluated depending on current driving conditions regardless of whether or not the HCPSS is closed or delayed due to inclement weather.  A message will be placed on the telephone system regarding the status of these classes.
• Saturday Classes:  If a weekend system occurs, classes will be evaluated depending on current driving conditions.  A message will be placed on the telephone system regarding the status of these classes.
• Make-ups:  If your class is canceled due to inclement weather, a make-up class will be rescheduled by your teacher prior to the beginning of the next HCRP session.

Kinetics Dance Theatre Inclement Weather Policy (410) 480-1686
Kinetics Dance Theatre’s Inclement Weather Policy is as follows:

• Morning Classes:  All classes that begin before noon will be canceled if the Howard County Public School System is closed or delayed due to inclement weather.
• Afternoon Classes:  All classes that begin after 12:00 noon will be evaluated depending on current driving conditions regardless of whether or not the HCPSS is closed or delayed due to inclement weather.  A message will be placed on the telephone system regarding the status of these classes.
• Saturday Classes:  If a weekend system occurs, classes will be evaluated depending on current driving conditions.  A message will be placed on the telephone system regarding the status of these classes.

Dress Code
At Kinetics Dance Theatre, we encourage all of our dancers to arrive at the studio dressed appropriately with the correct dance attire and shoes. Baggy pants, pajama bottoms, over sized t-shirts and sweatpants are not acceptable dance wear. No jewelry, including hoop earrings, watches, and necklaces, are allowed in class. Please take the time to shop for the appropriate dance wear prior to class.

Hair Policy
All shoulder length hair should be pulled back and away from the face in a pony tail for all jazz, modern, tap, hip hop and musical theatre classes. Dancers should wear their hair in a neat ballet bun for ALL ballet classes. This includes all elementary classes and recreational classes as well. All dancers should adhere to the dress code out of respect for their teachers, the studio and themselves as well as for their safety.

Recommended Dance Supply Stores
Everyday Dancer: The Dance Van, Kim Shapiro, 410-592-5118
Premiere Dance Gear, Columbia, MD, 410-418-8804 »Visit Premiere's web site
Artistic Dance Fashions, Loch Raven, 410-321-1121

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