Studio Policy (Shall agree upon taking classes)

For all students attending classes at our studio:

1. General Studio Information

-  Leave personal items only in the bar area. There is ample space for your belongings to be safely stowed. No bags or coats are allowed on the floor as they may become a tripping hazard to dancers. Columbia Youth Ballet does not accept any liability for your personal belongings.

-    No street shoes are allowed on the floor, as the outside dirt can damage the surface of our floor and create sticking or slipping hazards to those dancing on the floor. Bring your dance shoes separately to change into when you arrive.

- No food, drink, or chewing gum on the floor during class or during breaks – see the above note about sticking and slipping hazards.

-  Smoking and pets are prohibited on our premises as prescribed by local, state and federal laws.

-   Dancing is physical exercise – you participate at your own risk and it is your responsibility to consult your physician to confirm your fitness capabilities before beginning any dance lessons. A doctors’ note may be required to begin a class if you have special physical concerns, or to return to activity after an absence from class due to injury, illness, or during pregnancy. Always make your teacher aware of any physical limitations or concerns that you may have.

2.    Arrival and Attendance
-Students are to arrive early so that they are warmed up and prepared for class

-Student arrive later than 15 minutes past the start time of class, it is up to the teachers’ discretion as to whether or not you will be allowed to join the class on the floor, or be required to only observe.

-Students are to wear cover-ups to and from the studio.

-Students are expected to be courteous and respectful at all times.

-Students must be in proper class attire/uniform in order to attend class.

-Students must have their hair done properly for each class.

-Sweater warm ups are allowed only in cold weather, must be form-fitting and must be removed when requested by the instructor.

-Students are not allowed to wear jewelry or watches while in class.

-No gum chewing at any time.

-Excessive noise and disruption are not allowed in the facility.

-Students must attend class regularly or they may be placed in a lower level class.Consistent attendance and effort is the key to improvement.

FINAL EXAMS: Evaluation and Placement for the new Columbia Youth Ballet  year as well as eligibility for YAGP is determined at this time. Attendance is mandatory.

MISSED CLASSES: Missed classes must be made up within two weeks of the absence. Students may participate in any class at or below their level for the make-up.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: In the case of inclement weather, an email will be sent out if classes are cancelled. Otherwise, Columbia Youth Ballet will be open.

3.    Etiquette & Conduct
- Private videotaping of group classes or MCB shows is strictly prohibited. Videotaping of private lessons or in some limited circumstances for parents of children may be allowed.  Approval must be obtained from MCB teachers and management prior to any videotaping.
- No Cell phones allowed on the floor. Please make sure cell phones are turned to a non-disruptive ringing mode during class. If you must take a call during class, you may excuse yourself and take calls in our vestibule.
-  If for any reason you need to leave the premises during a group class, please notify your teacher so we will not spend time either waiting on you or trying to locate you. You may leave the floor during class for a bathroom break when necessary without notifying your teacher
- We are thrilled to meet the many diverse personalities that join our school and truly believe that every individual’s personality should be allowed to shine.  That said, anyone who is expressing a difficult, overly negative, inappropriate or disruptive attitude will be dismissed from any class at any time at the teachers sole discretion.
-  If you need to speak with your teacher regarding any aspect of your dancing, please make an appointment.  Our teachers have very full schedules while they are teaching at the studio, so unexpected conversations can be difficult to accommodate.  We will be happy to give you our undivided attention via phone call or personal meeting at a time that is scheduled specifically for you.

4.    Registration, Withdrawals or Class Changes

$30 registration fee will be applied to all new students' account and is due before class. 
a.    All tuition is non-refundable & non-transferable. Initial Registration should occur prior to the start of class.  You will be required to fill out pertinent documentation and make payment before attending any classes.
b.    Classes are non-transferable. Missed classed are not pro-rated or redeemable for cash.  
c.    If for any reason you decide you would like to withdraw from a group class, you must provide a notice in writing to the management office. All tuition is non-refundable & non-transferable. 
d.    Changing into a different group class can be done only through the joint authorization of the teacher whose class you are leaving and the teacher of the class you would like to join.
e.    Should there be any cancellation or changes to your regularly scheduled class time, we will do everything possible to notify you via phone and email contact information that you have provided to us.  Additionally, all class changes and cancellations will be posted on our website.  You are responsible to take note of your class changes to mitigate your inconvenience.
f.    Should CYB cancel a class (very rare) this will result in the dance course session being lengthened to include the originally planned amount of hours for the dance course. Refunds or credits will not be given.
g.    Class Cancellation . For any class that has enrollment less or equal to 6. Class will be cancelled and might be combined with same level class with proper notification. 

5.    Payments, Discounts and Refunds, Credits
a.    We accept cash, check. A $30 bounced check fee will be charged for all returned checks. A cash discount may apply to some services offered. For credit card payment, there are no fee for transaction that are under $100, for transaction amount great than $100, there will be a 3% fee.
b.    Initial down payments for first time dance courses must be made prior to the start of the dance course. Full payment must be made no later than the first day of the dance course session.
c.    Existing dance course students should be prepared to pay for their next session of their dance course on the last class of the finishing session, but no later than the first class of the new session.
d.    Any payment made after the 1st class of the session for any dance course will be subject to a late fee.  This fee will accumulate weekly until full payment is made. A student may be dismissed at any time from a dance course due to lack of payment.
e.    Family discounts are given to those who have a family member attending the same, or any dance course at the studio.  The term “family member” is defined as a spouse, child, or sibling. The second family member will have $10 discount and each subsequent family member will have a $15 discount. This applies to group classes only.
f.    Refunds and Credits: Classes will not be pro-rated for your absences planned or unplanned. Credits and refunds may be issued under limited circumstances.  Requests for such must be made in writing and approval is at the sole discretion of MCB management.

6.    Private Lessons
a.    Private lessons with CYB teachers are by appointment only.
b.    All private lessons must be pre-paid.
c.    Options to purchase a discounted package of private lessons may be available – ask your teacher for details.
d.    Private lessons are non-transferable and are provided only to the intended student. Additional students may not in join a private lesson.
e.    We have 24 hour cancellation policy. Payments are not refundable and the lesson cannot be rescheduled if less than 24 hour notice of cancellation is given.  If more than 24 hour notice is given, we will do everything possible to reschedule your lesson in a timely manner.

7.    Competitions and Events

Columbia Youth Ballet has a specific schedule of competitions and performance events that we attend each year.  A student’s participation in such events is determined by their teacher.
a.    Any student deemed prepared to perform does so at their own risk and must sign a release form.
b.    Deadlines for turning in appropriate forms and payments must be met in order to participate in any outside competition or event.  Students turning in late forms or late payments will not be allowed to participate.
CYB does everything possible to avoid excessive fees and keep costs as reasonably low as possible.  It is our goal to make such events both fun and affordable for students to be able to participate.

8.    Definition of Free Trial Class

We are pleased to offer free trial class to all dance enthusiasms, and if you are not satisfied about our quality, profession and teaching method, you are welcome to walk away without any charge. And if you decide to take our classes, the  fee of the trial class will be included in your account. 

CYB reserves the right to add, change or amend any of the above policies and rules.