STUDIO POLICIES

How We Keep Dancing Safe & Affordable:

Classes:

Behaviour: Keeping a safe, fun, and comfortable class environment for our students is a top priority. Students must follow the instructions of their teacher, and treat all other students with respect. Bullying is not tolerated. Any student who is having behaviour issues that compromise a safe learning environment may be asked to leave the class without refund.
Clothing: Dreamlight does not have a strict dress code for classes (i.e. no uniforms, required point of purchase, brands, or colours!), as we want students to be able to dance in what they are comfortable in!

We recommend following the below guidelines, because dressing the part is important! Ultimately, though, all we ask is that students wear appropriate clothing for the dance style they're enrolled in. All clothing must be safe to move in. Students wearing unsafe clothing (pants too long that pose a trip hazard, shoes too big to stay on, etc.) will not be permitted to participate in any activity during which their clothing puts them at risk. Jewelry is not permitted. Long hair should be pulled back away from the face.

We know it's an investment, but purchasing the appropriate footwear is important not only for safety but also for an ease in executing movements. Socks are too slippery and barefoot is not recommended.

For Tutus & Tiaras, Tiny Tots Classes & Ballet/Jazz Classes: A leotard, tights, and ballet slippers or jazz shoes are recommend. Tutus & tiaras are optional but more than welcome!

For Ballet and/or Jazz Classes: A leotard, tights, and ballet slippers or jazz shoes are recommended. Tutus, dance skirts, and/or tiaras are optional but more than welcome!

For Hip-Hop Classes: Casual, comfortable dress (i.e. t-shirt and shorts) is perfect. Indoor running shoes with scuff-free soles are recommended.

For Jazz Funk Classes: A leotard and tights, or a fitted t-shirt and leggings/shorts, are recommended. Jazz shoes and/or indoor running shoes with scuff-free soles are recommended (although some movements may be harder to execute in running shoes).

For Contemporary Classes: A leotard and tights, or a fitted t-shirt and leggings/shorts are recommended. Ballet slippers or foot paws (or similar) are recommended. Jazz shoes will also work, although some movements may be harder to execute.

For Combo Classes: Dress according to the dance style you're currently working on in class.
Parents: Parents are welcome to wait in the lobby during classes or to leave the building and return at the end of class. Both dance rooms have closed-circuit TVs so parents can watch the class from the lobby (technology permitting!). Parents are not allowed to sit in on classes, as we find this makes it more difficult for the students to focus on their instructor. The exception to this policy is for tutus & tiaras classes (space permitting) or on a student's first day of class. Parents will also have the opportunity to watch students perform at the studio's year end recital. *COVID NOTE: Depending on current COVID capacity restrictions, parents may be required to drop off/pick up students at studio front door. Also, seating in the lobby or viewing of the studio TV/window cannot be guaranteed at this time.*
Instructors: Students will typically have the same instructor each week for the entire season, however we cannot guarantee this. Dreamlight reserves the right to substitute instructors due to things like illness, vacations, or schedule changes. A substitution of instructors cannot warrant an exception to our usual class refund policies.
Inclement Weather: In cases of extreme weather and snowstorms, Dreamlight may need to cancel in-studio classes. We will do our best to notify students individually but if the weather prevents us from getting to the studio to do this parents are encouraged to check our Facebook page to see whether or not classes have been cancelled. Decisions regarding cancelled classes are usually made around 2pm for evening classes or 7am for morning classes. If a class is cancelled due to weather, a digital makeup class or a live class via Zoom will be offered, depending on the circumstances.
Holidays: Classes will not be held on any Statutory Holidays, or during March Break. We are also closed for the holidays for approx. two weeks in December/January, at the same time the children are off school. This means the number of classes in a month may be anywhere between 2 and 5 (most months have 4), depending on where the holidays land. Makeup classes are not offered for holidays, as the dance year price already takes these breaks into account.
Class Size / Ages: Dreamlight is committed to keeping class sizes small, to ensure that each student receives the attention they deserve. Dance classes will not exceed twelve students. Occasionally, Dreamlight may cancel/discontinue a class due to low enrollment but if this occurs we will always notify parents in advance and provide a refund for any classes that were paid for but haven't occurred. Class ages are guidelines. Younger students who demonstrate adequate skill/focus may be allowed in older student classes, at Dreamlight's discretion.
Start & End Times: Dreamlight always strives to begin and end classes on time, but occasionally a 1-2 minute delay may occur during the class turnovers.
Transferring Classes: Transferring a student and any unused payments from the class they are enrolled in to another class is not guaranteed, and can only be done pending class space/registration availability at Dreamlight's discretion. All transfers are subject to a $20+HST class transfer fee.

Registration, Payment & Refund Policy:

All payments made are non-refundable, even if the student is unable to attend classes that fall within that payment period, regardless of the reason, or is requested to leave the class due to a display of unsafe/threatening behaviour towards an instructor or another student. Please understand that in order for Dreamlight to provide regular, quality classes at an affordable rate, we cannot make exceptions to this or any other payment policy.
Group Class Payment Methods: We offer three different payment choices for group classes:

Option 1 - Month-To-Month Commitment & Payment with Pre-Authorized Credit Card.
The full dance year (Sept-June) is divided into equal monthly installments of $49+HST. Place a credit card on file, and on the first of each month we will automatically process a payment. Students can discontinue at any time in the season with two weeks' notice, and no future credit card charges will be processed.

Option 2 - Semester In-Person Payments with Cash, Debit, or Credit.
The full dance year (Sept-June) is divided into three easy amounts as follows: $163.33+HST: Due upon registration. $163.33+HST: Due by first class in December. $163.33+HST: Due by first class in March. (Prices based on one student enrolled in one class. Sibling and multiple class discounts will be applied as applicable.) If students discontinue, no amount already paid will be refunded but you will not be obligated for any future amount.

Option 3 - One Time Annual Payment.
Choose to pay for the entire year upfront (Sept-June), and we will take $40 off the total price. If parents choose this option, please note that it is not refundable, including should the student wish to discontinue classes at any point in the year for any reason. Transfer of payment to another class/student is not guaranteed and is at Dreamlight's discretion pending class space/registration availability. Approved transfers subject to a $20+HST transfer fee.
Late Payments: May be subject to a $10+HST late fee. Students may be refused participation in classes/recitals until payment has been received.
Class Refunds: Once a payment has been made it cannot be refunded. If a student is asked to leave a class due to unsafe or disruptive behaviour, we still cannot make an exception to this refund policy. If a student wishes to discontinue classes partway through the year, parents must notify Dreamlight according to the timelines specified in their selected payment method (see above) and if proper notification has been received, no future payments are required. The monthly price is a flat rate regardless of how many individual classes fall in the month, as it is a reflection of the cost of the entire dance year divided into equal payments, and the price cannot be adjusted if a student misses one or more classes during the month. Makeup classes cannot be offered for missed group lessons.
Private Lessons/Couple Lessons: Rates for private lessons or couple/private group lessons vary but are agreed upon in advance, and regular weekly lessons must be paid for on a monthly basis at minimum, due at the first lesson of the month. Payment for the entire month secures the lesson time and the instructor, and therefore once booked it is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted if a student misses one or more classes during the month. Please understand that in order to reserve the studio time and an instructor for private lessons we cannot make exceptions to this refund policy. One complementary makeup lesson per semester can be offered for lessons missed with 48 hours notice.
Online Registrations: All online registrations received are subject to space availability in the selected class. We will always strive to shut down a class' registration once that class is full, but there is always the chance that an in-studio/phone registration may overlap with an online one. If the class you registered and paid for was already full, you will have the option to select another (we will waive the class transfer fee) or we can refund the amount you paid for that class.
Exceptions: If Dreamlight discontinues or cancels a group class for a reason such as low enrolment, Dreamlight will refund the amount of any remaining classes that were paid for but did not occur, and Dreamlight will also waive the class transfer fee if the student would like to move to another class.

Thank you for your understanding as we work hard to keep dance safe and accessible to all!