Company Team Information

Placement 


Unity Dance Collective Company placement is based on a combination of factors that help us create a thriving and successful team environment. We consider:

  • Technical Skill: Your ability to execute dance movements with precision and control.
  • Growth Potential: We see your potential to learn and develop as a dancer.
  • Dedication: Your commitment to regular attendance, practicing outside of class, and giving your best effort.
  • Positive Energy: Your enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and supportive attitude towards classmates.
  • Stage Presence: How you connect with the audience and captivate them with your performance.

The Team audition will take place during the second week of June.


Building a Strong Team


Based on these criteria, we strategically place dancers in groups that will best complement each other's strengths during rehearsals and performances. This fosters a collaborative and supportive environment where everyone can learn and grow. Instructors will select dancers for the Company program and invite them to join the appropriate Company class.
Unity Dance Collective thrives on teamwork. Just like sports teams, consistent practice is essential for success. Regular attendance and punctuality ensure everyone is on the same page and allows us to create exceptional performances together.
Attendance

  • Show Your Dedication: Strive for consistent attendance at all company classes and rehearsals. Missing class not only impacts your growth but also affects the entire team.
  • Excused Absences: We understand life happens. If you need to miss a class, prioritize obtaining prior approval from your instructor for situations like:
    • Death in the family
    • Required school events
    • Weddings or religious ceremonies (for you or immediate family)
    • Serious illness or being contagious
  • Note: Advance notice doesn't guarantee an excused absence.
  • Injury/Mild Illness: If you're injured or slightly unwell, please observe company class/rehearsal to stay engaged and informed.
  • Consequences: Dancers will have to pay for private classes if they have more than 3 unexcused absences from company classes. After five unexcused absences from any class within a season, we may need to re-evaluate your company participation.


Dance requires consistent ongoing training, and dancers who excessively miss classes will not be able to perform at the same level as those who have attended all classes regularly. 
Company members must be present in ALL their classes and rehearsals two weeks prior to every performance and competition.
Being a member of a dance company is a privilege and comes with responsibility. Personal accountability is essential for a successful season, and commitment to your other company members is a vital component of this success. When a member of the company is not present, it negatively impacts your entire team. 
Regular attendance in all dance classes is expected of Company members. Excess absences from ANY one-dance class may be cause for dismissal from the Company. No refund of payment shall be given in the event of dismissal. 

Company classes for the 2024-2025 dance season are as follows: 

  • Modern 
  • Company Ballet 
  • Technique (Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap )
  • Flexibility Flow
  • Company weekly team practice (Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theater)


Dancers must also attend Tech and Choreo Classes in August 


Unity Dance Collective will attend 2-3 competitions/conventions throughout the dance season. Please be aware that becoming a company member will obligate you to these competitions and conventions. All competitions are held on weekends and are a full day and possibly full weekend commitment. Competition management does not send the performance day and time to the studio until 7-14 days prior to the event. Dancers and parents will need to be available for the entire weekend until we know whether you are performing Saturday, Sunday or both. 


There are also occasions when our teams are asked to perform at local events. These events are fun, educational and great team-building experiences. Extra rehearsals may be called approaching a performance or competition. Extra rehearsals will be held on Saturdays, Sundays 
or at other times that the studio’s schedule permits. Students and parents will be notified of any additional rehearsals at least one week prior to the date. We will make our best efforts to schedule additional rehearsals well in advance.

Costumes Cost - $70 to $100 per dance and they must be ordered in advance, usually around October.
Competition Registrations are due 2/3 months prior to the event and fees are:
Solos - $140 - $190 per dancer
Duo/Trio - $ 70 - $110 per dancer
Group - $60 - $90 per dancer
Photos - $30 - $40 photos package is mandatory with registrations for some competitions.
Teacher Travel Fee - $46

The average cost per competition if the dancer participates in several dances is from $250 to $600 plus Hotel, meals, and aside from monthly tuition.

Financial Commitment 

Tuition for company members varies depending on the number of classes they take. It is mandatory that all Dance Company members attend all weekly Company classes as well as their prerequisite classes. A Choreography fee will be charged instead of registration fee and the specific amount will vary based on the number of dancers participating in the piece.
We allow payment plans for competition fees and the first installment of at least $100 is due at registration as a deposit and is non-refundable. Please reach out for more information.
Drop-outs: A $250 fee applies to any student who drops out of the Company/Competition team during the dance season, for the instructor to re-choreograph and rearrange the competition routines. 

*Specialty group routines, including solos, duets and trios, may be asked to compete. Rehearsal times for these routines will be outside of their Company class time. There are extra fees per these rehearsals for the instructor/choreographer’s time. All specialty routines will be decided upon by the instructor, and it is the parents responsibility to pay for choreography, private classes and studio rental.

Solo, Duo, Trio Policy


For students who are interested in competing or performing a solo, duo or trio, parents should be aware of the following: 

  1. Solos, duos and trios are OPTIONAL and time-consuming. Please help your child budget their time wisely if they are interested in this additional opportunity. If they signed up to compete/perform in multiple groups, an additional solo, duo or trio may prove to be overwhelming.
  2. Payment goes toward four different items: private lessons, choreography, traveling fee and studio rental. Private lesson fees may be paid week by week at each class or by the month. Each parent and instructor can make that choice together as this sum is paid directly to the instructor. The choreography fee is for the instructor’s time spent on choreographing your child’s dance and to ensure the piece does not get recycled. This fee (or a portion of it--please make payment plans with the instructor directly) must be paid before choreography is created and taught. The traveling fee goes toward the instructor overseeing your child’s piece at competition. There will be a traveling fee for every competition the solo/duo/trio is taken to. The studio rental fee goes directly to the studio rented for use of the studio.
  3. With regards to solos, duos and trios, all requirements & expectations apply based on discipline per company agreement.
  4. Accounts being current, no injuries, and attendance for privates 2 weeks (3 weeks for trio) prior to any event is required and at the teacher's discretion to pull the number from a competition if one or all of the above are not met (with no refund).
  5.  Teachers are required to have choreography finished 4 weeks prior to first performance (as notified by families).