Studio Policies & Guidelines

Studio Environment

Parents, guardians, and students can expect that all faculty and staff will respect the well–being of each student and encourage their growth and self–esteem as unique individuals and dancers. Should any concern or issue arise, please do not hesitate to speak directly with the Artistic Director.

Dancers are expected to respect themselves, each other, the faculty and staff, and the studio. GAB strives to provide a nourishing environment where each dancer feels safe to learn and improve. If there are any reported issues with a dancer not respecting themselves, fellow dancers, faculty and staff, or the studio, they will be required to meet with the Artistic Director to discuss their behavior. If the dancer’s behavior continues to be a problem, they could be asked to leave GAB.

All older dancers, and especially dancers that are a part of GAB’s pre–professional division, are considered leaders in our school and are expected to set good examples for the younger dancers.

Bullying/Social Media Policy

GAB has added a zero-tolerance policy to the Studio Policies concerning any dancer speaking negatively about or acting negatively towards another dancer.

Moving forward, a dancer that is reported to be bullying or speaking negatively about another dancer (either during or outside of GAB-related activities) may be asked to leave GAB. This includes, but is not limited to, comments about dancing, body, personality, hair, school grades, or clothes.

This policy also includes any negative social media content. A dancer that is reported to be bullying or posting negative comments about another dancer on social media (including, but not limited to, comments about dancing, body, personality, hair, school grades, or clothes) may be asked to leave GAB.

Attendance Policy

It is important that each dancer remains consistent in their training, and because of this, GAB expects dancers to attend all classes and rehearsals. If a dancer is not able to attend either a class or rehearsal, GAB must be notified by email twenty–four hours in advance (whenever possible).

Dancers are to arrive on time and to be fully prepared for class. Older dancers are expected to arrive early to warm up and stretch. GAB requires that younger dancers (10 and younger) are dropped off and picked up inside the building. The majority of GAB classes are offered at night, so in order to keep all of our dancers safe, we encourage that all students are picked up inside the building.

If a dancer is late to class, they are to wait at the studio door until the teacher asks them to enter. (This rule also applies to a dancer that has to leave the studio for any reason.) Dancers arriving more than fifteen minutes late will be asked to watch class to prevent the risk of injury.

Dress Code

Creative Movement – Girls: a black or pink leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet shoes. Boys: black, grey, white shorts or tights, a white shirt, and black or white shoes with black or white socks (socks must match color of shoes).

Pre-Ballet–Ballet 7/Pre-Professional Division – Girls: a leotard, pink tights, and pink shoes or nude tights and nude shoes (tights should match shoes). Boys: black, white, or grey shorts or tights, a white, black or grey dance shirt or tank, and black, nude, or white shoes with black or white socks (socks must match the color of shoes).

Contemporary – Girls: same leotard as ballet, pink, nude, or black tights, socks or bare feet. Boys: same tights and shirt as ballet, socks or bare feet.

Character – Girls: same leotard as ballet, pink or nude tights, character skirt, character shoes. Boys: same as ballet.

Partnering – Girls: leotards should not have a low back or a lot of straps in the back and preferably should not be a slippery material.

**Skirts may only be worn in the center (if teacher allows).

**Shorts are not permitted in any ballet class.

**During winter months, warm–ups are permitted for the first two combinations (if teacher allows).

Please bring any issue with the dress code to the attention of the Artistic Director. We want all dancers to feel comfortable to be themselves in classes.

Class Observation

Parents and loved ones are always welcome to observe their dancer’s classes and rehearsals. We ask that if anyone watches in the studio that they sit on the side and remain quiet the entire class. If this policy is not followed, parents and loved ones will be asked to remain in the waiting areas and hallway until the end of class.

There will be two observation days a season where parents are welcome to sit at the front of their dancer’s class.

Injury and Illness Policy

GAB’s goal is to provide a safe, secure environment for dance and movement education. All GAB studios have sprung, marley flooring, and we require all of our dancers to wear the proper shoes so our dancers are as safe as possible. However, the risk of injury exists in any physical activity. If an injury should occur in class or rehearsal, the teacher should immediately be notified and the student will be asked to observe for the time remaining. If the injury requires urgent care, a parent/guardian will be called and/or emergency transport to a medical facility arranged. If the dancer has suffered an injury outside of class, GAB must be notified immediately. Dancers are still required to attend and watch rehearsal if they are injured.

GAB also recognizes that we will have many students and faculty coming in and out of the building. We do our best to keep our studios clean on a daily basis and ask our students to respect the space and to do their part in keeping the studio clean. In addition to our daily cleaning, GAB does a weekly deep cleaning. If a dancer is ill and cannot attend class or rehearsal, GAB must be notified. If a dancer is running a fever, they should stay home. If a dancer gets sick during class, a teacher should immediately be notified and a parent or guardian will be called.

Cancellation Policy

GAB will communicate via email and social media for any class cancellation.

Inclement Weather – GAB does not follow AACPS closings. A decision will be made about closures by 1:00 PM and an email will go out to all families regardless of our decision. If we decide to close due to inclement weather, a make–up class will be offered when possible. In the event that we decide to open and a student is still unable to attend, they should follow the normal absence notification procedure.

Billing Obligations

Monthly tuition and any monthly fees related to performances will be due at the beginning of each month. The card on file will be automatically charged at the first of the month, unless otherwise stated. If payment is received after the 15th of the month, a 5% late fee will be added to your bill.

Refund Policy

Before refunds are given, GAB requires the student and a parent/guardian to have a meeting with the Artistic Director or at the very least a written note explaining reasons for leaving. If a dancer has to miss a substantial amount of classes due to injury or illness, a refund will be given, with an expectation that they will return to classes as soon as possible.

Performance fees are non–refundable (barring injury or illness) and are collected monthly once rehearsals for an upcoming performance begins.