General Information

Facility
Attire
Shoe Requirements
Studio Rules
Tuition
Costume Deposit Policy
Other Fees
Parent Observation
Attendance Policy
Inclement Weather
Holidays & School Closings
Other Frequently Asked Questions

Our Facility

We are proud to announce and present our new facility! August 2008 marks the opening of our newest location on 314 Gill Street, Alcoa, TN. ARTISTIC DANCE UNLIMITED occupies 7800 square feet of space which includes four dance studio rooms, lobby, reception area, vending and homework area, as well as ample restrooms for your convenience.

The dance studios are all equipped with floating dance floors essential to preventing injuries, professional ballet barres, wall to wall mirrors, and stereo equipment featuring tempo control. We are pleased to offer a private dressing room with enclosed restrooms for our female dancers. Male students appreciate the Men’s private dressing room. Parents will enjoy our closed circuit viewing monitors, which enables them to see their dancers in the comfort of the lobby. Parking is abundant which alleviates the stress of dropping off and picking up your dancer.

ARTISTIC DANCE UNLIMITED is convenient to residents of Alcoa, Maryville, South and West Knoxville, all Blount County communities, and surrounding counties. In creating this State-of –the Art facility, no detail was overlooked. We take pride in the friendly, clean, and positive environment we have to offer our students.

Attire

All students must wear proper dancewear, which includes tights and leotards. No specific style or color is required. The appropriate dance shoes should always be worn. Artistic Dance Unlimited requires students to have pink ballet shoes, tan tap shoes, and tan jazz shoes. Students' hair must be secured away from thir face so that it doesn't interfere with their dancing (ponytail or bun is recommended).

Shoe Requirements

Ages 3-4
Pink leather ballet shoes (regular or split sole) *Canvas for class only Tan Bloch Buckle Strap tap shoes

Ages 5-7
Pink leather ballet shoes (regular or split sole) *Canvas for class only Tan Bloch Buckle Strap tap shoes Carmel leather slip on jazz shoes Mini-Co appropriate for costume

Ages 8-12
Pink Leather ballet shoes (regular or split sole) *Canvas for class only Tan Bloch Showtapper tap shoes Jr. Dance Co. appropriate for costume. Intermediate Co. Appropriate for costume Lyrical Bloch or Capezio “foot paws” Carmel leather slip on jazz shoes

Ages 13+
Pink leather ballet shoes (full or split sole) *Canvas for class only Tan Bloch Showtapper tap shoes Lyrical tan “foot Paws” Carmel leather slip-on jazz shoes Senior Co. has shoes appropriate for their costumes

Hip Hop Ages 8+
Any full heel sneakers, everyday lace up sneaker, or dance sneaker. All hip hop classes will be required to buy shoes which match their costume at a later date.

Male Students
White ballet shoes Black jazz shoes Black lace up tap shoes

*Please note that ballet and jazz shoes should fit feet like a glove. Leather shoes will stretch 1/2 a size. **Students must have the appropriate color shoes by April 2008 which is before Picture Day and Recital. All shoes may be purchased at The Dancer’s Den in Alcoa.

Studio Rules

Studio rules are posted in the studio. We ask that for the safety of the children that all students and parents adhere to these rules. We ask the parents to help enforce the rules when possible. The rules are as follows:

- NO RUNNUNG IN THE STUDIO. THIS INCLUDES STUDENTS AND SIBLINGS!
- STUDENTS SHOULD NOT ENTER THE STUDIOS UNTIL DIRECTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR
- NON-STUDENTS ARE NEVER ALLOWED IN THE STUDIOS EXCEPT DURING SPECIFIED OBSERVATION TIMES
- STUDENTS MAY NOT HANG ON THE BALLET BARRES
- NO CHEWING GUM
- FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE SNACK AREA ONLY
- PROPER DRESS IS REQUIRED FOR CLASS
- STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN LOBBY
- SIBLINGS OF STUDENTS MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES AND NEED TO ADHERE TO THE STUDIO RULES
- NO PROFANITY
- PARENTS OBSERVATION ALLOWED ONLY ON SPECIFIED DAYS OR AT TEACHER'S DISCRETION
- NO TOUCHING OR BANGING THE MIRRORS
- DO NOT TOUCH OR PLAY WITH THE STEREO EQUIPMENT
- NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN OFFICE
- NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN PRIVATE OFFICE WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF ALETTE OR URSULA
- DO NOT CALL INSTRUCTORS AT HOME

Tuition

Tuition may be placed in the tuition box in the lobby. Please always get a receipt for cash payments. Always write your dancer's name on the memo line of the check so that the money is credited to the proper account.

- Tuition is due on the first class of each month. All tuition must be paid by the 10th of the month.
- Tuition received after the 10th of the month will have a $5.00 late fee added to the students account.
- A $20.00 service charge will be issued for checks returned due to Non-Sufficient Funds.
- Tuition is due regardless of number of classes missed by the student.

Costume Deposit Policy

Parents will make two deposits before costumes are ordered. We will require a deposit of $20.00 per costume due by September 27th. Another deposit of $20.00 per costume will be required by November 15th. Costumes deposits are non-refundable and costumes will not be ordered until both deposits have been made. The balance on all costumes will be due February 14th . Hopefully parents will have a very minimal balance due in February.

Students will not receive their costumes until the balance has been paid and tuition is up to date.

Other Fees

Family Discounts
For more than 1 child, figure each child’s individual tuition with class discount.  Add the individual tuitions of each child together and deduct family discount as follows:

~For two children deduct 10% (two children family maximum of $300)
~For three children deduct 15% (three child family maximum of $350)
~For four children deduct 20% (four children family maximum of $400)

** The combination of any two 30 min classes- Pre Jazz, Ballet, or Tap, for 4/5 or 6/7 year olds will be considered a one hour class in the tuition schedule.

Costume Fees
Costume fees vary between $50.00-$70.00 per class and per routine (i.e. one costume for Ballet and one costume for Tap). A $25.00 deposit per costume will be due in both September and again in November. Costume balances are due in February.

Parent Observation

At Artistic Dance Unlimited, it is our belief that students work more productively when not being observed. Observers in the classroom may cause distractions or make the dancer nervous thus slowing the learning process. Teachers need the students’ full attention without interruptions or distraction to teach effectively. There are two scheduled Parent Observation weeks when parents are invited to observe their dancers in the classroom.

We have one week in December and one week in the spring when costumes are delivered to students. During these two weeks, we hope parents enjoy seeing their dancers’ progress and encourage you to bring cameras and video cameras to remember this special time in your children’s lives.

We offer closed circut monitoring of all classrooms so that parents may veiw their child's class from the lobby. Parents will enjoy seeing their dancer's progress while the students will benefit from a closed classroom. If parents have any questions regarding the class or child’s progress, the instructor will gladly speak with parents at a convenient time.

Attendance Policy

Attending classes regularly is necessary for dancers to progress their dancing ability. Excessive absences interrupt the learning process. Tuition is due regardless of number of classes a student misses. There will be no make-up classes or refunds offered for classes missed. In the event a class is cancelled due to inclement weather or absence of instructor, a make-up lesson will be offered. Thank you for making every effort to have your children in class each week.

Inclement Weather

In the case of inclement weather, please call the studio. We will leave a message regarding closing by 2:00pm . The studio may not necessarily close when the school systems close if the weather has shown improvement throughout the day.

Holidays and School Closings

The studio will be closed for the following breaks and holidays.

- Labor Day, September 6th 2010
- Fall Break, TBA
- Thanksgiving, November 25th 2010

Anyone not participating in the recital must give notice by December 1st to not be responsible for final costume charges.

- Parent Observation Week, April 12th-16th, 2010
- Christmas
- Spring Break, TBA
- Picture Week, April TBA
- Dance Recital, June 4th & 5th. Mandatory dress rehearsal June 2nd & 3rd

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the right age to begin dance training?
Can I watch my child’s class?
Is there a show at the end of the year?
What are the requirements and extra financial obligations for the Spring show?
Who will answer my questions and take my payments?
Are there other performance opportunities other than the Spring Show?

When is the right age to begin dance training?
At Artistic Dance Unlimited we believe that the Art of Dance can be learned and enjoyed at any age. We offer classes for students beginning at three years of age through adults of any age. We have a wonderful Preschool Program and elementary program for our students three years old to seven years old. Our Junior classes are offered for students ages eight years old to twelve years old with three levels of classes for dancers with different abilities and dance experience. For dances ages thirteen years old and up, we offer Teen, Intermediate, and Senior level classes. Our adult program is primarily for beginners or those who have not continually trained since youth. At Artistic Dance Unlimited, a dancer’s age is not as important as their desire to dance and their willingness to train and practice.

Can I watch my child’s class?
At Artistic Dance Unlimited, it is our belief that students work more productively when not being observed. Observers in the classroom may cause distractions or make the dancer nervous thus slowing the learning process. Teachers need the students’ full attention without interruptions or distraction to teach effectively. There are two scheduled Parent Observation weeks when parents are invited to observe their dancers.

We have one week in December and one week in the spring when costumes are delivered to students. During these two weeks, we hope parents enjoy seeing their dancers’ progress and encourage you to bring cameras and video cameras to remember this special time in your children’s lives. Parents are welcome to wait in the lobby or they may leave and pick up their child at the end of class. If parents have any questions regarding the class or child’s progress, the instructor will gladly speak with parents at a convenient time.

Is there a show at the end of the year?
Every year on Memorial Day weekend, Artistic Dance Unlimited presents a fabulous production which showcases our dancers. Each class performs a choreographed routine for each dance discipline they have taken throughout the year. There are three shows: Friday night, Saturday Matinee, and Saturday night. Most classes will only perform in one show. Some of our higher level classes and Dance Company will have more than one performance. An announcement is made by April informing parents which show their children will perform in. Our Spring Show is held at a lovely auditorium and is open to parents, grandparents, and any friends or family that wishes to attend.

What are the requirements and extra financial obligations for the Spring show?
Students are required to attend class regularly from their starting date through May in order to learn a routine for the show. Parents must purchase a costume, tights, and proper dance shoes for each routine their child participates in. Costume deposits are due in September, and November with the balance due in February. A recital fee is also required and due by May 1st. The recital fee helps with cost of production and enables every student to receive a special trophy presented at the Spring Show.

Who will answer my questions and take my payments?
In order for parents and family members to have a good experience, we feel it is important to have an Office Manager available to assist with details, schedules and students accounts. Our office manager is Jessica Bunnell. Jessica is in the office Monday –Thursday 3:00pm – 7:00 pm. She can communicate with the Directors any concerns or questions that may arise as well as keep track of students payments and account information. Having an Office Manager allows the Directors and Instructors to concentrate on the students dance education. Parents that cannot be in the studio during the office hours are encouraged to call the studio and leave a message and Jessica will return your call as soon as possible.

Are there other performance opportunities other than the Spring Show?
Artistic Dance Unlimited encourages all of our students to participate in the Blount County Christmas Parade each December. Our dancers seven years old and under ride a decorated float while our dancers eight years old and up dance along the parade route (all students participating in the Christmas Parade must purchase an ADU sweat suit). Artistic Dance Unlimited also participates in the Fall Festival, the Children’s Hospital Benefit, and The Fantasy of Trees to benefit Children’s Hospital. Some classes are asked to perform at these two events.

For the more serious minded dancer, we are the home of the ADU Performance Company. Students wishing to be a company member must either be invited by the Directors or participate in an audition held each August. The Dance Company performs and competes locally and across the southeast. Please see The Company brochure for more information.