A Few Basics

Our dance season follows the school year, running from September through May. For payment purposes, we divide the season into four separate 8-week sessions. Tuition is due at the beginning of each session.

All sessions run consecutively, with breaks only for winter and spring. Once your dancer is enrolled, they will be automatically re-enrolled and billed for each new session unless you notify us otherwise. New dancers are welcome to join at any point during a session, with tuition prorated accordingly.

At the end of the final session (Session 4), all dancers participate in our spring recital, typically held at the Manistee Middle/High School Auditorium.

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As previously mentioned, our dance year includes two scheduled breaks: one in winter and one in spring. These breaks have already been factored into both the session lengths and tuition amounts. The tuition you pay covers the 8 weeks of active instruction within each session.

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During the months of June, July and August we hold themed dance camps, workshops and other fun events! We'd love to have you join in! Summer camps, workshops and events  are not a continuation of our regular year classes and enrollment choices will need to be communicated with us.

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Tuition Rates

30 minute class: $88 per 8 week session

45 minute class: $96 per 8 week session

60 minute class: $104 per 8 week session

75 minute class: $112 per 8 week session

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Private lessons are available for $45/hour or $25/half hour. To schedule a private lesson, reach out to the teacher you would like to schedule with.

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Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, regular season classes (Sept-May) include the following fees:

• $45 Registration fee (per family)

• $70 recital costume fee per class for Primary and under (half due Oct 16, half due Dec 4)

• $75 recital costume fee per class for Intermediate and Advanced (half due Oct 16, half due Dec 4)

• Cost of dancewear

• Optional add-ons (recital tickets, recital DVD, merchandise, etc.)

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Discounts

Multi-Class Discount (per dancer) – (Not available for summer session) at 3 classes, dancer receives 10% off the total. Each additional class adds an additional 5% up to 9 classes:
3 classes - 10% off
4 classes - 15% off
5 classes - 20% off
6 classes - 25% off
7 classes - 30% off
8 classes - 35% off
9 classes - 40% off

 

Family Discounts – (Not available for summer session). This applies to families with two or more dancers taking four or more total classes. After the individual class discounts are figured the account will receive an additional $10 off per dancer. For example, Ashley would receive an extra $10 off her tuition and her sister, Amber, would also receive an extra $10 off of her tuition for a total of $20 off. The Family Discount is applied after the Multi-Class Discount.

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Snow Days/Cancellations

We do not automatically cancel dance classes when there is a school snow day. Often, road conditions improve by the afternoon and classes can still be held safely. We assess the weather and road conditions and post our decision on Facebook and Instagram by 2:00 PM. Please check one of those platforms after 2:00 PM to see if classes will take place.

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If classes are being held, please use your best judgment when deciding whether to attend. If you feel it is unsafe to drive, we encourage you to stay home and stay safe.

If a class is canceled for any reason, your dancer is welcome to attend a different class as a makeup. Tuition will not be refunded. For help choosing an appropriate makeup class, feel free to contact us!

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Recital FAQs

The Recital is the highlight of our year and usually takes place at the Historic Ramsdell Theatre.  It gives our dancers an opportunity to show exactly what they have achieved in their dance education throughout the year!  Every student of Conservatory of Dance – even our Creative Movement dancers – have a place to perform if they so choose!  Plans for our annual Recital begin in Session 2.  Please refer to our Session Newsletter for specific dates.

 

If you are new to Conservatory of Dance, you will find some helpful answers to a few frequently asked questions below:

 

Are there any requirements to be in the Recital?

Yes.  A student must be enrolled in Sessions 2, 3 and 4 and have purchased the designated costume in order to be included in the Recital. 

 

What will my dancer be performing at the Recital?

Each class that your student is enrolled in will have a performance planned, which is choreographed and practiced during class time.  For example, if your dancer is enrolled in Ballet, Acro and Tap, he or she will perform three times during the show, once with each of those classes.

 

Will my dancer perform in all four shows, including the Saturday Night Gala show?

This depends on the age/level of your dancer.  If your dancer is in Creative Movement, Kinderdance and/or Dance Intro, these dancers perform on Thursday, Friday and Saturday MATINEE only.   They do NOT perform in the Gala show, as they are often exhausted by the end of the weekend.  All dancers in Primary level and above will perform in all four shows.  The Gala Show often showcases some of our competition team dancers as a result of the extra time gained by not including the young dancers.

 

I thought that Conservatory of Dance did a show in the Fall?  Is this different to the Recital?

Yes.  Conservatory of Dance also puts on a Fall Production at the Ramsdell.  This is different from the Recital.  It includes only a small portion of our students, who are required to audition in order to take part. The fall production is a smaller production, often following a storyline rather than showcasing every student and every aspect of the skills learned at COD.  Costumes for the production are provided by the studio. The fall production is not associated with the Recital.

 

Will there be costumes for the Recital?

Yes.  Every student participating in the Recital will purchase their own costume.  The prices of costumes run approximately $70 each.  You will be expected to purchase a costume for each class that your dancer is enrolled in.  For example, if your dancer is enrolled in Ballet, Acro and Tap, you should plan on purchasing 3 costumes for him or her. 

 

Will I be able to see the costumes so that I know what we are getting for our money?

Yes.  Once the costumes are decided, you will find a display at the studio which shows the costume in full color for each class.  There is always an excited buzz around the studio when the costume pictures go up on the wall!

 

It feels like the spring recital is a long way off – why are we expected to pay for costumes so early?

All students are measured and each costume is made to order.  They therefore take many months to arrive, and ordering them any later than early December would likely mean that we would not receive costumes in time for the Recital.  We require costume payments so that we can order early.

 

How do I know that my dancer is getting the correct size, especially since the recital is some months away?

We take great care in measuring our students accurately, and take time to review their sizing before we submit the costume order.  We allow for growth spurts and always size up if a dancer is at the far end of a sizing range.  If on the rare occasion your dancer’s costume does not fit, we are usually able to arrange an exchange in size.

 

Will my dancer be able to keep his or her costume?

Absolutely! The costume is yours to keep and dancers are able to take their costume home once full payment is received.

 

I have heard others talking about Recital Pictures – what are these?

The studio will have a weekend for Recital photographs, which is usually approximately one month before the Recital date.  Each class will have a scheduled time slot over that weekend in order to come in full costume and have their picture taken with the class and/or individually.  You may then purchase various photo packages if you wish.  We encourage all students to join in the group photo even if you do not plan on purchasing any photos for yourself.  If you do wish to purchase photos, payment is required on the day of ordering.

 

Will there be extra rehearsals involved with the Recital?

Yes.  As the Recital draws close, there will likely be extra rehearsals planned – some of which will be full dress rehearsals at the Ramsdell. The schedule for these rehearsals will be in the session 4 newsletter.

 

Can anyone attend the Recital as an audience member?

Yes.  Tickets will be sold some weeks before the Recital, or at the door, and will be $14 per ticket.  Anyone can purchase a ticket, although our first sale date is open to studio families only (not the general public).  It should be noted that any account that does not have tuition paid in full will not be able to purchase tickets for the Recital. Also, please know that the show will have assigned seats and often the best seats sell first. Each studio family is allowed 8 tickets per show on the first day of ticket sales; additional tickets can be purchased at the next ticket sale date.

 

I have heard that sometimes moms help out backstage during a show.  Is this true?

Yes.  We value the help and cooperation of our dance families and as the Recital draws close, we will have a helper sign-up sheet at the front desk for anyone who wishes to help us backstage during some or all of the performances.  Those who sign up to help are required to stay for the entire duration of that show.

 

Do helpers need to purchase tickets?

No.  If you are helping backstage during the Recital, you do not need to purchase a ticket.

 

If my dancer is very young, in Creative Movement, for example, will he/she be performing earlier in the show and can we leave after his/her performance is done in order to get enough rest for the other performances?

Yes, the younger classes typically perform in at the beginning of the show, and you are welcome to take your dancer home when he or she is done rather than stay until the end of the show.