POLICIES

Policies: 2023/2024 Season

Terms and Conditions

Our policies have been updated for the 2023/2024 season.  Please take the time to read through carefully before registering. Our dance season runs from Sept 11, 2023 until May 26, 2024 and our silks season runs from Sept 11, 2023 until April 14, 2024. (Our Production Silks class runs the same duration as the dance season).  Session programs run for 6-9 weeks throughout the year.Online RegistrationBy registering with Innovative Rhythm Dance Studios (whether online or in person), you have acknowledged and accepted an understanding of Innovative Rhythm Dance Studios Inc policies as outlined on the studio's website. 

Waiver and Photo Release                                                                                                   

We will do our best to ensure the safety of the dancers and their guardians. Due to the physical nature of dance, Innovative Rhythm (hereinafter called “IR Dance”) as a whole will not be held responsible for any injuries that may occur inside or outside the premises or at home. The waiver must be signed or accepted online before classes begin.By signing the waiver, it includes the Photo and Video Release which means that you agree to the use of images of you or your child by IR Dance on the IR Dance website, social media pages, in brochures or in other promotional materials. No identifying information will be included.

To view the 2023-2024 Waiver, click here. (see pages 2 & 3)

Student Code of Conduct

The IR Dance Student Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for Etiquette, Cellphones and Technology, Respect for Others and Bullying, Discrimination and Exclusion. The goal of the IR Dance Student Code of Conduct is to help students, teachers and families create an environment that is supportive, encouraging and promotes growth and learning. Teachers will go over the Student Code of Conduct during the first week of classes. If dancers choose to not follow the Student Code of Conduct, they may be asked to leave the studio.

View the IR Dance Student Code of Conduct Here.

Sick Policy

Due to the new environment that we are under, no one will be allowed in the studio if presenting with any new or worsening illness.  If you have a symptom that you know the cause of (ie headache) and are not contagious you may come to the studio.

Self Screening

To keep our community healthy during this time, you will be responsible for self screening at home before coming to the studio. The waiver you sign/accept online states that you will be responsible for this.  There will be a list of questions on the waiver to guide you.

Mandated Studio Closure 

In the event that the studio is mandated to shut down by the government, regularly scheduled classes will continue to take place online until we are allowed to open again.  We intend to keep the schedule the same as the in studio schedule with only slight adjustments due to the change in platform.

Tuition remains the same whether classes are running in-studio or online.  If you wish to discontinue in this situation, you will receive a prorated refund, based on the dates of enrolment and minus a cancellation fee of $25 per class.

Force Majeure

Innovative Rhythm Dance Studios Inc is not liable for failure to perform our contractual obligations if such failure is a result from an Act of God (including fire, flood, storm, earthquake or any other natural disaster), war, act of terrorism, pandemic, government mandates, electricity interruption, labor disputes, lockouts or any events that are out of our control.

Tuition Fees

Tuition for the season will be divided into 4 installments.  Please see our fees section on our website for further details.  If you require an alternate payment plan, please contact the studio.

Credit Card Surcharge Fees

As of November 2023, we will be charging a 2% credit card surcharge to all purchases made with any credit card. This fee is non-refundable.

Non Refundable Fees

Non refundable fees include costume deposits and balances, competition fees, convention and workshop fees.

Discounts

Early Bird Discount - For families who were with us in the 2023-2024 season and have priority registration access, the Early Bird Discount will be applied by not charging the $25 registration fee.  Applies until June 11.

Early Bird Discount (New Families)

For families who are new to IR Dance and have general registration access, enter promo code NewEarly23 at checkout to receive $25 off.  Applies until July 16.

Multi-Class Discount

For students taking more than one class, you will receive $5.00 off each tuition installment for each additional class. The Multi-Class Discount does not apply towards session programs, summer camps or workshops. Adult classes can have the Multi Class Discount applied when registered for more than one class in a single session.

Refer-A-Friend Discount

As a thank you, we offer a $5.00 discount for each new student who joins IR Dance due to your recommendation. The discount will be applied to your account for the second tuition installment. Be sure to tell your friends to list your name when asked how they heard about us on their registration.

Payment

It is highly recommended that families sign up for our automatic payment plan (Visa or MasterCard credit).  For in-studio purchases, debit and credit (tap preferred when possible) will be accepted.  We also accept E-transfers sent to info@irdance.ca

Media Fee

A media fee of $40.00 per dancer will be added to the fourth tuition installment for everyone registered in the full dance season.  This fee provides you with edited music for your dancer's class(es), rehearsal videos provided throughout the season and as well as a digital download of the recital production.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Should you cancel your registration you must notify us in writing (email).  You will receive your tuition back minus the following:

1) *$25.00 cancellation fee / per class

2) Classes that have taken place up until notice of discontinuation

*If you have discontinued a class but are still taking other classes at IR, the cancellation fee is $10.00 per class.

Cancellation Due to Injury

Refunds/credits will be decided on a case-by-case basis. General guidelines: If a dancer has a serious injury (e.g. broken foot) which prevents them from continuing for the rest of the year, a refund will be granted from the day we are notified. If a lesser injury occurs (e.g. sprained wrist) no refunds will be granted as we encourage the dancer to attend and observe until the injury is healed. Even when a dancer can not fully participate, it is recommended they continue to attend and observe if they intend to start again after healed so that they are able to pick up more easily.

Costume Fees

Costume deposits will be collected from our Company program in November and our Classic Program in January. Balances will be due in February.  Total costume fees range from $85-$180 (with Primary class on the lower end of the scale and Company classes on the higher end).  

Late Payments

A $3 per week fee applies to all late payments for all fee categories.

Cancelled Classes

We reserve the right to cancel a class due to low enrolment. You will be given a full refund for any cancelled classes due to this reason.

Right to Refusal

Innovative Rhythm Dance Studios Inc is a privately owned business and reserves the right to refuse admission.

Social Media

Students are expected to maintain integrity when posting online. Innovative Rhythm has a Zero Tolerance Policy for bullying of any sorts and that includes online.  Any students who slander any other students or the studio either online or in person will be dismissed immediately.When using Social Media, we ask you to adhere to our confidentiality policies at all times (no identifying information should be given).No choreography, class content or instruction of any form should be posted on social media or online without the prior approval of the instructor and management of IR Dance.

Newsletters and Studio Announcements

We do 95% of our correspondence by email. Please make sure that info@irdance.ca is on your safe list so the newsletters don’t go to your junk mail folder. It is important that you read these messages as they contain vital information regarding the studio. If you do not hear from us, please verify that we have the correct email address on file.

Lost Property

IR Dance cannot be held responsible for lost property and cannot send emails to our contact list regarding misplaced items.  We have a lost & found bin in the studio lobby.  We recommend labeling all personal items.  We have lockers in the dressing room and dancers may sign up to rent a locker to store valuables and personal items.

Inclement Weather

On occasion, classes may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control (e.g. extended power outage or internet outage for virtual classes). We will do our best to contact you in advance, but if you are in doubt, please call the studio. A message on our voicemail will let you know if classes are cancelled. We are unable to offer refunds or make up classes for the ones cancelled due to circumstances we can not control.

Attendance and Punctuality

Consistent attendance enhances the dance experience and allows the individual dancer to feel confident in knowing their class work.  Dance is a team sport and therefore poor attendance on the part of an individual affects the whole group.

Please be on time.  If you are more than 10 minutes late, the dancer may be asked to sit out due to safety reasons. If a student misses three classes in a row, we will call or email to discuss our concerns.  If four classes are missed in a row, if we feel the overall number of missed classes is too high, or if consistent lateness is a problem, we reserve the right to ask the student to discontinue.  In these circumstances, refunds will not be granted.  If you expect to miss a class due to illness or conflicts, please email the studio.

Private Classes

Generally we do not run private classes as the studio schedule does not allow for it. We cannot run private classes as an alternative to regular class work and attendance.

We will run private classes in the following situations: students/parents may request assistance in preparing auditions for art schools, students in the Dance Company Program may be invited to do competitive solos, staff may recommend that privates are necessary to continue dancing at advanced levels.

Special Events

We will have our annual Boogie Bash event at Halloween as well as our charity drives throughout the year.

Year End Show

Our annual production will be in a theatre for the 2024 show.  This will be held at the end of May - details to be released in the fall.

Awards

Due to the current environment we will not be handing out dedicated dancer awards.  Awards presented at the recital include Overall Senior, Overall Junior, Star Performer, Leadership, Dancing from the Heart and awards in each discipline.

Vendors

No parent or student shall contact any of our vendors directly. This includes, but is not exclusive to, conventions, competitions, costume companies, theatre venues. (The only exception is photos ordered directly from the photography company).  If you have questions or concerns, please come see us directly and we will be happy to assist you.

Studio Store

Refunds and exchanges will be granted within 14 days of purchase on unworn merchandise. No refunds or exchanges on pre-ordered merchandise.

Class Attire

Please have students arrive at the studio dressed and ready to go. Students must come to class in the appropriate attire. Failure to do so will result in a notice to the parents and if it continues to occur, that dancer will be asked to sit out until the proper attire is worn. Hair must be up, as well as no gum, jewelry or bare legs. See the Dress Code section for guidelines.

Should classes take place virtually at any time, regular class attire is expected.

View our dress code here

Everything in this written contract is what's covered and nothing more. Verbal agreements will not take the place of this contract.
We thank you for your cooperation in adhering to these policies. We look forward to another great year!