DANCE COMPANY

STUDIO A
Ms. Challis
FOCUS: Remember that in order to have the best possible experience, your focus should be
on what you can contribute to Dance Company rather than on what Dance Company can
give to you. Attitudes of entitlement do not belong on a team.
Course Description: The goals for this class are 1) to create two student choreographed concerts 2) to
perform and represent the dance department well at school functions 3) to learn from and share with other
high school dance companies 4) to create better artists, choreographers, and people. This group is
dedicated to artistic expression, the creation of original meaningful movement, professionalism, and
quality performances. THS Dance Company requires some performance and rehearsal time outside of
school. Rehearsal commitments are largely up to your schedule. However, should you choose to commit
to a dance that rehearses after school, you are expected to be at all rehearsals and to make it a priority.
Make sure your schedule will allow for this type of commitment. Rehearsal for class numbers will be
during class the majority of the time.
Course Objective:
Dance Company members will:
Promote leadership, responsibility and
discipline
Study basic elements of dancetime,
space, body, and energy

Choreograph, teach, and perform in

concert and festival settings
Perform in half times and assemblies
Respect teachers, choreographers, peers

Attendance, Membership and Eligibility:

1. Students will be expected to meet and maintain a 3.0 GPA for each term. If this is not maintained
at the end of a term, the student will be put on probation. If on probation student will still
rehearse with the Dance Company, but cannot perform at assemblies, halftimes, etc. The student
will still be expected to perform in the winter and spring concerts as these are consider final
projects for the class. Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA for a second term will result in dismissal.
2. Attendance is a crucial part of being a member of Dance Company. All rehearsals and
performances are mandatory! Students should let the coach know in writing well in advance if a
conflict arises. DO NOT SCHEDULE DOCTORS/ DENTAL APPOINTMENTS DURING
REHEARSAL TIME! Dance Company is a team and each member is important. Individual
decisions, good and bad, will affect other team members. It is important to be on time and
ready to dance! Practices are essential and will affect eligibility for dances as well as grades.
Students will lose 20 participation points for each absence and may also be taken out of dances.
Extra curricular school excused absences are considered exempt from loss of participation points,
but the student may still need to makeup what was missed outside of class time. Two unexcused
absences or excessive excused absences may result in dismissal. Timpview attendance
procedure will be strictly followed.
3. Any illegal use of controlled substance (tobacco, alcohol, chemical substances) will result in
immediate removal from the company. Maintaining a healthy body is important for all dancers
and for the team. The members of Dance Company are representatives of Timpview High School
and will act at the highest standard. Therefore, each member must take responsibility for what
they put in their body.
4. Inappropriate social behavior including but not limited to sexual relations, bullying, illegal
actions, or inappropriate activity on social networking sites may result in discipline from the
advisor or dismissal from the company.
5. Dance Company members may not date each other. This creates drama on the company and may
affect team unity.

6. Dance Company members are expected to treat the advisor and one another with respect.
Negative attitudes, gossiping about coaches or teammates is unacceptable. If issues should
arrive, please schedule an appointment to resolve or discuss the issue with the advisor rather than
taking the issue outside of the team.
7. Dancers are expected to represent Timpview High School and the Timpview Dance Company in
the best way possible. Dancers will be held accountable for inappropriate use of social media
(bullying, inappropriate photos, etc.), vandalism, disrespect to teachers, foul language, etc. Just
because it is not mentioned in the disclosure does not mean it is ok. Being on Dance Company is
a privilege, not a right. If a dancer accepts a spot on the company, he or she also accepts the
responsibility of acting appropriately inside and outside of Dance Company functions while he or
she is on the company. The coach reserves the right to discipline Dance Company members for
behavior that reflects poorly on the group.
Dress Policy:
1) Students are to wear clothing that will allow movement but also maintain modesty and neatness.
Appropriate clothing would include: leotards, underclothing (as needed), tights, pants that do not
drag/touch floor, long tank tops (no spaghetti straps) biker shorts that are longer than the finger tips,
leggings; and does NOT include: oversized t-shirts, jewelry, layers, underwear showing (including bra
straps) or denim jeans. No midriffs or uncovered sports bras. Dancing will be done barefoot unless
previously discussed.
You will dress everyday! (regardless if you are unwell or injuredthere is always something that
you can do as opposed to simply sitting and observing)
NO SCHOOL TOPS: do not wear your school clothes to work out in. They will get sweaty and
gross. Improper attire will also keep you from participating fully
DO NOT CHANGE IN THE STUDIO. The whole company will be held after class if I catch
anyone.
2) Dancers are expected to wear their team uniforms to school on performance and game days.
Participation points may be docked if a dancer elects not to dress like the team on those days. Dancers
are expected NOT to wear their team uniforms except on designated days in order to keep them looking
nice and not worn out.
Financial Requirements:
There is a company/class fee of $180 due the first week of the school year. The summer
workshop fee is $75. If for any reason a student quits or is removed from the Dance Company,
they will forfeit the class fee and any other money invested in connection to the company.
There may be various other costs for things such as concert DVDs, photos, etc.
Dance Company tour is optional but encouraged. Costs for the tour will be in addition to the
class fee.
Fundraisers will be provided throughout the year. If it is a team fundraiser, students will be
required to help. If it is a fundraiser for individual funds, it will be considered optional.
Grade Breakdown:
Participation/Engagement.50%
Skills, Choreography, Performance..40%
Written Work.......10%
*An A is very obtainable IF you attend class and complete the assignments

Rehearsal Participation Points:

Twenty participation points are awarded for each class period AND for each after school
rehearsal. These points cannot be made up unless the absence is excused through the attendance
office (for a class period) or prior approval is granted in writing by the teacher (for after school
rehearsals). In order to receive prior approval, a student must submit a written request and turn it

in to the teacher before the absence. The teacher must then approve the absence before it occurs.
Dancers are expected to notify the teacher as soon as they know that a conflict with rehearsal has
arisen. Notifying the teacher the day before or a few hours before an absence occurs is
unacceptable behavior except in cases of an emergency.
Students will receive full rehearsal participation points if 1) they are on time and do not leave
early 2) they are dressed appropriately 3) they are respectful and participate fully
Participation points can be made up if a student learns what they missed outside of class time and
turns in a makeup log documenting the time spent and signed by the student who helped them to
learn the material. These makeup logs are available in the dance studio and on the dance website.
This must be done within a week of the absence in order to be considered for credit.

Performance Points:

All performance activities will be part of the students grade. This includes half times, dance
festivals, concerts, service projects, and fundraisers. Points will be docked for unprofessional
behavior such as showing up late, forgetting or losing costume pieces, showing up unprepared
(ex. hair down when it is supposed to be up), or failing to attend an event.
If a student needs to be absent from a performance for any reason, a written request needs to be
turned in prior to the absence. If prior approval is granted, the performance points for that
specific event will be waived or a make up option will be offered at the teachers discretion. If a
student does not receive prior approval for an absence, those performance points cannot be made
up.
CONCERT/ PERFORMANCE DATES: (All are MANDATORY!)
Oct 6-8 Shakespeare Festival
Region Dance Company Festival: October 11th afternoon rehearsals and evening concert
Winter: Dec 2-3 with dress rehearsals that entire week
State High School Dance Festival: March 4
Spring: April 21-22 with dress rehearsals that entire week

____________________________________________________________________________________
_
I have read this disclosure for Dance Company with my child and understand their responsibilities, which
include: attendance, assignments in on time, participation, engagement, respect, etc. Any discretion on
these will result in a loss of points or other consequences.
I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT TO SCHEDULE DENTIST OR DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS,
INTERVIEWS, ETC. FOR MY STUDENT DURING REHEARSAL OR CLASS TIME. IF I DO SO, I
UNDERSTAND THAT MY STUDENT MAY LOSE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
MISSING REHEARSAL AS WELL AS PARTICIPATION POINTS.
Parents Signature____________________________________________________________
I have read this disclosure for Dance Company with my parent/guardian and understand my
responsibility. I will commit to working hard and learning. I understand that I must gain prior approval
for all absences in writing. I fully understand the commitment that Dance Company requires and I agree
to the above procedures, consequences, and opportunities that are associated with the Timpview Dance
Company.

Students Signature___________________________________________________________