Dance Experience Festival Information/Etiquette 2020-2021

 

 

April 14 - 18, 2021                                 Gravity Dance Festival (festival classes only)

April 21 - 25, 2021                                 Standing Ovation Dance Festival (festival classes only)

April 26 - May 2, 2021                            Dance Power (festival classes only)

 

 

Dance Experience Festival Information & Etiquette

 

Dance Experience Festival Class ~ Agreement

 

 

Dance Experience Festival Information & Etiquette 2020-2021

Before registering your child in a festival class ensure you have read this entire document and fully understand the commitment required not only from your child but from parents as well.  Festival classes are more involved than recreational classes.

Select classes will have the opportunity to participate in local dance festivals during the season.  A dance festival differs from a competition in that typically 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd  place are not assigned.  Each routine will receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal for their performance.  Additional awards such as most promising, most outstanding, choreography can also be handed out.  Each group is placed in a category with groups from other studios of similar ages and/or ability/level.  These divisions are set by the different festivals and will vary between events.  The festivals will take place at theatres throughout the city and neighbouring communities.  While each group is performing an adjudicator writes comments and corrections regarding their routine and assigns a mark.  These marks then determine what medal the group will receive.  The mark range associated with each medal is set by the festival organizers and varies between events.  Marks are based on what each individual adjudicator feels can be expected of a specific age and level.  The marks are not assigned by comparing the groups in a category to each other.  All groups could receive a gold medal or all could receive a Bronze medal.  Various ages and levels of a particular dance style are grouped together in approximately one hour sections.  At the end of each grouping the dancers return to the stage and the adjudicator will address the groups with comments and hand out medals and awards.  

Festivals typically run Wednesday to Sunday with performances from 8:00am - 9:00pm.  All scheduling is done by the event organizers and dance studios do not have a say.  Entries must be submitted by the participating dance studios by November/December and all entry fees must be paid at this time.  Festival Schedules are not usually available until March.  Once the studio receives the schedule, we review it to ensure there are no errors, and the festival organizers send out final schedules in April.  Dancers may be participating in an event during school hours. Each number requires approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.  Dancers are expected to arrive at the festival venue at least one and a half (1.5) hours prior to scheduled performance time in full costume with hair and make-up complete (NO EXCEPTIONS).

When you (parent[s]) arrive at the festival venue, you will meet your instructor in the lobby.  At this time, you will leave your dancer with her/his instructor.  Once all the dancers have arrived, they will warm up and rehearse.  Parents are not allowed to stay with the group as rehearsal space is often quite small and there is not room for families.  Once the dancers have performed, they will stay with their instructor until after adjudication.  After adjudication the dancers will return to the lobby where you can pick them up.

Festivals are a great experience for dancers:  the more a dancer performs, the more comfortable he/she becomes on stage and the better his/her performance skills.  Emphasis is placed on commitment, teamwork and a love of dance.  The adjudicator’s comments will be discussed with each group when they return to class.  This gives the dancers another perspective on their routine with things they do well and things they can work on.   The dancers should pay particular attention to the comments made by the adjudicator on stage.  The adjudicator often addresses each grouping as a whole with tips and techniques on ways to improve.

Festivals may have spectator admission fees which vary between events and are set by the organizers.  Festivals do not allow photography or video recording at the events.  If you are caught doing so, your child’s group will be disqualified and the entire studio can be removed from the event.  Photos and videos are available for purchase at the events.  The theatres do not allow food or drink (other than water) inside. Wait to enter or exit the theatre until the music has stopped.  It is distracting to the dancers on stage when people are moving around while they are performing.  When you enter the theatre, take your seat quickly or you may be standing in front of the parent(s) of a dancer on stage.    

A dancer's eligibility to participate in a festival class is at the discretion of the instructors.  You will be informed at the beginning of each year if we recommend a festival class for your child.  You don’t have to participate in the festival class - there will also be a recreational class indicated.  We encourage families to think carefully before committing to a festival class.  Although, we think it is a great opportunity for the dancers, it may not work with your family’s lifestyle and other commitments.  If you question your ability to make the commitment, we do not recommend registering in these classes.  It is not fair to the dancer should they be withdrawn from the class part way through the year. 

There is a great deal of work from instructors and dancers that goes into each routine and therefore dancers must commit to all classes (even non-festival classes).   Dancers registered in festival classes will be permitted to miss a maximum of four classes throughout the year.  Up until choreography begins, a dancer can make up a missed class in a level below or equivalent and, in turn, that dancer will not be counted as absent in her/his missed class(es).  If you make this commitment, you commit to all events in which the group is entered.  All classes will be participating in two festivals (additional events will only be entered only with parental consent) along with our Talent Day and Year End Shows.

Class instructors will select a costume and set hair and makeup requirements.  These are not recommendations; these requirements must be followed. Failure to do so will result in your child not being permitted to perform (this does not justify a refund of festival fees). 

When you register for a festival class you are responsible for all festival costs.  You will be given the dates of the festivals your dancer will be participating in before she/he is registered.  If you know she/he will be unable to attend, you must inform the studio and this dancer will not be registered.  If the studio is not informed, then you are responsible for fees even if your dancer does not participate.  If your dancer does not fulfill the requirements for attendance and is withdrawn from the class, you are still responsible for the festival fees.

Festivals should be a positive experience for all dancers. Having fun and gaining experience performing on stage should be every dancer’s goal.  Participating in festivals is about more than just the medal earned. Regardless of the medal standing, dancers can take pride in working together as a team to do their best. Help us make sure all dancers learn as much as possible and have a memorable year by adhering to the following:

·         All dancers and parents are expected to maintain a high standard of personal conduct and to always behave in a sportsmanlike manner.

·         Create a positive environment for all dancers.

·         All comments regarding adjudicators, performers and the studio they represent must be positive, you never know who might be standing nearby.  It can be very upsetting for a young dancer to overhear negative comments.

·         You may not agree with an adjudicator’s decision or comments, but your opinions are not to be voiced at the event.

·         Negative comments, conversation or behavior will not be permitted in the waiting areas, halls or classrooms at Dance Experience Studios, shows or festivals.

·         It takes a great deal of courage to get on stage and all dancers should be commended for this.

·         Ensure you applaud for all routines regardless of studio.

·         Encourage and congratulate your child’s group and other participants (regardless of studio).

·         Treat teachers and other performers with respect and courtesy.

·         Acknowledge the effort and abilities of other dancers.

·         Encourage all dancers to work hard and give their best effort.

·         When the instructor is talking or instructing, pay attention (no talking) even if the comments are not directed at you.

·         All dancers should set realistic goals each week and think about what they need to do to achieve these goals.

·         Dancers should be proud of all their achievements.

·         All dancers must attend classes on-time with the appropriate attire and grooming.

·         Avoid leaving dance classes once they have begun.

·         Parents need to ensure that dancers practice at home or during open studio times.

·         Stay informed regarding festival/studio information by reading the bulletin boards and all emails.

·         Respect the venues at which the festivals are held and leave the venues clean and free of damage.

·         Follow the rules that festival organizers set forth.

·         Parents must ensure dancers and siblings behave appropriately at all events.

 

Remember these events are for the dancers, help all dancers enjoy their experience and leave feeling like a star.