Attend class regularly – your attendance is imperative for your success.
The health and safety of our dancers are paramount and we’re continuing to modify our operations in accordance with the latest local, state, and federal guidelines and based on our dancers’ best interest. The following as your class prepares to move indoors at Simkus Recreation Center. All procedures are subject to change based on further guidance authorities.
Note, these procedures and requirements may change or be enforced at any time in order to maintain the safest environment possible for our participants and staff. We appreciate you abiding by all guidelines as we work together to resume operations.
Attend class regularly – your attendance is imperative for your success.
Exceptions for dress code requirements may be made until October to provide our dancers an opportunity to take advantage of our shoe and dancewear sales when applicable.
| Dance Discipline | Hair | Attire |
|---|---|---|
| Ballet & Pointe | Hair up in a bun, out of face. | Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers. Ballet skirt pink or black is permitted. |
| Hip-Hop | Hair up, out of face. | Comfortable loose-fitted clothing, required hip-hop shoes that are not worn outside. Clothing must cover knees for floor work. Shorts, jeans, sandals, boots and flip flops are not permitted. Black low converse style shoes used for class and recital |
| Jazz | Hair up, out of face. | Leotard, black dance yoga, legging style pant or capri and black jazz shoes. |
| Kinderdance | Hair up, out of face. | Any leotard with skirt, pink tights, ballet shoes, black tap shoes or black jazz shoes depending on class. No large tutus. |
| Musical Theatre | Hair up, out of face. | Leotard, tights, dance or yoga style pant or capri and jazz shoes either black or tan depending on costume. |
| Tap | Hair up, out of face. | Leotard, tights, dance or yoga style pant or capri, dance shorts and black jazz tap shoes. |
| Tiny Toes | Hair up, out of face. | Any leotard with skirt, pink tights, ballet shoes, black tap shoes or black jazz shoes depending on class. No large tutus. |
Encourage your dancer to use the washroom prior to class. Leaving the room interferes with classroom instruction for the class and your dancer.
Twinkle Toes, Tiny Toes & Mini Hip Hop Dancers
Kinderdance & Up
Ages 2-9
Require parent in building. Dancers are not permitted to meet parents at another location in or out of the building unless the form is completed.
Ages 10+
Parents may pick-up and drop-off them in the parking lot. Dancers are not permitted to walk home or meet parents at another location in or out of the building unless the form is completed.
Ages 12+
Dancers may arrive and depart on their own. A self-sign out form must be completed.
Dancers must stay in the room with the instructor. If late pick up continues, a fee may occur.
Dates are subject to change at the discretion of the Carol Stream Park District)
Class recital placement depends on siblings, conflicts and the number of dancers in each recital.
Payments can be made on a month to month basis or in full.
Payments – Monthly Basis All payment plans must be made via automatic withdraw on the 1st of each month for a total of nine months. Complete an automatic payment request form at the time of registration.
View Refund and Withdrawal Policy
There are no refunds for missed classes, or costumes.
Regular attendance at all dance classes is expected and imperative to develop the skills to be successful throughout the year. Choreography and technique are taught weekly to prepare for the performances and competition.
Dress Codes must be followed by Dance Competition members. Dress appropriately for the class including proper shoes. Hair should be styled neatly and away from the face.
| Dance Discipline | Hair | Must-Have Attire | Class Attire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballet | Hair up in a bun, out of face | Black leotard camisole (for performances). Pink footed tights. Pink canvas ballet slippers for competition (bought through Carol Stream Park District) | Black leotard. Pink ballet shoes. Pink tights. Black ballet skirt. |
| Hip Hop | Hair up, out of face | Comfortable fitted clothing. Clean athletic shoes (that are not worn outside). Pants covering knees (shorts, jeans, boots are not permitted). | Girls- shoes (bought through Carol Stream Park District) Boys – After costume is picked |
| Jazz | Hair up, out of face | Leotard. Tan footed tights (bought through Carol Stream Park District). Black dance or yoga style pant or capri. Black jazz shoes. | Leotard. Black leggings. Black jazz shoes. |
| Lyrical | Hair up in a bun, out of face | Black leotard camisole (for performances). Pink footed tights. Pink canvas ballet slippers for competition (bought through Carol Stream Park District) | Black leotard. Pink ballet shoes. Pink tights. Black ballet skirt. |
Set a positive example by being well-behaved, mature, and responsible. It’s Fortè Dancers job set good examples for others. Part of a team and are expected to support, help, and work together with all of your peers.
Take rehearsal content and what you learn seriously; practice outside of class as often as necessary.
Discipline is carried out in a way that helps children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own behavior. We make every effort to assist the child in correcting any unacceptable behavior through redirection, reminders of expected behavior, time-outs, and parent conferences. Our approach focuses on positive reinforcement; staff acts in a manner that is kind and caring, yet firm. If an incident occurs, instructors have a behavioral form detailing what happened for parents.
Keep talking to a minimum; excessive talking hinders rehearsal productivity.
Review corrections. When you receive a correction, try to fix it immediately but also remember it in the future so it is not repeated. At the end of class, make mental notes of the corrections you received.
Classes may be canceled by the Carol Stream Park District if the facility is closed due to unforeseen circumstances such as power outages, flooding, weather, etc.
Classes may be combined if they do not meet the 6 participation requirements.
We encourage all company members to take additional classes to work on technique and get a variety of different skills from various instructors. Taking additional classes make Fortè members more well-rounded dancers. Etra classes are not mandatory. An additional fee, costume, and competition fee is applied.
If an instructor is absent due to illness, the Carol Stream Park District reserves the right to staff a qualified substitute or schedule a make-up class.
Make-up classes are not scheduled for missed classes due to patron personal conflict.
Refunds and proration are not issued for missed classes due to patron personal conflict.
All competitors are required to rehearse during their scheduled time slot as well as a practice throughout the week on their own time. Dancers are provided a copy of all competition music.
There is a fee per dancer per dance that they are registered for. If dancers are in more than one company, in a small group or technique class payment is per class. Duets and Trio fees are per dancer per group. Dancers are responsible for fees associated with competitions.
When a competition team member sign-ups, it is with the understanding that being a member of the competitive team. Remember the team is judged as a team when competing, and one student with bad attendance hurts the entire team. Occasionally there are required school events that may interfere with rehearsals, if this is the case, bring it to our attention. Of course, classes may be missed due to illness, injuries.
Competitors are also judged on their costumes, hair, and makeup.
The time of competition and the exact day is given a week before the competition.
Dancers must wear the appropriate costume for any and all dances that you are a part of.
Any borrowed costumes from the Carol Stream Park District must be returned at the end of the season. Instructors collect any items that belong to the Carol Stream Park District at the end of the winter season after the Holiday Showcase, and at the end of the season after the competition or recital.
There are costume fees that provide each dancer with one costume per company they are in. Like the competition fee’s these apply per class that your dancer is in including small groups, multiple companies, and the technique class.
Keep costumes in a safe place and do not lose any pieces. If you do lose a piece, CSPD will attempt to help you find a replacement however any costs incurred are the responsibility of the dancer.
Ages 8+
Parents may pick-up and drop-off them in the parking lot. Dancers are not permitted to walk home or meet parents at another location in or out of the building unless the form is completed.
Ages 12+
Dancers may arrive and depart on their own. A self-sign out form must be completed.
Late Pick up is not provided. Dancers must be picked up at end of class. We understand an emergency may arise that could cause a late pick up. In that instance, dancers need to stay in the room with an instructor. If late pick up becomes habitual, a fee may occur.
The Fortè Dance Company performs around the community in the wintertime; participate in seasonal group outings, two Carol Stream Park District performances, and a competition. All companies come together and perform a finale dance at the end of the recital.
Company members must meet the financial requirements for rehearsals, competitions, special performances, and costumes.
Payments – Monthly Basis All payment plans must be made via automatic withdraw on the 15st of each month. Complete an automatic payment request form at the time of registration. Payments are set up to be made two weeks prior to participation. Payments that are not successfully processed prior to the first of the month or participation is suspended. The monthly fee is determined based on the average monthly cost to run the program annually. Price per month is not broken down by the number of practices that month. When there is time off during the summer, fall, and winter the monthly rate remains the same.
Costume, competition, and performance fees are paid through a code throughout the entire season.
View Refund and Withdrawal Policy
There are no refunds for missed classes, or costumes.
We offer Fortè opportunity for participants interested in competing with additional dances such as trios, duets, or small group dances. This is a selected group of dancers that work well together, have good behavior, and attends class regularly.
There is an additional costume fee, competition fee, and rehearsal fee. We keep everyone updated on pricing for this additional Fortè opportunity.
Dancers do not choose their own groups, groups are assigned by instructors. Indicate on your audition form if you’re interested in an additional dance to be performed at the competition.
At least one parent for each Fortè member is required to volunteer at our Holiday Dance Showcase and Spring Dance Recital. Options include set-up the prior evening or a variety of positions the day of the event. Volunteers must be over the age of 18.
The Fortè Dance Company has a small parent committee that meets once a month to go over and plan fundraisers, group outings, and parties.
