Welcome To LDA!
We're so excited you're here!
Here's a little bit about what makes us unique...
LDA is a technique focused dance program based in ballet that focuses on providing a technically focused dance education in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and pointe. Ballet is REQUIRED for enrollment at LDA and we are a closed viewing program. Our studio and lobby is reserved for dancers and LDA faculty only.
Your Dancer's placement in levels and classes is based on their
age AND current technical skillset.
~ Dancers aged 3.5 - 9 with less than 4 years experience are placed in levels Pre-1, Pre-2 and L1 (including Mini and Beginning classes) based on age and previous experience.
LDA is the best fit for families and dancers who are looking for independent (no parent participation or open viewing), classically structured, and curriculum based classes that teach ballet and dance terminology from the very start!
~ Dancers aged 10 - 19 with more than 4 years experience are placed in levels L2 - L7 (including classes labeled as intermediate or advanced) based on age, previous experience, and on their placement within their first week of classes at LDA.
We believe in studio to student fit and support families in finding the program that is right for their dancer's unique goals!
Not every studio is a strong fit for every student.
We believe that parents and students should find the program that is the right fit for their child's personal dance goals.
Our Pre-level classes incorporate play-based elements, fun prop work, and creative movement games while still maintaining a commitment to true dance terminology and benchmarks in all classes and levels! Pre-ballet, Pre-jazz, and Pre-lyrcial are all independent classes (no parent-participation or viewing during non Open-House timeframes)
We are proud to be a small, female owned, student-centered studio!
In a world where some might believe that "bigger is better"
we are small... on purpose.
Why isn't every student interested in registering at LDA placed in classes?
Our mission is quality over quantity and since we are committed to an intimate studio experience we simply don't always have enough space in classes for every student who wishes to dance with us. We strive to maintain smaller class sizes whenever possible, which means we often turn away students once our classes have filled.
Our schedule and priority registration is geared towards dancers who are interested in focusing and/or specializing in the dance-arts and studying in multiple genres per week. That doesn't mean we don't love Beginners!!! 95% of our Advanced dancers began at LDA when they were in the pre-levels (3-4 year olds).
We have a highly structured and focused schedule that is built to allow our dancers to take multiple classes across multiple genres. That means fewer times and day options per level are available in order for classes and levels to not overlap. There is no way for us to add a class and/or level simply because it doesn't work with your child's' schedule in their other activities.
General Studio Policies:
There are no refunds for registered classes (Fall, Spring, summer Sessions). Tuition takes the entire session into consideration and the number of classes per week may not be lessened once registration is complete. By registering for the a session you are agreeing to pay the entire tuition balance of classes during the Spring Session time frame (example: 18 weeks) with no refunds.
Please understand that your dancer's spot is being held whether or not he/she attends the full session or not and that our studio/facilities overhead is being paid for the entire session regardless of your child's absences. We are unable to offer placement to another student to fill partial session in place of your student's absences.
New Student Placement Evaluations
LDA does not provide free trial classes. New families registering for the first time may fill out the registration form to hold a dancer's place in the classes you are interested in. We will then be in contact with you to schedule your dancer's welcome tour and account set up. A dancer's first week of class will be considered her/his placement evaluation. If for any reason we believe your dancer is a better fit for another level we will be in contact with you to make schedule adjustments. If after your dancer's first class you, for whatever reason, do not wish to move forward with registration, your registration will be canceled and you will only be responsible to pay the evaluation class fee of $35 per class taken. New students may not take class without all liability and account set up forms complete.
Participation in the Spring Performance is REQUIRED for all dancers in Levels 1+ and up (Pre Levels do not have a performance requirement).
Performance experience is a key component in dance training and is an integral part of our class curriculum during the months leading up to performances. Dancers in levels 1+ are required to participate in the Spring Performance in order to prevent disruption to class curriculum, choreography and blocking. *LDA prioritizes students who wish to fully participate in the mission and focus of our program. Dancers interested in taking classes that do not lead to performances are encouraged to look into the many recreational dance studio options in our area.
Pro-rates are only available to new students registering more than 1 month after the start of the session, space permitting. A student's schedule may be altered by class type and/or additional classes may be added at any time.
LDA ABSENCE POLICY:
A total of 15% of a dancer's registered classes may be made-up for absence and illness within one week of each missed class. Make-up classes can be taken in any genre of the same level or age group. *Make-up classes are the parent's responsibility to schedule (space permitting). LDA will not always be able to provide make-up class options due to class space and availability. Please do your best to have your student attend all of their registered classes and levels. There will be NO MAKEUPS permitted during the month of May during show prep for the June Show; please plan accordingly.
We are a closed viewing studio (no audience/observers in classes) in order to allow the space needed for our students to focus on the teacher and the curriculum free from distraction.
Our lobby is reserved for dancer and faculty use only. Any parents needing in-person assistance may schedule an in-person meeting at any time by sending a meeting request email to: lauren.livdancearts@gmail.com
Level promotions are made in the Fall Session of a new dance year and are based on age, ability, and experience. We are continually keeping an eye on student placement and if for any reason we believe your dancer needs to move up or down in leveling mid-year we will notify you personally.
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Registration Policies
There is an annual Family Registration Fee of $50 charged during the Fall Session for renewing families that covers each family for Fall, Spring and Summer Sessions. If you are a new family to LDA you will pay your first annual registration fee upon registration.
A Multi-Class discount is automatically built into our tuition structure for dancers taking more than one class per week. An automatic discount is applied per class for all students registered in any intensive. Email us for tuition info!
LDA HAS A STRICT NO REFUND POLICY. Please do not register until you are READY TO COMMIT TO CLASSES. Once your registration form is submitted you will be charged for registration if applicable and tuition with no refunds.
Make-Up Policy:
A total of 15% of a dancer's registered classes may be made-up for absence and illness within one week of the missed class. Make-up classes can be taken in any genre of the same level or age group. *Make-up classes are the parent's responsibility to schedule (space permitting). LDA will not always be able to provide make-up class options due to class space and availability. Please do your best to have your student attend all of their registered classes and levels.There will be NO MAKEUPS permitted during the month of May during show prep for the June Show; please plan accordingly.
Studio To Family Fit Policy:
We require all registering families to read and acknowledge all of our studio and registration policies in order to confirm dancers into classes. These are all important policies to take into consideration before choosing to dance with LDA! We truly believe in the importance of studio to family fit and we are dedicated to finding families and dancers that we can cultivate life-long relationships with. The majority of our dancers spend 10+ years under our instruction, so it's worth taking the time to find the right studio for your family's unique needs and dance goals!
Not every studio is a good fit for every family and LDA reserves the right to determine if there is an appropriate fit with each family and dancer prior to inviting them to register or re-register their dancer. Families or dancers who are unable to adhere to our studio policies or dance and/or behave in a manor that is inappropriate amongst our diverse student body, families, and faculty members may be asked to find a different studio to study with.
Thank you for understanding that the purpose of our program is to celebrate and embrace the art of dance, and that following all safety rules and regulations as well as LDA policies is a firm requirement in order to dance with us!
