1The following is general information about the Competitive Performing Company at Dancers Corner. Just like any sport, being a part of The DC Company is a big commitment from both the dancers and their parents! We are thrilled that you want to be a part of our “company family”. We at DC are committed to doing all that we can to make this experience organized, fun and uplifting for you and your child, while expanding her/his knowledge and love of dance! Here is some preliminary info that may help you decide if the DC Company experience is for you!
2Upon company placement, after auditions, you will receive a contract via e-mail, that will include your detailed contract (with a returnable portion) that fully explains fees, payment plan and a description of what the fees include, and do not include. Company fees are inclusive fees that are broken into monthly installments. These payments will be remitted in separate installments over at least 8 months, the first being due the at the beginning of June. You will also receive (VIA e-mail) a summer class schedule with the appropriate and required classes indicated for your dancer. Later, you will receive a fall class schedule indicating the required technique classes and rehearsal classes for your dancer, as well as fall tuition information.
3Dance is a year round sport, therefore Company dancers are required to take summer classes. There are 4 consecutive weeks of summer classes offered. Summer classes will begin in early July and last through the month. All dancers are required to take at least 2 summer classes. Dancers should take classes in all styles in which they will be competing, and may have additional/ optional classes available to them as well. All jazz and contemporary company dancers are also required to take ballet. The cost of summer classes is not included in co. fees. The pricing for these classes will be listed on the summer schedule e-mail. (you can estimate a minimum of approx. $140, and a maximum of approx. $240) Upon returning your contract, please e-mail any known conflicts or vacation times to our Company Director; Whittney Niemi at: whittney@dancers-corner.com. Absences in summer classes will not count against company attendance records. Attendance policies will be further explained in your contract. Parents, please note: JULY is the BEST month to travel! We are aware that many families like to plan summer vacations. If your child is dancing on the company, July is the most ideal month to do so. This will not conflict with any choreography sessions, or the summer intensive. If you don’t plan to attend nationals, you have the month of June open as well. Please try not to travel in the month of August if at all possible to avoid conflicts.
4The mandatory summer requirement for all Company Dancers is the annual 4 day AMP summer dance intensive offered by DC. It is held in early August. This year’s dates are AUGUST 5th-8th at Dancers Corner. AMP is a fun and exciting experience for the Company where they will be offered many different styles of dance, and have the opportunity to take classes from acclaimed professional guest instructors! Your Company fees do not include the cost of AMP. (you can approximate $300.00) Details for AMP, including cost and specific class schedule, will be e-mailed to you upon receiving your returned contract, accepting your position on the DC company. If you are unable to attend this mandatory intensive, please reconsider auditioning. We cannot allow dancers to participate in Company unless they participate in the summer intensive. All DC CO dancers must be available starting August 1st to begin choreography for the season.
NO. There are many factors that are considered before placing a dancer on a company, but the primary deciding factor is ability. For instance, because a dancer is 12 years old, this does not necessarily mean that all other dancers on the company with which she/he is placed will all be of the same age; some may be younger, some may be older. If offered a position on a company, the dancer will be placed where the staff feels she/he is best suited in terms of technical skill and overall performance ability.
NO. This is a selective audition. We are not able to accept all dancers. If we do not feel that a dancer is ready and we are not able to offer him/her a position on the DC CO, we notify those dancers before results are posted.
NO. If you can’t attend auditions, you will need to contact whittney@dancers-corner.com to check on the possibility of other arrangements, which cannot be guaranteed. It is not ideal for the dancer to not audition on the scheduled audition day.
We understand that financial commitment and budget are huge decision makers for most families. We try to make it as easy as possible for you! A “ball park” figure of on what to expect financially is approximately $1000 for the year to participate in one dance company. Each additional group company will require additional fees of approximately $450 per additional company. Solos are approximately $650, and trios are approximately $500. Choreography fees are not included in your company installments. You can expect an average of $150 per large group choreography fee (you will pay one choreography fee per dance), but this rate depends on the choreographer. Where some group choreography fees may be less than that average, Solos, trios and small groups (dances with 9 and under dancers) will likely have higher choreography fees. Solos range from $350-$500 depending on the choreographer, trios from $200-$300 per dancer, and small groups from $160-$175 per dancer.
A minimum of 3 classes a week. Two technique classes and 1 company rehearsal class. There will be an additional company technique class (with the exception of hip-hop, dancers who do hip-hop co. as an additional company, they are not required to take a hip-hop technique class in the fall; just the rehearsal class) AND rehearsal class for each additional company with which your child competes.
Because the DC CO aims to have a place for dancers with varying skill levels/competitive experience to train and have the opportunity to compete, we offer two divisions of some age groups, when we feel that it will be beneficial/necessary. Division “II” teams/classes are designed with our more novice performers/technicians in mind to build on their technical abilities and performance quality, where division “I” teams/classes are comprised of more experienced competitors/technically refined dancers. Division II and I dancers are all amply challenged with classes that are customized to grow, educate and inspire them. All technique Classes are level appropriate, progressive and stimulating for our young artists!
On weekend choreography sessions, Aug-Oct. Choreography dates/times are scheduled as far in advance as possible (Whenever possible, we give at least 3 weeks advance notice of upcoming choreography). The Choreography fee for each routine is due on the first day of choreography for that routine. Each routine takes 2-3 sessions to set the entire piece. Dancers are required to be present for all sessions for each routine in which she/he participates. DC has a family of talented and innovative choreographers that is comprised of professional choreographers, Dancers Corner alumni who are persuing dance at a collegiate level/dancing professionally, and staff! We feel that versatility is vastly important, so we strive to ensure that our dancers are exposed to a wide range of influences whom we feel are positive influences and role models that care about their progress and growth, as well as exceptionally talented choreographers whose skills range from stylized classic jazz to cutting edge contemporary and everything in between!
YES. Choreography is typically learned during weekend choreography sessions. Dress rehearsal, and all competitions and conventions are held on weekends. If your child is a senior level dancer, the majority of their group rehearsals are held on Saturdays. Occasionally, extra weekend rehearsals are called for groups (other than senior groups) that may need additional studio time. We give as much advance notice as possible for all weekend requirements.
YES.Tuition is not included in your Company fees, as that is a separate account. and is paid Sept-May. The cost of 1 rehearsal class is approx. $40.00 per month. This cost will be added to the normal tuition rate. There are also additional solo and trio rehearsal fees that are added to your tuition rate. (approximately an additional $40 per month)Your exact tuition rate will be listed on your DC Company fall schedule that you will receive via e-mail upon being offered a contract, but an estimated cost for tuition for the dance year for 1 company (this includes 2 technique classes and 1 rehearsal class) is approx. $1250. This increases with the more companies the dancer participates in, as there are more technique classes and more rehearsal classes required, however the more classes a dancer takes, a break in price is in place. Dancers Corner also offers an “unlimited” rate cap. This rate applies to dancers that participate in 4 or more technique classes and/or companies and is an estimated $2670 for the year. Additional tuition discounts are offered for siblings and for paying ahead (i.e. paying for your dance year in 2 payments;one in Sept. and one in Jan.)
YES. In addition to our competitive events, all company group numbers, duet/trios (and the solos of graduating seniors) are showcased in our year end spring performance held at Furman University’s McAlister Auditorium (typically in early May). We also set a DC Company production number specifically for the recital to further showcase our company! The additional cost of recital participation will be explained in your contract, but it is approximately $150.00
We participate in 4 mandatory events a year. 1-2 convention/competition (a weekend of classes and competition- this MAY require travel to the Charlotte/Atlanta/Columbia area) and 2-3 local competitions (Greenville/ Spartanburg) as a company. We also send out additional/optional events for soloists, trios or small groups that are interested in doing more events (these events are at extra cost)
Parents will be provided with the tentative event schedule, through email as soon as we have them aligned. DC is very diligent in keeping our parents and dancers “in the loop” and will communicate ALL important “need to know” dates and information via e-mail. You typically will know your competition schedule for the season by the end of September, maybe sooner! Our first mandatory event is typically in February/March
YES. The company offers a “Nationals” opportunity with Dancemakers Inc. each year as an optional event, but a VERY highly recommended one! Nationals are always in June, and require travel (Myrtle Beach, SC). Rehearsals are required in the weeks leading up to Nationals. Nationals info (dates, location, cost estimate etc.) is sent with your mandatory schedule of events so that you may begin saving and planning right away, as Nationals costs are not included in your DC Company fees. An average base fee of approximately $700 ( this will increase by $50-$60 increments depending upon the number of routines in which the dancer is competing) for nationals is a feasible “ball park” amount to budget. This will be paid to Dancers Corner, and will cover the convention fee, as well as rehearsal and entry fees. This does not include the cost of your accommodations/travel, for which you are responsible.