August 2020

Dear Parents and Students,

A warm welcome is extended to all our students for our 2020-2021 season! We are looking forward to an
exciting new year! We are still adjusting to all of the changes that came along with the COVID-19 pandemic and
are very appreciative of the continued patience and understanding that you all have allowed us as we began to
navigate through those changes, beginning last spring 2020.

The location of our studios at Chi Mukwa (Big Bear) provides us with two spacious studios with mirrors and ballet
bars, locker and changing rooms, convenient parking, a receptionist on duty all day until 9:00 P.M. and large
waiting areas with a concession booth for our families. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, there are a few
adjustments that needed to be made, and one of them is the location of our Studio. Temporarily ALL of our
dance classes have been shifted to accommodate the requirements provided to us by the Administration and
Governing Board of the Big Bear Area and Recreational Center. ALL students will be shifted to the Volleyball
Court where ALL students will be required to be checked for symptoms and will be required to wear a mask
and remain in spaces designated by their instructor throughout the duration of their class(es). IMPORTANT:
Parents will NOT be allowed to enter into the Big Bear Arena and Recreational facility with their child, until further
notice. Children are to be dropped off in the front entrance and with our designated Classroom Aide and/or
Instructor. Children will also be released to their vehicles at the end of class and by their Classroom Aide and/or
Instructor. Other changes that have been made to our normal routine, such as hand washing, etc. will be
provided in document form to each family during the first week of class.

With so many changes upon us, we want to make the transitions as easy on you, as possible. So, what we would
like to do is host our Registration virtually this year. The link to register will be posted to our 'Academy Facebook
Page' and will also be e-mailed to those that have a valid e-mail on file and you may also be emailed upon
request.

You may also pre-register, as we have in the past, by mail, by sending the enclosed registration card with
registration fee and tuition to P.O. Box 1506, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783. Please make checks or money orders
payable to the Academy of Performing Arts. For additional information or to place your child on a class list,
please contact Miss Luanna at (906) 253-2180. Credit cards are also accepted. We are also preparing a
complete virtual experience for our members this year which will include having access to parent and student
portals, group messaging, up-to-date statement review and payment options, etc., all for your convenience.
Second Skin Shop from Marquette, Michigan will be NOT be on hand with us this year. You may view products by
way of their website www.secondskinshop.com or you may contact them directly at 906-226-2263. They have
many quality products that are reasonably priced and shipping has always been very quick! Please review the
dancewear policies on our dance etiquette form, prior to making any purchases.

Our year end production will again take place at the DREAM MAKERS THEATER, May 1st and 2nd. Plans are
underway to present: 'A Performance Celebrating 20 Years'. Our 2020-2021 Faculty Includes: Luanna
Luxton Armstrong, Erika Laitinen-Odbert, Kayla Price, and we welcome Tina Pountney back to the Academy as
our new tap instructor. For all of your billing questions, please contact Christin McKerchie at 906-440-9397.

We look forward to an exciting new year and most of all we look forward to seeing you in September!

Sincerely,

Luanna Luxton Armstrong, B.A.T.D.
Director

*PLEASE NOTE: Due to rapid changes in information and rapid changes with planned events, ALL
official updates will be posted to our 'Academy Facebook' page on a continual basis and as changes
come in.

Cfm-08/2020

Dance Etiquette

The Tradition of Ballet
Ballet is a graceful type of dance that began in the Italian courts of the 15th century. Princes put on lavish spectacles that included poetry, music, singing, and dancing. The style you see today was developed by the French. King Louis XIV of France started the first ballet school of 1661. The basic steps, jumps, and technique of the first French school are still used today, which is why many of them have French names. They are also the foundation of almost every movement in classical dance.

Dance Etiquette
Dance etiquette or 'rules' have been laid down over many centuries. It has been developed over generations to give your body and mind the right preparation for dancing. These rules are innate to all dance forms. Dance studios all over the world adhere to the same basic Dance Etiquette.

Dancing is an art that will make extreme demands on your body. To be a dancer you must be supple, strong, and well-coordinated. You need to be able to jump, have good turnout, and the strength to lift your legs up lightly and easily. To be a dancer you must also be respectful, gracious, and positive in attitude. You need to show respect for the teacher and other students, be on time, wear suitable attire, and be open minded.

1. Respect
A dancer strives to be artistic, intelligent, musical, and graceful. A dancer strives for perfection and self-control. This begins 'inside'.

In other words: Listen carefully to your teacher and pay attention, follow directions, do not disturb others, be kind with your words and actions. Part of the fun of dance class is the interaction with others, but there are limits. Don't chat incessantly. Keep talking and giggling to a minimum. Keep your attention focused. Do not complain, whine, gossip, or voice negative opinions. Encourage and support your fellow dancers!

Be on time and attend class regularly: Being late disrupts other students and the teacher. You forego essential warm-up stretches and could injure yourself later. The teacher reserves the right to have the student observe the class if essential warm-ups have been missed. Arrive early and begin stretching in the hall or the studio. This allows the teacher to spend more time on routines and technical work. Be sure to use the restroom, get a drink of water, and eat a nutritious snack before or after class - never during class! Come ready to go and ready to dance! Remain in the dance studio at all times. Do not wander in and out of the class space while the teacher is teaching. If for some reason you cannot continue, quietly apologize and go to the side.

Attitude is Everything: Be responsible. Be safe. Be respectful. Work hard; strive to do your best. Only you can make yourself a true dancer 'within!'

2. Dance Attire
On stage costumes are full and lavish, but daily practice clothes are quite different. In dance class, where you study and practice before going on to perform, you will concentrate on form, line, and movement. The clothes that you wear are designed with this in mind. They are practical and uncluttered. You must be able to move and stretch easily, and your teacher must be able to see that all muscles are working correctly when students are learning the movements. Wearing improper dance attire can be very dangerous to the student or other students. Jeans and 'street and school' clothing can restrict movement hindering the development of strength and flexibility.

*No jeans, sweatpants, street clothing, street shoes, jazz pants longer than the heel of the foot or shoe, or jewelry (small stud earrings are acceptable)

3. Hair
Make sure your hair is tidy and off your face for your class. For girls, it is ideal if hair is long enough to put up - about shoulder length - into a tight bun or ponytail. If your hair is too short to put up, just pin or tie. It is important to keep hair up and out of the way, so that it does not distract the student or others when rehearsing. *ALL Academy performances will require ALL students to wear hair in a bun. NO EXCEPTIONS.

4. Food and Drink
Dancers need nutritious food and healthy drinks. It is important for your physical development as a dancer to have good nutrition. Your brain also needs the right foods in order to concentrate, focus, and learn. Avoid candy and pop before class.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the dance studio. This includes water bottles. Please eat at the tables and throw away any garbage. Respect our shared space and clean up after yourself. Students are discouraged to leave class and go into the hall to get a drink from their water bottle or the drinking fountain.

Ballet, Pointe, & Lyrical: Black leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet shoes or Pointe shoes. Hair is to be pulled back. Intermediate and Senior ballet girls should have their hair pulled back into a bun that is securely fastened with bobby pins. If the student's hair is too short, use clips or a head-band.

Jazz: Leotard, black jazz pants (must come above the bottom of the student's shoe), jazz shorts or tights, and tan jazz shoes. Hair pulled back out of face.

Tap: Leotard, black jazz pants (must come above the bottom of the student's shoe), jazz shorts or tights, and black tap shoes. Hair pulled back out of face.

Hip-Hop: Leotard, dance shirt, black jazz pants (must come above the bottom of the student's shoe), jazz shorts or tights, and Hip-Hop shoes. Hair pulled back out of face.

Acrobatics/Tumbling: Leotard, footless tights and bare feet, hair pulled back.

Cabaret: Leotard, tights, skirt or shorts, tan character or ballet shoes. Hair pulled back.

I wish to be a dancer inside and out! I agree to do my very best to adhere to Dance Etiquette at all times. I understand that it is my dedication and my attitude that will allow me to grow positively in mind and body.

*Promise to yourself... Sign original copy provided to you via mail and then put on your bulletin board as a daily reminder.

• NOTE: If students show up to class without proper dance attire more than three times, a letter will be sent to the parents. If you receive a letter, please ensure that your child has proper dance wear for their class. Dance wear can be purchased from Second Skin in Marquette. 1-800-906-7546, or secondskinshop.com.

Cfm-08/2020

Safety is the main objective of the Academy of Performing Arts, but any activity involving any type of motion holds risk of accidental injury. The parent or legal guardian of the dancer(s) enrolled in the classes of the Academy of Performing Arts acknowledge the potential risks associated with the activities connected with various forms of dance and/or acrobatics, by reading this statement and therefore give permission for the enrolled individuals to participate in any and all classes, programs, shows and events offered by or attended by the Academy of Performing Arts.

By reading this, the responsible party, parent, or legal guardian accepts all risks associated with that participation and understand that there is a full possibility of serious physical illness or injury.

INSURANCE & PERMISSION FOR TREATMENT The Academy of Performing Arts does NOT carry medical insurance for its students. It is required that all students be covered by their own family insurance policy and it is understood that if injury does occur, the student's own policy is your only source of reimbursement.

Please inform the Academy of Performing Arts of any medical information changes pertaining to the student enrolled. Please be sure to inform the Academy administration (as necessary) and the instructor (as necessary) of each individual class of any physical/psychological limitations, injuries, or weakness that may affect the student. If the student has a condition which may require special attention, please be sure to inform the Academy administration and also the Instructor of each individual class and list detailed directions (if any) in the case of an immediate emergency. (Example: Inhaler, Insulin, Epi-Pen, Etc.)


Furthermore, the responsible party, parent, or legal guardian hereby gives permission to the Academy of Performing Arts to use photographs and/or videos of the dancer(s) enrolled as a member of the Academy, as deemed appropriate for the promotion of the Academy of Performing Arts, UNLESS otherwise directed by the responsible party, parent, or legal guardian.

THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS ~ PAYMENT PLAN CONTRACT/AGREEMENT

Should a payment not be made in full, at the time of registration, then a reasonable payment plan must be reviewed, agreed upon, and approved. The responsible party of the account(s) through The Academy of Performing Arts, located in Sault Sainte Marie, MI., agrees to make payments on the specified dates listed on the approved payment schedule and in the amounts discussed, agreed upon, and approved through the Administration of The Academy of Performing Arts.

The responsible party for the account with the Academy of Performing Arts will be responsible for the consequences that will be brought against them if a violation of the agreement and/or non-payment of the account occurs.

The payment schedule is based on an eight (8) month season, beginning in September and ending in April of the following year.

There will be NO REFUNDS for missed classes or due to closures or class cancellations that are out of our control. Example but not limited too: Closures or cancellations due to the COVID-19 situation.

ALL accounts MUST be PAID IN FULL by April of the following year. Payment schedules will remain flexible but MUST be discussed and approved, with FINAL payments on the account made PRIOR to SHOW WEEKEND.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: In the case of any such violation and/or non-payment on the account, or any unpaid debt owed to The Academy of Performing Arts, the account will then be referred to the EUP Community Dispute Resolution Center (EUP CDRC) for services and for resolution on any unpaid balances and/or total balances owed. Mediation services will be utilized as an alternative of going through small claims court or through district court in an effort to keep high litigation costs down for all parties involved.

The responsible parties will proceed with a binding mediation through the EUP Community Dispute Resolution Center (EUP CDRC) where the mediator will assist both parties with a common goal in mind of rendering a final and binding decision on the unresolved debt. If an agreement is not met, The Academy of Performing Arts will then proceed to small claims or district court to settle any unresolved issues that may remain after the mediation session has been concluded.

The responsible party/parties of the account and of the debt owed to The Academy of Performing Arts shall be COMPLETELY and 100% responsible for ALL mediation costs and services provided by the EUP Community Dispute Resolution Center (EUP CDRC) and any additional service fees associated with moving forward to mediation services. The mediation settlement agreement/resolution shall be binding and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Individuals enrolling in a payment plan agree that the information and the agreement pertaining to this document is acceptable and agree to the terms and conditions within this document. The responsible party will take full responsibility for the contract and the agreement within and for the account pertaining to this agreement and should this account be forwarded to mediation services for violation and/or unpaid debt. The responsible party understands that any fees associated with mediation services, including any additional service fees, will be their responsibility.

*Fees and fee structure subject to change based on the fees and fee structure set through the EUP Community Dispute Resolution Center (EUP CDRC) and also any and all service fees that may be set through The Academy of Performing Arts of Sault Sainte Marie, MI.

Cfm 06/15/2018