​En Pointe Dance Company Competition Team

Code of Conduct – 2025/2026

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Welcome

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Welcome to the 2025/2026 Competition Team! Our program offers dancers who love to perform the chance to grow, learn, and compete at regional and national levels, as well as perform throughout the year.

Being on the competition team requires greater commitment from both dancers and their families than regular dance classes.

This contract outlines the expectations for dancers and their families. All dancers and guardians must read and understand these policies before joining the team.

Please share this information with anyone involved in the dancer’s experience—those who provide transportation, pay tuition/fees, or attend events—to prevent conflicts during the season.

Participation means you agree to follow these rules for the entire 2025–2026 dance year.

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1. FULL-YEAR COMMITMENT

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Joining the competition team is a full-year commitment, including Nationals in the summer. Leaving mid-season affects the entire team, so please consider this carefully before committing. If a dancer withdraws mid-year, a fee will be charged per dance.

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2. EXCLUSIVITY POLICY

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Competition dancers represent En Pointe and may not take classes, perform, or compete with any other studio or team during the 2025–2026 season.

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3. ATTENDANCE

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Consistent attendance is non-negotiable. Every dancer is part of a team, and absences —regardless of reason—impact everyone. All dancers are expected to prioritize rehearsals, classes, and performances. Only serious illness or family emergencies are considered excused. A doctor’s note is required for absences due to illness or injury.

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4A. CLASS REQUIREMENTS

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Class requirements vary by team. Classes that are in blue have a recital dance. Team members will have a 30-minute weekly rehearsal per dance.

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Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior Team – SMALL GROUP

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• Ballet

• Tap

• Jazz

• Tumbling

• (Teen/Senior Only): Competition Technique
   

Mini & Junior Performance Team – LARGE GROUP
 

• Ballet

• Jazz
   

Teen & Senior Team – LARGE GROUP
 

• Ballet

• Jazz
   

4B. SUMMER CLASS REQUIREMENTS
 

Summer schedules will be set after graduation dates are released. The studio will be closed during Memorial Day week. Summer classes run from the week of June 1st through June 26th.
 

Mini & Junior Teams Summer Requirements
 

• Ballet

• Jazz

• Tumbling

• Team Rehearsals
   

Teen & Senior Small Group Summer Requirements
 

• Ballet

• Jazz

• Tumbling

• Competition Technique

• Team Rehearsals
   

Teen & Senior Large Group Summer Requirements
 

• Ballet

• Jazz

• Competition Technique

• Team Rehearsals
   

5. COST
 

Competition dance involves many expenses, including:

• Costumes

• Jewelry

• Makeup

• Warm-up jackets

• Shoes & tights

• Entry fees

• Monthly tuition

• Choreography & prop fees

• Hotel stays (if required)

No refunds or credits will be given for missed practices or events. Refunds for canceled events depend on the event vendor’s policy.
 

Competition Fees
 

• Regional fees: Due monthly by the 10th, from September to April

• National fees: Due May 10th
   

Competition Costumes
 

• $125 deposit per costume, due monthly beginning in October until all are paid

• Remaining balance: Due January 30th
   

Recital Costumes
 

• $45 per costume: Due October 10th

• Remaining $45: Due January 10th

• Jazz/Contemporary dancers need 2 recital costumes
   

Summer Tuition
 

• Charged May 20th
   

6. SOLOS, DUETS, AND TRIOS
 

Costs are billed with monthly tuition on the 20th.
 

Requirements
 

• Mini/Junior: Must take ballet, tap, jazz, and tumbling

• Teen/Senior: Must take ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, competition technique
   

Private Lesson Costs
 

• Solo: $30 per 30 mins (bi-weekly = $30 every other week)

• Duet: $30 per 30 mins ($15 each dancer)

• Trio: $30 per 30 mins ($10 each dancer)
   

7. COSTUMES AND MAKEUP
 

Each competition dance requires:

• A unique costume

• Specific jewelry

• Specific makeup (must be purchased through Mrs. Lauren)

Costume issues (missing, poor fit, etc.) will impact scores. Dancers must replace lost items or may not be allowed to compete. No refunds will be given.
 

Required Attire
 

• En Pointe warm-up jacket (mandatory for warm-ups/awards)

• False eyelashes (teen/senior dancers only)
   

Sample Makeup List
 

• Foundation

• Blush

• Eye shadow

• Lipstick

• Eyeliner

• Mascara (black)

• False eyelashes
   

8. COMPETITION INFORMATION
 

​Our competition teams will compete at regional and national competitions. Our Performance Company team members will only attend 3/5 regional competitions.

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Regionals are 1–3 hours away, beginning in February. Nationals take place over the summer and require a hotel stay. Attendance at Nationals is mandatory for all team members.

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Competition schedules are not released until the week of the event, so exact call times won’t be known until then. Please plan to be available for the entire competition weekend.

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I will email the schedule as soon as it becomes available.

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Before awards, one dancer will be chosen to receive the team award and must return all awards to the studio the following week. Trophies will stay at the studio for everyone to enjoy. Individual awards will be handed out at the end of class. Soloists may keep their awards.

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Missing an award ceremony without prior, valid approval will result in disciplinary action. We take this very seriously to honor all dancers’ hard work and respect the competition process.

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9. TEAM BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
 

• All team members must show respect and sportsmanship toward competitors, judges, teachers, teammates, and dance parents.

• Do not speak with judges at any competition.

• Be courteous and respectful to teachers, teammates, and dance parents at all times. Ill behavior, including bullying, will not be tolerated.

• Disrespect toward instructors, teachers, staff, or dance parents is grounds for immediate dismissal from the team.

• Any form of negativity or disruptive behavior will result in removal from the team.
  
  En Pointe Dance Company and staff reserve the right to address behavior issues with both dancers and parents to maintain a positive environment. All members must uphold the studio’s standards and represent En Pointe with pride.
   

Parents: Please monitor your dancer(s) closely and ensure they are not running or causing disturbances at competition venues. Know where your dancer is at all times.

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10. COMMUNICATION

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We use email as our primary communication method to keep you informed. Please provide your primary email and make sure to read all messages carefully. Emails will be sent only when necessary.

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Use text messages only for brief, quick questions that require a simple answer. Please do not text staff after hours unless it is a competition weekend or an emergency.

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11. PHOTOGRAPHY
 

En Pointe Dance Company reserves the right to use any photos or videos of students’ performances for advertising, publicity, and studio promotion.

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Please note that each competition has its own photography and video recording rules. All dancers and families must strictly abide by these rules. Failure to do so may result in your dancer losing points or being disqualified from the competition.

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12. EN POINTE VALUES
 

​Always be respectful to others—at the studio, outside, and at competitions. Use polite manners: say please and thank you, hold doors, and stay quiet backstage. Never enter or exit a theater during a performance, and keep quiet during everyone’s dances. You represent En Pointe Dance Company, your family, and your teammates—carry yourself with respect and good manners.

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Do not correct or direct your teammates during rehearsals. That is the teachers’ role. Even if you think it’s helpful, it can undermine team spirit. Speak kindly and supportively to your teammates.

If you need help, ask your teachers or teammates.

Clean up after yourself. While the studio feels like home, remember it is shared by many dancers.

Come prepared—early, with hair and makeup done, and ready to work. Be a role model by demonstrating teamwork and good behavior on and off the dance floor.

Use clean, appropriate language at all times, and avoid gossiping.

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13. SOCIAL MEDIA / SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
 

​Remember that anything shared on social media is public and permanent. Use clean language and never post anything inappropriate. If you share team photos, include and tag everyone—do not crop or exclude teammates.

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Keep in mind that tone can be misunderstood in texts without voice or body language. Avoid sarcasm or comments that could seem mean. Think carefully before posting or messaging.

When wearing En Pointe Dance Company apparel in public or online, you represent the studio and its values. Staff may address any concerning posts or behavior and can request removal of content that negatively impacts the studio. Unacceptable behavior online or in person may result in removal from the team.

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14. SUMMARY
 

Our competition team upholds high standards for dancers and their families. We expect respect, inclusiveness, and sportsmanship at all times. Bullying, exclusion, inappropriate conduct, or unsupportive behavior will not be tolerated and will result in immediate removal from the team—sometimes without warning depending on severity. Refunds will not be issued.

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Together, let’s create a positive environment where everyone can learn, grow, perform, and build lifelong friendships!​
 

Important Dates
 

Choreography Week
 

• September 2nd–6th (after school)
  
  More information will be available after auditions! These choreography sessions will take place after school.

Weekend Rehearsals

 

Please keep your schedule open for weekend rehearsals—exact times will be announced closer to the dates.

Sunday rehearsals will be scheduled to avoid conflicts with morning church services.

Additional weekend rehearsals may be added as we approach competition season. Tentative dates are subject to change if a competition is scheduled that weekend.

 

A weekend rehearsal fee will be applied to cover additional studio time and staffing needs.

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• October 17–19 (Groups & Solos, duets & Trios)

• November 14–16 (Groups & Solos, duets & Trios)

• January 9–11 (Groups & Solos, duets & Trios)

• January 31 (full run-through of all competition dances)

Regional Competitions
 

• Encore: Feb 13–15 – Greenville, SC

• Believe: Feb 27–Mar 1 – Albemarle, NC

• KAR: Mar 6–8 – Charlotte, NC

• ShowStopper: Mar 20–22 – Concord, NC

• Starpower: Apr 17–19 – Spartanburg, SC
   

Performance Company attends events in blue
 

Nationals
 

• Showstopper: June 29–July 4 – Myrtle Beach, SC

• Travel Day: June 28
   

2026 Summer Intensive
 

• July 27–31
   

2026 Auditions
 

• August 1