The first tuition payment and a registration fee are due at the time of registration. Tuition is due on the 1st of each month from September to May. You have from the 1st through the 15th to make payment. Backstage will email statements on the 1st of each month. A current VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or Amex card must be kept on file. Card payments incur a 3.5% processing fee, while ACH payments have a 1.25% processing fee. To avoid these charges, pay by cash or check at the front desk. Make checks payable to Backstage Dance Studio LLC. 

AutoPay customers will be charged on the 1st of every month for their current balance. If you would like to pay by cash/check, please do so before the 1st of the month or unenroll from AutoPay. Processing fees for AutoPay are 3% for cards and 1% for ACH payments.

After the 15th of the month, a 5% late fee will be added for the full overdue account balance. If your bill is delinquent, your child may be removed from class until the account is brought current. Once a class is taken in any given month, tuition paid is non-refundable and non-transferable. A $30.00 fee will be added for all returned checks, and payment must be made by credit card or cash to bring the account current.

A registration fee of $40, plus $10 per additional child within the same family, will be due at time of registration for the 2024-2025 dance season.

Dance requires discipline and consistency. Students are expected to attend class every week. Missing a class not only hinders their performance but also the overall progress and cohesiveness of the group. If a student misses more than 10% of their classes, they may be asked not to participate in the recital at the end of the year. Class attendance is mandatory throughout March and April as we prepare for the recital. Show Troupe dancers should refer to the Show Troupe Contract for their attendance policy.

If your child is going to be absent, please send notification to bsds.registrar@gmail.com for recreational dancers and backstageshowtroupe@gmail.com for Show Troupe students. Absences may be made up within one month; inquire if you would like to make up a missed class. Refunds are not given for missed classes. Show Troupe dancers should refer to the Show Troupe Contract for their attendance/absence policy.

Dancers may withdraw from recreational classes without penalty until November 1, 2024. Once a class is taken in any given month, tuition paid is non-refundable and non-transferable. Withdrawal requests must be made in writing via email to bsds.registrar@gmail.com. After November 1, 2024, the Parent/Guardian remains responsible for the full annual tuition. Registration fees are non-refundable. Show Troupe dancers should refer to the Show Troupe Contract for Show Troupe withdrawal policies. No cash refunds. All refunds, when applicable, will be made in the form of credit to the account, which is not cash redeemable.

Each recreational class costume costs $85. Combo classes (e.g., mini or petite ballet/tap, mini ballet/jazz) are $100 as dancers will have two dances at the recital. All costumes will be billed and due by November 1, 2024, for recreational classes. Costumes will not be ordered if they are not paid in full. Costumes are non-refundable. The studio is not liable for necessary costume alterations. All costume alterations are the responsibility of the dancer/family. Show Troupe dancers should refer to the Show Troupe Contract for Show Troupe costume information.

A recital fee of $65 per student or $75 per family includes two recital tickets and a digital download of the recital. The recital fee is due November 1, 2024, when costumes are ordered. Recital fees are non-refundable. No tickets may be picked up or purchased if there is a balance on your account. Additional tickets may be purchased in April on a first-come, first-served basis.

Minimum enrollment is six students per class. If the minimum enrollment is not met, the class may be canceled or combined with a similar class. You will be notified via email if there are any changes to your class.

Students are expected to be on time and properly attired for class. Students not adhering to the dress code will not be permitted to participate in class. All students must have proper shoes and attire by the second week of class. Visit the studio website for shoes and dress codes for each class (posted in August). Students are expected to behave properly at all times. Gross misconduct, bullying, or inappropriate social media postings will not be tolerated and are grounds for immediate dismissal.

Held twice yearly so parents can observe their child's progress. An email will be sent specifying these dates and times. No visitors are permitted in the classroom at any other time unless the instructor gives permission.

Important studio updates and announcements are sent via email and occasionally text message. It is imperative that all families have a current email and phone number on file to receive these updates. Inform the studio of any changes to contact information as needed. If you have any issues or concerns, please email backstagedancestudio@gmail.com, and we will address them as needed.

In case of bad weather conditions, an email and text message will be sent with cancellation information. We do not follow Howard County school closings. Do not feel obligated to travel to class if you are uncomfortable with the weather conditions. Please notify us via email at bsds.registrar@gmail.com if you will not be in class.

Students are not to be dropped off at the studio any earlier than 15 minutes prior to their first class and must be picked up no later than 15 minutes following the conclusion of their final class of the day. A fee of $20.00 will be assessed for every 15 minutes, or portion thereof, for early drop-offs and late pick-ups. This does not apply to students waiting for siblings to finish their last class of the day. Students MUST be picked up on time for the last class of the night. If you have a barrier to picking your student up on time, please send an email to backstagedancestudio@gmail.com.

For liability reasons, persons under the age of 18 who are not attending class at Backstage on a given day are not permitted to be left in the studio without a parent or guardian while a sibling is in class.

Student pictures and videos are taken throughout the year for marketing and promoting Backstage Dance Studio and its programs. Parent/Guardian permission is granted to use any and all pictures/videos taken.

Dance rooms and the lobby are subject to video and audio recording for security purposes.

Refunds for pop-up classes, master classes, and camps will be made in the form of a credit only if canceled 48 hours or more in advance. Within 48 hours of the event, classes or camps may be transferred to another class or camp if applicable. No refunds will be issued within 48 hours of the event. No refunds will be given for no-shows. No cash refunds. All refunds will be made in the form of credit to the account, which is not cash redeemable.

Parent/Guardian and dancer recognize the risk of injury inherent in any dance program. Parent/Guardian acknowledges that the dancer is participating with the understanding that injury may occur and agrees to release Backstage Dance Studio, its employees, directors, and volunteers from any and all liability related to such incidents. Backstage Dance Studio is not liable for travel to and from the studio or studio events.

If any legal action or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of these policies, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, or default in connection thereof, the successful or prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in connection with that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.