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FAQs
WHAT SHALL I WEAR TO CLASS?We don't have a uniform policy at Dance Northside -- uniforms are expensive and quickly outgrown. Just wear clothes that allow free movement (eg. leggings or trackpants and a singlet or t-shirt). That said, we do have a range of Dance Northside t-shirts, singlets, and hoodies available to purchase from our online store.
REQUIRED FOOTWEAR IS AS FOLLOWS:
~ Ballet - ballet slippers*
~ Jazz and Theatre Jazz - black jazz shoes*
~ Hip Hop and Functional Fit - sneakers
~ Contemporary, Lyrical, Creative Movement, Little Wigglers, and Dance Fundamentals - bare feet*We have a stash of pre-loved ballet and jazz shoes at the studio. Students are welcome to borrow these at no cost.
HOW DO I ENROL? You can enrol yourself online. Simply click one of the many green ‘Get Started’ buttons and select Option 3. You will be directed to our parent portal and prompted to create an account. From there, you will be able to register for classes. If you need any help with enrolling, please email admin@dancenorthside.com.
DO I NEED TO RE-ENROL EVERY TERM?No, you can remove re-enrolling from your to do list! Dance Northside rolls enrolmnents over from one term to the next. All you need to do to secure your spot is make a payment towards your tuition fees for the relevant term. You can opt out at any time -- just notify us by email that you do not wish to continue.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?Just a bottle of water!
IS THERE FREE PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE STUDIO?Yes! And additional free parking is available at the shops across the road. Please be careful in our car park as there are lots of little people about.
CAN MY CHILD COME OUT TO MEET ME IN THE CAR PARK?For safety, students aged 12 and under must be collected from inside the studio -- they will not be allowed to leave the building or cross the road without an adult.
CAN GORWN UPS STAY AND WATCH?Yes, we maintain an open door policy at Dance Northside, meaning grown ups are welcome to stay and watch their child participate in class. However, after your child's first lesson, we kindly ask that you watch from one of the following viewing areas:
WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY YOUR DANCE STUDIO IS 'AGE-APPROPRIATE'?Put very simply, we won't encourage or teach your child to look, dress, or dance like an adult. We extend this approach to our performance season: makeup is minimal if used at all, costumes meet an appropriate level of dress for children, and our choreography is created to match the age of the students performing it.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY 'RECREATIONAL' AND 'NON-COMPETITIVE'?Many dance schools compete in eisteddfods: dance competitions where dancers are judged on their performance, costumes, hair, makeup, etc. Dance Northside recognises that competition has value in particular contexts – we just don't believe it has a place in the arts. Therefore, we do not compete in eisteddfods. Instead, the Dance Northside Performance Team showcases routines at community events around Canberra, such as Floriade and school fetes. It challenges and provides performance opportunities for our advanced dancers, while focusing on personal growth and staying true to our values of kindness, respect, community.
WHAT IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY?Included in the Dance Northside terms and conditions is a photographic consent section. There is absolutely no obligation to grant Dance Northside permission to use photographs of your child for promotional purposes (eg. on the Dance Northside website, Instagram and Facebook page). You are welcome to take a photo of your child in their dancing outfit before or after class, but sadly, we can't allow you to take photos of your child during class out of consideration for the privacy of other students.
DOES DANCE NORTHSIDE RUN CLASSES ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS?We do not run classes on public holidays. However, you are welcome to attend a make-up lesson at any point during the term by coming along to another age-appropriate class. All we ask is that you let us know by phone or email in advance so the relevant teacher can be prepared to welcome you.
WHAT IF MY CHILD MISSES A LESSON DUE TO ILLNESS OR SOME OTHER REASON?As above, you are welcome to attend a make-up lesson at any point during that term.
DO YOU HAVE A LOST PROPERTY BOX?Yes, we have a lost property box at the studio. If you have misplaced something, let one of our staff know so they can check whether it's been found and handed in. Please note that any unclaimed items are donated to charity at the end of each term.
CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT MORE ABOUT THE CONCERTS?
CAN I TAKE CLASSES AT DANCE NORTHSIDE BUT NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONCERTS?Yes. Little Wigglers, Dance Fundamentals, and Functional Fit do not prepare performance routines. Students not wanting to participate in the concert are welcome to attend other classes during Terms 1 and 3. However, our concerts are very low pressure, and students find them an enjoyable and confidence-building experience -- we encourage everyone to participate.
HOW DO I ENROL? You can enrol yourself online. Simply click one of the many green ‘Get Started’ buttons and select Option 3. You will be directed to our parent portal and prompted to create an account. From there, you will be able to register for classes. If you need any help with enrolling, please email admin@dancenorthside.com.
DO I NEED TO RE-ENROL EVERY TERM?No, you can remove re-enrolling from your to do list! Dance Northside rolls enrolmnents over from one term to the next. All you need to do to secure your spot is make a payment towards your tuition fees for the relevant term. You can opt out at any time -- just notify us by email that you do not wish to continue.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?Just a bottle of water!
IS THERE FREE PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE STUDIO?Yes! And additional free parking is available at the shops across the road. Please be careful in our car park as there are lots of little people about.
CAN MY CHILD COME OUT TO MEET ME IN THE CAR PARK?For safety, students aged 12 and under must be collected from inside the studio -- they will not be allowed to leave the building or cross the road without an adult.
CAN GORWN UPS STAY AND WATCH?Yes, we maintain an open door policy at Dance Northside, meaning grown ups are welcome to stay and watch their child participate in class. However, after your child's first lesson, we kindly ask that you watch from one of the following viewing areas:
- the foyer or kitchen if your child is dancing in the front studio;
- the kitchen or reception end if your child is dancing in the main studio.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY YOUR DANCE STUDIO IS 'AGE-APPROPRIATE'?Put very simply, we won't encourage or teach your child to look, dress, or dance like an adult. We extend this approach to our performance season: makeup is minimal if used at all, costumes meet an appropriate level of dress for children, and our choreography is created to match the age of the students performing it.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY 'RECREATIONAL' AND 'NON-COMPETITIVE'?Many dance schools compete in eisteddfods: dance competitions where dancers are judged on their performance, costumes, hair, makeup, etc. Dance Northside recognises that competition has value in particular contexts – we just don't believe it has a place in the arts. Therefore, we do not compete in eisteddfods. Instead, the Dance Northside Performance Team showcases routines at community events around Canberra, such as Floriade and school fetes. It challenges and provides performance opportunities for our advanced dancers, while focusing on personal growth and staying true to our values of kindness, respect, community.
WHAT IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY?Included in the Dance Northside terms and conditions is a photographic consent section. There is absolutely no obligation to grant Dance Northside permission to use photographs of your child for promotional purposes (eg. on the Dance Northside website, Instagram and Facebook page). You are welcome to take a photo of your child in their dancing outfit before or after class, but sadly, we can't allow you to take photos of your child during class out of consideration for the privacy of other students.
DOES DANCE NORTHSIDE RUN CLASSES ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS?We do not run classes on public holidays. However, you are welcome to attend a make-up lesson at any point during the term by coming along to another age-appropriate class. All we ask is that you let us know by phone or email in advance so the relevant teacher can be prepared to welcome you.
WHAT IF MY CHILD MISSES A LESSON DUE TO ILLNESS OR SOME OTHER REASON?As above, you are welcome to attend a make-up lesson at any point during that term.
DO YOU HAVE A LOST PROPERTY BOX?Yes, we have a lost property box at the studio. If you have misplaced something, let one of our staff know so they can check whether it's been found and handed in. Please note that any unclaimed items are donated to charity at the end of each term.
CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT MORE ABOUT THE CONCERTS?
- Showcase is held at Canberra Theatre at the end of Term 2, and Community Concert Week is held in house at the end of Term 4.
- Participating students will be expected to attend a dress rehearsal and all shows they are performing in.
- You won't be required to sew costumes.
- You won't be required to pay an exorbitant amont for costumes, but there is a small performance/costume fee.
- Your will be asked to provide some basic undergarments (eg. black leggings or a white singlet).
- All aspects of our performance are age-appropriate.
- Makeup is optional, and hairstyles are simple.
- You won't be forced to sit through an epic hours-long show; the run time of our concerts is always about 90 minutes or less.
- You do have to purchase tickets to attend the concert (ticket sales cover to theatre hire and other expenses).
- The concert is designed to be a stress-free, fun, positive experience for performers and parents.
CAN I TAKE CLASSES AT DANCE NORTHSIDE BUT NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONCERTS?Yes. Little Wigglers, Dance Fundamentals, and Functional Fit do not prepare performance routines. Students not wanting to participate in the concert are welcome to attend other classes during Terms 1 and 3. However, our concerts are very low pressure, and students find them an enjoyable and confidence-building experience -- we encourage everyone to participate.