2020/2021 STUDIO POLICIES
Studio Calendar
  • Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy follows the Avery County School calendar; however, the studio does NOT observe all school holidays and closings.
  • Please consult the studio calendar for important dates and closures.
  • The BRPAA Calendar is posted on our website under the “STUDENT HANDBOOK” tab, and there are also paper copies available at the studio reception desk. 

Registration
  • Fall registration begins in the summer and continues through August 1 each year. However, new students will be allowed to register after classes have already started during the 2020/2021 season.  
  • Registration dates are posted on our Facebook page and website.
  • A non-refundable registration fee is required at the time of registration.
  • The registration fee covers the cost of paperwork processing, insurance, music license fees, and studio communication costs, which are all separate expenses from class tuition.

 Contact
  • Email is the primary source of communication to Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy families. Please add blueridgeperformingarts@yahoo.com to your contacts to ensure you receive these messages.
  • All e-mail addresses will remain confidential and will be used only for the purpose of BRPAA related communication.
  • Like and follow Blue Ridge Performing Arts on Facebook and Instagram to view updates, studio closings, and announcements.
  • Announcements on closings will also be made via email and studio phone recordings.
  • We encourage communication with our studio families. Please feel free to contact Miss Kelly (Owner/Director) or Mrs. Karen (Office Manager) with any questions or concerns!
 
Spring Performance
  • The Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy spring recital brings all of our classes and levels together for an exciting showcase of the year’s hard work, dedication, and progress.
  • Students are not required to perform in the spring recital, but we strongly encourage participation. Students who do not participate often feel left out, as class time is used to practice recital choreography.
  • Recital Performance Packets will be available for parent pick up in late March or early April.
  • The performance packet will contain information regarding our spring performance, including important instructions, dates, and costume requirements.
  • Recital fees are $15 per student or $20 per family and are due on March 1. This fee helps defray production costs, such as programs, props, venue cleaning fees, and student participation awards.
  • If the student will not be participating in the recital, a Recital Withdrawal Form must be completed and returned by December 5. You may pick up the Recital Withdrawal Form at the studio reception desk.
  • Students begin work on performance choreography in early January. Students not participating in the spring performance may either watch the class when recital choreography is being practiced or participate in choreography on the side or in the back.
  • Beginning January 1, 2021, dancers may not miss 3 classes in a row OR 6 classes of a given discipline in order to perform in the spring recital. Allowances will me made for students in quarantine. 
  • No make-up classes are allowed 30 days prior to a performance.
  • Dress rehearsals and performances are held in place of normal classes and included in your monthly tuition payment.
  • Each student will receive complimentary recital tickets. The number of tickets each student receives will be determined by North Carolina’s mass gathering limit at that time.
  • After students have performed, they may sit in the audience with their family and watch the show. However, students are NOT allowed to wear costumes in the audience on the day of the show. - NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • There are no regularly scheduled classes on Dress Rehearsal or Performance Days. The recital activities replace all classes at the studio.
  • The spring recital format is subject to change based on state restrictions. All students, however, will have the opportunity to perform on stage.  
  • Our nine-month studio season concludes with the spring recital.
 
Professional Photos 
  • Professional photos of the dancers in their recital costumes will be taken in May.
  • All students are encouraged to attend the photo shoot, but it is your choice to purchase the pictures.
 
Volunteers
  • There will be a spring performance volunteer sign-up sheet posted on the parent bulletin board inside the front entrance after Spring Break.
  • We will be looking for volunteers for sewing, ushers, concessions, backstage helpers, etc.
  • Backstage helpers and front of house volunteers will be allowed to step into the theatre to watch during their child’s performance(s).
 
Dance Costumes
  • We order beautiful, professionally made costumes from a costume company for the dancers to wear in the spring performance.
  • Costumes are chosen in October and ordered in late December/early January.
  • A costume deposit of $40 is due with the first tuition payment.
  • Dancers will need one costume per dance class/routine.
  • Costume fees range from $40 – $100 per routine.
  •  If the student’s costume(s) cost more than $40, the remainder will be divided into two payments. The first payment is due on November 2, and the second payment is due on December 5.
  • Students are measured for costumes in October and ordered in mid-December.
  • If the full costume payment has not been received by December 10, the student’s costumes will not be ordered.
  • Students not participating in the spring recital are entitled to a costume fee refund (with the condition that a Recital Withdrawal Form is completed and returned to the office manager by December 5).
  • Refunds may take up to 30 days and will be mailed to you in the form of a check minus a $15 facilitation and processing fee.
  • Costume fees are non-refundable after costumes have been ordered.
  • Costumes will be released in May to students whose tuition payments are up to date.
  • If the student is unable to dance in the spring recital or withdraws after costumes have been ordered, the studio reserves the right to use the costume for a replacement performer. The student may pick up their costume after the performance.
  
Acting Classes
  • If enrollment is insufficient, we reserve the right to combine acting class levels.
  • There are no make-ups, refunds, credits or pro-rated tuition for missed classes.
  • If your child is absent for part of the month, you are still responsible for the full monthly tuition.
  • Each academic year concludes with an acting showcase for families and friends to see the materials BRPAA students have explored throughout the year.
  • The acting showcase is part of the BRPAA spring recital, which features all levels of dance, as well as acting performances.
  • Costumes for the acting showcase will be put-together and will not require a costume deposit at time of registration.
  • Dress rehearsals are mandatory if participating in the spring performance.
  • The Spring Performance Policies apply to both acting and dance students.
 
Dance Class Placement
  • A dance class with fewer than three students is subject to cancellation.
  • BRPAA reserves the right to revise the curriculum and schedule as needed.
  • Dance class placement is based on skill level, age, and maturity.
  • During the first few weeks of dance class, the instructor may determine that a student should be moved up or down based on class performance.
  • Please feel free to schedule a time to discuss your child’s progress with the instructor.
  
Parent Observation
  • Due to the current pandemic, the BRPAA LOBBY will remain closed for the upcoming months. No waiting in the lobby will be permitted.
 
Facility Policies
  • BRPAA instructors and staff will remain masked at all times. All adults and children entering the lobby will be required to wear a mask.  
  • ANYONE who enters our lobby (piano students, acting students, dancers, adults, and/or siblings) will stop for a temperature check and hand sanitizer when entering the building. BRPAA will have available a non-touch digital thermometer to check for fever. Any students with an elevated fever (over 100.4⁰) will be sent home. No makeup will be offered for this class.
  • All parents are encouraged to walk their student to the door and wait until their child has had their temperature taken and is checked in. 
  • A staff member will confirm with parent that student has been cleared to enter.
  • Children ages 3 to 7 may be escorted into the building by ONE adult and remain with the child on a socially distanced spot in the lobby until the instructor is ready to begin their scheduled class. When the class begins, the adult will need to leave the lobby. 
  • Please do not send students to class with any symptoms of sickness. If a student comes to class and has any symptoms of sickness, the parent will be contacted to come pick up the student.
  • The instructor will also offer the same courtesy of cancelling their classes if they are sick. The instructor will make up these canceled classes following the studio make-up policy. 
  • Students must use hand sanitizer OR wash their hands for 20 seconds before entering the music or dance room.  
  • High touch areas such as door knobs, bathroom fixtures, chairs, tables, counter tops, piano keys, piano benches, ballet barres, sound equipment, and floors will be sanitized between classes. 
  • Food and beverages are only allowed in the lobby area.
  • BRPAA is a nut-free facility. Please do not bring foods that contain peanuts or tree nuts. 
  • NO gum, food, or beverages (other than bottled water) are allowed inside the dance room.
  • NO street shoes are allowed in the dance room.
  • Please write the student's name in clothing and shoes, and check that you have all personal items when you leave the studio.  To prevent the spread of illness, we are not allowed to keep a lost and found basket. Items left in the studio will be placed outside the back entrance for pick-up. 
  • BRPAA is not responsible for personal injuries. Students and parents understand that there is a risk of injury with any type of physical activity. 
 
Social Media Policy
  • NO cell phones are allowed in the dance room.
  • Cell phone use is limited to the lobby area only.
  • The use of cell phones is prohibited in the dressing rooms.
  • No private information about students or faculty/staff should EVER be shared via text or social media.
 
Expected Behavior
  • Respectful and courteous behavior is expected from students and parents at all times.
  • We ask that older students (and parents) be aware that they are setting an example for younger students and should make wise choices in both their language and behavior.
  • Students should be at the studio 5-10 minutes before class begins to allow time for health screening and changing into class attire. If possible, dancers should arrive with dance clothes under their street clothes.
  • Students should be dressed and ready to go, with shoes on and appropriate hair, when class begins. 
  • Blue Ridge Performing Arts Academy reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student or parent whose attitude, attendance, payment record, or overall conduct is judged to be unsatisfactory.

Weather Cancellations
  • The decision to cancel classes will be based on the condition of the main roads, as well as the weather forecast and changing weather conditions.
  • Classes will NOT automatically be canceled when Avery County Schools are closed.
  • BRPAA staff will assess conditions and make a decision no later than 2:00 pm that day.
  • Cancellation information will be posted on our Facebook page facebook.com/BlueRidgePerformingArtsNC/, Instagram page instagram.com/blueridgeperformingarts/, email, and studio phone recording.
  • Dance classes canceled due to weather may be rescheduled by the instructor on a Saturday or Sunday.
  • Students will receive an email regarding makeup date and time.