Curriculum and Policies

We offer quality instruction from beginner through advanced.

Dance Curriculum

Ballet
New 1 Hour Ballet Classes offered (will be required of some dancers)
Pointe (By invitation only)
Jazz (ages 5 & up)
Tap
Hip Hop (ages 5 & up)
Creative Movement (ages 2 1/2)
Pom Pon (ages 5 & up)
Lyrical (must be accompanied by a Ballet class)
Modern/Contemporary
Musical Theatre
Irish (ages 7 & up)
Turns and Leaps Class
Zumba® Class (1 hour)
MESD Performance Companies and Competition Groups (by invitation only)

Monthly Tuition Fees

Please note that the tuition prices are for the total month.

1/2 Hour Class Prices	40-45 Minute Class Prices	Hour Class + 40-45 min Class Prices
$35.00 One 1/2 hr class	$ 39.00 One 40-45 min class	$ 43.00 One 1 Hour Class
$48.00 Two 1/2 hr classes	$ 67.00 Two 40-45 min classes	$ 71.00 One 1 Hour & One 40-45 min classes
$63.00 Three 1/2 hr classes	$ 95.00 Three 40-45 min classes	$ 99.00 One 1 Hour & Two 40-45 min classes
$78.00 Four 1/2 hr classes	$125.00 Four 40-45 min classes	$129.00 One 1 Hour & Three 40-45 min classes
$93.00 Five 1/2 hr classes	$155.00 Five 40-45 min classes	$159.00 One 1 Hour & Four 40-45 min classes
$15.00 Each additional classes	$185.00 Six 40-45 min classes	$189.00 One 1 Hour & Five 40-45 min classes

Specialty Classes - by invitation
$20.00 Company Rehearsal Classes
$24.00 Ballet Company
$68.00 Solo
$48.00 Duet/Trio

Zumba® Class (1 hour)

$ 8.00 for “Drop In”.

Come when you want and pay this price each time you come.

$60.00 for a 10-class card.

Choose to come any 10 times (does not have to be consectutive weeks)

$50.00 for a 10-class card.

This is “Discount” rate for moms and dads of currently enrolled students of MESD. Choose to come any 10 times (does not have to be consectutive weeks).

Tuition Policies

Tuition is based on the number of classes per year and divided into monthly payments. Monthly payments remain the same regardless of the number of weeks per month, school closures, or absences.

Payment is due in advance on the 1st of each month. Payments received after the 7th of the month will incur a $10.00 late fee. We do not pro-rate classes. There is no credit for missed lessons. Makeup classes are available. Please contact the studio for scheduling.

Payments may be paid by cash, money order or check. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Mary Ellen Studio of Dance. We do not accept post dated checks. Any checks returned due to non-sufficient funds (NSF) will be charged a $25.00 fee. At this time we are not accepting payment via credit card or on-line.

Dance Attire

Proper dance attire is required for all classes. No street clothing will be allowed.

Black leotard (any style) and pink tights must be worn for ballet and creative movement classes. Hair must be securely tied back. Skirts are optional. For creative movement classes the skirt must be part of the leotard.

Dance shorts and cotton/lycra dance pants (no longer than ankle length) are acceptable for all other classes. Hair must be securely tied back.

Male dancers are required to wear black dance pants and a white t-shirt.

Dance Shoes (Revised 08-29-11)

Ballet and Creative Movement: Pink ballet shoes are required for all students. Students ages 6 & under need full sole “Bloch” ballet shoes. All Competition and Performance Company dancers and students ages 7 & up need split sole “Bloch” ballet shoes.

Tap: Tan “Bloch” Mary Jane style tap shoes are required for performances. The older “tyettes style with ribbons” will no longer be permitted for performances.

Younger Competition and Performance Company dancers need the #3800 Tan “Capezio” Mary Jane style tap shoe as these have a better sound than the “Bloch” shoes.

Teen Competition and Performance Company Dancers need the SO3OIL Tan (lace up jazz style) tap shoe.

If there are any questions concerning the style of tap shoes, please inquire before purchasing.

Jazz and Musical Theatre: Pink ballet shoes or the black jazz shoes used for Irish are acceptable for class but may not necessarily be used in the dance recital. All Competition and Performance Company Dancers must have the Carmel (not Tan) slip on jazz shoe for jazz.

Hip Hop: DS11 Black sneaker.

Pom Pon: Plain, thin white tennis shoes (1950's style) are recommended. Jazz shoes may be required for the dance recital.

Irish: Capezio black “lace-up” jazz shoes with ties and black split soles are required.

Modern/Contemporary, Lyrical and Turns & Leaps: Pink ballet shoes, the black jazz shoe, or "Dance Paws" are acceptable, including Nude Illusions.

Note: The exact style and color of shoe for our June recitals will be determined in December when costumes are displayed. Should you have any question at all concerning the required dance shoe for your class, please contact the studio before you purchase.

June recitals and costumes

Costume deposits for our June recital is due by November 1st. These deposits usually cover most of the costume costs. Any balances will be due by December 1st. Being that costume deposits are due around the holidays, we will be accepting early payments. There are no refunds on costumes.

Additional rehearsals for our June recitals may be scheduled at no additional cost.

Further information concerning costumes and rehearsals will be included in future newsletters.

Liability/Media Release Form

Our liability/media release form must be signed prior to participating in class. Dancers under the age of 18 years must have a parent/guardian signature. The liability form will be available on the first day of classes.