student Policy and Procedure Agreement of Academy of Music & Dance: "The Academy"

Tuition Details

Tuition must be paid by automatic debit or credit card payment. No cash or checks accepted. Due upon registration is 1st month’s tuition, a one month tuition deposit and a $45 annual or "per term" administrative fee. This modest fee helps defray the substantial office/administrative costs and other non-teaching costs. These charges- 1st month’s tuition, $45 administrative fee and deposit tuition are non-refundable, and non-transferable. If you are enrolled in dance classes, your deposit is automatically applied to June's tuition, or last month’s tuition in case of early withdrawal. Music lessons do not have an automatic last month and the deposit will be held on file until withdrawal. You do not have a long-term contract with the Academy, commitment is only two months at a time (current or 1st month’s tuition and deposit month tuition). Tuition is debited on the 1st day of each month for the duration agreed upon during registration. 

Verbal and Email consent of future registration changes: By enrolling and signing this document you agree that verbal and email consent is sufficient in order to approve re-registrations, add or change classes for future registration and/or tuition changes, including consent to these policies and procedures.

More Details About Ongoing Music Tuition

Private music lessons are ongoing. Music lessons are based on receiving 44 lessons in the academic year on average, which takes into account Academy closures. Monthly rates are calculated as 44 x Individual Lesson Rate divided by 12 (for 12 months). At the end of each academic year the calendar is reconfigured to allow 44 weeks. A yearly or “per term” registration fee of $45 will be automatically withdrawn along with tuition on September 1st. Deposit month will be applied to the last month of tuition if a student decides to withdraw. You may also take a “summer break” and keep your fall timeslot, a short-term suspension of tuition only for the months of July and/or August. Students who would like to take a summer break must notify the front desk by May 31st to avoid summer tuition charges. Summer break suspension of tuition will not be accepted after May 31st, nor during the rest of the academic year.

 

Termination of Lessons and Refund Policy

1st month’s tuition, $45 administration fee, and deposit month’s tuition are non-refundable and non-transferable. No refunds will be given for missed lessons. 

Students may withdraw at any time with 1 month notice prior to withdrawing.

In order to withdraw from lessons a parent, guardian, or adult student in person must complete and sign a withdrawal form provided by the studio at least 5 days prior to the first of the next month. You must sign and submit a withdrawal form in order to be dropped from class and avoid automatic tuition withdrawal on the first of the next month. No refunds on tuition will be given because of late withdrawal notice. After submitting a withdrawal form, the deposit tuition will be applied to the following month. No refunds will be given for deposits if the student does not use their deposit for lessons within the academic year or after a summer break. 

Substitute & Replacement Teachers

The Academy reserves the right to provide a substitute instructor if the regularly scheduled instructor is unable to attend a lesson. If the Academy cannot arrange a substitute, any missed lessons will be made up. The Academy reserves the right to replace an instructor with a new qualified instructor in the event an instructor is no longer with the Academy, unavailable at a student's desired lesson time, or for any other reason. 

Cancelations, Refunds, and Make-up lessons

There are no make up lessons for group music lessons or dance classes. No make ups or refunds will be given if a student misses a group lesson. Private Music students may also receive a prerecorded music lesson via Lessonmate, in the case of an absence, if requested in advance. School Closures: In the event of inclement weather or other unexpected interruption, the Academy may cancel classes, or switch to virtual lessons in the form of Zoom, or pre-recorded lessons via Lessonmate. No refunds will be given if you cannot attend a virtual lesson.  We are unable to provide refunds or credits for any classes, lessons, workshops, or performances that are canceled or are unable to proceed as the result of governmental orders, natural disasters, or pandemic. 

 

Dance Class Acknowledgments

Dress Code: Appropriate dance wear and proper dance shoes must be worn for all classes. Failure to wear required dress or shoes can result student sitting out of class or not performing in recitals. 

Attendance: The Academy reserves the right to have students who come 15 minutes or more late to class sit out and watch the class. Repeated lateness may result in the Academy terminating lessons. If the student misses more than four classes without notice, this may result in termination of lessons. Students who miss more than 4 classes after March may not be able to participate in June recitals without permission from instructor.

Dance Costume Fees:  Costume charges are for each class and withdrawn automatically along with tuition on December 1st, or upon enrollment in case of enrollment after December 1st. There are no discounts for costumes. Costume charges are non-refundable once they have been ordered, even if the student withdraws from classes. State sales tax will be added to the total costume cost. Costume charges are as follows:

  • Toddlers, Ages 3-4 Classes, and Ages 5-6 Classes $99 + state sales tax

  • Level 1 and 1A Classes $109 + state sales tax

  • Advanced Classes Level 2 and up $119 + state sales tax

  • Teen/Adult Classes $129 + state sales tax

Recitals: Admission to our winter showcase is free. End of the year June recitals will have tickets- everyone who is watching the show will need a ticket to attend. Ticket prices vary depending on the venue, but you should plan on spending around $25 per ticket, plus state sales tax

Waiver:

Parents, legal guardians, students, siblings, and guests on behalf of themselves and their minor children (collectively, the "Indemnitees"), hold harmless and indemnify the Academy its members, managers, employees, agents, successors and assigns and waive any claims, judgements, liabilities, losses, or damages incurred against the same with respect to (a) any injury to any Indemnitee or any third party; (b) any breach by any Indemnitee hereunder, (c) any act or omission of any Indemnitee; or (d) any costs or expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred in connection with the foregoing. 

Other Responsibilities and Acknowledgements:

Awareness of dates and events: It is your responsibility to be aware of school dates and special events. A calendar of events is available upon registration and other notifications can be made by monthly email newsletters, other email alerts, phone calls, and physical notices on the Academy lobby ‘What’s New’ boards. It is your responsibility to check these and be aware of special events, dates the Academy is open or closed, and other information. It is your responsibility to update your contact information if it changes. 

Care of students: The Academy is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students. Parents with students under the age of 5 should remain near the school during class. 

Photo and Video Release: By signing this document you grant permission to take photos and videos of students that can be used in any promotional materials the school creates. Permission is also granted for the Academy and Lacey Valenti to copyright such materials in its name. 

The Ballard and Shoreline Academy reserves the right to terminate lessons to any students without notice. In this extreme case a refund for unused lessons will be given. Group classes must meet minimum enrollment to continue. In the event the Academy cancels a class, a refund for unused class will be given. 

summer camp and summer session

Registration and Tuition: 

Tuition must be paid by automatic debit or credit withdrawal or checking account on the day of or within 15 days of registration. If payment is not collected within 15 days the Academy reserves the right to drop the student from summer camp or summer session. Registration fee can be applied to fall enrollment to avoid repayment. There are no refunds for summer camps or summer session tuition after registration.

Substitutes and Missed Lesson Policy: 

The Academy reserves the right to provide a qualified substitute in the case of regularly scheduled instructor is unable to teach lessons. 

There are no make ups for missed camps or lessons, and no refunds will be issued for missed camps or lessons. 

Cancellation Policy: 

The Academy may need to cancel a summer camp or summer session in the case of low enrollment, instructor availability, or other reasons. In the case that the Academy must cancel a camp or summer session, a full refund will be issued to enrolled students. However, no refunds will be given if the student withdraws voluntarily from a running camp. 

Dance Camp Acknowledgements: 

Students enrolled in dance camps and summer sessions must wear proper dance attire and shoes in order to participate. Proper dress and shoes are required for the student’s safety. For required dress code see camp descriptions or ask the front desk. 

Other Responsibilities and Acknowledgements:

Care of students: The Academy is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students. Parents with students under the age of 5 should remain with the school during class. 

Photo Release: By signing this document you grant permission to take photos and videos of students that can be used in any promotional materials the school creates. Permission is also granted for the Academy and Lacey Valenti to copyright such materials in its name. 

The Ballard Academy reserves the right to terminate lessons to any students without notice. In this extreme case a refund for unused lessons will be given. Group classes must meet minimum enrollment to continue. In the event the Academy cancels a class, a refund for unused class will be given.

Waiver: 

Parents, legal guardians, students, siblings, and guests on behalf of themselves and their minor children (collectively, the "Indemnitees"), hold harmless and indemnify the Academy its members, managers, employees, agents, successors and assigns and waive any claims, judgements, liabilities, losses, or damages incurred against the same with respect to (a) any injury to any Indemnitee or any third party; (b) any breach by any Indemnitee hereunder, (c) any act or omission of any Indemnitee; or (d) any costs or expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred in connection with the foregoing.