Current Season Competition Dancers: Please click here for detailed 2023-2024 Information

If your dancer is interested in competing during our 2024-2025 season, please fill out this interest form

Competitive Dance Company Information

Commitments & Expectations:

• Will attend various dance conventions and competitions throughout the season.  Potential to perform at local events as well.

• Professionalism:
  • SESD’s Companies are pre-professional groups that represent SESD at community performances, festivals, parades, competitions, and our annual Showcase; including a featured role in our opening number. We strive to provide our community with the highest quality training possible, and the Company is a direct representation of that goal.
  • Dancers will receive training that will push them out of their comfort zone, challenge their minds and bodies, and create a sense of accomplishment as well as a desire to continue to learn and grow even more. Dancers will learn the importance of personal responsibility, respect towards one’s self as well as others, and many other lessons and values they can carry with them in their daily lives both now and as an adult.
  • Considering the level of professionalism expected, accepting a position in the Company will require extra dedication and possibly personal sacrifices. Being part of a team means each member relies on other teammates, instructors, and choreographers to be present and diligent.
  • Company members should be respectful to other dancers (on and off the Company) as well as their instructors and choreographers. An open and willing attitude is imperative.
  • Company members are held responsible for learning and retaining choreography. Videos will be posted online to review, and music files can be sent upon request. It is each dancer’s personal responsibility to be sure he/she remembers and can correctly perform choreography.

• Eligibility:
  • Student for one full season at SESD.
  • Enrolled in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Conditioning/Turns/Leaps class at SESD. Dance Team and/or Hip Hop and Tap are strongly encouraged.
  • Attend entire Summer Session (choreography camps and the technique classes listed above).

• Policies:
  • Attendance:
    • Technique Classes:
      • Regular attendance is required.
      • Members are expected to arrive for technique classes on time and in proper dress code.
      • Members should be absent from weekly technique class no more than 6 days per semester. Excessive absences in technique classes could result in dismissal from the Company and Dismissal Policies will implemented.
      • Fall Rehearsals begin the same week as Fall Technique Classes; Company members MUST be in attendance when our Fall season begins.
    • Rehearsals:
      • Members are expected to arrive on time and in proper dress code.
      • All Rehearsals are mandatory.
      • The only excused absences for Summer Choreography Camps and weekly rehearsals in the Fall/Spring are emergency, illness, passing of a loved one, or graded school event.
      • Even in the event of an excused absence, the rehearsal prior to a performance or competition should not be missed and Company member may not be permitted to perform in the upcoming event if Director deems it most beneficial to the Company as a whole.
      • If Company member is absent from too many rehearsals or events, Company member may be dismissed from the Company and Dismissal Policies will implemented.
    • Inclement Weather/Studio Closures:
      • Any rehearsals cancelled due to inclement weather or un-scheduled studio closure will be made up in a timely manner.
      • Rehearsals will not meet when SESD is closed for holidays.
  • Behavior:
    • Negativity of any kind will NOT be tolerated. Company members and parents should remain positive and uplifting throughout all rehearsal, events, and everything in between. Any behavior deemed inappropriate by Director will follow this protocol:
      • 1) Director will privately discuss behavior with Dancer.
      • 2) If no improvement, Director will contact Parent regarding behavior.
      • 3) If no improvement, Dancer will be placed on Probation and will have a 2 week period to remedy behavior.
      • 4) If behavior has still not improved, Dance will be removed from the Company and Dismissal Policies will be implemented.
  • Dismissal Policy:
    • Please see below

• In the event of Withdrawal, Forfeiting Roles, or Dismissal:
  • No fees already paid are refundable.
  • If dancer withdraws or is dismissed/released from the Competitive Dance Company at any time, for any reason, the following fee applies: $350
  • This fee is due upon notification of withdrawal or dismissal.
  • This fee covers the cost of re-blocking choreography, entry fees for a replacement dancer, and a new costume for a replacement dancer if the original costume cannot be re-used. If the original costume can be reused, it must be returned to SESD immediately.