PARENT INFORMATION

Highland Dance NORTH Guidelines

• Please arrive 5-10 minutes prior to class time to change clothes or shoes, pull hair back, and use restroom if needed.   Arriving late means you may miss valuable warm-up time, which can lead to injury.
   
• Proper attire for Highland Dance students without ghillies (Highland Dance shoes) includes any combination of the following:  close-fitting but comfortable t-shirt or tank top with bike or athletic shorts that are not loose OR skort or leotard and footless tights.  Please see me when you are ready to purchase shoes for your dancer (after 6 months or so).
   
• Proper attire for Highland Dance students with ghillies  includes any combination of the above, but with light-colored knee-high socks worn with the dance shoes.
   
• Please provide only bottled water or sports drinks during lessons.  Dancers may bring them into the studio and place them along the mirror wall.
   
• After learning a new movement or dance, students should practice it enough so that it can be reviewed and refined (not relearned!) at the next or future lesson.  Parents are definitely encouraged to help children practice, but it is not necessary; whether you do or not depends on what works best for your dancer!  One of the best ways to do help, however, especially with younger dancers, is by allowing your dancer to teach you what she has learned that week, and if you have a question about proper technique, ask the instructor.  Don’t worry; you won’t be tested on it!
   
• Parents of new students are welcome to observe in the studio during the 1st and 2nd lessons.  After the 2nd lesson, please make yourselves comfortable in the lobby sitting area (or feel free to run errands!) during lesson time. Doors are closed during lessons to keep the noise in (and out) and to help dancers stay focused.
   
• Students old enough to take notes should bring their Highland Dance Folder and pencil or pen to class each week. Usually, 2nd graders and up are capable of this.
   
• Competitive Dancing:  The average Highland Dance NORTH student takes regular lessons and practices according to the guidelines provided in this packet for 12-18 months before entering competition. Entering competition is NOT a requirement for taking lessons, nor is it an expectation, but it offers terrific motivation for dancers to work toward specific goals and achievements.  In addition, competition experiences can lead to great travel, cultural, and educational opportunities as dancers mature, not to mention friendships that last a lifetime.
   
• Outfitting for Competition follows specific regulations set by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance, so proper costuming and arrangement of hair, etc. is critical to your dancer’s success.  I have separate materials available to share with you once your dancer is ready to take the competition step.  Costuming for competition is the responsibility of dancer and parent(s), although purchasing all parts of an outfit may not be necessary due to the great spirit of camaraderie the wonderful families of Highland Dance NORTH seem to share!  To see the range of kilts and vests dancers choose and to prepare for participation, it is important to observe a competition before entering one.  You will have many opportunities to do so if you don’t mind traveling a few hours to come watch your dancer’s fellow students compete (or waiting until August 2008, when we hope to hold our own competition in Harbor Springs)!
   
• Recitals/Performances/Demonstrations:  Depending on the level of skill developed, most dance students will participate in a minimum of three per year (Sept.-Aug.).  These usually include the Harbor Celtic Fest (HeatherDance students), The Christmas Gift of Dance to a local retirement home, In-school demonstrations, and summer recital.  If special outfitting is needed for these events, you will be given plenty of advance notice.  I try to keep costs reasonable here; for example, our special Highland Recital 2007 outfits were kept to under $20 for Wee Lassies, Bluebells, and Bonnie Lassies.
   
• Fees for lessons are paid directly to Vivace School of Music & Arts, Inc.   See fee schedule for cost by class session.
   
• Please notify the instructor or Vivace by email or phone if your dancer will be absent from lessons.

Updated 11.10.07