Frequently Asked Questions

 

How Long is the Dance Season?

Our Regular Dance Season follows a traditional calendar school year and runs Mid-August through May and ends with our fantastic, studio-wide, end of year Showcase. We also have a shorter Summer Session in June & July with camps, intensives and dance classes.

 

When Does Class Registration Close?

Class registration for the Regular Season is open through February. However, we take pride in offering smaller student to instructor class ratios and classes tend to fill up quickly. If a class is full you will be placed on a waitlist until a spot opens up. We highly encourage you to register early to ensure a spot in your favorite classes!

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Does my Dancer Have to Take Class the Entire Season?

While it is not mandatory to complete the entire season, it is highly encouraged in order to give your child the full dance experience. Once you have dropped a class, your spot will be given to another dancer and the studio cannot guarantee that we will have a class available if and when you are ready to return.

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How do I Drop or Switch a Class?

If you need to drop or switch to a class on a different day or time, contact our Administrative Staff at letsdance@openartsnc.com prior to the billing date of the upcoming month to make the change. Failure to give notice will result in your account being charged for the class that they are wanting to drop/change.

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Are Parents Allowed to Watch in the Classrooms?

We do not allow parents inside of the classroom. We need your dancer's full attention for the duration of the class in order to give your child the best dance education possible. We do have limited lobby space for families to watch classes while they are in progress, but we do ask parents to be mindful to not disrupt classes while doing so.

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Are Parents Required to Stay in the Lobby during Class?

Parents of young dancers that still need assistance using the restroom may want to stay for the duration of their dancer's class. Parents of older dancers are able to drop off no more than 15 minutes prior to their first class and pick up immediately following their last class. Please make sure dancers know where to meet you after class and to not wait outside for parents/rides. 

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Is There a Dress Code?

Yes, we do have a dress code. It is important for dancers to come to class dressed appropriately! We offer dancewear pre-order days prior to the start of the season and we recommend our friends at Releve Dancewear in Cary for all of your dance wear and shoe needs.

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When is the Studio Closed?

Monthly Tuition is based on a 37 week schedule paid evenly over the course of  9.5 months. Holidays and Breaks are listed below:

• August 12th 12-2pm - Popsicle Pop-In & Open House

• August 14th - Classes Begin

• September 4th - Labor Day - No Classes (Make-up Day is Monday, November 21st)

• November 21-25th - Thanksgiving Break - No Classes

• December 22nd -January 5th - Winter Break - No Classes

• January 15th - MLK, Jr. Day - No Classes (Make-up at any other class in your age range)

• March 25-30th - Spring Break

• May 24th - Last Day of Classes

• May/June - End of Season Showcases TBA

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What is Open Arts's Refund Policy?

Open Arts does not issue refunds but depending on the circumstances and pending approval from the director, a credit may be applied to your account.

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Does Open Arts Prorate or Credit Tuition for Missed Classes?

No. Current students that miss a class can make it up during any other class in their age range within 2 weeks of the missed class. We do not schedule make-up classes during the month of May as classes have moved strictly into performance preparations at this time. Contact our Administrative Staff at letsdance@openartsnc.com to schedule your makeup class.

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What is the Inclement Weather Policy?

In the event of inclement weather, Open Arts will make an independent decision regarding a delayed opening or closure. The ability to staff the classes and of course the safety of our staff and families are the driving factors that we consider in making this decision.

We will post decisions on our Social Media (Facebook and Instagram) and will e-mail all affected classes directly.

Make-up classes for cancelled classes can be scheduled through the front desk. We appreciate your understanding and please let us know if you have any questions.

If your dancer is at the studio when a Thunderstorm or Tornado Warning goes into effect, we will move the staff and dancers to the most central part of the studio away from all windows. They will remain there until the Warning has been lifted. Dancers who are old enough to drive will not be allowed to leave until the Warning has been lifted. If you wish to pick up your dancer, please do so with an abundance of caution.

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Does Open Arts have a Recital?

Yes we do! We call it a "Showcase." All classes perform in the Showcase with the exception of ITT Technique and Pre-Pointe classes.  The Showcase Portal is where you can find all of the information about this year's upcoming show (the Portal is updated and re-published in January of each year).

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What if My Dancer's Costume Doesn't Fit?

We work really hard to measure and correctly size each child for their costumes, but sometimes even with our best efforts, the costume doesn't fit perfectly due to your child growing, the fabric does not have any stretch to it, the cut of the costume, etc. Depending on the costume retailer, we may be able to exchange it for a different size for a $25 exchange and shipping fee. We cannot guarantee that they will have the size needed or that it will arrive on time for performance day. We recommend taking costumes that only need minor adjustments to a local tailor.

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