Performance Team Requirements…

Information and Requirements 2016-2017

*Performance Teams are offered for dancer’s that are 10 (by Nov.1^st) years of age and older that are looking for a deeper commitment to dance. Placements will take place on May 21^st and we will evaluate each student individually as well as how the dancer will work with other dancers in each teams environment. We will use our discretion to move students to a different level if needed in the beginning of the year. Please remember this is a Performance Team/company, we are here to support the love and art form of dance by using it at its greatest form; Performance and growth as dancers. Please make sure to check the requirements page on our website or at the studio as we re-evaluate them every year. We are so excited to share another year of team with our dancers!

Auditions/Placements

Sign-ups for auditions and placements will begin on February 29^th at 4:00 and are limited to 80 spots. (No payment needed to sign up) However, if you are put on a wait list we will still ask you to audition. We have had spots open up and become available before the fall and we will need to know the best team to place you on so please still attend auditions even if you are put on a wait list.

Auditions/Placements on Saturday, May 21^st for our dancers:

*Ages 10-12 will take place from 4:30-5:30

*Ages 13 and up will take place from 5:45-6:45

*XLR8 team!

XLR8 is an elite team that has been a wonderful addition the past 2 years! Not only do our dancers learn how to audition for college/professional careers, they are exposed to the options available for life as a dancer after High School. Our dancers were also exposed to guest choreographers, self-care, pilates, yoga, how to create a resume, head shots, creating their own duets and trios, classes at the Joffrey, Adjudication auditions at Dance Revolution and project dance as well as organizing our team Banquet and XLR8 Intensive. Our XLR8 team is also a great way to get more performance time and experience. Fundraising also takes place for the extra events that are scheduled through out the year. Spots are limited to 10-12 dancers and are chosen through a dance audition and interview process. We are so excited to offer a team that will continue to prepare our dancers for their future! For more information, requirements or questions, please email Ms. Katie

* XLR8 auditions for Freshman-Seniors will take place from 6:45-7:30

Additional requirements for XLR8:

Must also be on a performance team through Excel Dance Centre
Must attend 2 conventions (fundraising is done in the summer)
Attend the additional technique class for XLR8 and only allowed 1 absence for the class and 3 for technique.
Must take Ballet and Jazz
Will need to purchase additional costume for XLR8

There are a few requirements for Performance Team that are very important:

In addition to your Performance Team class time, you must also take the scheduled technique class prior to your team placement, one Ballet class and one Jazz class. For our dancers 10-12, a combo of tap/jazz or jazz/hip hop will count towards your jazz requirement, however ballet must be it’s own hour. In order to excel and grow in skill this will be a great combination for your dancer. We have noticed that the dancers taking Jazz and Ballet along side of team have been able to grow and feel more confident on their team.
You must be able to make at least one of the two scheduled conventions that take place throughout the year. The average cost for convention classes run between $190-$240. If we travel out of state, we try to save costs by sharing hotel rooms and driving together. You will also need money for food and souvenirs if you would like. We highly recommend our new students to performance team to attend the Showstopper Convention in October.
Your dancer must attend our annual Intensive at the studio that is for all team dancers. The intensive is like an in-house workshop that exposes our dancers to all styles of dance as well as team bonding, hair and make-up classes, stretching and prevention care, guest teachers and more. It is a few days of work and fun that also helps our students really bond. We put on a show for you at the end of the week to show our families all that they have learned. This years mandatory intensive is Aug. 17-19^th. Detailed information on the times will be handed out as we come closer to the date.
You must put all your dates on a calendar so you do not miss any performances. Please remember this is a commitment to your team and missing a performance will make it hard on your teacher and other team members. If there is an emergency or you need to be excused from a performance, you will need to contact your team teacher at least 4 weeks prior to the date in order for your teacher to make proper changes. Only 1 miss for performances are allowed per season. You will be asked to sign a commitment form at the beginning of the year. This also will be an important discussion if there are other activities they will need to work around to commit to their team. Missing performances affects the team so we are asking parents to help us enforce this as wellJ it can also affect placement for the following year.
Several absences will not be tolerated. You are only allowed 3 excused absences through the entire year for your team class. For technique, ballet and jazz you are allowed 4 excused absences. You must email your team teacher to let them know if you will be absent as well as call the office. If you end exceeding you absences due to emergences etc., you will need to make-up in technique class as well as attend a meeting with a parent, Ms. Katie and your team teacher to discuss any further actions.

Financial info:

Tuition for a team/company dancer will be at least a 4-hour minimum payment. We encourage dancers if it works in their schedule and in your financial plans to attend additional classes such as Lyrical, Tap, Hip-hop, Modern, Pointe and Gym. Not only are they fun additional classes but it has been proven the more classes they attend the quicker they see the results and growth they desire.
A costume fee of $170 will cover at least 2 costumes for the year as well as an Excel tank and a COMPANY JACKET that will be able to be used several times throughout the year. (yes, we will be getting creative with this tight budget but I have to say the kids will be so excited to have matching jackets that the hard work will be worth it!!!)
$30 for your jewelry kit (earrings and necklace) if you do not have one. If you have lost your jewelry you may replace them individually. Please see Ms. Karly
$35 for your Yofi professional make-up kit if you do not already have one. If you have misplaced any make-up item please let us know

Opportunities for your dancer!

We are always working on several opportunities and Venues for our teams to dance at as well as some team bonding experiences, and here are a few we have done in the past:

Mandatory Intensive at the studio
Kalamazoo Christmas Parade-
Half-time show performance at WMU
Christmas/Holiday party
Winter showcase
Nursing Home performances
Globetrotter performance
K-Wings half time performance
New possible adjudication venue in GR (TBA)
Showcase of Talent
Mandatory Raising money for kids with cancer/special needs
Big sister/Little sister bonding parties
Performance at the Kalamazoo Growlers baseball game
Art hop
Fourth of July parade

*Every other year we take the opportunity to expose our dancers to a large group performance or education trip. In the past we have performed and traveled to: Disney, Half-time at the Orange Bowl, New York and Spring of 2017, Dancers at Sea, Cruise to Bahamas!

Performance Team is such a positive experience for your dancer! Excel prides itself as a safe and encouraging environment for your students to take dance. All decisions on costume and choreography choices, just like recital, are taken into consideration by age appropriateness of our beautiful dancers. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Katie at the studio @ 568-0582 or email at Katie@exceldancecentre.com