Important dates
Winter/Spring Program February 1st -June 13th 2021
Summer Program 2021 June 28-August 20, 2021
I understand that all important Dates & Closures details are listed on DDF's website and that these are subject to change based on the COVID-19 ongoing situation.
Please note: Information, policies and waivers below and within apply to the above dates, as well as those listed on our website.
NOTICE Regarding COVID-19
During closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, DDF will maintain its classes virtually and remotely (VirtualDDF) while adhering to all government guidance regarding this unprecedented and ever-changing situation. DDF appreciates your understanding and support during this time. All registrants understand and agree that, for VirtualDDF classes, DDF cannot and shall not be held liable or responsible for any risk to the health, safety, or physical wellbeing of any student / dancer / enrollee, and each registrant hereby assumes such risks on behalf of the student / dancer / enrollee and releases DDF from any and all liability, damages, costs, or expenses with respect to same, and covenants not to sue DDF with respect to or relating to same. Registrant further indemnifies and holds DDF harmless from any and all liability, damages, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) incurred by DDF as a result of Registrant's violation of the foregoing.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public or enclosed place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and people with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. All registrants and their parents and/or guardians and/or caregivers, by entering DDF property and using any of its facilities, will be deemed to have 1) agreed to follow all applicable rules, posted instructions and protocols regarding use of DDF's facilities, and (2) waived any and all claims or liabilities against DDF, its LLC members or employees relating in any way to COVID-19, or any precautions taken, or failed to be taken, in connection therewith.
By visiting DDF's physical premises, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Covid-19 Related In-Studio Procedures: While regulations dictate, masks must be worn by all teachers, staff and students and anyone entering DDF. Temperatures will be checked and hands sanitized upon arrival. Waiting areas on both floors will be closed to families and caregivers (exceptions for preschool-aged classes). Dressing rooms will be closed and water-fountains turned off. Dancers will exit using the alternate staircase to promote unidirectional pedestrian traffic. All students/families/staff who have any form of illness must dance from home, and will be expected to adhere to the latest government regulations regarding quarantine after travel or exposure.
Fee Information & Policies - Semester Registrants
When you register, you will be charged a $100 deposit per class, $50 of which is NON-REFUNDABLE. This guarantees your spot. The balance of your fees will be charged the first week of the new semester. Fees will be prorated if the semester has already begun. No fees are charged if registering for the wait list.
Pod Fees: Payment for Pods is made upfront (pro-rated if the semester has begun), and charged the first day of the semester (or the first day of your first class, if you enroll after the semester start date). A $100 deposit per dancer is charged upon Pod formation.
Registration fee: There is a one-time $25 non-refundable registration fee per child. Returning students are not subject to this fee.
Sibling Discount: A sibling discount of 5% is offered for the second child and subsequent children from the same family registering in the same semester.
Multiple Class Discount: There is a 20% discount for the 2nd and 3rd weekly class, a 25% discount for the 4th weekly class, and a 50% discount for the 5th + weekly class taken by a single student in the same semester (not applicable in the Summer Program).
In Studio vs. VirtualDDF Tuition: There is a different fee structure for dancers enrolling directly in VirtualDDF classes vs those enrolling in In-Studio classes. Fees can be found on the fees page of our website. Both types of registrant are eligible for the above sibling and multiple class discounts. Subject to our refund condition below, there will be no price adjustment, discount, credit nor refund provided to any dancer who enrolls in our In-Studio classes, should we be required at any point to transition to Zoom.
Downtown Dance Factory reserves the right to cancel a class, whether In-Studio or VirtualDDF, as a result of insufficient registration in its sole discretion. In such instance(s), a full refund will be provided to the class participants.
Each registrant must maintain a valid credit card on file with Downtown Dance Factory, and hereby approves Downtown Dance Factory to charge such credit card for the fees incurred as provided herein. There will be a $5 fee for each instance of a declined credit card, and registrant agrees to pay any other costs or fees incurred by Downtown Dance Factory as a result of such declined card.
Fee Information & Policies - Summer Registrants
Summer Program Registrants (In-Person Program): A $100 deposit per week will be charged at the time of registration; deposits are non-refundable. The balance of summer fees will be charged on June 1st. If registering after June 1st, you will be charged in full. There are no refunds for withdrawals from the Summer Program, nor are there refunds or make-ups for any absences. Sessions are interchangeable, space permitting. We regret that we cannot offer any trials during the Summer Program.
Summer Program Registrants (VirtualDDF Programs): Full payment is due at time of enrollment. All VirtualDDF summer payments are non-refundable. If Downtown Dance Factory is able to move any part of VirtualDDF to an In-Studio Program, payments are transferable. Summer weeks are not transferable among dancers, but sessions are interchangeable (space permitting). Registration must be received no later than 30 minutes prior to the program's start time to guarantee you receive the login ID. There are no make-ups or trial classes for VirtualDDF Summer Programs.
Cancelation Notification: Downtown Dance Factory reserves the right to cancel any of its summer programming as a result of insufficient registration in its sole discretion. In such instance(s), a full refund will be provided to the enrolled participants.
Registration fee: There is a one-time $25 non-refundable registration fee per child. Returning students are not subject to this fee. There is no Registration Fee for VirtualDDF Drop-In classes. If you choose to enroll in any semester or summer-based program in the future, you will be subject to the one-time $25 non-refundable registration fee per child.
Summer Sibling Discount: A 5% sibling discount is offered for the 2nd child and subsequent children from the same family registering for the same week.
Co-Parenting Payment Policy
DDF is happy to have two or more email addresses on file for contact purposes, and to send information when there is a co-parenting arrangement in place. However, we do not manage co-payments. The parent enrolling the dancer is responsible for payments, regardless of co-parenting agreements. Please ensure all fees are paid when due. DDF is unable to engage in discussion or written correspondence on behalf of either co-parent to a third party.
Winter/Spring Re-Enrollment
ALL DANCERS ENROLLED IN FALL SEMESTER CLASSES WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY RE-ENROLLED IN THE SAME CLASSES FOR THE WINTER/SPRING SEMESTER ON JANUARY 4TH. You must opt out via email between JANUARY 4th and January 11th if you choose NOT to continue dancing into the next semester. Deposits for the next semester's classes will be charged on January 12th. The balance of your tuition will be charged in the first week of the new semester. The Recital Costume and Media fees will be delayed for 2021 until we establish the plan for Recitals 2021. Should Recitals go ahead, there will be an additional recital costume fee per class and media fee per family charged during the semester, unless you specify by the deadline provided (TBD) that your child will not participate. These fees do not apply to technique and Pod dancers, as these are not recital-based programs. I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I DO NOT OPT OUT, MY FULL SEMESTER DANCER WILL BE ENROLLED IN THE SAME CLASSES FOR THE WINTER/SPRING SEMESTER AND THAT THE DEPOSIT(S) WILL BE CHARGED TO THE CARD ON FILE ON JANUARY 12TH.
Refund Policy
If you withdraw from a class before the first class takes place, you will be responsible for $50 of your deposit (per class). Once the semester starts, if you must withdraw from the class, you can do so PRIOR to the 3rd scheduled class. You will receive a prorated refund, less a $25 cancellation fee per class. Withdrawals must be made with at least 24 hours notice prior to your class start time to avoid being charged for the class. There are no refunds or credits for classes dropped or missed for any reason once the third class takes place. We do not provide refunds for uniforms once they have been worn. You understand and agree that DDF cannot and shall not be held accountable for extreme weather or other unforeseen events beyond DDF's control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, wars, acts of terrorism, or other force majeure events that, by their nature could not have been foreseen by DDF or, if possible to have been foreseen, are unavoidable, and DDF shall not provide a refund or credit for classes canceled in the case of such events. Should regulations dictate that In-Studio classes transition to VirtualDDF classes or a hybrid model at any point, or should you decide to transition from In-Studio to VirtualDDF, there will be no tuition adjustments, discounts, credits or refunds for any registrants beyond the timing stated in this paragraph above. DDF will follow the guidance of the NYC public schools, New York City, State and local governments, the Federal government, and/or the safety advisories from New York City (as applicable) in making class cancelation decisions.
Summer Program fees are non-refundable. No classes are transferable among or between dancers. There is no cancellation/refunds for Pods. However, Pod participants are entitled to up to 2 make-up classes in virtual Downtown Dance Factory classes.
Uniforms
Each Downtown Dance Factory class has a required uniform. Check out our website Uniform Page to see the uniform requirements for your class. (There is no uniform for the Summer Program). Uniforms are available for purchase at our Studio 4 Store (online store coming soon). Uniforms must be worn for all classes, whether In-Studio or on Zoom. During COVID-19 restrictions, dancers with two consecutive classes (whether In-Studio or VirtualDDF) will not be expected to change their uniform.
Recitals 2021!
SAVE THE DATE for 2021!!! Rehearsals and Recitals 2021 are tentatively set for May 22nd-May 23rd and June 4th-6th, 2021.
If you are registering for the Winter/Spring Semester, your child will perform in Downtown Dance Factory's end of year dance recital (recitals are optional for TutuTots). Please visit our Recital Page for more information. Please note: Technique classes and Pods are non recital-based programs.
(NOTE: Subject to change in DDF's discretion without notice due to COVID-19)
Make-Up Classes
While COVID-19 is still impacting our studio capacity, whether your dancer is enrolled in In-Studio classes or in VirtualDDF classes, all make-up classes will be taken virtually via Zoom. Dancers are entitled to two (2) make-up classes per semester. Please let us know once your child has missed class - call or email us to schedule a make-up in an appropriate class, and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please note, make-ups MUST be taken in the same semester as the missed classes. If you must cancel your scheduled make up, please do so 24 hours prior to it taking place.
In the Winter/Spring semester, MAKE-UPS MAY ONLY TAKE PLACE UNTIL APRIL 1ST, in order to avoid disrupting recital preparation. There are no make-up classes for the Summer Program, for scheduled closures, or for classes canceled due to unforeseen events as contemplated in the "Refund Policy" section above.
Assumption of Risk
By the very nature of the activity, dance carries risks of physical injury. No matter how careful the student and the teacher are, such risks cannot be eliminated. The risks of injury includes minor injuries such as bruises and more serious injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, muscle pulls, or worse. Sports or any activity that involves motion and rotation in a unique environment, carries with it a reasonable assumption of risk.
Downtown Dance Factory is bound by law to inform all participants and/or their guardians of the risks involved in the activity of dance in general. In consideration for Downtown Dance Factory accepting the enrollee, and in consideration of the enrollee having an opportunity to improve skills through the use of Downtown Dance Factory staff and facilities, those legally responsible for the named enrolling student realize, understand, and acknowledge the risks of injury involved and, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree to and shall assume the responsibility of such risks for said student and further agree to save and hold harmless Downtown Dance Factory, LLC, its members, staff, teachers, agents, contractors, and representatives, and all others concerned, and to indemnify them against all loss, liability, damage, and expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs associated with same) incurred or likely to be incurred relating to or resulting from such risks and injuries/damages.
Downtown Dance Factory is not responsible for lost, misplaced, damaged or stolen personal belongings on our premises.
Medical Release
I certify that the enrollee has no condition that prohibits full participation in the activities at or provided by Downtown Dance Factory. I assume all ordinary risks when the enrollee is using the facilities or participating in a virtual or remote class, recital, or other DDF event, and hereby release Downtown Dance Factory, or any of its staff or teachers, for any injury or damage suffered in connection with said use of the facility or participation. In case of emergency, if I cannot be reached or if emergency action is required or appropriate, I authorize Downtown Dance Factory, its agents and staff, to contact and secure necessary or appropriate medical attention for the enrollee.
Enrollment Condition
I understand and agree that Downtown Dance Factory has the right to terminate the enrollment of a child if it is determined that the continued attendance of the child in Downtown Dance Factory's program is not in the best interest of the child or the program, or such child is deemed by DDF in its sole discretion to be overly disruptive or unruly. I agree to supervise, or have a responsible adult supervise, my child before and immediately after class at the DDF facility, and to also supervise, or have a responsible adult supervise, my child for the duration of any virtual or remote class, recital, or other DDF event.
I attest that I am aware of the COVID-19-related protocols and policies which have been communicated to me here, on the DDF website and via email prior to the semester's start, and that my child and I and/or any caregiver to my child will abide by these policies. I understand that Downtown Dance Factory in its sole discretion has the right to terminate the enrollment of my child if these policies are not followed.
Photo Release
Downtown Dance Factory may, in the course of teaching classes and workshops, putting on performances, and hosting virtual or remote classes, recitals, or events, take photographs and/or video which include our enrolled students. If you DO NOT want your child to be included in Downtown Dance Factory advertising / promotional materials / website, etc., please send us an email at info@downtowndancefactory.com. We will mark it in your family account.
Signature
By selecting "I have read and agree" to all policies and waivers, and by submitting this form to DDF, you acknowledge and agree that you have signed such form, understand and agree to all of the terms contained herein, intend to be legally bound by same, and that such electronic signature constitutes your valid and binding original signature.
