Full Dance Program

Our main dance season runs mid-September to mid-May, following the RSU21 school calendar with no classes on holidays, snow days, or vacation weeks. The year ends with a May recital, while shorter specialty sessions are offered throughout the year and typically do not perform.

SPRING RECITAL:
Our end of year recital is usually held in mid-May. All dancers in year long classes will participate. We utilize local venues for the recital when possible. We do not charge an admission fee for the end of year recital. Friends and family are welcome to attend FREE of charge.

REGISTRATION AND TUITION PAYMENTS:
NEW this year, all dancers are required to have Family Membership ($75.00 by the start of class to participate. Spaces are limited and classes fill quickly, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot. Once a class is full, we may not be able to accommodate additional students. We strongly recommend registering online for immediate processing and to avoid delays. Registrations made through the front desk (via check or other payment methods) can only be processed during office hours and may result in delays.

Full tuition payments are made at the time of registration. Discounted rates apply when tuition is paid in full. 

There are NO hidden fees in our tuition. Dancers pay ONE fee for the full year which includes: class tuition, costume fee and recital fee. Installment options are always available upon request. Financial assistance is available to students in need, provided there are scholarship funds – please reach out to Kym to discuss. Payments received after program start date will have a 15% charge added.

COSTUMES:
All group class tuition includes a full costume for each dancer. There are NO additional fees associated with costumes during the dance session. Short session dance classes (non recital classes) do not have a costume requirement. 

OUR FACULTY:
Our faculty are experienced dance professionals and respected community members who teach with integrity. Committed to ongoing training through conventions and workshops, they collaborate with our staff and board to provide students with a positive, well-rounded experience.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Please review for full session information & other important details: River Tree Arts – Dance 2025/2026 Parent Guide.

To join, renew or for more information on memberships, visit us online: RTA Membership Info.

For more information about Private Lessons, please review updated information here: Private Dance Lesson Info (2025/2026).

2025/26 DANCE SCHEDULE

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

TYPES OF DANCE

DRESS CODE

BALLET

• Traditional attire is encouraged (leotard & tights). Dancers may also wear leggings and a fitted top.
• Ballet shoes are required (pink is the preferred color).

TAP/JAZZ

• Traditional attire is encouraged (leotard & tights). Dancers may also wear leggings and a fitted top.
• Grades 2-5: Black tap shoes, light colored ballet or jazz shoes
• Grades 6+: Black tap shoes, tan jazz shoes

IRISH

• Comfortable, easy to move in clothing (no jeans).
• Soft shoes (ghillies)
• Grade 6+ need tap shoes or hard shoes, as well as ghillies.

HIP HOP

• Comfortable, easy to move in clothing (no jeans).
• Any type of sneakers is acceptable.

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY

• Comfortable, easy to move in clothing (leggings preferred).
• Dancers may want to purchase dance paws, dance socks, or half soles for class. Please see Miss Dolly if you have questions.
• Where can I buy dance shoes?
  • For little ones you may be able to find shoes and attire at Target.
  • For all other classes and online options we suggest visiting Amazon, Discount Dance, and/or Dancewear Solutions.
• Please arrive ready to dance. Restrooms should not be used as changing areas when possible.
• For all classes, hair should be pulled back (away from the dancer’s face).
• IMPORTANT: Shoes worn in the dance studio should be for dance class only – this includes sneakers for hip hop. Please do not wear your regular, daily use shoes to your dance class! Only footwear that is never used outside / for general use are permitted in the studio. Only clean dance shoes / barefoot is permitted. This policy is strictly enforced.

COSTUMES

• A full costume fee is included in the tuition for each group class.
• Each dancer in a full year group class will receive ONE costume per class for the end of session performance.
• Students taking private lessons are responsible for their own costumes ; not included in tuition.

POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

• What to Bring: Please bring only the necessary items to class: a water bottle, and appropriate footwear. All other items should be left at home or in the car when possible.
• Consent Form & Dancer Agreement: All dancers must have a consent form filled out and handed in to the instructor or the front desk before classes begin. Online Consent and Agreement forms can be found by clicking the blue links.
• Drop off/Pick up: Students should arrive at the time of their class. No early drop off/late pick ups can be accommodated in the lobby area. Students in any classes for grades 5 and under will not be dismissed from class without a parent/caregiver present to check them out of the classroom. Please pick up your children directly from the classroom and check-in with the instructor so that they know the child is being dismissed. Parents are asked to wait in the parking lot until 5 minutes prior to the end of class – we do not want to crowd the lobby waiting area.
• Snacks: Snacks are not permitted during class. River Tree Arts is a NUT-FREE facility. Water bottles are encouraged.
• Footwear: Shoes worn in the dance studio should be for dance class only – this includes sneakers for hip hop. Please do not wear your regular, daily use shoes to your dance class! Only footwear that is never used outside / for general use are permitted in the studio. Only clean dance shoes / barefoot is permitted. This policy is strictly enforced.

TUITION

• • Full tuition payment is due at the time of registration. Discounted rates apply when paying in full.
  • Installment plans are available upon request, please email kym@rivertreearts.org for assistance. Registrations with installment payments can only be processed once a completed card authorization form is on file, signed and returned to RTA. No exceptions.
  • Registrations cannot be held unless payment is received.
  • Check/other payments : registrations and securing a space can only be processed once we have received payment. We encourage online registrations at www.rivertreearts.org for immediate processing and to avoid any delays in securing your spot.
  • Tuition fee includes ONE costume for each student per group class.
  • Registrations are final. Due to limited spots, we cannot issue refunds if students decide to not continue after registering or at any time during the session. Considerations will only be made if that class has a waiting list, and we are able to fill the spot.
  • No refunds, credits or reimbursements will be issued if classes need to switch to virtual instruction for any reason.
• Please click here for the installment plan card authorization.

PRIVATE LESSONS 2025/26

Important updates for all dancers interested in private lessons:

• New this year, all dancers taking private lessons need to be RTA members; For more information or to join, visit our membership page here.
• Private lessons are scheduled based on faculty availability. Limited spots available. 
• Non-competitive and Competitive lessons are offered. 
• Space is limited and is only based on teacher availability.
• Email dance@rivertreearts.org with your request and to be added onto a waiting list to be placed. We cannot guarantee that all students will get placed although we will do our best to try to accommodate everyone.
• Private dance students are responsible for the cost of their own costume. Tuition fees do not cover recital costume fees for non-group classes.

Session Dates:

• Private lessons start from the week of October 6, 2025. 
• Dancers will have weekly lessons from October until the recital in May. 
• Competitive dancers pause lessons for a week after April vacation and return the following week from 5/4 to review routines before the recital. 
• Non-competitive dancers continue through the recital with no pause in lessons. 

Tuition Rates: Full cost breakdown click here

• Fees listed below show the various rates for solos, duo and trios. 
• There are different rates for non-competitive and competitive lessons based on the number of weeks, costumes fees and other competitive expenses. 
• Discounted rates apply when paying in full. 
• Payments received after September 15th = 15% late fee (new this year). 
• Installment payments are always an option. For this option, be sure that you have completed an installment charge form at the time of registration. Email kym@rivertreearts.org for more information. 
• * NEW * Costume + Recital fee is included in tuition 
• Competitive Dancers have an additional competition deposit of $120.00 built into their tuition. The balance for any additional competition fees will be billed at the end of the competitive season. Dancers are fully responsible for these costs.