Students invited to accept enrolment in a Closed Course or Program (including the Professional Training Division, etc.) receive a program of courses custom designed by Caulfield School of Dance faculty.
Most Closed course students receive significant training subsidies with the understanding that their Caulfield School of Dance performing arts training is their first priority beyond their regular scholastic education. Closed program enrolment and discounts on tuition are contingent on receipt of contracts filled out by parents and participants and fulfillment of the contracts’ terms and conditions.
An invitation to enrol in a Closed course in any of the disciplines for which flexibility is an obvious requirement (e.g. ballet, modern/contemporary dance, jazz dance, etc.) comes with the expectation that flexibility will be improved upon continuously and that, for example, 3 splits at a minimum of 180 degrees from the start of the creation process will be required for uncompromised casting.
Success in the performing arts is always most possible for the most skilled and versatile technician with the most compelling and versatile presence.
Private or semiprivate instruction for technical advancement and/or preparation of repertoire (usually for local competing) is highly recommended for all Closed program students.
Parent(s) and students pledge to ensure understanding of and adherence to the policies that include:
Course Change/Drop Policy:
The Program designed for your child includes all recommended courses.
Prior to signing the Membership Contracts, families can request not to include prescribed courses without forfeiting P.T.C./P.T.D. status. Faculty will review any reasonable request if given adequate time to do so before the Contract Submission Deadline; the faculty response will be final. Families can request to enroll Members in Additional Courses not offered them after at least two full week of classes; all enrollment is contingent on faculty permission.
Less than excellent participation (e.g. effort, attendance, etc.) in any course will lead to dismissal from that course. Dismissal from, or dropping any course in the prescribed Program can result in loss of Closed program benefits* and may require a reassessment of other parts of the remaining program. A drop fee, a charge for each class taken, and any other fees accumulated from participation (e.g. competition entry fees, costume fees, etc.) for each dropped course, will be assigned to the student’s account.
* Benefits include all fee reductions, e.g. maximum 13% versus 10% multiple course discount, and the Special Fee Ceiling versus the regular Fee Ceiling and application of any fees previously waived due to P.T.D. status.
Attendance Policy:
After 3 absences, a meeting with the student and her parent(s) and the Director will be required. A student leaving the Program can transfer into a regular Caulfield School of Dance program but fee subsidies will no longer remain in effect. If late in the year, performing in the yearend show may not be possible.
Members are encouraged to audition for professional/exceptional performing opportunities. The Parent of a member who wishes to pursue such an opportunity need only inform Director Cori Caulfield in writing providing all known details as much in advance of auditioning as possible. The Director will, after consultation with faculty, discuss the merits of the experience against the consequences of potential absences with the Parent. Every possible accommodation to the member getting the maximum benefit from the CSD Program and “outside” performing experience will be made.
Performing/Competing Policies:
The readiness of each individual member will determine casting for each performance. In the case of a rehearsal close to a performance, or a rehearsal that is for some other reason critical, a single absence (or instance of substandard participation) for any reason can lead to exclusion from an upcoming performance; whereas, a cast member who has missed rehearsals over the course of the year may lose no opportunities to perform. This policy allows for the timely preparation of numbers for performing and teaches students professional performers’ working realities.
Though cast member’s families pay fees to the competitions early in the year, and they are non‐refundable, families confirm their understanding that not all cast members may be ready to compete in all competitions. Some may not compete at all.
Though exact competition dates are announced with as little as a week’s notice, membership is a commitment to participate at the time and date set for group numbers by the competitions, whatever they may be, even if they conflict with non-group events.
Artistic Integrity and Credit Policy:
In recognition that artistic creation (e.g. even the shortest selection of choreography; design concepts; etc.) is intellectual property, Division students and their parent(s) pledge not to participate in the theft of another creator’s work and to always insist that permission is obtained from, and credit is given to any other creator as may be pertinent in all their artistic endeavours.