For all of our students & families who are competing this school year, Welcome! Below is all the important information that you need to know. Please click here to download our full competition student handbook.
Student Policies & Requirements
- Attendance All dancers are required to be at all of their required classes. A dancer who misses a class holds back the progress of the entire group. An important lesson taught through our competition program is the value of teamwork. Class time allows students not only learn, but to bond & form friendships with their classmates. Each dancer is allowed three absences per class for the school year. Excessive absences could result in dismissal from the program. If a dancer must miss a class, they or their parent must call or email the competition director, Miss Beka to notify them.
- Performances Outside of the Spring Performance and Competitions, students may be also invited to perform at several events throughout the school year. Although competing is fun, our main goal is for students to improve their performance abilities & build their confidence. These performances are a great way to do so, and we often perform at charity events as a way to give back to the community. These performances are not mandatory, but are highly encouraged.
- Code of Conduct Dancers in our Competition program serve as role models to their fellow dancers at TMC. We expect dancers to be respectful and kind to their peers and instructors. We lead with compassion & love and expect the same in return. In your competition handbook, is further information on our code of conduct policy. Also, dancers & parents will be required to sign a contract, that acknowledges that they are aware of all of our policies.
- Summer Intensives In addition to their school year class requirements, dancers in our Teen & Senior Achieve Companies are required to attend two summer intensive weeks, this is when they will learn their competition choreography for two of their group dances.
The Focus Is Not Simply on Competition
It is our goal to instill in our students a passion for performing rather than merely the desire to win awards. Toward that end, that’s why competition dancers have performance opportunities other than competitions. They perform in local & charitable events throughout the year. We believe the lessons learned through concert performances are as valuable as the competition experience.
Our solid reputation for quality reflects our attitude toward competition and our goal to develop in each student a genuine respect for dance as an art form. We consider students’ participation in competitions not merely part of their dance training; it’s also an important part of how we influence their growth as people. With the right focus, the experience gained in competition can be an excellent source of self-confidence. If the dancers feel good about a performance and understand that they become better each time they go onstage, they are truly growing through the competition experience. Hitting that stage and doing the best they can is what it’s all about; whether they win––or which award they win––is secondary.
Through participation in competitions, we hope to instill in our students an appreciation for other dancers and schools. We are not out to beat anyone; instead, we hope to motivate both students and faculty by exposing them to the highest caliber of talent available. Only then can we produce the best dancers and teachers possible. For us, competition is an education!
Staying Informed
We work hard to make the dance experience organized and fun. Keeping you informed is one of our primary goals. Please read all newsletters and other school information.
Newsletters and updates are emailed to you and posted on the The Movement Center website and Facebook page.
If you have any questions regarding the information distributed, we encourage you to contact the office at 978-264-4585
Feel free to also email questions directly to our competition director, Miss Courtney, at compdirector@the-movement-center.net
Competition Scheduling
When planning a competition weekend, be prepared for performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
You will receive the exact date(s) and times that you are to be at the competition exactly one week before. So please, make sure that you keep the entire weekend open until you know the exact day(s) that you must be present. Schedules will be emailed to all dancers and their parents as soon as they are received.
We pride ourselves on being an organized, professional school and we do not request changes to the dance competition schedule.
2024 Competition Dates & Locations
This school year we will be attending three dance competitions. The dates and locations are listed below, please note these are subject to change.
Starquest March 8-10 2024 Tewksbury, MA
Diva Dance April 26-28 2024 Fitchburg, MA
Work It Dance Challenge May 18-19 2024 Framingham, MA
Solo & Duet/Trio Information
Is your dancer ready to compete in a solo or duet/trio? In addition to their group dances, competition dancers are also welcome to compete in a solo or duet/trio, if they would like. This a rewarding experience for dancers, it provides an opportunity for dancers to continue to challenge themselves, and builds confidence. For those who wish to participate, please let us know before the school year starts.
- Tuition Fees Please note: This is not included in the unlimited class plan. Monthly fee: $75.00 for each solo or duet/trio your child is in and this includes a 15 minute private lesson/weekly rehearsal. Choreographer’s Fee: $330 – per solo, or per duet/trio to be split between the dancers. This fee includes four private lessons for the solo or duet/trio where each student will learn all their choreography. The fee will be paid directly to the choreographer and is due at the first lesson. If additional lessons are needed the fee will be $80 per hour.
- Requirements Students who sign up for a solo, duet, or trio are required to start their lessons during the summer & must complete a minimum one private lesson before September starts. Our teacher’s schedules are quite full in the fall, so this helps our instructors and also ensures that students can start their weekly class rehearsal at the beginning of September.
- Costumes Students will need a costume, however we will encourage students to reuse a costume that they may already have to cut down on costs. If they get a new costume prices will vary. We also have costumes available for rent.
- Competition Fees Fees may vary, but should average between the following: Solos – $120-$150 per competition Duets/Trios – $120-$180 split between dancers per competition.