Dear Parents and Guardians:
Warm Greetings! I would like to personally welcome you to Kharisma Dance Studio (“KDS”)! Thank you for completing the on-line registration form and for your interest in our faith-based dance program being offered at the beautiful Victory Christian Center (“VCC”). As the KDS Owner and Artistic Director, I am super excited to share the spiritual joy of creative expression through dance with students of every age, encouraging them to develop a vibrant spirit, a strong body, a healthy body, and a disciplined mind!
“Worship the Lord in all His holiness. Dance before Him all the earth!” - 1 Chronicles 16:29
I believe God bestows everyone with a special gift/talent, they are “called" to lovingly share with others for the purpose of overcoming adversity by the Blood of Jesus and the Word of their Personal Testimony! Therefore, our we are inspired and challenged during our spiritual journey to:
Identify what our creative gift/talent is and,
Determine how we can best share our creative gift/talent for the purpose of blessing others
After taking my first Ballet class at the age of 5yrs with my Mom, I immediately knew dance was my special God-given creative gift/talent! Ever since, I have been on an exciting journey to learn and train in every style and genre of dance! Teaching dance starting at the age of 15yrs old and then performing in school musical theater productions, local professional dance companies, and with church dance workshop programs, where l learned my gift is all about storytelling and sharing my personal testimony. I wanted to pursue a career as a professional dancer, but after graduating from college my lovingly pragmatic parents insisted I secure a financially viable career in business, while enjoying my passion for dance as a “hobby”. Sensible advice and God graciously blessed me with a highly successful corporate career filled with lots of promotions and exciting international travel! And, I was able to find amazing dance programs and classes everywhere I traveled around the world! Consequently, I saw how the art of dance is truly universal and after retiring early from my position as Senior VP of Global Quality Management from AIG Corporation, I was able to realize my life-long dream of opening Kharisma Dance Studio in 2008, providing faith-based dance instruction to students of all ages, and becoming a professional stage choreographer working on musical theater, church worship, dance recital and competition choreography. Hallelujah!!! God is good all the time!
Thank you again for your interest in KDS and I look forward to sharing the worshipful joy of dance with you and your family! God bless…
Sincerely,
Venae Sears-Ellis
Owner & Artistic Director
Venae Ellis, Owner & Artistic Director, received her early dance training in Denver, Colorado studying with the Lani Hood Dance Theater and the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble as well as training in liturgical dance workshop with the Vineyard International Church. She has danced professionally in ballet, tap, jazz and modern and performed in a variety of musical theater productions. Mrs. Ellis has over 15 years of teaching experience and provides professional choreography to theaters, churches, dance competitions, music artists & dance fitness specialists. She is also a professional singer and performs as a lead vocalist with her husband in the group they founded, Kharisma Jazzmatic Funk. Mrs. Ellis is also an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor with additional certifications in Zumba, Yoga, Yo-chi (yoga/tai-chi), and SilverSneakers
STUDIO POLICIES
Class Fees:
At Kharisma Dance Studio (“KDS”), we are very excited to share with our students and the larger community, a fresh approach to the performing arts, focusing on Christian faith-based values! We are passionate about making quality dance instruction accessible and affordable to every family, of every size! Here are our affordable Monthly Tuition options:
Monthly Tuition for 1 Student - One Class Per Week: $50.00 ($12.50 per class)
Monthly Tuition for 1 Student - Two Classes Per Week Discount Package: $80.00 (a $20 Monthly Discount!)
Monthly Tuition for 2 Students - One Class Per Week: $80.00 ($10.00 per class)
Monthly Tuition for 2 Students - Two Classes Per Week: $95.00 (a $80 Monthly Discount!)
Monthly Tuition - Family Discount Package for Unlimited Classes - 2 or More Students): $150.00 (a $80+ Monthly Discount!)
Dress Code:
Students should be properly dressed for each class they attend, including the proper dance shoes. All students, regardless of which classes they are taking, are required to wear a leotard (any color) and skirts, capris or jazz pants may be worn over leotards. Fitted tank tops may be worn over the top of leotards, but t-shirts or sweatshirts will need to be taken off before class begins. Parents should also make sure their dancers' hair is out of their face when they come to dance class.
Student Dancers will also need to bring to every class a PERSONAL WATER BOTTLE & A HEALTHY SNACK! We typically expend a lot of energy during every class and it is important for every student to stay well hydrated and energized!
Dance Shoes:
Students must wear the proper dance shoes required for each dance class. Dance shoes should not be worn outside the dance studio, since this can cause unnecessary wear and tear to your child's dance shoes. Dance shoes should be marked with the dancer's name and carried to and from the dance studio in a dedicated dance bag. This carry bag can also hold their belongings during class time and keep them separate from other dancers' belongings.
For Ballet, Lyrical, & Liturgical: Leather pink ballet slippers. If you need to buy new ballet slippers, please buy them in the ballet pink or black color. Fabric slippers and bare feet are not acceptable.
For Jazz & Hip Hop: Black or tan jazz shoes (lace up or slip on) or dance sneakers with a low heel (no street shoes or ballet slippers). All dance shoes should fit comfortably, but not loosely. It is preferable to have your child try on dance shoes before purchase, but, if necessary, shoes can be ordered online, referencing the associated size charts. Make sure there is a return or exchange policy available for any shoes that do not fit properly.
For Tap: Black tap shoes, preferably Oxford style lace up, slip-ons or ankle buckle.
For Zumba: Any dance sneaker or cross training shoe that will allow you to move easily with good arch and ankle support. No bare feet allowed!
TO ORDER ON-LINE: AFFORDABLE DANCE WEAR AND SHOES FOR ALL AGES:
Helpful Dance Shoe Care & Maintenance Tips
For young TAP DANCERS: Please ttake the tie shoelaces out of tap shoes and replace with a sewn in loop of black elastic. This will save each young dancer from having to tie up their shoes, allowing them to easily slip their shoes on. Saving time time & energy! Younger dancers typically cannot tie their dance shoes tight enough, creating a risk of them slipping off! Please make sure elastic stretches when the foot goes in and it’s snug, BUT not so tight it causes discomfort.
Each student will need a designated backpack or carry bag to transport their personal dance wear, shoes, water bottles, snacks, optional face masks, etc. Students who arrive in their streetwear or school uniforms with shoes will be directed to a secure location to change into their appropriate dance attire before class.
Frequently, our dance students will have individual items go missing during class. It is easier to track down any lost items when students provide their FULL NAME and SECURE CONTACT INFORMATION on all belongings brought to class such as, Dance bags, Dance clothing, Dance shoes, Outdoor Jackets or Coats, Gloves, Scarves, etc.).
Attendance
Regular attendance is encouraged to ensure optimal creative and artistic growth of both the individual dancers and the entire class as a whole.
Severe Weather Related Closings - WINTER:
In the case of inclement WINTER WEATHER, KDS will cancel classes if Gilmer County Schools is not holding classes. If bad weather arrives during the course of the day and parents are unsure about the status of classes for the evening, they can check the KDS website and Facebook page, which will always be updated by 2:30 p.m. If bad weather begins to arrive through the course of the evening, parents are responsible for calling the studio to determine whether classes are cancelled before coming to class. KDS will not typically make up classes cancelled due to bad weather unless the same class misses two or more sessions, in which case KDS staff will attempt to reschedule the class.
Severe Weather Related Closings - SPRING:
In the case of severe weather during the Spring, KDS is obligated to keep students at the studio until the immediate weather threat passes. Therefore, KDS staff will make every possible attempt to keep family members updated and as weather conditions develop and parents are responsible for contacting KDS studio to determine whether classes will be cancelled before bringing their student dancers to class.
Holiday Breaks
The KDS studio will be closed during the following holiday breaks: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break. The specific dates can be found at www.kharismadancestudio.com. KDS will be open during all parent/teacher conference breaks and teacher in-service days.
Make-up Classes
KDC will try to provide quarterly make-up days, particularly if there are several students out due to illness or weather closings. Upcoming make-up day notifications will be sent out to parents via text messaging and email.
Appropriate Classroom Behavior
Students are expected to respect their Dance Instructors and classmates at all times! KDS staff reserve the right to excuse from class any student who does not exhibit appropriate and respectful behavior. In such a case, the student’s parent or designated guardian will be notified and asked to pick up their student immediately.
Policy and Procedure Changes
During this this time of unexpected, but necessary community safety directives, KDS must reserve the right to make required changes to current policies and procedures. Notice of these changes will be provided on the KDS website (www.kharismadancestudio.com) and/or in currently updated text, email or monthly newsletter communications.