Frequently Asked Questions

 
Below are our most frequently asked questions.  If your question is not answered, please feel free to contact us.

Why should I choose Premier Academy of the Performing Arts?
Small Class Size: We limit class size to make it easier to control and monitor for instructors and to give more personalized attention to our students.  Our recreational dance and cheerleading classes are limited to a maximum of ten students per class.  Our tumbling classes are limited to a maximum of six students per class.

Administrative Support:
In many studios there is no receptionist on duty. This means that parents either don't get the help they need, or they must wait until they can catch an instructor between classes. We have front desk administrative staff during the majority of class times to handle routine questions and details that arise. 

Our Classrooms:All of our rooms have raised floors with padding underneath to protect our staff and students from harsh impact on their knees and backs.  Each room also as full length mirrors and barres.  The tumbling/cheerleading room has mats, and other important equipment to help with teaching new tricks. 

Highly Qualified Staff: Premier Academy of the Performing Arts has the most qualified staff in the area.  Each instructor specializes in the technique they teach and each instructor is very passionate about helping your child be the best they can.  You can learn more about our instructors on the instructor page of the website.

Our Facility:  Premier Academy of the Performing Arts offers 3 dance rooms, 1 tumbling/cheerleading room, a cubby room, 2 restrooms, a staff room, a dance wear store, and a costume/sewing room.  We also guarantee to have the cleanest facility, as we clean on a daily basis.

How are students placed in classes?
Initially, children are grouped together based on their age range. However, students who have more or less training will be placed in a level that corresponds to their ability level. Most times they are placed correctly; however it is important to remember that students sometimes take several weeks in a new environment to flourish. We ask for a maximum of one month to properly place your child in a level best suited for them. Because each teacher’s style varies, the number of years a dancer has trained are considered, but they are not the deciding factor when placing your child in their appropriate level. Adding Technique Classes to your schedule may help your child improve in their level, as repetition is a wonderful learning tool.

Do you have a recital?
We have a yearly recital in June.  All of our dance, cheerleading, and tumbling, students are invited to perform.  Our recital is held at Plainfield High School.  Unlike most academies, we do not charge a recital fee.  Instead, all you need to pay is $10/ticket and your child's costume fee.

How do your sessions work?
Premier allows students to enroll all year long.  We have a session that is August-June.  We then have a summer session, which is 4 weeks long.

Is there a make-up policy?
If classes are cancelled due to weather, you are more than welcome to attend another class of the same level. 
If your child misses a class due to illness, you may attend another class of the same level within the same month.  Please inform the front desk.

Do you offer family discounts?
2 children-We offer 10% off of the second student's fees.

Do you have a referal program?
You will recieve a $10 credit to your account for every family that you refer to Premier Academy of the Performing Arts.

Am I allowed to watch my child's class?

We feel it's important for the parents to be able to see their child's class and what they are learning.  We have veiwing windows, or cameras for each classroom.  Viewing windows are left open unless the students become distracted. Classrooms with cameras can be viewed in the lobby.

No parents, or siblings are allowed into the classrooms to view unless called in, as this is very distracting.

What if I have questions or concerns?
Please keep in mind that the faculty/instructors always have the best interests of the students in mind.  Our main goal is to see our students learn and progress.  If you ever have any questions or concerns about your child's progress or class schedule, please make an appointment at the front desk to speak with Nikki. 

How can I help my child at home?
One of the best ways parents can help their children is to expose them to the arts.  Bring them to performances, art galleries, buy dance, tumbling, and cheerleading books and videos.  This will open up a whole new world not only for your child but for yourself as well.  Also, always encourage your child to be as open as possible to corrections when taking class.  They should have a clear understanding of their corrections (shoulders down, tummy in) so they can correctly apply their correction.  Applying corrections is one of the quickest ways to gain mastery of a level.  We do not encourage parents "coaching" their students at home.  Students will always progress quickly and correctly when working in the classroom with a trained professional.

When can I go on pointe?
The following is one of the best descriptions I have come across is by Dr. Richard T. Braver, Sports Podiatrist - Englewood, New Jersey.  These are the guidelines by which Premier Academy evaluates all of their potential pointe students.

The bones of a child's feet start to become harder at ages 9 - 11 years. This is why it is commonly thought that dancers should not go on pointe until this time. Actually, it is during this time that the cartilage growth plates are becoming harder. However, the cartilage and growth areas do not form into bone until about ages 18 - 20.

Going up on pointe should really be made on an individual basis for each dancer at about 11 years of age. The surrounding musculature should be strong enough to stabilize and reduce stresses and strains to the joints and immature bones. The ballet instructor is the one who should and can best access several of the prerequisite guidelines in determining the student's readiness to begin pointe work.

Do you have a registration fee?
We have a yearly registration fee of $30 per family.

Payment Information:
At registration your first tution payment and your $30 registration fee are due.

Tuition is based on the year and not a monthly basis.  Tuition is based on an August-June year.  Payments can made on a semester plan, or a monthly plan. 

Semester payments are due by August 1st and January 1st.  Monthly payments must be made by the 1st of each month. Any tuition turned in after the 7th day of any month will have a $10 late fee.


The semester total for tuition is for August-December (5 months) and January-June (6 months).

If a student has an unpaid account after the 7th of the month, the student will not be able to attend class until the tuition is paid.

Again, we will accept cash, check, or credit card.  Please make checks payable to Premier Academy of the Performing Arts.  In the memo section be sure to write your child's name and what the check is being written for.

Example:
Recreational
30 minute class= $47 per month, $225/semester 1, 272/semester 2
45 minute class=$58 per month,  $280/semester 1, 338/semester 2
60 minute class=$69 per month,  $335/semester 1, 404/semester 2
1.5 hour class=   $80 per month,  $400/semester 1, 470/semester 2

 

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