Soleunique Dance Company

Frequently Asked Questions

REQUIREMENTS:

How many hours and/or what types of classes am I required to attend?

New in season 20 (2023) One Saturday per-month, the rehearsal day begins with a 60-minute company class that focuses on properly warming up the body in preparation for the demands of rehearsals as well as maintenance of necessary technical abilities presented in scheduled dance classes during the week. Rehearsals will now take place on Tuesday evenings and attendance to dance classes is critical to the training of dancers and is key in their healthy and successful growth.

In order to develop and maintain a solid foundation of mental and physical abilities, it is important for company members to consistently participate in a minimum quantity of dance-class-hours per week. Below is the listing of minimum class requirements by age division:

            Junior Company: 6+ hours

Ages 9-11 (Average group competition age. Not specific to individual dancers.)

1x Company Class
*2x Ballet
1x Jazz
1x Hip Hop
1x Tap (If dancer will be performing in a tap routine)
Discount to studio-tuition applies to all dancers taking 5-7 classes per-week.

            Teen & Senior Company: 8+ hours

Ages 12-18

1x Company Class
*3x Ballet
1x Jazz
1x Hip Hop
1x Tap (If dancer will be performing in a tap routine)
1x Contemporary (If dancer will be performing in a tap routine)
Discount to studio-tuition applies to all dancers taking 8+ classes per-week.

*If a dancer is unable to fit an additional ballet class into his/her schedule, a comparable technique or supplemental technique class (Pre-pointe, Stretch & Strength, Turns/Leaps, Tumbling and/or Improvisation) of equal or lower level can be substituted in its place.

It is highly recommended that members register for class with either of the Soleunique directors when available. 

Is attendance in every rehearsal mandatory
Yes. The rehearsals that you are scheduled for must be attended in order to maintain the growth and integrity of all group numbers.
What types of dancers are you looking for?
We are seeking motivated and disciplined dancers between the ages of 9 and 18 years of age. Dancers should have an understanding of ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap techniques with a willingness and strong desire to expand their knowledge in these disciplines. A minimum of 3 yrs of experience is recommended for younger dancers, but not required.

SCHEDULING:

How will I be informed of my rehearsal schedule?
This information is available to registered members of the company in a password-protected area of this website. Unless there are last-minute changes to a rehearsal (in such an event, we will send you an email), a monthly schedule will be posted for members to view.
How will I know when our conventions and competitions will be held?
This information will be provided at our annual parent/dancer meeting and will be available season-long in the Members Area of this website.

CONVENTIONS & COMPETITIONS:

How many conventions/competitions will we attend in a normal season?
The company will attend no less than 3 to a maximum of 5 convention/competition events.
Do you allow solos/duets/trios?
Yes. Dancers must dictate their interest on their audition registration forms and then must be qualified by our judges panel and approved by company directors.
Will I perform at every event?
If the company is attending a ‘full-company’ event, yes. In this case, most (if not all), group routines will perform. There will be some events exclusive to solo/duet/trio performers.
What if I cannot attend an event (convention/competition), due to a previously scheduled family or school function?
An understudy/apprentice will fill in and perform in your place. It is the dancers responsibility to provide his or her understudy with any and all costume items and accessories.
Is it mandatory to stay at the host hotel for events?
No. You are welcome to stay at home or nearby, so long as you allow adequate time for early arrival at any event. Staying at the host hotel has proven to be most convenient for comfort and preparedness.
What is the average cost of a convention/competition and when am I expected to make a payment?
Conventions alone will average a $275 fee for entry alongside competition entry fees which average $55 per-dance and per-dancer. Payments are automatically withdrawn from your credit card accounts no less than 40 days prior to each event. Additional convention fee of $15 per-dancer will apply.
Will I get a chance to perform/compete my solo, duet or trio?
Yes. Convention/Competition events with a high entry limit will be selected for you to perform. We may select various ‘competition only’ events and dedicate them to soloists, duets and trios. Some group dances may be elected pending dancer availability.

COSTS, FEES & FINANCES:

Is there a cost for membership in the company?
Yes. A one-time registration fee of $85.00 at the beginning of the season. Monthly membership fee of $180 for company dancers. (As of 2022-2023 season)
When and how do I make my membership payment?
As with your event registration payments, membership fees will be automatically deducted from your credit card account on the 1st of each of the 10 months we are in season. September-June.
Do you offer scholarship assistance? If so, how do I qualify to receive financial aid?
Limited scholarship assistance is available on a contingency basis.
Do we pay for our own costumes and makeup?
Yes. Each dancer is responsible for the purchase of their own costumes and makeup kits. The Soleunique directors, however, will handle each aspect of measuring, sizing and mass orders. As with membership and event fees, the costs for costumes and makeup will be deducted from your credit card account.
What if I am registered for a convention/competition and I or my family are involved in an emergency which allows me not to attend?
For most group numbers, an understudy/apprentice will dance in your place. Your understudy will be billed directly and your account will be credited for the next event. However, for large and/or production numbers where an understudy is not available, the dance will be re-blocked and your fees will not be refunded nor credited to your account as the host event will not refund to us.
Is there a membership cancellation fee?
Yes. If the parent/dancer opts to dismiss themselves or their child from the company before the end of the season, a cancellation fee equal to two months of membership fees ($360), will be charged to your account. This fee will cover the necessary time and additional work needed to re-block and/or recast the numbers you or your child have been performing in as well as removing your information from the database, website and event registration forms for the season. If a director or faculty member sees fit to remove you from the program for any reason, your cancellation fee will be waived.

AUDITIONS:

What should I wear?
For the technical portion of the audition, ballet attire is not required, but recommended. Hair secured off the face and neck. The following items will be helpful to have in your dance bag: Shoes – Jazz, ballet, tap & clean-soled sneakers. Apparel – Tights, leotard, tank top or tee shirt, sweatpants, jazz pants or shorts.
My family will be out of town during the audition(s). Can I arrange to be seen on a different date?
In some cases, a private viewing/assessment can be arranged, but not guaranteed. Attending classes of the directors is recommended as well as any summer classes and dance intensives hosted by the SoleUnique Dance Complex.
What is your audition process like?
All dancers must, first, submit their intention to audition via our online audition registration form. Upon arrival, you will check-in and be provided with an audition number to be worn during the adjudication process. Dancers will be allowed into the studio to begin their own warm up. The audition will begin with multiple combinations in the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary/Lyrical, Hip Hop and Tap. You do not have to prepare a solo, but must be prepared to improvise. After your combinations are taught, dancers will be called in front of the judges, in small groups, to perform the combinations a minimum of 2 times. After every dancer has been seen in each style, the directors will have a short talk with the auditionees and will end the audition.
Am I required to audition for every style?
It is highly recommended. Though you may not be cast in a smaller group for a style that you did not qualify for, our company production number(s) are usually a mix of the various styles we offer.
How and when will I know if I have been accepted to the company?
Each dancer and their parent(s) will be contacted via e-mail no less than 1 week after the audition date and results will be posted on the audition page of our website.
If I or my child are accepted, is there a deadline to make my commitment?
Each dancer and parent will receive a copy of the company handbook upon acceptance and prior to our annual, pre-season information meeting. We recommend signing commitment papers at the closing of the meeting in order for the directors to prepare casting and choreography. However, we understand that participation in this company is a serious family commitment. If you need time to discuss this with your family, you are welcome to do so. The deadline to accept/decline is September 1, 2017.

CASTING PROCEDURE:

How will I know which dances I will be cast in?
If not in your initial acceptance or secondary e-mail, we will utilize the soleunique website ‘members area’. This page will be laid out similar to a spreadsheet with your name and the dances you have been selected for. At this point, you will have registered for access to the members area of our website and your login/password credentials will allow you to view members-only pages.

What happens if I am cast in a dance that I did not select on my registration form?
It may not be a style that you are comfortable with, but this means that the judges and/or directors have seen a great deal of potential in you. Though you cannot be forced to stay in the cast, it is strongly recommended that you stick it through as this will be beneficial to your growth and training background.

REHEARSALS & COMPANY CLASS:

When do rehearsals & company classes begin?
Rehearsals typically begin the first weekend after Labor Day. If applicable, we may begin company classes at the start of the first term.
What is company class and why do we have it?
Company class is an important part of the Soleunique training program. This is where your directors have a chance to focus directly on the members of the company and their individual skills. This also prepares the body of the dancer for an extended, yet safe rehearsal. Company class is not open to the public and only Soleunique members may attend.

How long is an average rehearsal?
Following a 60-minute company class, rehearsals will range from 3 to 6 additional hours (on Saturdays), or up to 4 hours on Tuesday evenings. Lunch breaks will be provided on monthly Saturday rehearsals. The length of your individual day will be determined by the quantity of dances you are cast in or understudying/apprenticing.
What happens if I miss a rehearsal?
It is your responsibility to inform a director electronically (by e-mail), no less than 1 week prior to the date you will be missing. An understudy/apprentice will stand in for you. You must contact your understudy and/or review the rehearsal video and prove that you have caught up and learned your part in order to participate in the following rehearsal. If you cannot show that you have done your homework, your understudy will permanently replace you in that dance.
What is an 'apprentice/understudy', and what does the role require?
The role of an apprentice or understudy is extremely important. Some dancers who have not been selected for a specific cast are chosen to ‘understudy’ and learn one or more parts of a dance. He or she must attend each rehearsal and quietly participate in learning all choreography and staging. This dancer is responsible for making sure he/she is well aware of the choreography, but cannot distract or disturb the original cast while they are rehearsing. In the event that a dancer in the cast is absent from a rehearsal or performance, this dancers will step in and rehearse or perform in place of the original cast member. In some cases, an understudy/apprentice may permanently replace the original cast member.
How do I let you know if I or my child will be absent?
If you are aware that you will be missing class for an important family or school function, it is imperative that you e-mail both directors well in advance (minimum 1 week prior), with the date he/she will be missing rehearsal and the reason why. These messages are saved in your individual file and reviewed bi-monthly. In the event of an emergency – as sometimes, last-minute things really do happen, (auto accident, family emergency, etc), a phone call to one or both of the director’s cellular phones will suffice, but an e-mail must follow the call. Birthday parties, non-credit school functions, extra curricular sports/activities and-the-like, are not acceptable reasons for absence from class/rehearsal.

MISCELLANEOUS:

What types of extra curricular or outside activities conflict with the Soleunique program?

Any activity that will overlap with your dance training and rehearsal schedule is considered to be a conflict. Most specifically, high school dance team/pom programming.

How do I receive a copy of the rules and guidelines?
A link to the file will be sent to all accepted dancers/parents in an email post-auditions.
If I have specific questions that need to be addressed to a company director that I cannot find here, who do I contact and for which subject matters?
There are many items that are of sensitive nature that we cannot make available to non-company members. These will be discussed in person at our annual meeting and/or included in your copy of the company handbook. For general inquires (if not addressed above), you are welcome to contact Anthony. Scheduling, absences/tardiness, costume replace/resize, injury and medical, backstage assistance (when needed), should be directed to Artistic Director/Victoria. Event registration, convention/competition events, absences/tardiness, costume orders, website maintenance, financial & credit processing should be directed to Executive Director/Anthony.

*Neither director will respond to inquiries questioning artistic choices such as, but not limited to music selection, choreography, costume selection, or staging. E-mails, calls and/or text messages containing such subject matter will not be responded to. If you feel that your inquiry requires a personal conference with one or both directors, contact them via e-mail first to discuss pre-meeting steps and procedures.