Mini Team Pathway

Challenge your dance training on a competitive stage alongside a team of dancers (but for ages 5-9)

Registration for the Mini Team requires attendance in Dance Camp I or II and Mini Auditions.

2023-2024 Mini Team 

Mini Team Pathway 2024-2025

Pathway Definition: 

The Mini Team Pathway is a dance training program designed to allow students to compete within the competitive dance industry. This training program requires a weekly block of 1 to 1.5 hours of technique training in addition to one hour of weekly group choreography rehearsals. This pathway is offered for ages 5-9. Mini Team competes in two dance competitions throughout the season and performs in both EADE’s Winter and End of the Year Showcase. Students registering for Mini Team are registering for a "season long" commitment of 37 weeks of dance training. The EADE 2024-2025 season starts August 5, 2024 and ends on the day of the Trading Floor Showcase (scheduled for May 24, 2025).

Pathway Opportunities: 

Mini Technique Training - 

Mini Team Dancers (ages 5-7) are required to participate in 30 minutes of ballet and acrobatics and 30 minutes of  jazz and tap. (Technique Training I)

Mini Team Dancers  (ages 8-9) are required to participate in 45 minutes of ballet and acrobatics and 45 minutes of  jazz and tap. (Technique Training II)


Group Routine Choreography - 

EADE requires MINI TEAM DANCERS to participate in two group routines. 

Mini Team Additional Competitive Routines: Group, Duo/Trio, Soloist Choreography - 

Mini Team dancers have an opportunity to participate, learn, rehearse, and compete in additional routines depending on casting following audition results. Participation in additional competitive routines may be offered but not required and not guaranteed. Placement in these routines will be dependent upon the results of the technique auditions. Dancers have an option to choose the number of routines in which they participate prior to auditions. These routines could be additional group routines, a duo or a trio, and/or a solo. 

Soloist opportunities are an extension of the Team Pathway. Soloist opportunities cater to dedicated dancers who want to pursue dance beyond recreational means. Soloists must attend all technique classes required by the Team Pathway and actively participate in the Team Pathway (groups) to remain eligible for solo opportunities. Soloist opportunities will be relinquished if the soloist is unable to uphold the expectations of both the Team Pathway and soloist opportunities.  Soloists agree to attend scheduled meetings during existing rehearsals—an introductory meeting and a mid-year meeting with the dancer’s teacher to review expectations throughout the year.

Dancers will receive three hours of one-time choreography rehearsals per group routine, duo, or trio, or solo placement prior to the start of the season. Choreography rehearsals will be scheduled following auditions and held 07/16/2024 - 07/19/2024 and/or 07/23/2024-07/26/2024. Students are required to attend choreography rehearsals in order to participate in the group routine.

Each group routine, duo, trio, and solo will receive a 30-minute weekly choreography rehearsal.

Students are required to compete these routines at dance competitions throughout the season as well as perform on the Trading Floor in January of 2025 and May 2025. Mini Team will compete at two dance competitions throughout the season. 

Pathway Entry Requirements: 

Dancers are required to take one year of Foundations of Dance at EADE prior to auditioning for the Mini Team. Students must complete the registration process, uphold EADE policy, and make timely payments in exchange for EADE services. 

Mini Team Dancers must participate in Dance Camp I or II and in the Technique Audition in July in order to be considered for the Mini Team Pathway and understudy positions. 

To be considered for soloist opportunities, Mini Team dancers must participate in the soloist auditions held during the technique audition in July. 

Students are placed in the appropriate Technique Training class based on age. Students under the required age can request access to older level technique classes by registering for Technique Auditions in July. The results of the auditions will determine the students’ placement in the appropriate level class according EADE’s knowledge requirements for each class. Students may request access to classes beyond the dancer’s age range throughout the season. Students must be able to define and perform the terms and skills listed in the knowledge requirements documents in order to be granted access to Technique Training classes outside the dancer’s age range. Teacher discretion can override the results of the knowledge review. 

EADE can override the age division placement if the dancer’s level is better suited for another class; however, dancers will be required to perform a series of skills prior to attending these classes. This override can occur at any point in the season. 

Mini Team placement will be based on the following considerations: 

Includes but is not limited to:

Dance Camp / Auditions: 

  • Ability to attend EADE events and attend EADE events on-time
  • Ability to attend EADE events in the proper attire
  • Ability to abide by EADE expectations and procedures
  • Preparation for the scheduled class or rehearsal
  • Encouragement and support of peers and teachers
  • Demonstration of determined work ethic
    • Immediately applies corrections
    • trains outside of scheduled class time
    • remembers and reviews choreography and concepts without direction from teacher
  • Ability to promptly follow and respond to teacher instructions and respect EADE’s facility 
  • Demonstrates a strong, well-rounded technical foundation in ballet, jazz, tap, and acro
  • Willingness to adapt, to explore, and to challenge one’s potential
  • Approaches class with a positive, encouraging, determined, and respectful attitude 
  • Presents her/him-self as a role model and leader for students
  • Consistency in performance, in attitude, in work ethic, in leadership
  • Dancers’ ability complement’s the ability of his/her peers
  • Parental support, encouragement, and positive involvement in the studio, with the dancer, with EADE staff, and with other EADE community members

Veteran EADE Team Dancers: 

  • EADE considers the above considerations for the time period in which dancers have participated in the Team Pathway—veteran performance will be taken into consideration for upcoming season placements and opportunities. 

Mini Team Schedule

Mini Team Pathway Fees and Tuition

Registration Fee: $30

  • One-time fee
  • Due: Team Agreement Meeting

Required Gear: TBD

  • One-time fee 
  • Due: Team Agreement Meeting
  • TBD (24/25 - $160)

Trading Floor Fee: $200

  • One-time fee that applies to students preparing to perform on the Trading Floor May 2025 and Winter 2025
  • Includes:
    • participation in the Winter Showcase in January and  End-of-the-Year Showcase in May 2025
    • showcase costume (does not include shoes)
    • additional rehearsal training
    • professionally filmed video of the End-of-the-Year Showcase in May 2025
    • two tickets to the End-of-the-Year Showcase in May 2025
  • Due: Half ($100) September 1st, 2024; Half ($100) March 1st, 2025

Choreography: Varies based on the number of routines dancer participates in.                    

  • One-time fee which includes choreography for routine
  • Due: September 1st, 2024

 

  • Group Choreography: $55 / student / routine
    • Includes  three hours of July rehearsal per routine
    • EADE requires two small group routines for the Mini Team

 

  • Duo/Trio Choreography: $105 / student / routine
    • Includes three hours of July rehearsal per routine

 

  • Solo Choreography: $210 / student / routine
    • Includes three hours of July rehearsal per routine

Costumes: $100/ group costume

  • One-time fee which includes the costumes for group routines
  • Dancers budget an expense of $100 per dancer per group routine costume. EADE will design and determine group routine costumes. Some costumes will be purchased by dancers through EADE at a maximum of $100.00 per costume. For some costumes, EADE will communicate the expectations of the costume, and the parent and dancer will be responsible for obtaining the group costume. Expectations will be communicated via email. 
  • EADE will order a costume for group Technique Training Trading Floor performances. This will represent the EADE uniform to be worn for all Trading Floor Performance. The price of the costume is included in your “Trading Floor Fee.” 
  • EADE is not responsible for altering costumes. All costumes must be discussed and approved by the EADE owner prior to purchase.
  • Due: September 1st, 2024

Picture Day Fee: $75

  • One-time fee 
  • Due: First Day of Picture Week (November 18th-November 22nd)

Seasonal Competition Fees: varies by competition and number of routines

  • Mini Team dancers will attend two seasonal dance competitions. EADE offers registration, attendance, and coaching services during these two scheduled competitions.
  • Dates, prices, and due dates will be discussed at the Performance Agreement Meeting.
  • These fees will be invoiced to parents throughout the season and will include competition registration and teacher fees for attending the competition.
  • Due: as invoiced

Monthly Tuition: 

Recurring monthly fee for services provided by The Team Pathway varies depending upon audition results and number of groups. Monthly Tuition includes all additional EADE-teacher scheduled rehearsals throughout the season (Example: dress rehearsals)

Due: The 1st of each month

See the steps below to calculate monthly tuition. 

Monthly Tuition Calculation

To calculate monthly tuition, Mini Team Dancers add Technique Training Tuition with Rehearsal Tuition. 

Weekly Technique Training + Weekly Choreography Rehearsals

EADE uses a sliding scale to calculate technique tuition rates. Add up the total amount of time per week of classes, then slide over and find the rate of tuition per month. 

EADE uses a class fee for weekly choreography rehearsals. The fees for each class are outlined below. 

Mini Team - Technique Training I (Example) 

Required 1 hour of technique = $75

Required 2 group routines = 35*2 = $70

Total Monthly Tuition = $145 per month

 

Mini Team - Technique Training II (Example)

Required 1.5 hour of technique = $105

Required 2 group routines = $35*2= $70

Total Monthly Tuition = $175

 

*Please note these are MINIMUM requirements for Mini Team dancers to participate on Mini Team. Dancers may add additional technique classes and potentially add group, solo, duo, or trio routines. 

Mini Team Pathway Policies

These policies will be listed and reviewed in your Dancer Handbook following registration. 

Sibling Discount: 

Discounts will be given to families with more than one registered dancer who are siblings. The first sibling discount is applied to fees in which one family provides payment for two sibling dancers. Both siblings must be registered for the same class or a class of equivalent price in order for the discount to apply: the original price will apply to the first student registered, and a 10% discount will be applied to the second student’s registration. The second sibling discount is applied to fees in which one family provides payment for three or more sibling dancers. All three siblings must be registered for the same class or a class of equivalent price in order for the discount to apply: the original price will apply to the first student, the 10% discount will apply to the second student registration, and the 20% discount will apply to the third student registration. Discounts apply to monthly tuition; not to one-time fees

Dress Code: 

Dancers should attend class with their hair pulled away from their face: ponytail, bun, or securely fastened. 

Ballet: To enhance the dance experience students are required to wear ballet pink tights (stirrups recommended), black leotard, and ballet shoes for ballet class. In general, male dancers are required to wear black athletic pants or shorts, a form-fitting shirt, and ballet shoes for ballet class. 

For all other dance classes, dancers should wear form-fitting dance attire and the appropriate shoes. 

Shoes: Ballet class requires ballet shoes. Tap class requires tap shoes. HipHop requires black, light-weight sneakers. All other technique classes and choreography rehearsals require paws, twylas, jazz shoes, or performance dance socks. Street ankle socks are not allowed during dance class. 

Dancers will not be permitted to participate without the proper attire and shoes. 

Water: 

EADE does not have a water fountain or vending machine. Please have your dancer prepared with water to drink during class. 

Audience Members: 

EADE seeks to create an environment where parents are comfortable leaving their dancer at the EADE facility and returning at the end of rehearsal. EADE does not offer a lobby or viewing area. Parents are welcome into the rehearsal space at the end of rehearsal and when given permission by the dancer and the EADE teacher. 

Trading Floor Showcases:

Mini Team Dancers will perform on the Trading Floor in May of 2025 and on the Trading Floor in January 2025. This is an opportunity to showcase the dancer’s dance knowledge learned throughout the season. Dancers must miss fewer than THREE rehearsals in the fall (August – December), and dancers must miss fewer than THREE rehearsals in the spring (January – May) to be eligible to participate in the showcase. Dancers must attend additional “Trading Floor Rehearsals” in order to participate. 

Included in your Trading Floor Fee is the dancer’s opportunity to participate in the performance in May 2025, attend additional training rehearsals, wear the Trading Floor costume, access to a professionally filmed video of the End-of-the-Year showcase in May 2025, and receive TWO tickets to the End-of-the-Year Trading Floor Showcase in May 2025. 

Pathway Attendance Policy:

Tuition and any additional fees such as Trading Floor Fees, Showcase Tickets, Costume, Choreography, Competition fees, etc. associated with absences, no shows, or missed classes or studio events will not be reimbursed under any circumstances. 

For technique classes, dancers are welcome to attend missed classes in similarly offered classes throughout the week. This allows the dancer to receive the missed studio time, but it does not “make-up” an absence. For example, if a student misses a ballet class, the student has obtained one absence. The student is welcome to attend another ballet class during the week; however, the student will continue to have one absence. (Dancers intending to attend classes outside of their age range should request approval before attending these classes). 

Missed choreography rehearsals on the students' behalf will not be made-up. EADE is not required to make-up classes canceled due to sickness, school events, inclement weather, and other events outside of the studio’s control. Additional studio training can be provided by scheduling private lessons. Private lessons outside of the studio’s normal working hours will require an additional fee. 

Missed choreography caused by studio-decided scheduling conflicts will be made-up and scheduled in advance. 

Absences: EADE will proceed with teaching classes without the absent students. Students who are absent will be expected to learn missed choreography and missed technique training independently. The EADE teacher will not be expected to re-teach, to reserve placements, or to make accommodations for students who do not attend classTo enhance the dancer’s team experience and ensure the safety of student performances, it is imperative that dancers attend all classes and rehearsals. 

Dancers are allowed TWO missed rehearsals with no questions asked from August – December (Fall). 

Dancers are allowed TWO missed rehearsals with no questions asked from January – May (Spring). 

Allowed absences do not carry over from the fall to the spring. 

After the THIRD missed rehearsal in the fall or in the spring, the dancer will not be permitted to perform in any EADE Trading Floor Showcases. 

For Mini Team dancers, students will be removed from all competitive choreography following a third absence in the fall or the spring. 

For soloists, dancers will relinquish solo opportunities following the THIRD absence in the fall or in the spring. 

EADE will make exceptions with the presentation of a doctor, court, or funeral statement. These statements must be emailed to ellenalvindanceexchange@gmail.com prior to the start of the scheduled class.

EADE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TRACKING YOUR DANCER’S ATTENDANCE AND/OR COMMUNICATING YOUR DANCER’S ATTENDANCE WHEN THEY ARE AT RISK OF SURPASSING THE NUMBER OF ALLOWED ABSENCES. DANCERS AND CLIENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRACKING INDIVIDUAL ATTENDANCE. 

Dancers' failure to attend additionally scheduled rehearsals, competitions, or events will result in removal from the pathway, and the dancer will be ineligible to participate in all showcase performances. Students with the highest attendance of the season will be eligible for a scholarship at the end of the year. 

A calendar of the full EADE season is provided at the time of registration. 

Pathway Withdraw Policy: 

All pathway dancers must notify EADE one month prior to the next billing due date (1st of the month) by completing the “Withdraw Form” if desiring to withdraw from the program. If the dancer decides to withdraw within one month of the next billing cycle, the dancer will be charged the entire month tuition in which he/she withdrew. In addition, withdrawing from the Mini Team requires removal from competitive group routines; therefore, the client will be charged a $500.00 fee for withdrawing from the pathway and releasing previously paid fees to EADE. The completion of the withdrawal form and withdrawal fee of $500.00 is required to release the client from the obligations of the agreement. 

Agreement to Uphold EADE Policy:

EADE reserves the right to refuse services to dancers or clients who are unable to uphold the previously stated policies. EADE reserves the right to refuse services to dancers or clients who prevent EADE from upholding the previously stated policies. EADE reserves the right to update or revise this agreement throughout the season. 

The EADE dancer will receive a respectful, diverse, individualized, goal-oriented dance education in exchange for tuition fees and cooperation with EADE policy and procedures. EADE staff is committed to uphold its policy and procedures to ensure an environment of quality dance education, inclusion, and client safety.

Yearly Schedule / Notes

Summer Season

July 1st, 2024 - July 26th, 2024

2024-2025 Season

August 5th, 2024 - May 24th, 2025

August 2024 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 08/05-08/09 

Week 2: 08/12-08/16 

Week 3: 08/19-08/23 

Week 4: 08/26- 08/30 

September 2024 Rehearsal Weeks

 Week 1: 09/02-09/06 

Week 2: 09/09-09/13

Week 3: 09/16-09/20 

Week 4: 09/23-09/27 

*We are closed on Labor Day 09/02.

October 2024 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 09/30-10/04  

Week 2: 10/07-10/11   

Week 3: CLOSED

Week 4: 10/21-10/25  

*EADE Fall Break 10/14 - 10/18. We will be closed this week.  

*We are closed on Halloween 10/31/2024. 

November 2024 Rehearsal Week

Week 1: 10/28-11/01

Week 2: 11/04-11/08  

Week 3: 11/11-11/15  

Week 4: 11/18-11/22  

*EADE will be closed for Thanksgiving 11/25-11/29.  

*Studio Picture Week 11/18-11/22

December 2024 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 12/02-12/06  

Week 2: 12/09-12/13  

Week 3: 12/16-12/20  

Week 4: 12/30-01/03  

*EADE will be closed for Christmas 12/23-12/27. 

*EADE will be closed for New Years 12/31-01/01. 

January 2025 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 01/06-01/10  

Week 2: 01/13-01/17 

Week 3: 01/20-01/24  

Week 4: 01/27-01/31  

*EADE Winter Showcase 01/18/2025. 

February 2025 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 02/03-02/07 

Week 2: 02/10-02/14  

Week 3: 02/17-02/21  

Week 4: 02/24-02/28  

March 2025 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 03/03-03/07

Week 2: 03/10-03/14  

Week 3: CLOSED

Week 4: 03/24-03/28  

*EADE will be closed for Spring Break 03/17-03/21. 

April 2025 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 03/31-04/04  

Week 2: 04/07-04/11  

Week 3: 04/14-04/18  

Week 4: 4/21-04/25

May 2025 Rehearsal Weeks

Week 1: 04/28-05/02  

Week 2: 05/05-05/09  

Week 3: 05/12-05/16  

Week 4: 05/19-05/23  

*EADE End-of-the-Year Showcase 05/24. 

Scheduling Notes

*This calendar shows EADE's openings and closings. 

*This calendar does not include pictures, meetings, dress rehearsals, dance competitions, celebrations, billing due dates. These dates will be provided on Google Calendar and communicated via email. 

*Some dates will be determined on a month-by-month basis (such as privates). These times will be finalized by the 15th of the month prior. For example, the December schedule will be finalized November 15th for month-by-month scheduled classes.

*Weather cancellations will follow Dickson County School Closings. Cancellations due to inclement weather will not be made up. 

Mini Team Pathway

Challenge your dance training on a competitive stage alongside a team of dancers

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