Email: generalinfo@lookoutdancecompany.com
Website: www.lookoutdancecompany.com
COMPETITIVE TEAM AGREEMENT NOTICE: THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. 1. Enrolment and Commitment
- All Competitive Team dancers must complete this agreement before registering for the Competitive Team at Lookout Dance Company ("Company"). If the participant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign this agreement.
- By signing this agreement, I understand that participation on the Competitive Team is a full-term commitment. If I withdraw at any point after enrolment, I will not be entitled to any refunds, and my position on the team will be forfeited.
2. Team Placement & Routine Assignment - Placement on Competitive Team routines, including solos, duets, trios, and group numbers, is determined through a formal audition process and is granted at the discretion of the Studio Director and Instructors.
- Parents/guardians will receive formal notification of placement decisions via email within 1-2 weeks following the auditions.
- All placement decisions are final. Any disputes, inappropriate behaviour or responses towards audition outcomes may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination from the Competitive Team.
3. Payment and Fees - Competitive Team fees are set for the entire season and must be paid in full before participation begins.
- Fees are non-refundable, including but not limited to missed classes, withdrawals, or dismissal from the team.
- Additional fees such as costume costs, competition entry fees, and travel expenses are separate from tuition and must be paid by the required deadlines.
- Failure to pay fees on time may result in suspension from classes, competitions, and performances.
- If choreography has begun for a routine and I withdraw from that routine, I agree to pay a $200 + HST choreography adjustment fee to cover time required to revise the piece (e.g., missing competitions or removal from the number due to absences or conduct).
- I understand that I may be required to schedule a private makeup choreography session at the rate of $34/hour if I miss two (2) or more choreography classes.
4. Attendance and Participation - I understand that I am expected to attend all scheduled Competitive Team classes, rehearsals, competitions and events.
- Missing more than three (3) consecutive scheduled classes without valid notice may result in dismissal from the Competitive Team at the discretion of the Company.
- It is my responsibility to notify the Company in advance of any absences.
- Missed ballet technique classes may be required to be made up in another ballet class at the discretion of the Company.
- Exceptions to the attendance policy may be granted at the discretion of the Company for medical, vacations or emergency situations.
- If I am unable to participate in class due to illness or injury but am not contagious, I am expected to attend and observe the class to stay up to date.
5. Competition and Vacation Scheduling - Competitive Team dancers must prioritize attendance at competitions, which are typically scheduled in March and April each season.
- Vacations and personal time off are strongly encouraged to be scheduled early in the season (September to February) or after the final competition, to avoid conflicts.
- Please be advised that National competitions, if qualified, are typically held in June or July.
- Absences due to travel or vacation during competition season, without prior notification, may result in extra private practices subject to fees outlined or removal from routines that are not subject to refund.
- Families are encouraged to notify the Company of any planned absences, such as vacations, as early as possible.
6. Academic and School Conflicts - While we understand school is a priority, dancers and families are expected to manage academic workloads and schedules to minimize conflicts with competitive obligations.
- Absences due to school activities must be communicated in advance and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Competitive Team classes and rehearsals will not be regularly rescheduled to accommodate after-school or extracurricular activities outside of studio-related commitments.
- Dancers are expected to prioritize their Competitive Team commitments and plan accordingly.
- Absences due to extracurricular or after-school activities (e.g., sports teams, school events, productions) may be counted toward the three (3) allowable absences, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Studio Director.
7. Costumes and Additional Expenses - Competitive Team dancers are required to purchase specific costumes, footwear, accessories, and makeup for performances and competitions.
- Costume selections are at the discretion of the Company and must be adhered to.
- Failure to acquire the required attire may result in exclusion from performances and competitions and possible termination from the Competitive Team.
8. Conduct and Team Expectations - As a member of the Competitive Team, I understand that I am always representing Lookout Dance Company and must conduct myself with professionalism, respect, and sportsmanship.
- Disrespectful behaviour towards instructors, teammates, families or other participants may result in disciplinary action, including removal from current and/or potential Competitive Teams.
- The Company reserves the right to dismiss any dancer for failure to adhere to team expectations, including attendance, conduct, and financial obligations.
9. Liability Waiver - I acknowledge the risks associated with dance training, including potential injuries.
- I release Lookout Dance Company, its owners, instructors, employees, and affiliates from any liability for injuries, damages, or losses sustained during participation.
- I indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any claims arising from my participation.
10. Medical Authorization - In the event of an emergency, I authorize the Company to seek medical assistance as necessary. I assume full responsibility for any resulting medical costs.
11. Communication and Notifications - I understand that BAND is the primary platform for all internal Competitive Team communication, including schedules, rehearsal updates, and important announcements.
- It is my responsibility to join the BAND app and check it regularly.
- Email will be used as a secondary form of communication.
- Social media will only be used for public-facing updates and is not a substitute for BAND or email communications.
- Failure to stay informed may result in missed obligations and is not considered a valid excuse.
12. Mandatory Participation in Studio Events - Competitive Team dancers are expected to participate in all studio-wide events, including recitals, showcases, promotional photo days, and other related events.
13. Solo, Duets, Trios and Extra Routines - I understand that opportunities to perform solos, duets, trios and/or extra routines are granted by audition only and are subject to the discretion of the Studio Director. Auditions do not guarantee placement
- All associated choreography, rehearsals and costuming fees are invoiced separately and must be paid in full prior to participation.
- Removal from the Competitive Team for any reason will result in forfeiture of solos, duets, trios and extra routines without refund.
- Participation in these routines is a privilege and may be revoked at any time due to attendance issues, behavioural concerns, or lack of preparation.
14. Injury and/or Illness - Dancers who are minorly injured or experiencing a non-contagious illness are expected to attend class and observe if they are unable to participate physically, in order to stay current with choreography and instruction.
- In the case of a major illness or injury that significantly limits participation, the Studio Director reserves the right to suspend or terminate a dancer’s position on the Competitive Team, given the high-level training and timeline required to prepare for competition.
- No refunds will be issued for missed classes, rehearsals, or removal from routines due to illness or injury.
- Medical documentation may be requested, and return to full participation may be subject to clearance by an approved healthcare provider, as directed by the Studio Director.
- Families are encouraged to carry personal health insurance to cover any medical expenses related to dance-related injuries, as Lookout Dance Company is not responsible for such costs.
- Dancers are strongly advised to avoid participation in other strenuous physical activities (e.g., competitive sports, high-impact recreation) that could increase the risk of injury or illness during the competitive dance season. Injuries sustained outside of Lookout Dance Company that affect team readiness may impact the dancer’s role in routines and competitions.
- To support dancer wellness and prevent injuries, we recommend regular physiotherapy, massage therapy, and/or osteopathy as part of a dancer’s ongoing training and self-care regimen.
15. Choreography Ownership Clause - All choreography created for any Competitive Team routine is the intellectual property of Lookout Dance Company and may not be performed, taught, or recorded outside of studio-approved settings.
16. Travel and Supervision - Travel for competitions may include destinations anywhere within Canada, the United States, or internationally, but priority will be given to Winnipeg or Thunder Bay for regional competitions
- Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging and covering transportation, accommodation, meals, and other travel-related expenses unless otherwise specified by the Company.
- The Company is not responsible for supervision or expenses outside of scheduled classes, rehearsals, and official competition events.
- Failure to attend mandatory competitions without prior written approval from the Studio Director may result in removal from routines or the Competitive Team.
17. Nationals Qualification and Preparation - Group routines accepted to compete at any National event, must have group consensus from all team members and/or their parents/guardians before committing to Nationals.
- Additional costs related to Nationals preparation, including travel, accommodation, and other expenses, are the responsibility of the participants or their parent/guardians.
- The Company will schedule extra rehearsals to ensure readiness for Nationals; attendance at these rehearsals is mandatory and will be invoiced separately.
- Soloists, duets, and/or trios accepted to any National event must obtain approval from the Studio Director.
- In cases where National competitions scheduling conflicts occur between group routines and solos, duets, or trios, group routine Nationals commitments will take precedence over soloist, duet, or trio Nationals participation.
18. Termination Clause - The Company reserves the right to dismiss any dancer from the Competitive Team at any time for failure to uphold the expectations outlined in this agreement, policies and handbooks. No refunds will be issued in such cases.
19. Competitive Team Parent Committee - The Competitive Team Parent Committee is an independently operated, non-profit entity formed to support fundraising initiatives for Competitive Team dancers a part of Lookout Dance Company. I understand that this committee operates separately from Lookout Dance Company and is not affiliated with, nor does it represent, the Company in any official capacity, including financial, legal, or operational matters.
- All fundraising initiatives associated with the Competitive Team must be coordinated through this Committee. No independent fundraising efforts may represent or use the name, logo, branding, or affiliation of Lookout Dance Company without express written permission from the Studio Director.
- All fundraising activities organized by the Committee must be scheduled outside of regular class and rehearsal hours, unless written approval is provided by the Studio Director and consensus is reached with the involved parties. Participation in fundraising is voluntary.
- For inquiries regarding the Committee’s initiatives or to express interest in participation, families may contact parentcommittee@lookoutdancecompany.com.
20. Acknowledgment and Agreement
By signing below, I acknowledge that: - I have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this Agreement and the policies and handbooks.
- I am voluntarily participating and understand the inherent risks.
- If I am under 18, my parent/guardian has read and agreed to these terms on my behalf.
- This agreement is binding under the laws of Ontario and intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law.
Date: July 3, 2025 |