Our goal at CenterStage Performing Arts Academy is to provide quality instruction to all students as well as support each student’s personal growth through improved coordination, raised self-esteem and increased self-discipline.

We believe that communication is essential for a successful program. Newsletters will be sent home and posted on this website on a regular basis (usually once or twice per month).

Student placement: We place students in our classes based on skill and age at the beginning of each year. We allow a 3 week period to pass to determine if all students have been place in the proper class for their optimal learning experience. After 3 weeks we reassess our class assignments and reorganize as necessary.

Required reading: CenterStage places utmost importance on our students’ technical abilities, which includes the ability to understand, speak and hear dance terminology. The ability to understand dance terms increases each student’s ability to advance more quickly to the next level. These technical skills are taught during our ballet classes. Therefore, every student at the Primary I level and above must purchase and bring to every class the Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet by Gail Grant. This book can be purchased online, in most bookstores or at CenterStage for $5. Student’s must have this book before classes begin on August 18th.

Open Classes: CenterStage offers open classes that consist of ballet/tap lessons for any student interested. Please see the class schedule posted on our website for further information.

Tuition payments: We will provide you with payment envelopes. You may pay with check or cash. All payments are due the first week of class each month and are considered late by the 2nd class of the month. There is a $10 late fee and a $25 fee for all insufficient fund checks.

Parking: Parking is always available directly in front of CenterStage and IN FRONT of the Gallatin Flower Shop. Please do not park at Aggies or on the side of the Gallatin Flower Shop during their office hours. However, parking is available at Aggies after 6 p.m. during the week and any time on the weekend. Parking is available anywhere at the Flower Shop after 5p.m. during the week and after 12:30p.m. on Saturdays. Parking is also available in front of Trousdale Place or the hotel next door.

Dress code: Please observe the CenterStage dress code for each class. Students that do not dress out for class will be required to sit and observe for that class. Three observations will require a make up in another class.

Class Time: Please observe the class times by arriving a few minutes before your class. Please be dressed and ready to participate at class time. Also, please do not leave early unless it is an emergency. This can be distracting to the instructor and other students.

Missed Classes: Tuition credit is not given for missed classes. Classes missed can be made up within four weeks of the missed class. Students can make up a missed class in any regularly offered class by CenterStage (this does not include any additional classes needed for recital or competition performances). The instructors will communicate the make up to the student’s regular instructor.

Labor Day: We observe Labor Day on Monday, September 1st. Classes missed should be made up under the guidelines described above.

Inclement Weather: In the case of inclement weather, please call the studio after 2:00 pm for information on classes. We will leave a recorded message about the status of classes for that evening. Classes cancelled due to bad weather will be rescheduled.

Nashville Ballet: We have recruited two instructors from the Nashville Ballet for our curriculum this year. Donna Delseni, the Director of School of Nashville Ballet will be joining us several times during the Advanced Monday night class throughout the year. Also, Christine Rennie, a performer and instructor at the Nashville Ballet will be the instructor for our Ballet classes on Saturday. We are extremely excited about this opportunity for our students.

Referral program: Any family that refers a student to CenterStage and the referred student attends 3 months of dance classes, the referring family will receive a $25 gift certificate from CenterStage. The maximum CenterStage certificate available is $100 per family per year. Make sure the referred student notes the family that referred them on the CenterStage application.

Recital: We will have our recital at the end of May. Participation in the recital is optional. However, the recital gives each student an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned, as well as give them stage experience. All fees must be paid in full in order to participate in the recital.

Recital Costumes: Each individual class will require a recital costume (some classes will have several costumes). Costumes must be paid in full by December 1 so that they can be ordered. Costumes are ordered during the Christmas break and must be paid in full at the time of the order. Any costumes ordered after the December deadline is subject to a separate shipping and handling charge of $15 to $20 per costume.

Questions and Concerns: Please feel free to speak with your student’s instructor at anytime to discuss any concern you might have. They are happy to speak with you about student progress and will gladly schedule a time to speak with you.

Fee Schedule:

Registration Fee and August payment due at the time of Registration

Monthly tuition is due the first class of each month

1st costume deposit due September 15

2nd costume deposit due October 15

Costume balance is due in full by December 1

Recital fee is due by April 17th.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR