2025 MDC Terms and Conditions
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. If you have any queries regarding anything noted in the Terms & Conditions, please seek clarification from Management prior to acknowledging them.
Enrolment
Enrolment & registration fees must be completed PRIOR to the commencement of the students’ first official class.
There is a $77 non-refundable registration fee (for NEW STUDENTS). This fee includes the yearly registration, Insurance, One Music fees, administrative fees, and Melbourne Dance Company T-shirt.
Existing Students are required to re-enrol each year; however, they will only pay $55 each year and will not receive a T-shirt. Additional uniform/T-shirts can be purchased at any time.
It’s expected that students enrol for a full year, however if for some reason you wish to withdraw an enrolment, please notify management. Simply failing to attend class is not regarded as cancellation of enrolment and fees will continue to accrue until enrolment has been cancelled by both parties.
Once enrolled, you will receive access to our Dance Studio Pro online Portal (if you do not receive your email, please check your junk email). You will be able view classes, view statements, pay your account, book a class, read class notes and much more. You will receive an email with your log in details within 48 hours of completing the registration.
Please ensure you join us on BAND, where all communications will be posted. All correspondence, important dates, photos, reminders, and chats can take place. It will ensure any communications aren’t missed and is easy to refer back to for important information. Once registered you will be sent an invitation to download and join Melbourne Dance Company’s Group - Please ensure you accept the invitation to join & turn on notifications, without it, you will miss out on important information.
Fees
MDC offers various payment options and frequencies. Once registered, your portal will be updated with the full-term amount that is due and a statement will be emailed to you for payment. Those who pay the total term fee amount upfront & prior to or on their first class, will receive a 5% discount. If payment is made AFTER your first class, the 5% discount is removed and full fees are required.
If you cannot make the full-term payment upfront and would like to make weekly or fortnightly payments, you are welcome to do so HOWEVER, you must make regular & consistent repayments throughout the term. Example: If your Term fee is $200 and you choose to make weekly payments, you must pay $20 per week. This will mean at the end of the 10-week term, your balance will be zero. If you need further clarification on your minimum weekly/fortnightly due amount, please just ask.
We accept cash, direct credit, credit card payments & direct debit (From Jan 31st, 2021, a 1.9% surcharge will be charged to cover the bank fees). Effective 2025, overdue payments will now incur a $5 late payment fee per week. If payment cannot be made on the agreed due date, you must notify management so that you are not charged the late fee. We understand that sometimes people need extra time, so all we ask is that you communicate with us, so we are aware of any payment delays. We are very reasonable and will always try and help where we can. If you have not yet received confirmation of your fees, please speak to Kim, Bec or Melody who will be able to advise you.
Extra Rehearsal Fees
At times, we will be required to hold additional rehearsals for performances. These will most likely take place at the reception centre and or the theatre we are performing at anf these venues charge us for these extra rehearsals. Additional rehearsal fees will be applicable and applied to your account accordingly. *These fees vary from group to group but will generally be between $10-$25 per student.
Uniform
Students are required to wear their MDC top (that will be provided to them in their registration fee). Students must always wear correct dance attire and shoes. Melbourne Dance Company will not be held liable for any injuries if the incorrect clothing/shoes caused an injury. We expect Students to be neatly groomed with their hair out of their face. All articles of clothing must be clearly named. The principal/s or staff will take no responsibility for any lost property.
We have a variety of MDC Uniform available to purchase. Checkout the uniform at the studio that is available. If you require anything else, let Kim know and we will put together an order. Students must wear correct dance shoes each week and for new students, correct shoes must be purchased within 2 weeks of commencing classes. There are some 2nd hand shoes available at the studio, otherwise, head to Kids on Broadway in Reservoir who will be able to help. **Minis & Petites can purchase ballet shoes from Kmart. If you have any questions about shoes, please speak to Kim at reception.
Attendance
Regular attendance is required. The teacher MUST be notified if a student cannot attend class. For most of the year we are rehearsing and learning items for a performance. It's extremely difficult to complete a routine if there are people absent every week. To encourage attendance and reliability, any lessons that are missed are not refundable. This means that if you pay weekly and a class is missed, you will still be required to pay for the class (unless special consideration has been granted & authorised by Management).
**We do not currently insist on upfront Term payments as we understand that it's just too hard for some families. However, in saying that, our expectation is that full fees are paid throughout the term regardless of absences just as they would be if Term Payments were enforced. Any missed classes can be made-up where possible by attending an alternative class suitable for them, otherwise, those fees are forfeited.
Class Arrival / Departure
Please ensure students are on time to classes. Parents are required to ensure their child is safely in the Studio before leaving. If parents need to drop children off early, then the child must be brought into the Studio and a staff member must be notified that they are there and that you are leaving. All children must stay inside the studio doors until parents arrive. If for some reason you are going to be late to pick up, please ensure you notify a teacher, staff member or another parent.
Mid-Year & End of year Concert
Participation in any mid-year performances & Annual Concerts is encouraged and expected. MDC will provide dates for performances as soon as they become available. Please notify the principals immediately if your child cannot participate in any performance. Please also be advised that rehearsals for these performances are compulsory.
** Mid-Year performance is a sit down dinner dance style performance (3 course meal with drinks), where all parents/students will require a ticket. (Cost is approx $45-50 per child and $80-90 per adult depending on the venue costs)
**End of Year Concert tickets approx $35-$45 per ticket depending on the venue. Children do not need a ticket for the end of year concert.
Costumes
All students will need to purchase costumes for the mid-year and end of year concerts. Costume prices can range from $30-$70 depending on the item. If a costume is not paid for prior to ordering, then the costume will not be purchased for the student, and they will be unable to perform that item. To help eliminate this issue, Parents can contribute (in addition to their weekly dance fees) into a costume kitty we call the “Costume Box”. These funds will go towards your costumes. PLEASE NOTE: This is not a payment or fee; it is simply a costume savings account for you. It just makes it easier on you when it comes to purchasing costumes. In saying that, our costume fees are very reasonable.
PLEASE DO NOT TRANSER TO OUR ACCOUNT. This payment is to be made directly to Kim as CASH only so that it can be kept separate from fees etc. Speak to Kim if you have any queries regarding this.
Re-sale of Costumes: At times, we will re-purchase costumes from you to onsell to another group. It is expected that these costumes are made available to us when requested, if not to buy back, to borrow or hire.
Costume Hire Fees: There may be costumes that we purchase to retain and HIRE to you for each performance. Hire fees can range from $10-$30 per hire depending on the costume and are to be returned to us on completion of the performance they are being hired for.
Competitions
Members of competition groups will be selected by MDC teachers/principals. If any student would like to do solos, please speak to the Principals.
Medical
Parents must inform MDC Management of any Medical / Allergy conditions & agree for staff to call an ambulance in case of an emergency.
Other Important Information
• It is understood and agreed that Melbourne Dance Company will not be responsible for any loss of personal effects or clothing.
• Photos of your child may be used in advertising and promotional materials UNLESS you specify otherwise.
• It is expected that Students are enrolled only at Melbourne Dance Company and not any other Dance School which may
cause conflict.
• Students/Parents are permitted to bring their own food/water to class
• I understand and accept that due to the nature of dance training that some physical contact may be necessary by the teacher to demonstrate exercises or technique during class or if there is a need to administer first aid.
• All MDC staff have a current working with children check.
We are a child safe Organisation committed to the safety of Our Studio completed ‘Child Safety Training in the dance industry’ with Keep Kids Safe in Dance (www.keepkidssafeindance.com.au)