Preparing for Your Class

There are 10 technique levels and students are placed by faculty and the Artistic Director according to factors such as their demonstration of The Wooden Floor values, class etiquette, active participation, technique, and positive group dynamics. Students must make sufficient progress in order to advance to the next level.

Level 1: Two classes per week Levels 2–10: Three classes per week

TOUCH FACILITATION

Touch facilitation is used respectfully and appropriately to enhance the student’s experience and increase understanding. Different forms of touch are implemented to achieve specific outcomes. For example, a “location” touch can be used to identify bony landmarks or muscles, and a “sliding” touch can direct the flow of energy by providing a tactile sensation that informs the quality, direction, and/ or force of a movement. Other reasons to use touch include: releasing tension, guiding correct alignment, increasing sensory and kinesthetic awareness, and producing beneficial kinesthetic-tactile imagery in the mind’s eye. Faculty ask permission of the student before touching, and students are invited to decline touch if they prefer.

STUDIO ETIQUETTE

• Students are expected to arrive on time and may not take class if late. • Students are expected to come in the correct attire for the class being taught. • Students are expected to actively participate in the entire class. • Students must be respectful of the teacher, musician, their classmates, and themselves. • Students should keep talking to a minimum, except when encouraged to participate in class discussions. • Electronic devices, including cell phones, may only be used in the Sutton Lobby of the Main Street location and in the courtyards of both the Main Street and Depot at Santiago locations – they will be confiscated if used elsewhere. • Students are not allowed to film or take photos of any kind without permission from the faculty. Doing so is a violation of privacy, and may result in dismissal from

The Wooden Floor. • For safety and cleanliness, no street shoes are to be worn in the studio. • If an injury occurs before or during class, notify the teacher. • There is no chewing gum allowed anywhere on campus at either location. • Repeated disruptive behavior during class can result in dismissal from The Wooden Floor.

DRESSING ROOM ETIQUETTE

• Students are not allowed to eat inside the building or in the dressing rooms, and are asked to eat in the courtyard at both locations. • Students should not horseplay. • Students are encouraged to use lockers at the Main

Street location and storage cubbies at the Depot at

Santiago location to store their personal belongings. The

Wooden Floor is not responsible for any misplaced, lost, or stolen items. • Students are not allowed to film or take photos of any kind (i.e. Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) while on campus. Doing so may result in dismissal from

The Wooden Floor. • Students must keep noise level at a minimum.

HAIR AND JEWELRY

To allow for free movement of the head and neck while training and for reasons of safety for all students, the following guidelines must be observed in classes: • All hair must be neatly secured away from the face.

For ballet, hair must be in a neat and secure bun. If it is too short for a bun, it must be pinned back into a neat ponytail or two ponytails. • Remove jewelry of any kind: rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, toe-rings, long earrings, or hoops. Studs or posts may be worn. • Fake nails are highly discouraged for the safety of all.

“At first I was very shy and I didn’t like dance, but my parents encouraged me to stick it out for at least one year. I’ve ended up staying here for four years now and really liking dance. Because I was doing so well, it led me to enroll in the Orange County School of the Arts, which is one of the best schools, and I am in the Ballroom Dance Conservatory. The Wooden Floor has led to a lot of opportunity for me, even though when I was younger I couldn’t see that.”

Alexander joined The Wooden Floor in 2017, during which time his GPA has risen to a 3.8. He is in his sophomore year at the Orange County School of the Arts and dreams of becoming a computer engineer. His dream for college is to attend UCI or Cal Poly Pomona.

Alexander, Class of 2024

YOUR UNIFORM

Appropriate dance attire is essential for all students. All students are allotted one new set of dance clothes every year free of charge. Students are encouraged to wash uniforms regularly. If a student arrives to class without proper dancewear, he/she will not be allowed to enter and participate.

Dancewear for Girls

LEVEL 1:

• Black leotard • Black tights or leggings, no shorter than the knee

LEVELS 2-10:

Modern, Contact Improvisation, Improvisation, and Choreography: • Black leotard • Black tights or leggings, no shorter than the knee • Bare feet • Students may wear a black form fitting shirt (no logos) over their leotard and bike shorts over their tights Ballet: • Black leotard • Pink or black tights, no shorter than the knee • Pink or black ballet shoes

Dancewear for Boys

LEVEL 1:

• Black form-fitting bike shorts • Black form-fitting T-shirt (no logos)

LEVELS 2-10:

Modern, Contact Improvisation, Improvisation, and Choreography: • Black form-fitting bike shorts • Black form-fitting T-shirt (no logos) • Dance belts must be worn by boys Level 3 and higher • Bare feet Ballet: • Black form-fitting bike shorts or ballet tights • Black form-fitting T-shirt (no logos) • Dance belts must be worn by boys Level 3 and higher • White or black ballet shoes

Please note that the following are not allowed: • Baggy athletic or short shorts • Socks - only allowed at the discretion of the teacher • Ripped tights • Baggy T-shirts • Undergarments that show e.g. bra straps, underwear

Additional dancewear, including lost ballet shoes, must be purchased. If tights are ripped, new tights can be purchased at half price throughout the year at the Main Street location.