Frequently Asked Questions

Please review our self-help knowledgebase to help you find easily the answers you are seeking to our more popular questions. Using the search field below, you can type in single keywords to help filter and ease in your search.

Registration

  • We understand that when Registering for dance classes or camp spots, there may be times that a class indicates that it is full. If you find this is the case, please enroll for the waitlist. Students enrolled may end up dropping a class, or we may place students currently enrolled into a different class level (this can happen if a student falls into a different experience level then they originally thought). Placement changes are from observations from our instructors directly and can happen within the first few weeks of a class starting, therefore our waitlist is an important tool for us to utilize so we can place waitlisted dancers into a class should a spot become available. We will add classes to the schedule if there is an overdemand for a particular class.

    If you do not see the class you are hoping to register for when you sign up for your new account, please reach out and a staff member can help register you manually or add you to a waitlist.

    If your dancer is placed from the waitlist into a class, you will be notified via email as well as it showing under your schedule on the Parent Portal.

  • Registration is highly recommended as soon as our Fall registration goes live. This typically happens in August, and those already registered for our Newsletter will receive an announcement that registration is now available. To ensure your dancer has the best opportunity to get into a class they'd like, we advise to register during this time when registration on our Parent Portal goes live.

Programs & Classes

  • GDC is happy to offer a Studio Handbook for our dancers with all the info needed to navigate classes, schedules, studio calendar, communications, level info, program info, fees, uniform, registration, policies and more! This handbook link is updated frequently with any new information, so it is advised to bookmark instead of printing to prevent anything important being missed or information going out of date. Tuition and fee information, or dates, are subject to change without notice.

  • We have two studio locations, which we use terms for: 'Seaweeds' and 'Kenmac'. This is an easy "quick reference" to what is a predominant business where the dance studio location is, one being a natural food market and the other being an automotive shop. Once registration is complete, you'll find on the Parent Portal under your scheduled classes which location each class will be in.

    Seaweeds: Our main studio location with a traditional plaza glass front design is at 923 Gibsons Way, and you'll find our sign located above the entrance. There is ample parking spaces available.

    Kenmack: Our second location down the street is a larger, stand alone red building at 1051 Gibsons Way. You'll find our entrance along the right hand side, through the sliding glass door. Parking spaces are limited along the right hand side, so if need be park on the left hand side and walk through the breezeway along the sidewalk path.

    Should studio locations be changed for your class, you'll see that noted in the portal and through newsletter updates.

  • Please refer to our Private Lessons page to learn more!

Youth Company

  • Auditions for the GDC Youth Performance Company are at the end of our regular dance season, prior to summer break, for students ages 8-18 and is a fun opportunity for budding dance artists who want to expand upon the technique they learn in their weekly classes. We'll send out via newsletter during this time our online audition registration form and in-person audition schedule and when registration will close (which is different than our regular programming). During the auditions, our dance directors will observe as a team each dancer's performance. We then offer positions we feel they are ready for, both mentally and physically. Once we have decided their placement, offers to join the team will be sent via email within a few weeks. Dancer's who can't make the in-person auditions have the opportunity to send in video auditions. It is best you contact us first if you know you'll be away during the Youth Company audition dates, or if you'd like to express your interest to be on the Team after placements have happened.

Competition Team

  • Auditions for the Competitive Team are at the end of our regular dance season, prior to summer break, for students ages 8-18 who are interested in participating in the GDC Competitive Team for Pre Competitive, Competitive or Elite levels. We'll send out via newsletter during this time our online audition registration form and in-person audition schedule and when registration will close (which is different than our regular programming). Whether you are a previous team member looking to compete again next season or this is your first time we would love to see you at auditions. During the auditions, our dance directors will observe as a team each dancer's performance. Auditions run like a class. Dancers are grouped by age and style they are interested in competing for and are led through a class by instructors where they can showcase their skills. We then offer positions we feel they are ready for, both mentally and physically. Once we have decided their placement in the weeks following, applicants will be notified of the group (level) they are invited to compete with. Dancer's who can't make the in-person auditions have the opportunity to send in video auditions. It is best you contact us first if you know you'll be away during the Competitive Team audition dates, or if you'd like to express your interest to be on the Team after placements have happened.
  • Please review and bookmark our Competition Team handbook. It is a wealth of knowledge designed to answer all Competition Team related questions.
  • We are so proud of our GDC competitive dancers, and at the end of each season we are delighted to post the results in fun, sharable graphics on our Competition Team page and on our company social media pages, and we'll also send the results out in our newsletters. We send newsletter updates after each competition and well as a final email with all the season's results combined.

  • Yes! At most competitions they provide live streaming links and professional photography of your dancer. Often, the competition's website will direct you to which platform or app they are using for their links. Popular apps include Dakiki (which offers an App or Web Portal to view/download images and videos) or TMMDance (which offers a Web Portal to view/download images and videos). Some apps require you to sign up for an account, then those images and videos will be available for a little while to give you enough time to view and download them. Other platforms require you to scan a QR code or visit their website directly, enter in your dancer's details, and the order link will be sent to you for you to download. It is very important you download these as soon as possible to prevent you losing access to them at a later date.

    Note: GDC does not automatically download and store all images and video taken of every dancers performance. We do not have the server space available. As a studio account, we have access to all the images and video of our dance team. Should something happen where you were unable to access the live streaming link, or obtain your dancers images and videos, contact us immediately so we can help provide support and get these to you. But do not delay as they are only available for a short window of time.

  • If you can't stay for the entire competition, and awards are given to your dancer after you've already left, the studio will collect the awards on your dancers behalf and present them to them at a later date. Occasionally, these awards are shipped by the competition, and so therefore there may be time we have to wait until these arrive.
  • Every year during our GDC Competitive Team auditions, students fill out a registration form and can indicate their interests. Solo, duo and trio requests or interests can be submitted with your audition registration form at this time. Any students involved in a competitive group are eligible to also compete a solo or duo/trio in that dance style.

  • There are 3 levels of competitive groups, Pre Competitive (novice), Competitive & Elite. Dancers will be recommended for the age and level they are best suited to for the current season.

    • Kickstart (Novice Team): Entry-level team with foundational competitive experiences and minimal time commitment.
    • Fusion (Intermediate Team): More opportunities with greater training and performance commitments.
    • Core (Advanced Team): Highest commitment level with the most opportunities for advanced training and performances.
    • Elite: Additional opportunities for specialty routines and advanced choreography.
    • Apprentice level: Some students may be physically ready to compete but not yet emotionally ready, or visa versa. When students fall into this category they are offered apprentice roles in the competitive team which allows them all the benefits of training at a competitive level without having to formally compete until they are ready and it can truly become a positive experience for them. Dancers will be recommended for the age and level they are best suited to for the current season.

    To learn more, visit our Competition Team page.

  • Yes! We always are looking for volunteer parent drivers. If you are interested, during the competition season e-mails will go out asking for volunteer sign-ups. Once you let us know that you are available, we will send out your driving arrangements via e-mail so you know which students will be travelling with you. If your dancer would like to be with someone in particular, please let us know so we can help accommodate their request.

Attendance

  • Yes, if a class in cancelled for an unforeseen circumstance, GDC will send a newsletter update as well as schedule in the Parent Portal a make-up class. Typically, these classes are added on to the end rather than adding an duplicate class during a week. When a class is cancelled, notifications are sent via newsletter updates and contain any further instructions or updates should there be any at the time.
  • We understand that there may be times where students may need to miss a class. Absences impact the recital routines we create, it also impacts the social and confidence-building principals we work hard to foster in each age group. Please review our studio policies where we discuss expectations for attendance as well as how to advise us of any classes that may be missed.
  • The best way to reach the studio is via our Contact Page, phone, email, or through our App.

Payments & Fees

  • GDC is happy to provide payment plan options, and are available at the office staff’s discretion. We offer Full, Half Season, Quarterly, and Monthly. For the most up to date information, please visit our Tuition & Fees page to learn more.
  • GDC has a few options available for payment methods. We offer Pre-Authorized Debit, Credit Card Auto-Pay, E-transfer, and post dated cheques or cash. Please note, not every payment method is available for Monthly, Half Season or Full Season, therefore we encourage you to review our Tuition & Fees page for the most up to date information.
  • FAQ information coming soon!

  • Costume fees for the year end recitals are typically due at the end of April. You can find a break down of your costume fees in your Parent Portal. Note: Costume billing is automated so if you see any errors (extra costume / missing costume) please contact us to let us know.

    Payment method options

    1. You can e-transfer your costume fee payments directly to: gibsonsdance.office@gmail.com. (Please indicate your dancer's name in the payment transfer's notes field.)
    2. You can pay via credit card through your Parent Portal (credit card fees apply)

    Any unpaid costume fees will be charged to your card on file.

Dress Code

  • Every class has it's own requirement for dance attire to ensure that each dancer is comfortable and prepared for the lessons. Please find a comprehensive list of what you'll need prior to beginning your classes by reviewing our Dress Code, Hair & Make-up page.
  • GDC is happy to provide some options for your perusal for buying or obtaining dance attire. Peggy Sue's in Lower Gibsons offers select dance attire, and they have an online storefront that you can review. In the Lower Mainland, there are a couple options including Duck Feet Dance Store located on Marine Drive, North Vancouver and The Dance Shop located on West Broadway, Vancouver. There are also affordable options available on popular online marketplaces, and you can also search locally on Facebook Marketplace. We also have a selection of donated dance attire in studio (subject to availability) that we offer on a complimentary basis for your dancer's class. Please contact us or visit us in studio to inquire about dance attire donation availability. Want to know what dance attire you need for you upcoming classes? Please visit our Dress Code, Hair and Make-up page to learn more!
  • Make-up is not required for classes. We ask for stage make-up to be applied for our recitals (including dress rehearsals) and competitions. We understand not everyone is comfortable with make-up and should you have concerns we would be happy to discuss any considerations.

  • We have curated on our Dress Code, Hair & Make-up page a selection of video tutorials for you to watch and learn how to do hair and make-up for recitals and competitions.

  • Yes! GDC does have a selection of cleaned, good condition dance attire that previous dancers have donated to our studio. Should you need dance attire for a class you are participating in, please contact us or ask in person. Items are on a first come, first serve basis and would be complimentary. We do not consign dance attire or collect payments for these items. We would be delighted to look through our repository of donated items to see if we have what you require. Please allow us enough time in advance of your class to locate any requested items. As these are donations, sizes, colours and condition can vary and are subject to availability.

  • Yes! GDC is happy to collect dance attire and shoes that are in cleaned, very good, usable condition, free of stains, holes, and disrepair that can go to support future dancers! If you are interested in dropping your donation off, please bring your items to the studio. A member of our staff will look over the item first, and let you know if the item can be accepted.

    Note: We do not offer consignment for your items, they would strictly be donations.

    Costumes: At this time we are unable to take costumes you no longer require. If GDC is in need of certain costumes from a prior performance, an email newsletter will be sent out specifically asking for them. Any costumes brought in to donate will be kindly refused.

    What else can I do? There are online communities and websites offering services to take your costumes either via donation or for you rent out or consign. A quick internet search for businesses within B.C/Canada for donating, consigning and renting dance costumes will provide you a list of currently available businesses offering this service.

  • FAQ information coming soon.

Recitals & Showcases

  • FAQ information coming soon! Dancer costumes will be sent home from Dress Rehearsals. It will be the responsibility of students and families to keep costumes cared for and in order for the remainder of the dance season.

  • Classes are divided into Cast A & B, this allows us to keep the shows at a manageable length, ensure we have enough shows for all families to buy their desired amount of tickets and allows younger dancers not to have to perform in both weekends of shows.

    Some classes (generally Excel Program or Inter / Advanced classes are double cast, meaning they will perform in all Cast A & Cast B shows.

    The casting details when ready will be sent via e-mail, please review the casting (typically shared via Google Sheets) and let us know if there are any errors (example: mis-spelled named, siblings in opposite casts, etc).

  • FAQ information coming soon!
  • Recitals and Showcases happen at the end of May/beginning of June before summer break each year, and are held at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. All info relating to the Showcase, Rehearsal Schedule & Show Order, and Ticket ordering information will be posted on our site and sent via e-mail during this time.
    • Jr. Academy recitals includes: Tiny Tots, Pre School, Primary & Select Level 1 classes
    • Youth Program recitals includes: Select Level 1-2, Level 3-8, Excel & Advanced Youth Classes
    • Adult program recitals includes: All Adult Program classes
    • Youth Company & Competitive Team showcase includes: All Company and Comp Team members
    • Solos, Duos and Trios showcase includes: Competition Team members with adjudication
  • FAQ information coming soon!

Costumes

  • Costumes can include delicate fabrics to intricate embellishments, and costume requires attention to detail. Learning how to clean, store, and maintain dance costumes ensures that they remain in great condition and performance-ready for year to come. Costumes can include a wide range of textiles: spandex, chiffon, tulle, velvet, silk, sequins, rhinestones, and more. Each material has its own requirements, and treating them correctly prevents damage. Hand washing is usually the safest method for dance costumes. Machine washing on a delicate cycle is riskier but sometimes necessary for sturdier costumes. Not all stains require full washing and for small stains or marks, use spot cleaning techniques. Proper drying is important as washing, and never wring or twist dance costumes. This can stretch or distort the fabric, so instead gently press out excess water with a towel. Air drying is preferred and lay costumes flat on a clean, dry towel or hang them on padded hangers, ensuring they are fully supported and not stretched by gravity.

  • After the dance season, you may have costumes from your performances. It is advised that you clean them properly, and store them in a garment bag.

    Costumes: At this time we are unable to take costumes you no longer require. If GDC is in need of certain costumes from a prior performance, an email newsletter will be sent out specifically asking for them. Any costumes brought in to donate will be kindly refused.

  • At this time, GDC does not take costumes from dancers as donations. Should there ever be a need for a certain costume after use in a production or competition, we will send a newsletter specifically asking for certain costumes if available. If you are looking to donate regular, cleaned, good condition dance attire used during classes, you may do so.

    Note: Please do not drop off any costumes to the studio without our earlier noted request or they will be kindly refused.

    What else can I do? There are online communities and websites offering services to take your costumes either via donation or for you rent out or consign. A quick internet search for businesses within B.C/Canada for donating, consigning and renting dance costumes will provide you a list of currently available businesses offering this service.

  • We have chosen to rent as many costumes as possible this season in order to minimize the higher costs of purchasing costumes with the current import climate. Where rental was not possible or a good purchase option was available, those classes have had costumes purchased for them.

    Rental Costumes

    • Where do dancers receive their costumes: Rental costumes will be waiting for students in the green room when they arrive at Dress Rehearsals and their shows. Costumes will need to be left in the green room after each show when students have finished dancing. Students are expected to hang up their costumes neatly in their assigned bags before leaving each day.
    • Rental Fees: These fees cover the cost of the rentals/storage, the cleaning fees and any repairs needed.

    Purchased Costumes

    • When do dancers receive their costumes: Purchased costumes are yours to keep. They will be sent home with dancers at their last scheduled class and are yours to protect and care for from that point onward. We ask dancers to please label your costume on the inside with your first and last name.
    • Purchase Fees: These fees vary based on the costume supplier and cover the original costume price, taxes, shipping and duty (if applicable).

Discounts & Withdrawals

  • We understand that there may be times where a dancer needs to withdraw from a class/classes. Withdrawal mid-season will result in a refund for any fees paid after withdrawal date, minus the discount from season start. After the first 2 weeks of classes, a minimum of a half season commitment is required unless a doctors note is provided for a medical withdrawal. GDC has policies in place for class withdrawals, and there are different conditions. Please review our Studio Policies page for further information.

  • We are pleased to offer discounts for students or families the have enrolled for multiple classes, which is outlined on our Tuition & Fees page. Please note that discounts are for youth classes only and can be shared amongst siblings. Adult classes do not count towards youth discount rates (Adult Class Discount info is available on the Adult Class Schedule page).

    • Discounts do not include Competition Classes, Solo’s, Duo’s, Trio’s or Youth Company Classes.
    • All recreational & technique classes are eligible for discounts.
    • Discounts and prices are subject to change, and are at the discretion of Gibsons Dance Centre.

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