Studio policies

There is a required $65 annual non-refundable registration fee that will be used for studio/recital expenses. There is a $80 registration fee for families with multiple children. Registration fees must be paid when registering for classes. Please click the link to download a copy of our Studio Registration Form & Policies.

Payments must be made between the 25-31^st of each month. A $20 late fee will be applied on the 1^st of each month. If a dancer does not attend classes throughout the month, after monthly payment has been received, tuition will not be refunded, transferred, or prorated under any circumstances.

If one month’s tuition is not paid, a $20 late fee will be applied, and payment is expected before or at the beginning of the following month. Two months tuition must be paid with a $20 late fee by the 31st. If a dancer’s account is two months past due, a $40 late fee will be applied and the dancer may not participate until there is a zero balance.

Payment Methods: cash, check, money order, studio invoice).

Returned Check Policy. Fees will be applied for each returned check written to Upgrade. Each returned check is charged for the amount of the check written, plus a bank fee of $15.00 and an additional charge of $50 will be assessed by Check Exchange until fees are covered. 

Families with multiple children will receive a 15% sibling discount.

Monthly tuition will not be prorated for Holiday breaks. Example: Spring, Fall, Christmas Break, Labor Day, Mother/Father’s Day, studio recovery weeks in the summer after Nationals, etc.

Parents are required to download the BAND App in order to receive studio notifications. Please also join us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok.

Students are to come to class prepared in the proper dance attire according to their dance genre. Class dress codes are as follows:

• Hip Hop: Clothing that does not restrict movement and tennis shoes or combat boots. Sweats, joggers, leggings are encouraged for movements with knee slides. Knee pads are optional. Dancers may wear any accessories for self-expression: flat bills, beanies, jackets, flannels, etc.

• Leaps/Turns & Contemporary Tricks: Clothing that is form fitting: sports bra, tank top, booty shorts, leggings, leotard, tights & booty shorts, foot undies, jazz shoes, or pirouettes, knee pads. No Socks, Running Shorts or T-shirts!

• Contemporary: Clothing that if form fitting: sports bra, tank top, booty shorts, leggings, leotard, tights & booty shorts, foot undies, jazz shoes, or pirouettes, knee pads. No Socks, Running Shorts or T-shirts!

• Acro/Hip Hop Tricks/Tumbling: Clothing that does not restrict movement, may need sweats for Hip Hop knee slides or knee pads (optional).

• Hip Hop Divas/Majorette Dance: Clothing that does not restrict movement.

• Ballet: Black leotard, pink tights, and ballet shoes. Hair must be in a bun.

• Jazz: Clothing that if form fitting: sports bra, tank top, booty shorts, leggings, leotard, tights & booty shorts, jazz shoes. No Socks, Running Shorts or T-shirts!

• African Movement: Clothing that does not restrict movement. Bare foot or foot undies.

• Students are not to bring valuables into the studio. Upgrade Dance Company and staff will not be held liable or responsible for electronic devices, money or any other item considered valuable if it is lost or stolen.

• Please make sure your dancer uses the restroom before class starts and is properly dressed with hair secured in a ponytail holder. 

• Students are not allowed to touch the sound system or mirrors located in the studio. If a student comes into contact with and breaks or damages the items listed, parents will be held liable to replace damaged property. 

• NO PEANUT/TREE NUT PRODUCTS ARE TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE FACILITY. If your child has eaten peanut products on the way to class, please make sure he/she washes their hands before entering class.

• If your child has a medical condition or illness you must inform Upgrade Dance Company and the instructor of your child’s needs. Medication must be given to the owner/Mary Hughley to be secured in a medication box. (epi-pens, inhalers, etc.)

• Rap, R&B, and pop music will be played in class. All music played during class will be clean/edited/radio friendly version. If it comes on the radio, it will be played in class.

• Parents are NOT allowed in class until the last 5-10 minutes of class as directed by Upgrade instructors.  Instructors will have students to perform at the end of class for parents to observe. You may record/post online to social media pages. Please be sure to tag Upgrade Dance Company along with the instructor who choreographed the combo.



• Parents must pick students up on time. If a parent is consistently late for pick up, there will be an additional charge for instructors to stay with dancer until parent arrives. There will be a $5 charge for every 10 minutes.

• No cell phones are permitted during classes or rehearsals.

• All dancers are expected to follow the company dress code policies. If a dancer is not properly dressed for class, he/she will take notes on dance terminology.

• Excessive talking, horseplay, and flipping during class instruction is NOT permitted. When instructors are teaching, students are expected to stand still without talking. Excessive talking will result in dismissal from the class along with a parent conference.

• Students must remain in class for the entire class session. Students must ask for permission to leave the studio to get water or to use the restroom.

• Students will be given a water/rest break by the dance instructor.

• No profanity, foul language, teasing, rude comments, or bullying will be tolerated. This is grounds for dismissal from the program.

• No gum, candy, food or drinks are allowed in the studio with the exception of a WATER bottle. Students may only bring water to class.

• All students must display respect to Upgrade instructors, guest instructors, and dancers. Continued disrespect will result in dismissal from the program.

• Students should not correct, critique, or provide feedback to other dancers in the company. If a student has a concern, please inform the instructor so that it can be addressed by an adult.

• Students are expected to take corrective feedback with a positive attitude and quickly apply the corrections so that instructors can move on with class.   

• Students must watch themselves in the mirror while dancing to perfect technique and skills.

• For improvement and growth, ALL Dancers are expected to dance FULL OUT every time the music comes on unless the instructor/choreographer directs them to mark the choreography.

• Students are only allowed to post videos of choreography that is learned in class on their social media accounts. When posting, dancers must give credit to the choreographer.

• Students are expected to arrive 10 minutes early to stretch if a class warm-up/conditioning is not sufficient for the dancer.



• If a dancer is injured and is a part of Upgrade’s competitive teams, he or she is still expected to come to practices/rehearsals to watch and review choreography.