Where and when are your classes?
Our classes are held at our studio 403 Broad Street in Bloomfield. Most classes take place after school, at night, and on Saturdays. Our satellite program Little Stars takes place at the daycare during the morning hours.
What are the different classes you offer?
We offer something for everyone!
For our 2-5-year-olds we offer our Sparkling Stars 45-minute combination class which will charm everyone with a magical journey through dance. Sparkling Stars classes incorporate fresh and exciting monthly themes with learning body awareness, socialization, and coordination. It’s a fantastic experience that is sure to bring a smile to both your and your child’s face!
For our 6-10-year-olds we offer our Shining Stars 60-minute combination class which thrills with an exhilarating adventure that will bring them more confidence, finesse, and a solid dance foundation. They will love the excitement of a new challenge and you will love watching the amazing growth week after week.
For our 11+ Dazzling Stars, we offer 30-minute classes in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and gymnastics designed to provide challenging, fabulous dance content while developing their self-esteem and a wonderful body-positive self-image in our safe non-competitive environment.
For our adults, we offer intermediate-level classes in Tap as well as Flexibility and Grace (ballet/jazz and stretch) classes.
What should I bring?
All our students will need to wear their uniform and bring their tap and ballet shoes, both white which will be kept in their bags in the studio. Our Dazzling Stars will need shoes appropriate for class and knee pads if applicable.
What should I NOT bring?
Please try to leave all toys, jewelry, and food out of children’s bags as it becomes a distraction when we are changing shoes. If items are brought, they will be held until the end of class or brought out to the parent when found so as not to get lost. For younger dancers, you can bring water after their class. Water is not brought into the classroom as the tendency it has to spill creates a hazard for dancers.
What is the drop-off and pick-up procedure?
As we work with the littlest ones to separate from their parents sometimes a parent may need to come inside for part of a class. Once the separation is established you will be asked to wait in the waiting room just in case for a bit. This helps develop a bond of trust between the instructor, student, and parent, which will ease the transition in weeks to come.
All other students are to be readied for class in the waiting room and will be brought into the studio when their class starts. At the end of class, children are dismissed from the classroom to the waiting room where they can be picked up. Any child that is without an adult for pickup will be brought back into the studio until the adult can get there.
How are the students grouped?
Students are initially grouped by age for class. If a student’s ability is above their class level, a discussion will be had about moving them into a higher class.
What should I wear?
All classes have a uniform as follows which needs to be purchased through the studio or from KaShe Dance and Designs in Nutley:
Sparkling Stars 1-3 – pink leotard with attached skirt and pink tights. White tap and ballet shoes are also needed.
Sparkling Stars 4 and Shining Stars 1/2 – purple leotard and purple skirt with white tights. White tap and ballet shoes are also needed.
Shining 3/4 and Dazzling Stars – black leotard and a choice of black SSDC shorts with tights or black SSDC leggings. The shoes needed will be discussed with you.
What will they be learning?
All the classes learn the fundamentals of dance in the beginning years which moves to more advanced techniques as they get older. Children also learn how to interact and socialize with children of the same age, how to take turns and wait until they are called, and how to problem solve using movement as well as strength, coordination, and flexibility in our classes. Older classes also learn about giving back to the community through performances and classes at local nursing homes, libraries, and community events.
What qualifications do the teachers have?
All our teachers are certified to teach dance either through Dance Educators of America or Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey, of which they remain active members. Miss Katie and Miss Michelle both also hold their Bachelor of Arts in dance education.
Are you insured?
Yes, the studio is fully insured and waivers are required for all participants.
How do payments work?
Autopay will run from your credit or debit card on the 8th of the month which applies to your payment plan. If you choose to you can pay by cash or check by the 7th of the month and autopay will not run. All payments are made monthly.
There is a $35 charge for returned checks and $25 for failed auto-pay transactions as the payment is then considered late.
Please note there are no credits or refunds for missed classes, but every effort will be made to arrange a makeup class in a similar class. Recital payments are non reunfdable if the season is not completed.
What is your policy on bullying?
Shooting Star has a zero-tolerance policy on bullying. Please make sure all incidents are brought to the staff’s attention so they can be addressed.
Do you make up missed classes?
Children may make up any class missed in a similar class which is arranged ahead of time. We ask that make-ups be scheduled within 2 weeks of missed class for as far as a month ahead of time.
I have a friend that would like to come along, what do I do?
Great! We love making new friends. You can ask them to contact us at info@shootingstardancenj.com to get the ball rolling. Or with their permission, you can give us their information and we will contact them.
Will photographs be taken?
Yes, photographs and videos will be taken and used for promotional purposes. A photo/video release is part of your signed waiver. If that is a problem, please let us know.
Do you have a recital?
Yes, there is an end-of-the-year recital in which all students are invited but not required to participate. All students enrolled through December that are 3 and up have the opportunity to participate in a recital. Students enrolling in January will be offered the opportunity as long as we can get a costume.
The weather is bad – how do I know the studio is closed?
In the case of inclement weather, we follow the Bloomfield Public Schools closings. If it is after hours or on a Saturday, conditions are checked not only of the weather but the street and parking lots to ensure everyone’s safety. If the studio closes you will receive an email and it will be posted on our Facebook page.
Shooting Star Dance Center ● 403 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ ● 973.298.0230