Frequently Asked Questions

Attitude Dance Center is located at 124 Market Street, New Bern, NC 28560, near Magnolia Commons.

Families are welcome to contact us before their first visit if they need help finding the studio or have questions about arrival.

At Attitude Dance Center, we offer classes for dancers as young as 2.5 years old through high school seniors. Our classes are grouped by age and designed to meet dancers where they are developmentally, while helping them build confidence, skills, and a love of dance.

Our approximate age groups are: 

• Tiny: ages 2.5 to 3.5

• Mini: ages 3.5 to 4.5

• Petite: ages 5 to 7

• Junior: ages 8 to 10

• Teen: ages 11 to 13

• Senior: ages 14 to 18

Class eligibility is based on the age cutoff for each term. Because young dancers develop at different rates, readiness, independence, attention span, coordination, and previous experience may also be considered when recommending a class. 

If you're not sure which class is the best fit for your dancer, we're always happy to help guide you.

At Attitude Dance Center, we offer two dance seasons each year, giving families flexibility to balance dance with other activities.

• Fall Season: Early August through mid-December, concluding with a December recital 

• Spring Season: Early January through mid-May, concluding with a May recital 

Join for one season or both! Whether your dancer wants to commit for a full year or participate seasonally, they’ll have the opportunity to perform on stage. Recital dates are subject to venue availability.

Our split-season structure makes it easier for dancers to enjoy both dance and other activities, whether they prefer to train year-round or switch between dance and seasonal sports.

We look forward to dancing with you!

Current Term Dates for 2025/2026 Dance Season:

• SUMMER TERM  (2026) June 9, 2026-July 31, 2026

• FALL TERM (2026)  August 2026-Dec. 2026--Exact start and end date to be announced soon!

• SPRING TERM (2027) January 4, 2027-May 15, 2027 

ABSOLUTELY!!! Many of our dancers start with little or no dance experience. 

Our classes are designed to help dancers learn at an age-appropriate pace while building confidence, coordination, friendships, and a love of movement.

Every dancer starts somewhere, and we love welcoming beginners into our studio family. Some dancers jump right in, while others need time to observe and become comfortable. Our biggest goal is to help each dancer feel successful and fall in love with dance. Once that happens, everything else tends to fall into place. 

Free trial classes are available for many of our regularly enrolled classes when space and the class calendar allow.

To schedule a trial:

1. Create an account through our Parent Portal.

2. Add your dancer to the account.

3. Select Register, followed by Classes.

4. Find an eligible class and select Schedule Trial beneath the class name.

5. Choose from the available trial dates.

There is no tuition payment or autopay setup required simply to attend a free trial.

Please understand that scheduling a trial does not reserve a permanent place in the class. Popular classes may fill before the scheduled trial date. Families who are seriously considering enrollment are welcome to contact us so we can explain the available options.

Trials may also be paused near the end of a term while dancers are preparing for the recital. Free trials do not apply to Dance Discoveries or other drop-in programs.

Enrollment is completed through our online Parent Portal.

Create a parent account, add your dancer, and select Register from the menu to view the seasons and classes currently available. The portal will guide you through registration and checkout.

The Parent Portal typically works best from a desktop browser. After your account has been created, the Studio Pro Portal app can also make it easier to manage your account from a phone or tablet.

If you get stuck at any point, please reach out. We are happy to take a look from our side and help you through the process.

Age is the starting point for class placement, but it is not the only thing we consider.

Especially with younger dancers, there can be a noticeable developmental difference between children who are technically close in age. Independence, attention span, confidence, coordination, and comfort in a classroom environment can all affect where a dancer will be happiest and most successful.

We would much rather have a dancer begin in a class where they feel confident and capable than place them in an older class where they may feel overwhelmed. If you are uncertain, contact us with your dancer’s age, birthday, and experience, and we will help guide you.

We love welcoming dancers who are transferring from another studio.

Most placements begin with the dancer’s age group, but we will also consider previous training, styles studied, technical foundation, classroom experience, and overall readiness.

Previous experience does not always mean a dancer should automatically skip a level because studios may teach skills in a different order. A trial class or conversation with our staff can help us recommend the class where your dancer will be appropriately challenged without missing important foundations.

Both classes continue developing tap and ballet skills within the same general age group.

The II designation identifies a continuing level for dancers who have completed the foundational level or have been placed there based on previous training and instructor recommendation.

Families are not expected to determine advanced placement on their own. If you are unsure which level to select, please contact us before registering so we can help place your dancer appropriately.

Dance Discoveries is a flexible, low-pressure summer drop-in experience designed for dancers ages five and under. It introduces children to music, movement, body awareness, colors, creative play, stories, and simple dance concepts.

The class plan remains flexible so we can respond to the ages, energy, and comfort level of the children attending that day. Grown-ups are encouraged to participate, and participation is required for dancers aged three and younger. Older children who feel comfortable may participate independently while their grown-up observes.

Our regular Tiny Tutus, Mini Taps & Tutus, and other enrolled classes are more structured. They follow a progressive curriculum, meet weekly for a full term, have class dress requirements, and prepare dancers for recital participation.

Dance Discoveries is a wonderful introduction for children who are new, shy, very young, or not yet ready for a full-term commitment.

For Trial Classes, comfortable clothing that allows your dancer to move safely is perfectly fine. Specific dance shoes are not required unless our staff tells you otherwise.

Once enrolled, dancers should follow the dress code for their class, including the correct dancewear and shoes. Hair should be secured away from the face, and jewelry should be left at home or placed inside the dancer’s bag before class.

The regular dress code does not apply to our morning preschool drop-in classes, including Dance Discoveries, although safe, movement-friendly clothing is still encouraged.

Approved dancewear and shoes may be purchased through our online studio store for shipping or studio pickup.

For class-specific requirements, photos, and additional details, please view the Attitude Dance Center Student Handbook.

Plan to arrive a few minutes early so we can help your dancer find the correct room, meet their instructor, and become familiar with the studio.

Please bring a labeled water bottle and have younger dancers use the restroom before class begins. Trial dancers may wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement.

It is completely normal for a dancer to feel nervous during their first visit. Some children participate immediately, while others need time to watch and warm up. Our instructors will encourage them without expecting every child to respond in the same way.

For regular weekly classes, parents are welcome to wait in our lobby, but the classroom itself is closed to ongoing parent observation. This helps dancers remain focused, connect with their instructor, and build confidence and independence in the classroom.

Dance Discoveries is the exception. Grown-ups are encouraged to participate in Dance Discoveries and are required to remain with dancers aged three and younger. Older children who are comfortable participating independently may do so while their grown-up observes.

Class structure varies by age and dance style, but most classes include a warm-up, skill development, movement across the floor, age-appropriate technique exercises, and choreography.

Younger classes may also include creative movement, rhythm activities, music games, and imaginative exercises that help dancers learn classroom skills while keeping the experience fun and engaging.

As the recital approaches, a portion of class time will be used to teach, clean, and practice recital choreography. 

We understand that dancers occasionally miss class because of illness, school events, vacations, or family commitments.

Please let us know when your dancer will be absent. Because their place in the class remains reserved and instruction continues each week, tuition is not reduced or refunded for missed classes.

Regular attendance becomes especially important once recital choreography begins. Dancers should return as soon as they are able so they can stay comfortable and confident with the material being taught.

Tuition is $65 per dancer, per class, each month.

Families enrolling in three or more total classes receive automatic multi-class discounts:

• 10% off the 3rd and 4th classes

• 15% off the 5th through 7th classes

• 20% off the 8th class and beyond

Registration fees are:

• Summer: $45 per dancer; studio shirt not included 

• Fall or Spring: $75 for the first dancer and $35 for each additional sibling, with a family maximum of $180

Fall dancers who continue into Spring receive a promo code reducing the first dancer’s Spring registration fee from $75 to $40. Additional siblings remain $35.

Fall and Spring registration each includes an Attitude Dance Center studio shirt for every registered dancer. Fall registration includes a short-sleeve shirt, while Spring registration includes a long-sleeve shirt. Dancers enrolled for the full dance year will receive both, and studio shirts may be worn to any class. 

A 3% processing fee applies to online credit card payments. Debit-card & ACH payments are not surcharged.

Recital fees, costumes, shoes, dancewear, and recital tickets are separate. Please view the Attitude Dance Center Student Handbook for complete pricing and billing details.

Each recital class has one costume fee for each recital in which the class participates.

Current costume fees are:

• Tiny, Mini, & Petite Classes: $80

• Junior & Musical Theatre Classes: $90

• Teen & Senior Classes: $100

The fee includes the class costume, required tights or socks when applicable, and a garment bag with a hanger. Our team also labels each costume with the dancer’s information, stores and steams the costumes, and transports them to the recital venue so families do not have to manage the wrinkles or logistics.

Combo classes study more than one dance style but perform only one routine in each recital, so only one costume is required per combo class. The featured performance style may rotate, so continuing dancers have opportunities to perform each style they study.

Additional tights may be purchased and are encouraged as a backup.

Attitude Dance Center presents two recitals each dance year, one at the end of the Fall Term and one at the end of the Spring Term. We strongly encourage recital participation because it allows dancers to build confidence, teamwork, stage presence, and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. However, performing onstage is not required.

We understand that recital performance is not every dancer’s goal, and some dancers may simply need more time before they feel ready. Parents should notify the studio in writing as soon as possible if their dancer will not be performing.

All dancers will still learn and participate in the class choreography throughout the term. Most summer classes do not include a recital and allow dancers to learn and explore without the pressure of an end-of-season performance.

Recital fees, costume fees, and recital tickets are non-refundable.

We understand that performing onstage is not every dancer’s personal goal. Some dancers love attending class, learning choreography, and dancing with their classmates, but prefer not to participate in the final performance.

Dancers who choose not to perform may still purchase their class costume and participate in Picture Day with their class. Many families select this option so their dancer can be included in the class photo and have the costume available in case they later decide they would like to perform.

All dancers will learn and participate in the recital choreography during class. A non-performing dancer will rehearse in a role similar to a theatre swing or understudy. In theatre, a swing learns the choreography, spacing, and responsibilities of the performers so they understand the full production and can support the group when needed.

This allows the dancer to continue developing musicality, memory, teamwork, spatial awareness, and performance skills while remaining an important part of the class and choreography process, regardless of whether they appear in the final recital.