Auditions:

What types of dancers are you looking for?

Currently, we are seeking motivated and well-disciplined dancers between the ages of 10 and 18 years of age.  Dancers should have a moderate to strong background in ballet, jazz and tap.  3 yrs of experience is recommended.  Hip hop dancers and acrobats are a bonus.

What should I wear?

Please come dressed in a leotard, tights & ballet slippers (both males and females).  Hair secured off the face and neck.  A bun is recommended.  The following items will be helpful to have in your dance bag:  Shoes – Jazz, ballet, tap & clean-soled sneakers.  Apparel – Tights, leotard, tank top or tee shirt, sweatpants, jazz pants or shorts.

My family will be out of town during the audition.  Can I arrange to be seen on a different date?

Yes. A private audition can be arranged.

What is your audition process like?

Upon arrival, you will hand your audition registration form to one of the company directors or assistants at the front desk.  Dancers will be allowed into the studio to begin their own warm up.  The audition will begin with multiple combinations in the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary/Lyrical, Hip Hop and (possibly) Tap.  You do not have to prepare a solo, but must be prepared to improvise on call.  After your combinations are taught, dancers will be called in front of the judges, in  small groups, to perform the combinations a minimum of 2 times.  After every dancer has been seen in each style, the directors will have a short talk with the auditionees and will end the audition.

Do I have to audition for every style?

It is highly recommended.  Though you may not be cast in a smaller group for a style that you did not qualify for, our company production number(s) are usually a mix of the various styles we offer.

How and when will I know if I have been accepted to the company?

Each dancer and their parent(s) will be contacted via e-mail no less than 1 week after the audition date and results will be posted on the audition page of our website.

If I or my child are accepted, how long do I have to commit?  Or is there a deadline?

Each dancer and parent will receive a copy of the company handbook at our annual informational meeting.  Saturday, August 14, 2010.  There, we will review, page-by-page and open the floor for Q&A.  We recommend signing commitment papers at the closing of the meeting in order for the directors to prepare casts so that we may begin choreography on schedule.  However, we understand that participation in this company is a serious family commitment.  If you need time to discuss this with your family, you are welcome to do so.  The deadline to accept/decline is August 14, 2010.

Casting:

How will I know which dances I will be cast in?

If not in your initial e-mail, we will utilize the soleunique website ‘dancers section’ page.  This page will be laid out similar to a spreadsheet with your name and the dances you have been selected for.

What happens if I am cast in a dance that I did not select on my registration form?

It may not be a style that you are comfortable with, but this means that the judges and/or directors have seen a great deal of potential in you.  Though you cannot be forced to stay in the cast, it is strongly recommended that you stick it through as this will be beneficial to your growth and training background.

Rehearsals & company class:

When do rehearsals & company classes begin?

These are scheduled to begin the weekend after Labor Day.  Saturday, September 11 of 2010.

What is company class and why do we have it?

Company class is an important part of the Soleunique training program.  This is where your directors have a chance to focus directly on the members of the company and their individual skills.  This also prepares the body of the dancer for a long, yet healthy rehearsal.  Company class is not open to the public and only Soleunique members may attend.

How long is an average rehearsal?

Following a 1.5 hour company class, rehearsals can average 3 to 7 additional hours.  Lunch breaks will be provided.  The length of your individual day will be determined by the quantity of dances you are cast in or understudying/apprenticing.

At what location are the rehearsals normally held?

Our rehearsal location is Moves Dance Studio in North Aurora.  14 E. State St./Rte 56 between routes 25 and 31.  In some circumstances, we may hold a rehearsal in a different facility for the sake of spacing for stunts and/or specific formations and staging.

What happens if I miss a rehearsal?

It is your responsibility to inform a director electronically (by e-mail), no less than 1 week prior to the date you will be missing.  An understudy/apprentice will stand in for you.  You must contact your understudy and/or review the rehearsal video and prove that you have caught up and learned your part in order to participate in the following rehearsal.  If you cannot show that you have done your homework, your understudy will permanently replace your in that dance.

What is an 'apprentice/understudy', and what does the role require?

The role of an apprentice or understudy is extremely important.  Some dancers who have not been selected for a specific cast are chosen to 'understudy' and learn one ore more parts of a dance.  He or she must attend each rehearsal and quietly participate in learning all choreography and staging.  This dancer is responsible for making sure he/she is well aware of the choreography, but cannot distract or disturb the original cast while they are rehearsing.  In the event that a dancer in the cast is absent from a rehearsal or performance, this dancers will step in and rehearse or perform in place of the original cast member.  In some cases, an understudy/apprentice may permanently replace the original cast member.

How do I let you know if I or my child will be absent?

If you are aware that you will be missing class for an important family or school function, it is imperative that you e-mail both directors well in advance (minimum 1 week prior), with the date he/she will be missing rehearsal and the reason why.  These messages are saved in your individual file and reviewed bi-monthly.  In the event of an emergency - as sometimes, last-minute things really do happen, (auto accident, family emergency, etc), a phone call to one or both of the director's cellular phones will suffice, but an e-mail must follow the call. Birthday parties, non-credit school functions, extra curricular sports/activities and-the-like, are not acceptable reasons for absence from class/rehearsal. 

Requirements:

How many hours and/or what types of classes am I required to attend and where?

Dancers are required to attend a minimum of 3 ballet classes per-week, 1 jazz, 1 hip hop, 1 tap and company class.  Dependant upon the level you have signed up for, your class hours will average 7.5 to 9 hours.  This is actually a minimum effort compared to similar companies who are training 20+ hours per week.  It is highly recommended that you register for class with either of the Soleunique directors classes where available.  Their individual class schedules are posted in the faculty section of this website.

Is attendance in every rehearsal mandatory?

Yes.  The rehearsals that you are scheduled for must be attended in order to maintain the growth and integrity of our group numbers.  We have a limited amount of time to get a great deal of work done.  Every minute counts.

Scheduling:

How will I be informed of my rehearsal schedule?

Visit http://www.soleuniqe.com/schedule.html for an up-to-date rehearsal schedule.

How will I know when our conventions and competitions will be held?

Visit http://www.soleuniqe.com/compeititoninfo.html  for an up-to-date event scheudle.

Conventions & Competitions:

How many conventions/competitions will we attend in a normal season?

The company will attend no less than 3 convention/competition events, but may rise to 5 total.

Do you allow solos/duets/trios?

Yes.  Dancers must dictate their interest on their audition registration forms and then must qualify by judges choice and director approval.

Will I perform at every event?

Depending upon the number of dances created for the 2011 season, there is no guarantee that every dance will be allowed to perform as each event sets entry limitations.  We will try our best to ensure that every dancer is allowed maximum exposure to the stage.

What if I cannot attend an event (convention/competition), due to a previously scheduled family or school function?

An understudy/apprentice will fill in and perform in your place.  However, you must provide him or her with any and all costume items and accessories.

Is it mandatory to stay at the host hotel for events?

No.  You are welcome to stay at home or nearby, so long as you allow adequate time for early arrival at any event.  Staying at the host hotel has proven to be most convenient for comfort and preparedness.

What is the average cost of a convention/competition and when am I expected to make a payment?

Conventions alone will range anywhere from $140-$200 for entry alongside competition entry fees which average about $28 per dance (groups).  Solos, duets and trios have a much higher entry fee.  Payments are automatically withdrawn from your credit card accounts no less than 40 days prior to each event.

Most of the events on the schedule for the company, (as a whole) do not allow solos.  Will I get a chance to perform/compete my solo?

Though the company will primarily attend conventions with competition attached, we will also select multiple ‘competition only’ events and dedicate them to soloists, duets and trios.  Some group dances may be elected.

Costs/Fees/Finances:

Is there a cost for membership in the company?

Yes.  A one-time registration fee will be collected at the start of the season as well as a monthly fee.  This amount will be discussed privately upon acceptance to the program. 

When and how do I make my membership payment?

As with your event registration payments, membership fees will be automatically deducted from your credit card account on the 1^st of each of the 10 months we are in season.  September-June.

Do you offer scholarship assistance?  If so, how do I qualify to receive financial aid?

Yes.  A very limited number of scholarships will be provided to dancers who show talent, dedication and are willing to take on additional tasks.  Parents of the dancers must relinquish a valid, non-altered copy of their 2010 tax return along with 2010 copies of bank, credit card statements and 4, chronological payroll check vouchers. 

Is there an additional fee to bring in outside choreographers?

No. This is factored into your membership fee.  However, if the choice is made to fly-in and board a guest master teacher, we will first use funds from our fundraising program.  If the fundraisers show insufficient amounts, we will then spread the difference among the dancers of the company and invite guests to attend in order to keep the cost at a minimum.

Do we pay for our own costumes and makeup?

Yes.  Each dancer is responsible for the purchase of their own costumes and makeup kits.  The Soleuniqe directors, however, will handle each aspect of measuring, sizing and mass orders.  As with membership and event fees, the costs for costumes and makeup will be deducted from your credit card account.

What if I am registered for a convention/competition and I or my family are involved in an emergency which allows me not to attend?

For most group numbers, an understudy/apprentice will dance in your place.  Your understudy will be billed directly and your account will be credited for the next event.  However, for large and/or production numbers where an understudy is not available, the dance will be re-blocked and your fees will not be refunded nor credited to your account as the host event will not refund to us.

Is there a membership cancellation fee?

Yes, if the parent/dancer opts to dismiss themselves from the company before the end of the season.  The cost will cover the necessary time and additional work needed to re-block and/or recast the numbers you have been performing in if an understudy is not available as well as removing your information from the database, website and event registration forms for the season.  This amount has yet to be determined.  If a director or faculty member sees fit to remove you from the program for any reason, your cancellation fee will be waived.

Miscellaneous:

What types of extra curricular or outside activities conflict with the Soleunique program?

Anything that will overlap with your dance training and rehearsal schedule is considered to be a conflict.  Members of Soleunique cannot participate in high school dance team/pom programming.

How do I receive a copy of the rules and guidelines?

In previous years, we have handed out hard-copies of the handbook at the informational meeting.  We are considering posting this in a secure section of our website.  Standby for further information.

If I have specific questions that need to be addressed to a company director that I cannot find here, who do I contact and for which types of concerns?

There are many items that are of sensitive nature that we cannot make available to non-company members.  The will be discussed in person at our annual meeting and/or included in your copy of the company handbook.  For general inquires (if not addressed above), you are welcome to contact Anthony via e-mail.

Company Director/Victoria:

Scheduling, absences/tardiness, costume replace/resize, injury and medical, backstage assistance (when needed).

Artistic Director/Anthony:

Event registration, convention/competition events, absences/tardiness, costume orders, website maintenance, financial & credit processing.

*Neither director will respond to inquiries regarding artistic choices such as, but not limited to music selection, choreography, costume selection, or staging.  E-mails containing such subject matter will be deleted and not responded to.  If you feel that your inquiry requires a personal conference with one or both directors, contact both of them via e-mail first and we can discuss details with you regarding pre-meeting steps and fees.