DDF Studio Policies
All of our policies, here in one place.
Semester Deposit & Balance When you register, you are charged a $100 deposit per class, $50 of which is NON-REFUNDABLE. This guarantees your spot. The balance of your fees are charged the first day of the new semester. Fees will be prorated if the semester has already begun. No fees are charged if registering for the wait list. There will be a $10 fee for declined cards.
Registration Fee There is a one-time non-refundable $25 registration fee per student, applicable only in the first semester at Downtown Dance Factory.
Class Fees Fees vary depending on class type and length. Fees are listed for each style of dance on our For the Littles page and the Everybody Dance page – just click on Schedule & Registration for the details for each dance style. You can also see fees on our Class Schedule page.
Multiple Class Discount There is a 20% discount for the 2nd and 3rd weekly class, a 25% discount for the 4th weekly class, and a 50% discount for the 5th + weekly class taken by a single student in the same semester (not applicable in the Summer Program).
Sibling Discount During the semesters, a sibling discount of 5% is offered for the second child and subsequent children from the same family. During the Summer Program, a 5% sibling discount is offered for the 2nd child and subsequent children from the same family registering for the same week.
Co-Parenting Payment Policy DDF is happy to have two or more email addresses on file for contact purposes, and to send information when there is a co-parenting arrangement in place. However, we do not manage co-payments. The parent enrolling the dancer is responsible for payments, regardless of co-parenting agreements. Please ensure all fees are paid when due. DDF is unable to engage in discussion or written correspondence on behalf of either co-parent to a third party.
On November 1st, all dancers enrolled in Fall Semester classes are automatically re-enrolled in the same classes for the Winter/Spring Semester. You must opt out via email between NOVEMBER 4th and NOVEMBER 12th if you choose NOT to continue dancing into the next semester. Deposits for the next semester’s classes will be charged to your card on file on November 14th, with the balance of tuition being charged on the first day of the new semester, along with the recital costume and participation fees.
Uniform requirements are set out on the Classes pages for each class. Uniforms are available for purchase at our Studio 4 Store in person at our studio, or online here. Hair should be pulled neatly off the face for class at all times.
Free trials are available before registering. However a spot cannot be reserved in any class based on a trial request alone. If the class becomes fully registered by the time the trial is scheduled to take place, your child will need to try a different time/class.
Dancers are entitled to two (2) make-up classes per semester. Please notify us once your child has missed class and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please note, make-ups CANNOT be scheduled in a full class and make-ups MUST be taken in the same semester as the missed classes. If you must cancel your scheduled make up, please do so 24 hours prior to it taking place in order for it not to count as one of your 2 allotted make-up classes. In the Winter/Spring semester, MAKE-UPS MAY ONLY TAKE PLACE UNTIL MARCH 15th, in order to avoid disrupting recital preparation. Make-ups may also take place after recitals. There are no make-up classes for the Summer Program, for scheduled closures, or for classes canceled due to unforeseen events as contemplated in the “Refund Policy” section above.
If you have signed up for a class’ waiting list, we will contact you if a spot becomes available. You will not be charged until we’ve checked with you to ensure you are still interested in the spot. In the meantime, feel free to register for a different class; we will happily transfer you to the class for which you’re waitlisted if a spot does become available.
Please arrive punctually for class, however we ask that you avoid arriving too early so we can manage crowds and congestion before class time. Students will be released after class to waiting parents/caregivers at the studio door. It is imperative that you arrive back at their studio in time for the end of your child’s class.
Downtown Dance Factory reserves the right to cancel a class as a result of insufficient registration in its sole discretion. In such instance(s), a full refund will be provided to the class participants.
Apart from our TutuTots classes (in which parents/caregivers are participants), Downtown Dance Factory is not set up for in-class viewing. However, each studio is equipped with viewing windows through which parents and caregivers can watch their dancers.
Summer Fees A $100 non-refundable deposit per week will be charged at the time of registration. The balance of summer fees will be charged on June 1st. If registering after June 1st, you will be charged in full. There are no refunds for withdrawals from the Summer Program, nor are there refunds or make-ups for any absences.
Summer Discounts Registration for the Summer Program opens in early February. If you register by April 1st, you receive a 15% discount on summer tuition. If you register for 2 or more weeks, you save 5% on the 2nd week and on each subsequent week. In addition, save 5% for siblings registered in the same week. Discounts will be applied to your account after you register.
Summer Session Transferability Sessions are interchangeable, space permitting. However classes are not transferable among dancers.
Trials We cannot offer any trials during the Half-Day or Full-Day Summer Program. Classes for our TutuTots dancers are available for trials.
Make-ups We cannot offer any make-ups for the Half-Day or Full-Day Summer Program. Make-up classes are available for our TutuTots dancers, space permitting, but they cannot be rolled over into the next semester.
Attire There is no uniform for the Summer Program. Students should wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. Dance clothing and shoes (jazz, ballet, tap) can be purchased at our retail store but are optional.
Dismissal Dancers who have permission to leave on their own require parent/guardian authorization. Please click here to provide authorization.
Photo Release Downtown Dance Factory may, in the course of teaching classes and putting on performances, take photographs and/or video which include our enrolled students. If you DO NOT want your child to be included in Downtown Dance Factory advertising / promotional materials / website, etc., please send us an email. We will mark it in your family account.
Refunds If you withdraw from a class before the first class takes place, you will be responsible for $50 of your deposit (per class). Once the semester starts, if you want to withdraw, you must do so PRIOR to the 3rd scheduled class. You will receive a prorated refund, less a $25 cancellation fee per class. Withdrawals must be made with at least 24 hours notice prior to your class start time to avoid being charged for the class. There are no refunds or credits for classes dropped or missed for any reason once the third class takes place. We do not provide refunds for uniforms once they have been worn. You understand and agree that DDF cannot and shall not be held accountable for extreme weather or other unforeseen events beyond DDF’s control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, wars, acts of terrorism, or other force majeure events that, by their nature could not have been foreseen by DDF or, if possible to have been foreseen, are unavoidable, and DDF shall not provide a refund or credit for classes canceled in the case of such events. Should CDC or government regulations dictate that In-Studio classes be shut down at any point, or should you decide to pull your dancer for any reason, there will be no tuition adjustments, discounts, credits or refunds for any registrants beyond the timing stated in this paragraph above. DDF will follow the guidance of the NYC public schools, New York City, State and local governments, the Federal government, and/or the safety advisories from New York City (as applicable) in making decisions which impact our classes.
Recital Participation Dancers registered in our Winter/Spring semester will perform in Downtown Dance Factory’s annual dance recitals (for TutuTots dancers, participation is optional).
Recital Fees A costume fee per dancer (per class) and a participation fee (per dancer) are charged at the beginning of the Winter/Spring Semester. If for any reason a dancer will not be able to participate in the recitals, we must be notified before their 3rd scheduled class in Winter/Spring Semester, and you will not be charged a costume and participation fee. Recitals take place at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center and are a ticketed event.
Allocations of Classes to Recitals Downtown Dance Factory holds multiple shows within our Recital Event. Families sometimes wonder why their dancers (who either take multiple classes or have siblings who take classes) are not all in the same show. We work tirelessly to create these shows and to meet your needs. We do everything we can to make the shows equal among dance genres, ages, length, etc. With so many factors to consider and so many combinations of dancers who take multiple classes and have siblings who take multiple classes, it’s simply impossible to satisfy this request. That said, we are proud of all our dancers and know that each show will be entertaining and fun for our audiences!
Change or Cancellation Recitals are subject to change at Downtown Dance Factory’s discretion without advance notice.
Pricing All prices include up to 10 guests (including the birthday child).
Joint Party Fee There will be a $50 fee for joint parties with 2 birthday children, siblings excluded.
Booking a Time Slot After being offered a party time slot, you must reply within 48 hours in order to hold this slot. The deposit must then be paid in order to confirm your event.
Deposit A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required upon booking. Your party time slot is not confirmed until you have paid your deposit.
Maximum Guest Count Downtown Dance Factory can accommodate a maximum of 30 guests (excluding adults). Additional guests, up to 20, can be added at $25/child. Additional guests over 20, and up to a maximum of 30, can be added at $35/child.
Non-Dancing Guests Allowance Three additional NON-dancing guests can be accommodated free of charge, however they do count towards the capacity. There will be a $10/non-dancing guest surcharge over and above the first three.
Adult Guests Adults attend free of charge.
Liability Insurance All renters must provide proof of insurance or must sign a DDF liability waiver.
Payment Payment is due in advance to secure rental space.
Adult Supervision An adult must accompany any renter who is under 18yrs old.
Pod Deposit & Balance A $100 deposit per dancer is charged upon Pod formation. Payment for the balance of the Pod is charged on the first day of the Pod’s semester (payment is pro-rated if the semester has begun). Once a Pod is confirmed, there are no cancellations, refunds or price adjustments for changes to the number of participants.
Registration Fee There is a one-time non-refundable $25 registration fee per student, applicable only in the first semester at Downtown Dance Factory.
Pod Performance Pods are a non recital-based program. We will hold an in-person Demonstration class at the end of the semester.
Make-Ups & Trials Pod participants are entitled to up to two (2) make-up classes in any of our age appropriate classes. There are no trials in a Pod class.
Uniforms Uniforms are required, with proper shoes based on dance style. Pod participants are free to choose the leotard color!
Timing Trials run from September through early Spring. Trials are paused during the immediate lead-up to our annual recitals in the spring, as well as during the summer. Trials in our TutuTots classes are always available.
Availability We can only hold trials in classes with spaces available. If a class becomes fully enrolled before your trial date, we will contact you to schedule a trial in a different class.
Uniform Requirement For Trials All classes have uniforms, but for a trial, dancers should dress in something comfortable for dancing.
May 1, 2023
Downtown Dance Factory ( Downtown Dance Factory) values its users’ privacy. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) will help you understand how we collect and use personal information from those who visit our website or make use of our online facilities and services, and what we will and will not do with the information we collect. Our Policy has been designed and created to assure those affiliated with Downtown Dance Factory of our commitment and realization of our obligation not only to meet, but to exceed, most existing privacy standards.
We reserve the right to make changes to this Policy at any given time. If you have not registered with us and want to make sure that you are up to date with the latest changes, we advise you to frequently visit this page. If you are a registered user, we will notify you via email of any changes or updates made to this Policy. If at any point in time Downtown Dance Factory decides to make use of any personally identifiable information on file, in a manner vastly different from that which was stated when this information was initially collected, the user or users shall be promptly notified by email. Users at that time shall have the option as to whether to permit the use of their information in this separate manner.
This Policy applies to Downtown Dance Factory, and it governs any and all data collection and usage by us. Through the use of www.downtowndancefactory.com, you are therefore consenting to the data collection procedures expressed in this Policy.
Please note that this Policy does not govern the collection and use of information by companies that Downtown Dance Factory does not control, nor by individuals not employed or managed by us. If you visit a website that we mention or link to, be sure to review its privacy policy before providing the site with information. It is highly recommended and suggested that you review the privacy policies and conditions of any website you choose to use or frequent to better understand the way in which websites garner, make use of and share the information collected.
Specifically, this Policy will inform you of the following
- What personally identifiable information is collected from you through our website;
- Why we collect personally identifiable information and the legal basis for such collection;
- How we use the collected information and with whom it may be shared;
- What choices are available to you regarding the use of your data; and
- The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of your information.
Information We Collect
It is always up to you whether to disclose personally identifiable information to us, although if you elect not to do so, we reserve the right not to register you as a user or provide you with any products or services. This website collects various types of information, such as voluntarily provided information which may include your name, address, email address, billing and/or credit card information etc. which may be used when you purchase products and/or services and to deliver the services you have requested.
In addition, Downtown Dance Factory may have the occasion to collect non-personal anonymous demographic information, such as age, gender, household income, political affiliation, race and religion, as well as the type of browser you are using, IP address, or type of operating system, which will assist us in providing and maintaining superior quality service.
Please rest assured that this site will only collect personal information that you knowingly and willingly provide to us by way of surveys, completed membership forms, and emails. It is the intent of this site to use personal information only for the purpose for which it was requested, and any additional uses specifically provided for in this Policy.
Why We Collect Information and For How Long
We are collecting your data for several reasons:
- To better understand your needs and provide you with the services you have requested;
- To fulfill our legitimate interest in improving our services and products;
- To send you promotional emails containing information we think you may like when we have your consent to do so;
- To contact you to fill out surveys or participate in other types of market research, when we have your consent to do so;
- To customize our website according to your online behavior and personal preferences.The data we collect from you will be stored for no longer than necessary. The length of time we retain said information will be determined based upon the following criteria: the length of time your personal information remains relevant; the length of time it is reasonable to keep records to demonstrate that we have fulfilled our duties and obligations; any limitation periods within which claims might be made; any retention periods prescribed by law or recommended by regulators, professional bodies or associations; the type of contract we have with you, the existence of your consent, and our legitimate interest in keeping such information as stated in this Policy.
Use of Information Collected
Downtown Dance Factory does not now, nor will it in the future, sell, rent or lease any of its customer lists and/or names to any third parties.
Downtown Dance Factory may collect and may make use of personal information to assist in the operation of our website and to ensure delivery of the services you need and request. At times, we may find it necessary to use personally identifiable information as a means to keep you informed of other possible products and/or services that may be available to you from www.downtowndancefactory.com
Downtown Dance Factory may also be in contact with you with regards to completing surveys and/or research questionnaires related to your opinion of current, potential, or future services that may be offered.
Downtown Dance Factory uses various third-party social media features including but not limited to Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and other interactive programs. These may collect your IP address and require cookies to work properly. These services are governed by the privacy policies of the providers and are not within Downtown Dance Factory’s control.
Disclosure of Information
Downtown Dance Factory may not use or disclose the information provided by you except under the following circumstances:
- as necessary to provide services or products you have ordered;
- in other ways described in this Policy or to which you have otherwise consented;
- in the aggregate with other information in such a way so that your identity cannot reasonably be determined;
- as required by law, or in response to a subpoena or search warrant;
- to outside auditors who have agreed to keep the information confidential;
- as necessary to enforce the Terms of Service on our website;
- as necessary to maintain, safeguard and preserve all the rights and property of Downtown Dance Factory.
Non-Marketing Purposes
Downtown Dance Factory greatly respects your privacy. We do maintain and reserve the right to contact you if needed for non-marketing purposes (such as bug alerts, security breaches, account issues, and/or changes in Downtown Dance Factory products and services, or changes to this Policy). In certain circumstances, we may use our website, newspapers, or other public means to post a notice.Children under the age of 13
Downtown Dance Factory’s website is not directed to, and does not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from, children under the age of thirteen (13). If it is determined that such information has been inadvertently collected on anyone
under the age of thirteen (13), we shall immediately take the necessary steps to ensure that such information is deleted from our system’s database, or in the alternative, that verifiable parental consent is obtained for the use and storage of such information. Anyone under the age of thirteen (13) must seek and obtain parent or guardian permission to use this website.
Unsubscribe or Opt-Out
All users and visitors to our website have the option to discontinue receiving communications from us by way of email or newsletters. To discontinue or unsubscribe from our website please send an email that you wish to unsubscribe to info@downtowndancefactory.com. If you wish to unsubscribe or opt-out from any third-party websites, you must go to that specific website to unsubscribe or opt-out. Downtown Dance Factory will continue to adhere to this Policy with respect to any personal information previously collected.
Links to Other Websites
Our website does contain links to affiliate and other websites. Downtown Dance Factory does not claim nor accept responsibility for any privacy policies, practices and/or procedures of other websites. Therefore, we encourage all users and visitors to be aware when they leave our website and to read the privacy statements of every website that collects personally identifiable information. This Policy applies only and solely to the information collected by our website.
Security
Downtown Dance Factory takes precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and offline. Wherever we collect sensitive information (e.g. credit card information), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for “https” at the beginning of the address of the webpage.
While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers and servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment. This is all done to prevent any loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure or modification of the user’s personal information under our control.
The Company also uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) for authentication and private communications to build users’ trust and confidence in the internet and website use by providing simple and secure access and communication of credit card and personal information.
Acceptance of Terms
By using this website, you are hereby accepting the terms and conditions stipulated within this Privacy Policy Agreement. If you are not in agreement with our terms and conditions, then you should refrain from further use of our sites. In addition, your continued use of our website following proper notification or the posting of any updates or changes to our terms and conditions, shall mean that you agree and accept such changes.
How to Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy as it relates to our website, please feel free to contact us at the following email, telephone number or mailing address:
Email: info@downtowndancefactory.com
Telephone Number: 212-962-1800
Mailing Address:
Downtown Dance Factory 291 Broadway Fl 5
New York, New York 10007
Downtown Dance Factory follows the CDC guidelines regarding policies in place related to COVID-19. These guidelines are fluid, so we will continue to adapt our policies as needed.
Terms of Use
Welcome to the Downtown Dance Factory Studio 4 Store website (the "Site"). Downtown Dance Factory provides this Site as a service to its customers. Please review the following basic rules that govern your use of our Site (the "Agreement"). Please note that your use of our Site constitutes your agreement to follow and be bound by these terms. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this Site. Although you may "bookmark" a particular portion of this Site and thereby bypass this Agreement, your use of this Site still binds you to the terms. Since Downtown Dance Factory may revise this Agreement at any time, you should visit this page periodically to review the terms of your use.
Purchases
If you wish to purchase any product or service made available through the Site ("Purchase"), you may be asked to supply certain information relevant to your Purchase including, without limitation, your credit card number, the expiration date of your credit card, your billing address, and your shipping information.
You represent and warrant that: (i) you have the legal right to use any credit card(s) or other payment method(s) in connection with any Purchase; and that (ii) the information you supply to us is true, correct and complete.
The Site may employ the use of third-party services for the purpose of facilitating payment and the completion of Purchases. By submitting your information, you grant us the right to provide the information to these third parties subject to our Privacy Policy.
We reserve the right to refuse or cancel your order at any time for reasons including but not limited to: product or service availability, errors in the description or price of the product or service, error in your order or other reasons.
We reserve the right to refuse or cancel your order if fraud or an unauthorized or illegal transaction is suspected.
Site Contents
We are constantly updating product and service offerings on the Site. Occasionally there may be information on the Site that contains typographical errors, inaccuracies, or omissions that may relate to product descriptions, pricing, and availability. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update information at any time without prior notice (including after you have submitted your order).
Prices, Quantities, Styles and Colors
All prices are subject to change without notice. All merchandise will be billed at the prices in effect at the time of ordering. Downtown Dance Factory reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change or discontinue styles, colors, sizes or fabrics. All orders are subject to availability.
Forms of Payment
We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Payment in full is due at the time of purchase. Order will not begin processing, and therefore will not be shipped until payment is received in full.
Order Fulfillment
Most Orders take 1-2 business days to process. PLEASE NOTE: Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
LOCAL PICK UP ONLY: Our store is located at 291 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10007.
Returns and Exchanges
Returns and exchanges must be made in store within 30 days after Customer's receipt of merchandise. All returned merchandise must be accompanied by receipt. Customer will be responsible for all freight and shipping charges on items returned that are not the result of the Site's error. Downtown Dance Factory is not responsible for lost shipments on items being returned. Downtown Dance Factory will cover the shipping costs for exchanged items to the Customer only when the exchange is due to our error. Returns and exchanges are available for full-price items only. All Sale and markdown items are final sale. Sale items cannot be returned or exchanged. Returns are accepted on regular promotional sale items. Returns will not be accepted on merchandise that has been worn, altered, laundered, or modified in any way. All damaged or incorrect items will need to be sent back to Downtown Dance Factory in order to receive credit.
Force Majeure
Neither Buyer nor Site shall be liable to the other for delays in performance of its obligation hereunder caused by acts of God, war (declared or undeclared), government regulation, terrorism, disaster, strikes, civil disorder, curtailment of transportation facilities, or similar occurrence beyond the party's control, making it impossible, illegal, or commercially impracticable for one or both parties to perform its obligations under these Terms and Conditions of Sale, in whole or in part.
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You can disable the use of cookies for this website in your browser settings. Because cookies are used throughout our websites, disabling them may prevent you from using certain parts of the sites.
The following cookies are used on our website:
Category 1 — Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential to enable you to browse around our websites and use their features. Without these cookies, services like shopping baskets.
Category 2 — Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information about how you use our websites — for instance, which pages you go to most. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. These cookies don’t collect information that identifies you. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.