Challenge your dance training on a competitive stage alongside a team of dancers
Registration in the Elite Team Pathway requires attendance in Dance Camp III or IV, Interviews, and Elite Team Auditions
Pathway Definition:
The Elite Team Pathway is a dance training program designed to allow students to compete within the competitive dance industry. This training program requires a weekly block of 4.25 hours of technique training in addition to up to 3 hours of weekly group choreography rehearsals. The pathway is offered for ages 10+ . Elite Team competes in four dance competitions throughout the season and performs in both EADE’s Winter and End of the Year Showcase. Students registering for Elite Team are registering for a "season long" commitment. The EADE 2025-2026 season starts August 4th, 2025 and ends on the day of the Trading Floor Showcase (scheduled for May 30th, 2026).
Pathway Opportunities:
Elite Team Dancers (ages 10+) are required to take 4.25 hours of technique classes per week with Ballet IV being a required weekly class of the 4.25 hours. Dancers may select classes from the following genres for the remainder of the required technique training hours: HipHop, Acro, Jazz, Tap, Flexibility, Pom. (Technique III or IV) Classes selected must be appropriate for the dancer’s skill level.
Group Routine Choreography -
EADE estimates the number of dance routines offered to an ELITE TEAM DANCER will be three total routines. Elite team dancers are required to participate in two routines. Elite Team dancers have an opportunity to participate, learn, rehearse, and compete in additional routines depending on casting following audition results. These routines could be additional group routines, a duo or a trio, and/or a solo. Participation in additional competitive routines is offered but not required and not guaranteed. Placement in these routines will be dependent upon the results of the technique auditions and interviews. Dancers have an option to choose the number of routines in which they participate prior to auditions.
Dancers are asked NOT to audition if they have no intention of accepting their routine placements and/or will be disappointed with their routine placements.
Dancers will receive three hours of one-time choreography rehearsals per group routine, duo, or trio, or solo placement prior to the start of the season. Choreography rehearsals will be scheduled following auditions. Students are required to attend choreography rehearsals in order to participate in the group routine.
Each group routine, duo, trio, and solo will receive a 30-minute weekly choreography rehearsal.
Students are required to compete these routines at dance competitions throughout the season as well as perform on the Trading Floor in January and May. Elite Team will compete at one convention and three competitions throughout the season.
Pathway Entry Requirements:
Prior dance experience is required to register for Elite Pathway. In most circumstances, students will be required to take two years of Technique Training prior to auditioning for the Elite Team. Students must complete the registration process, uphold EADE policy, and make timely payments in exchange for EADE services.
Elite Team Dancers must participate in Dance Camp III, Dance Camp III-IV, or Dance Camp IV, in the corresponding Elite Team Auditions, and in a 10-minute in-person interview in order to be considered for the Elite Team Pathway. To be considered for soloist opportunities, Elite Team dancers must participate in the soloist auditions held during the technique audition in July. Please refer to the “Assistantship Position” section for entry considerations for Assistantship positions.
Students are placed in the appropriate Technique Training class based on age. Students under the required age can request access to older level technique classes by registering for Technique Auditions in July. The results of the auditions will determine the student’s placement in the appropriate level class according EADE’s knowledge requirements for each class. Students may request access to classes beyond the dancer’s age range throughout the season. Students must be able to define and perform the terms and skills listed in the knowledge requirements documents in order to be granted access to Technique Training classes outside the dancer’s age range. Teacher discretion can override the results of the knowledge review.
EADE can override the age division placement if the dancer’s level is better suited for another class; however, dancers will be required to perform a series of skills prior to attending these classes. This override can occur at any point in the season.
Routine placement will be based on the following considerations:
Includes but is not limited to:
Dance Camp / Auditions:
Solo Interview and Registration Responses:
Veteran EADE Performance Dancers:
EADE offers dancers opportunities to train as an understudy for up to two competitive routines.
Following auditions, EADE will select a dancer--who attended auditions--for each group routine to assume the role of an “understudy” in addition to the total group members. The understudy is responsible for attending ALL rehearsals associated with the assigned group routine. The understudy is responsible for learning all roles within the routine and stepping into roles as requested. The understudy is responsible for purchasing the group routine costume at the beginning of the season, yet the understudy is exempt from monthly tuition fees associated with the group routine rehearsal unless the understudy is asked to perform in the role indefinitely.
The understudy will be expected to step in and perform for the group routine if a member is unable to fulfill his/her obligations to the Team Pathway. For example, if a casted dancer is injured and is required not to participate by a medical professional, the understudy will step into the injured dancer's role until the casted dancer is cleared to participate. If a casted dancer misses five rehearsals, the understudy will step into the casted dancer's role indefinitely.
Understudies will be held to the same attendance and performance policy as Team dancers cast in the routine. If unable to meet these expectations, understudies will be relieved of their understudy role.
Soloist opportunities are an extension of the Team Pathway. Soloist opportunities cater to dedicated dancers who want to pursue dance beyond recreational means. Soloists must attend all technique classes required by the Team Pathway and actively participate in the Team Pathway (groups) to remain eligible for solo opportunities.
Soloist opportunities will be relinquished if the soloist is unable to uphold the expectations of both the Team Pathway and soloist opportunities. Soloists agree to attend scheduled meetings during existing rehearsals—an introductory meeting and a mid-year meeting with the dancer’s teacher to review expectations throughout the year.
Soloists receive individual solo choreography along with a 30-minute weekly solo rehearsal. Soloists will receive three hours of one-time choreography rehearsals prior to the start of the season. Choreography rehearsals will be scheduled following auditions. Students are required to attend choreography rehearsals in order to receive soloist opportunities.
Students are required to compete solo routines at dance competitions throughout the season as well as perform on the Trading Floor in January and May. Elite Team will compete at one convention and three competitions throughout the season.
To be considered for soloist opportunities, dancers must participate in Dance Camp III or IV, Elite Team Auditions, Soloist Auditions, and Interviews in July.
Elite Team Weekly Schedule
Elite Team Weekly Class Schedule
Elite Team Pathway Fees and Tuition
Teams Pathway Fee Schedule
Recurring monthly fee for services provided by The Team Pathway varies depending upon audition results and number of groups. Monthly Tuition includes all additional EADE-teacher scheduled rehearsals throughout the season (Example: dress rehearsals)
Student-Oriented Approach to Dance Training:
EADE focuses on the individual dancer and strives to accommodate dancer requests. Priority of EADE resources will be given to dancers who hold themselves accountable for their own dance training.
Competitive Level:
EADE Elite Team competitive routines will compete in the most elite level offered at competitions. Training and program placement at EADE are constructed to prepare and enable dancers to confidently perform at this level.
Costumes:
EADE will order a costume for group Technique Training Trading Floor performances. This will represent the EADE uniform to be worn for all Trading Floor Performance. The price of the costume is included in your “Trading Floor Fee.”
Dancers budget an expense of $100 per dancer per group routine costume. EADE will design and determine group routine costumes. Some costumes will be purchased by dancers through EADE at a maximum of $100.00 per costume. For some costumes, EADE will communicate the expectations of the costume, and the parent and dancer will be responsible for obtaining the group costume. Expectations will be communicated via email.
Costume Size Exchanges: EADE requests parents recommendations for sizing costumes. Should a dancer need to exchange the size of the ordered costume. The client will be responsible for all fees associated with exchanging the costume.
Soloists and duos are responsible for purchasing and altering their own costumes.
EADE is not responsible for altering costumes. All costumes must be discussed and approved by the EADE owner prior to purchase.
Dress Code:
Dancers should attend class with their hair pulled away from their face: ponytail, bun, or securely fastened.
For all dance classes, dancers should wear form-fitting dance attire and the appropriate shoes.
Shoes: Ballet class requires ballet shoes. Tap class requires tap shoes. HipHop requires black, light-weight sneakers. All other technique classes and choreography rehearsals require paws, twylas, jazz shoes, or performance dance socks. Street ankle socks are not allowed during dance class.
Dancers will not be permitted to participate without the proper attire and shoes.
Trading Floor Showcases:
Elite Dancers will perform on the Trading Floor in May and on the Trading Floor in January. This is an opportunity to showcase the dancer’s dance knowledge learned throughout the season. Dancers must miss fewer than THREE rehearsals in the fall (August – December), and dancers must miss fewer than THREE rehearsals in the spring (January – May) to be eligible to participate in the showcase. Dancers must attend additional “Trading Floor Rehearsals” in order to participate and pay a performance fee (“Trading Floor Fee”).
Included in your Trading Floor Fee is the dancer’s opportunity to participate in the performance in May, attend additional training rehearsals, wear the Trading Floor costume, access to a professionally filmed video of the End-of-the-Year showcase in May, and receive TWO tickets to the End-of-the-Year Trading Floor Showcase in May 2026.
Pathway Attendance Policy:
The schedule of studio events for this season is linked here: Season Calendar 2025-2026
EADE seeks to overly-communicate schedules in order to allow parents to prepare in advance. All pathways will receive a yearly schedule at the time of registration. The private schedule and additional rehearsals will be finalized on a month-by-month basis the 15th of month preceding the training schedule. For example, the finalized September schedule will be available August 15.
Tuition and any additional fees such as Trading Floor Fees, Showcase Tickets, Costume, Choreography, Competition fees, etc. associated with absences, no shows, or missed classes or studio events will not be reimbursed under any circumstances.
For technique classes, dancers are welcome to attend missed classes in similarly offered classes throughout the week. This allows the dancer to receive the missed studio time, but it does not “make-up” an absence. For example, if a student misses a ballet class, the student has obtained one absence. The student is welcome to attend another ballet class during the week; however, the student will continue to have one absence. (Dancers intending to attend classes outside of their age range should request approval before attending these classes).
Missed choreography rehearsals on the students' behalf will not be made-up. EADE is not required to make-up classes canceled due to sickness, school events, inclement weather, and other events outside of the studio’s control. Additional studio training can be provided by scheduling private lessons. Private lessons outside of the studio’s normal working hours will require an additional fee.
Missed choreography caused by studio-decided scheduling conflicts will be made-up and scheduled in advance.
Absences: EADE will proceed with teaching classes without the absent students. Students who are absent will be expected to learn missed choreography and missed technique training independently. The EADE teacher will not be expected to re-teach, to reserve placements, or to make accommodations for students who do not attend class. To enhance the dancer’s team experience and ensure the safety of student performances, it is imperative that dancers attend all classes and rehearsals.
Dancers are allowed TWO missed rehearsals with no questions asked from August – December (Fall).
Dancers are allowed TWO missed rehearsals with no questions asked from January – May (Spring).
Allowed absences do not carry over from the fall to the spring.
After the THIRD missed rehearsal in the fall or in the spring, the dancer will not be permitted to perform in any EADE Trading Floor Showcases.
For Elite Team dancers, students will be removed from all competitive choreography following a third absence in the fall or the spring.
For soloists, dancers will relinquish solo opportunities following the THIRD absence in the fall or in the spring.
EADE will make exceptions with the presentation of a doctor, court, or funeral statement. These statements must be emailed to ellenalvindanceexchange@gmail.com prior to the start of the scheduled class.
EADE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TRACKING YOUR DANCER’S ATTENDANCE AND/OR COMMUNICATING YOUR DANCER’S ATTENDANCE WHEN THEY ARE AT RISK OF SURPASSING THE NUMBER OF ALLOWED ABSENCES. DANCERS AND CLIENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRACKING INDIVIDUAL ATTENDANCE.
Dancers' failure to attend additionally scheduled rehearsals, competitions, or events will result in removal from the pathway, and the dancer will be ineligible to participate in all showcase performances.
Students with the highest attendance of the season will be eligible for a scholarship at the end of the year.
A calendar of the full EADE season is provided at the time of registration.
Pathway Withdraw Policy:
All pathway dancers must notify EADE one month prior to the next billing due date (1st of the month) by completing the “Withdraw Form” if desiring to withdraw from the program. If the dancer decides to withdraw within one month of the next billing cycle, the dancer will be charged the entire month tuition in which he/she withdrew. In addition, withdrawing from the Elite Team requires removal from competitive group routines; therefore, the client will be charged a $500.00 fee for withdrawing from the pathway and releasing previously paid fees to EADE. The completion of the withdrawal form and withdrawal fee of $500.00 is required to release the client from the obligations of the agreement.
Agreement to Uphold EADE Policy:
EADE reserves the right to refuse services to dancers or clients who are unable to uphold the previously stated policies. EADE reserves the right to refuse services to dancers or clients who prevent EADE from upholding the previously stated policies. EADE reserves the right to update or revise this agreement throughout the season.
The EADE dancer will receive a respectful, diverse, individualized, goal-oriented dance education in exchange for tuition fees and cooperation with EADE policy and procedures. EADE staff is committed to uphold its policy and procedures to ensure an environment of quality dance education, inclusion, and client safety.
Summer Season
June 30th, 2025 - July 31st, 2025
2025-2026 Season
August 4th, 2025 - May 30th, 2026
Scheduling Notes
*Some dates will be determined on a month-by-month basis (such as privates). These times will be finalized by the 15th of the month prior. For example, the December schedule will be finalized November 15th for month-by-month scheduled classes.
*Weather cancellations will follow Dickson County School Closings. Cancellations due to inclement weather will not be made up.
Challenge your dance training on a competitive stage alongside a team of dancers
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