Dance is a shared discipline. When one dancer is present, prepared, and respectful, the whole class moves forward together. Everything below exists for that reason.
Please read through these policies with your family before the program year begins. If anything is unclear, we would much rather you ask than guess.
1: Attendance
Your commitment to class is invaluable. At IDTC, we learn and progress together, and when a dancer misses a session, the pace slows for everyone else while we review steps on their return. For that reason, attendance at every scheduled class is mandatory.
We are not unreasonable about this. Life happens, and sometimes missing class is genuinely unavoidable. If you have to miss class for health, family, or other personal reasons, please post a message to your class WhatsApp group, ideally at least 24 hours in advance.
“I’m sick,” “I have car trouble,” and “there’s a heavy thunderstorm” are all perfectly valid. “I forgot about class” is not.
We ask you to stay mindful of the schedule and to try your best to make it to every class.
2: Attendance FAQs
Is this a month-to-month class?
No. Our full dance program runs from the first week of August to the last week of May. You pay monthly, and we kindly ask that you commit to the full year so that you get the most out of the experience and the whole class can progress together.
What if I know in advance that I am going to miss a class?
Let your teacher know ahead of time. We can often help you catch up with video of what was covered, or with a private lesson if time allows. We can also pair you with a classmate who was present, or offer a makeup class at your training level if there is space.
What is your general policy on makeup classes?
Missing a class is a setback, and because we usually cover something unique each week, we cannot always offer an exact makeup lesson. Depending on space, we may suggest you join a different class at a similar level to keep your body moving. You will still need to find time to catch up on the specific material you missed.
What if I know in advance that I am going to miss at least four classes?
In special cases, we may be able to schedule 15 minutes of private instruction for every hour of class missed. This depends on your attendance record, your general attitude in class, the teacher’s availability, and the reason for the absence. Health and personal reasons we understand completely. A planned vacation that was “just forgotten about” may not qualify. Please also note that missing this many classes can affect your participation in the annual GUNJAN recital.
Do I still get charged for missed classes?
Yes. You will be charged for every scheduled class, whether or not you attend, so we encourage you to make it to each one. If a class is cancelled by the teacher, you will not be charged and your fees will be adjusted accordingly.
Can you provide a video of what I missed?
We can provide video instruction, though it is not a suitable replacement for being in the room. Learning steps in class is how you absorb the intricacies of a routine, including spacing, position, and the timing of each transition. What you believe you have learned from a video often needs correcting in later classes, which takes time away from new material. We prefer you use video for practice rather than for learning.
3: Classroom Etiquette
Proper dance etiquette is one of the most important things any dancer learns. At IDTC, we follow the same universal conventions used by major dance programs and professional companies. Let us keep our studio a positive place where everyone can make progress.
Namaskaar
We begin and end every class with Namaskaar, a time-honored practice in Indian classical dance. It is how we offer prayer and receive blessings from God, Guru, and audience before and after a performance.
As in all traditional Indian art forms, Namaskaar places the practitioner in a state of devotion and gratitude. Through it, we seek blessings and permission from Mother Earth to stomp upon her as we dance.
The ritual includes specific movements and concludes with Guru Pranaam, a warm and respectful greeting with folded hands and a slight bow of the head. Through Namaskaar, we acknowledge one another, express appreciation, and connect with genuine feeling.
Please do not forget Namaskaar at the start and the end of every lesson.
Punctuality
Socializing and bonding with your classmates and teachers is important, and we encourage it. It should not eat into class time. Aim to arrive 5 or 10 minutes early, so you have time to catch up before the lesson begins.
Kathak dancers should arrive a little earlier still, to allow time to tie ghunghroos before class starts.
Class time is limited, and lateness takes away from perfecting technique. If you know in advance that you will be late, let your teacher or classmates know through the WhatsApp group. Afterward, it is common courtesy to apologize to your teacher and classmates if they had to wait for you before beginning the lesson, corrections, or re-creations.
Stay for the Full Class
Staying for the entire class protects your own progress and everyone else’s. If you must leave early, tell your teacher beforehand so the disruption is minimal, and please exit quietly.
Preparation
Come to class excited and ready to dance. Kathak dancers should arrive with ghunghroos on, hair neatly tied back, and wearing the proper Kathak salwar kameez. Make sure you have everything you need before entering the studio.
Please use the restroom before or after class unless it is an emergency. Going in and out is distracting for your classmates and your teacher, and you may miss important information.
Studio Etiquette
Leave shoes and slippers outside the studio, and label your belongings. Valuables are best left at home so that clothing, jewelry, and other items do not go missing.
When your class ends, please exit the studio so the next class can start on time. We understand the urge to talk through what you have just learned, and we simply ask that you do it outside the room.
Parents who wish to discuss their child’s progress are welcome to send a text message or leave a written note with the teacher, who will respond as soon as they are able. Keeping to a strict schedule becomes difficult when teachers answer questions during class time. Thank you for understanding.
4: Good Manners in the Studio
Greet your teacher and your peers when you arrive. Show appreciation for corrections and apply them with enthusiasm. Avoid interrupting during instruction, and save questions until your teacher has finished explaining.
Focus and attention. Keep your attention on the teacher and on your own movement. Avoid talking, yawning, and leaving class early without permission.
Positive attitude. Be kind, respectful, and supportive toward your classmates in the studio and in the dressing room. Negative comments, temper, and rudeness will not be tolerated. Where behavior raises concerns, your teacher reserves the right to ask you to leave.
General notes. Keep your belongings neat, in your dance bag, and off the floor. Eating, drinking, and chewing gum are not allowed in the studio. Please put any rubbish in the trash bin.
Focus and Listen
Give your undivided attention to the teacher during instruction, and refrain from talking while they are explaining or demonstrating. If you have a question, listen carefully first, since the answer often arrives during the session. If it does not, wait for an appropriate moment to ask.
Ask Questions and Seek Clarity
Stay present, quiet, and engaged. We ask for politeness and respect, and we also want you to feel entirely free to ask. Your teacher is there to guide and mentor you. If you do not understand an instruction or a correction, raise your hand and wait for your turn to speak. You can learn a great deal from the questions your peers ask, so treat those moments as opportunities too.
Practice Mindful Spatial Awareness
Be aware of your surroundings and of your own body as you dance. Some classes get crowded, so give others plenty of room and avoid bumping into classmates. If you are unsure of the choreography, position yourself toward the back. As the class progresses, you will be split into smaller groups with more space to move freely.
Be Courteous and Respectful
Show appreciation for your teacher’s guidance and your classmates’ company with a round of applause at the end of class. Let us begin and end every session in a spirit of gratitude, cooperation, teamwork, and friendship.
Try Your Best
Give 110 percent, always. Even if you find yourself in a class above your current level, never walk out or sit down in frustration. Hang in there and give it everything. No one can fault you for that, and remember that practice makes progress.
5: Dress Code
Wear modest clothing that is comfortable, that gives you confidence, and that shows you at your best. Choose attire that lets your teacher clearly see your body movements. Makeup is optional. Hair should be kept neat with ties and headbands.
Kathak students should always wear their Kathak uniform or salwar kameez. Ghunghroos should always be worn in class. Chunni or dupatta is optional, and we highly encourage it.
Bollywood students should wear Indian clothes and avoid long skirts that hide leg movement. A salwar kameez is one of the best options.
6: Ghunghroo Etiquette and Care
Ghunghroos are the bells tied around the ankles. They are an essential part of Kathak and deserve proper care and respect. For Kathak dancers, wearing them to every class is mandatory.
Ghunghroo blessing. Traditionally, new ghunghroos are presented to the Guru for a blessing ceremony involving Ganapati and Saraswati puja. The Guru applies haldi-kumkum to them, and then teaches you how to wear them.
Daily ritual. Before putting your ghunghroos on, take blessings from your Guru by offering them with folded hands. Gently touch them to your forehead as a sign of respect, in the same way you would receive prasad. Repeat this at the end of class before returning them to their bag.
Care. Store your ghunghroos in a dedicated bag to keep them clean and protected. Do not wear shoes or slippers while wearing them, and avoid wearing them into restrooms.
There are no punishments for not observing these traditions. Learning them, understanding them, and respecting them is how the tradition of the instrument stays alive.
7: Social Media and Filming
Please do not film during class without explicit permission from your teacher and your classmates. The studio is a safe and supportive space where you are meant to explore, make mistakes, and improve. Even with the best intentions, sharing class footage on social media can create pressure and a sense of judgment for your peers.
If your teacher selects you to perform choreography for the studio’s social media, treat it as an honor and as a valuable chance to strengthen your performance skills.
8: Making the Most of Every Class
Each lesson is an opportunity to explore your artistic potential. Focus on the process rather than on perfection. Challenge yourself, and get involved in organizing and taking part in IDTC events, performances, and guest artist shows.
9: Fees Policy
Class Fees
Fees are due as they are posted, usually on or around the first of each month. Monthly fees are calculated based on the number of classes scheduled for that month.
Additional Fees
A $55 annual registration fee is payable in August. If you join after August, the fee is due in your enrollment month. An annual recital fee is due around January each year.
Payment
Fees help cover the costs of running IDTC effectively, and they are greatly appreciated. To view and pay your fees, please log in to the student portal on our website.
We understand that unexpected financial challenges arise, which is why IDTC does not charge late fees. If you are experiencing any financial difficulty, please contact Ruchi Lamba directly to discuss payment options.
Additional Costs
Ghunghroos, uniforms, costumes, and jewelry are not included in portal fees and must be purchased separately.
Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions about IDTC policies, please reach out to Ruchi Lamba at [insert phone number]
