The SCDPAC Company is a group of dancers selected by audition or placement to represent SCDPAC in our local community and in the dance industry at conventions and competitions. This is a group of talented and dedicated dancers that have a PASSION for DANCE. Our goal is to develop skilled dancers through technique, teamwork, discipline and above all fun. Being selected for Company is an honor and should be treated as one. Company is fun to be a part of and you are expected to work hard and fulfill your commitments.
AUDITIONS: ALL Performing & Competition  Company Auditions will take place on July 23,, 2022 from 9AM - 12PM.
Choreography for teams will start in summer or early fall depending on the Company team.  Understudies will be selected during the audition process and placed onto a Company team if they show promise.

Our Performing Company is designed for the beginning/intermediate dancer who has less than three years’ experience in competition.  This is designed for an entry level dancer to gain confidence and compete at a beginning to intermediate level.  They may also perform at local events throughout the year.  (Fairs, school functions, community events, retirement homes). They will compete at 3 competitions, depending on company placement, as well as Nationals. This Company will also be required to attend 1 convention, which will give them the opportunity to take classes with master teachers. There will be a separate 30 minute class/rehearsal each week for each performing company.  Through this company we hope that our dancers will improve in their dance technique, confidence and creativity as well as build teamwork.  

Our Competition Company is designed for the dancer who would like to compete more and has a strong work ethic, technique & commitment. They will also perform at some of the same events as the Performing Company.  Competition Company will attend 6 competitions, as well as Nationals. They will be required to do 1-2 conventions this season.  There will be a separate 30 minute class/rehearsal each week for each Competition Company.  Competition Company will be learning their choreography during the summer session or the beginning of the Fall season. The Competition Company demands more commitment from the dancer & family.

UNDERSTUDY: An Understudy is a dancer that learns the blocking and choreography of the dancers in a specific routine. We feel you have potential to dance with this Company, but are not quite ready.  Or you may have the maximum number of teams with which you can compete and we would like to have you understudy so we have a back up dancer.  Understudy dancers must attend all rehearsals and learn the routine.  You will not be choreographed into the routine, but you will be expected to know the routine.  There are different reasons as to why each dancer is chosen to be an understudy.  Choreography, technique, level, age, attendance, attitude, etc.   If you have questions, please contact the Studio Director at gretchen@sanclmentedance.com to schedule a meeting. If a dancer decides to leave a routine, either due to personal preference, injury, or illness, the understudy will be expected to join the routine and assume the position of the previous dancer’s financial obligations for the remainder of the season. If a routine is exhausted of all alternate dancer options, a guest artist, or more advanced dancer who was not originally selected as part of the routine, either as a dancer or as an alternate, may be asked to step in to the routine to continue the required competitions and performances. This guest artist or advanced dancer will be selected at the discretion of the choreographer and Studio Director.

PROBATION:  There is a 4-month probation period (Sept-Dec), during which time the dancers will be evaluated to make sure they are in the proper Company. This applies to all dancers in Company.  If the Studio Director  & instructors feel that a student is excelling or struggling in their classes, the student will be placed at a different level or be asked to take additional classes.  Remember, all students learn at different rates, and being placed in a different company is OK!  They would not have been selected for company if we did not see the potential.  The placement will be at the discretion of the Choreographer/Studio Director.

COMPANY JACKETS:  We will be purchasing Company Jackets in October.  They are required for all Company dancers.  The jackets are worn at competitions, conventions and community events.  It makes a statement as we walk into a room and creates a real team unity.  All Company students are required to wear their jacket to all competitions/conventions/shows.  Everyone will be required to purchase Company jackets with your child’s name on it in the fall at an additional cost.

COSTUMES:  Costume will be $175 this year.  A payment plan can be created so that you can make two payments in August and September, if needed.  However, all costumes must be paid in full by September 1st , 2022. We may be charging for additional rhinestones ($20-40) and extra pieces if needed.  Any pieces that are missing or damaged will have to be repurchased by the parent of the Company member.  All costumes will belong to SCDPAC for one full year, should you quit the company or are dismissed from the team.   If you quit or are dismissed, we ask that you bring all costumes to the studio immediately.

Required Items for Company Dancers - All company students are required to have the following. Check with instructor before purchasing new shoes.
SCDPAC warm up Jacket - with embroidered name ($100 ordered through SCDPAC)
Jazz classes - Caramel colored jazz shoes
Lyrical classes - Tan Half Soles
Tap classes - Black Jazz Taps  (BLOCH Lace up)
Ballet classes - Pink Ballet shoes. Black Leotard, Pink Tights, & Neat Ballet Bun
Hip Hop classes - Sneakers
Company Make-up Kit (Purchased separately and REQUIRED for all teams)
Additional make-up including Mac lipstick shade Del Rio & black mascara and/or false eyelashes
ADDITIONAL SHOES or ACCESSORIES MAY BE REQUIRED IF COSTUMES WARRANT THEM AND BASED ON THE TEACHER’S PREFERENCE.

ATTENDANCE:  Regular attendance is mandatory and a VERY important part of being in Company.  Competing teams only work well together if EVERYONE attends dance class.  When a student is absent, they miss technique and choreography.  It is to the dancer’s benefit to keep up with their training each and every week.  It makes for a better dancer and therefore stronger company teams.  If they are absent, it requires the instructors to repeat any dance material they may have missed and this can be counterproductive for class. They MUST get with another member of their company to learn any missed choreography or new techniques.  All personal appointments should be made on days without class or rehearsals.  If a student is sick, they must call the front desk prior to the start of class to record the absence.  If a student has a medical issue in which they cannot train or participate in class or rehearsal, the studio needs to know and needs a doctor’s note.  Until a note is received, you will be expected to continue the activity.  If they cannot participate in physical activity, they are required to attend class and take notes.  All students must be available the week prior to competition for ALL rehearsals.   If school activities conflict with class time, let the studio know and make-up missed classes within six weeks.  If a student is involved in other activities posing a continuous conflict, a choice will need to be made between the two. If a student misses a class and makes it up in an appropriate class, it will be excused.  Missed ballet classes should be made up in ballet only, same level or below.  Not abiding by this attendance policy for Company may result in dismissal from the Company.  Every Company class and rehearsal is crucial.  If a student does not come to classes and rehearsals, they will not perform, which affects not just that student but the entire team.  Promptness is as important as attendance, three late classes (tardy)  is considered 1 absence.  If a student is more than ten minutes late to rehearsal or class, you may be asked to do extra work at the end of class, specified by the instructor.  (Push-ups, sit –ups, barre work) Attendance will be reviewed every 6 weeks and if there are several absences the dancer will be pulled from the next competition/performance. This will be strictly enforced.

COMPANY DANCERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL COMPETITIONS.  If you are unable to attend a competition or performance, the understudy may be moved into the dancers’ position.  Please mark your calendars for all performances and competitions and plan for conflicts.  The competitions are mandatory and are non-negotiable. Dancers are also required to stay for the AWARDS ceremony.  Missing awards or a competition will result in removal from the next competition/performance and could potentially be removed from the company.

COMPANY DANCERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASSES YEAR ROUND.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  This means that once the recital is over, all Company students will be required to continue through the summer.  Summer vacations are excused absences, as we all need to take family time together.  But it is crucial that they continue dancing throughout the summer months, as this is the opportunity to really go hard at technique, rehearse all pieces for fall competitions.  Summer attendance influences class placement for fall and Company.  We also will be bringing in Guest Teachers and Master Teachers to choreograph and teach periodically, at an additional cost.  During vacations, it is important that all students stretch everyday.  Company dancers must attend 1 intensive during this summer.

REHEARSALS:  Many times throughout the year, rehearsals are necessary to prepare a new number or to rehearse for a competition or performance.  Company dancers will be expected to attend all of these rehearsals.  The week prior to any competitions or performance, be prepared to have at least one additional rehearsal.  We will let them know with as much advance notice as we can if we are holding additional rehearsals or not.  There will be a board at the studio that you need to be checking frequently for schedules.  We also post Company messages on the GroupMe app and via email for all Company dancers. When there is an additional rehearsal, there will be a $30.00/hr fee applied to your account to cover the cost of the instructors.  If a rehearsal is scheduled and you do not attend, you are still responsible for the fees.  The fees for scheduled weekly rehearsals will be rolled into your Company Fee, but additional weekend rehearsals will be charged additionally.

PERFORMANCES, CONVENTIONS AND COMPETITIONS:  The Company teams represent SCDPAC at public events. They will be required to attend all required workshops and competitions, depending on the Company you are chosen for. These conventions & competitions do have fees; so keep that in mind when committing to the Company. There will most likely be one event, performance or competition per month.  Participation in our annual Recital and Nationals is mandatory! Parents need to be at these events as well to take care of their child’s needs.  Parents and/or students shall provide transportation to and from all events. Respect to all teachers, choreographers, parents and fellow dancers is expected. Be respectful of all other competitors and attendees of events and competitions. Company dancers & parents are representatives of SCDPAC; please watch what is said at these events. Poor behavior at any event will not be tolerated and is subject to suspension or dismissal from the Company.  No jewelry, nail polish or gum allowed at any dance events.  Each dancer is responsible to bring all costuming to events; costumes, all dance shoes, 2 pairs of tights, make-up, hair products, etc.  Assigned hair and make-up must be worn with no exceptions or changes.  Encourage parents, friends and family to attend events and competitions and sit with the SCDPAC families.  Support each Company dancer through the good times & bad. Cheer each other on!  The night before a competition is crucial.  Please take proper steps to ensure the best performance the next day.  Get a full night’s sleep, eat nutritiously the night before and morning of the event and prepare mentally by going over each dance.  Every person on the stage affects the outcome of the performance, so please push to give 100%.  There is no room for a lack of commitment when they step out onto the competition stage.  Positive attitudes required!! ☺

Competitions and Recital are MANDATORY for all Company students. You will be billed accordingly.  If competition fees are not paid by the due date, then your child may be unable to compete and may be removed from Company.  You will receive a tentative schedule of all the competitions & conventions you may be required to attend. We do not receive confirmation of exact days & times until two weeks prior to the events.  At that time, you will receive a copy. If you are absent from a competition or do not attend for emergency reasons, you will still be responsible for the competition fee for the understudy to take your dancer’s place.  You need to arrive at all competitions in full hair & make-up, fully dressed at least 1 1/2 hours before your scheduled performance time.  This allows for time to give dancers enough warm-up and rehearsal before their performance. Conventions are required for all Companies.  Conventions are weekend dance workshops, where the dancers get to take classes from the industry’s best teachers & choreographers. Convention Fees are due THREE months prior to each event.

PARENTS:  Parents, please remember that when you allow your child to commit to a Company Team, you are also committing yourself.  Taking your child to class each week, to all performances and being there to support, driving to competitions & conventions, and being responsible for costumes.   The parents can also make or break the success of each Company Team.  Being on the Company Teams should be a fun and positive experience for all of us. The same attitude is expected from the parents as the dancers.  Excessive problems with a parent can also be cause for dismissal from a Company team.  We want  to create a positive experience for all.  Parents are expected to support and respect all choreographers’ decisions and choreography selections.

VOLUNTEERS: As a Company Team Parent, we ask that you help with various tasks at the studio, as needed.  We will establish committees at the studio to help make the Company team program run smoothly.  Some areas we may need help with: costume inventory, costume preparations (sewing, rhinestoning), travel arrangements, community events, fundraising, hospitality, and Team Moms.  We may also need parents to help with props and sets, security and miscellaneous things throughout the studio.  The more we come together as a TEAM, the stronger our Company teams will become.  This year each Company will have a TEAM PARENT that will assist with getting information out through GroupMe during competitions.

PHOTO RELEASE:   By accepting your position on the SCDPAC Company, you give full rights to San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center and its staff to use photos and video images of your child and all family members to use for promotional purposes of San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center only. Photos and videos may be used in brochures, websites, advertisements, and other promotional material created by the studio. Photos may appear with or without names in press releases and other print advertising.

MEDIA PACKAGE:  Charges may be added to account if a competition requires that the entire studio purchase a media package.  This would include video and photos from the event that your dancer(s) participated in.

CHOREOGRAPHER EXPECTATIONS: The choreographer of each team, solo, duet or trio may or may not be at each competition to run the routine. Choreographers will be present on days when teams are competing. Soloists & duets may compensate for their choreographer to attend at their private lesson rate.


Mini/Petite/Junior/Teen/Senior  Performing Company All Styles (PC)
Required classes:  
Jazz  - 1 class
Turns & Tech – 1 class
Ballet – 2 classes
Hip Hop - 1 class (required for minis, petites, and juniors)
Company Rehearsal (30 min/week)
Cost: WEEKLY REHEARSAL FEE $15.00 (30 mins)
Costume Fee - $175 (Paid in August)
4 Spring Competitions (Varies per competition, admin fee paid 2 months prior)
1 Convention Required  - (Additional Fee, admin fee paid 2-3 months prior)
Nationals – $100  (admin fee, Paid in May)

Mini/Petite/Junior/Teen/Senior  Competition Company All Styles (CC)
Required classes:  
Jazz/Lyrical/Contemporary - 2 classes
Turns & Tech – 1 class
Ballet – 2 classes
Hip Hop - 1 class (required for minis, petites, and juniors)
Company Rehearsal  (30 min/week)
Cost:  WEEKLY REHEARSAL FEE $15 (30 mins)
Costume Fee - $175 (Paid in August)
6 Spring Competitions (Varies per competition, admin fee paid 2 months prior)
1 Convention Required, 1 Optional – up to $260/convention (Additional Fee, admin fee paid 2-3 months prior)
Nationals – $100  (admin fee, Paid in May)