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STUDENT POLICIES

WELCOME!

WELCOME TO BRAVO ACADEMY!

Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts is committed to providing high quality performing arts education to students of all ages and levels. Our mission is to inspire artists, create music and help students realize their dreams!  We provide a creative and inclusive environment, which allows students to explore their passion and build confidence. Our aim is to assist students in building confidence through the development of skills in music, acting, and dance, and to provide a positive and enjoyable learning environment in which to practice these skills. Bravo Academy’s administration team members are readily available to parents and students to answer any questions or concerns.

ABOUT THE HANDBOOK

The purpose of this handbook is to provide parents and students with a detailed list and outline of school policies, events, holidays and school closures.

BRAVO ACADEMY ACADEMIC YEAR

Private lessons operate on a 36 (Monday) or 38 (Tuesday-Saturday) lesson academic year. This is broken down into four terms. Private Lessons are held from September through June.

Group programs are held in four sessions, Fall (September-December), Winter (January-April), Spring (April-June), and Summer (July-August).

Troupe programs are a year-long program, September through April/May. The program is broken up into two terms, with one performance in the fall and one in the spring.

STUDENT’S CORNER

Student’s Corner is a password-protected area of our website for students involved in our Troupes. In Student’s Corner, you will find class schedules, show information, teacher contact details, and other important information pertaining to your program. Students are expected to check Student’s Corner on a regular basis. Please find the link for Student’s Corner in the upper-right-hand corner of the Bravo Academy homepage.

CUSTOMER PORTAL

The Customer Portal is a password-protected section of our website where families can update and check their accounts, class details, school policies, the calendar and print out receipts. Please find the link for the Customer Portal in the upper-right-hand corner of the Bravo Academy homepage. To access your account, enter the e-mail used upon registration, and it will prompt you to create your own password.

HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Bravo Academy is closed on all statutory holidays. Lessons that fall on Statutory holidays will be made up by each instructor.

2022/23 School Year
Labour Day – September 5 – NO CLASSES
Lessons Begin – September 6
Thanksgiving Day – October 10 – NO CLASSES
Winter Private Lesson Recital – TBD
Private Lesson Makeup Week – Dec 19-23
Winter Break – December 24 – January 6 (inclusive) – NO CLASSES
Classes Resume – January 7
Family Day – February 20 – NO CLASSES
March Break – March 13-19 (inclusive) – NO CLASSES
Good Friday – April 7 – NO CLASSES
Easter Monday – April 10 – NO CLASSES
Victoria Day – May 22 – NO CLASSES
Spring Private Lesson Recital – TBD
Private Lesson Makeup Week – June 19, June 24-30 (inclusive)


2023/24 School Year

Labour Day – September 4 – NO CLASSES
Lessons Begin – September 5
Thanksgiving Day – October 9 – NO CLASSES
Winter Private Lesson Recital – TBD
Private Lesson Makeup Week – Dec 19-22
Winter Break – December 23 – January 5 (inclusive) – NO CLASSES
Classes Resume – January 6
Family Day – February 19 – NO CLASSES
March Break – March 11-17 (inclusive) – NO CLASSES
Victoria Day – May 20 – NO CLASSES
Spring Private Lesson Recital – TBD
Private Lesson Makeup Week – June 22-23, June 25-28 (inclusive)

PHOTOS AND RECORDING

Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts reserves the right to use photographs/video material of the participants for promotional purposes such as website, brochures, displays and in-house archives (staff, students, parents). 

PARKING

Free parking is available for all students and parents located on the south end of our building. 

LOST AND FOUND

Bravo Academy will keep items left behind for a period of two weeks in the Lost and Found box. Bravo Academy is not responsible for items lost on the premises. The Lost and Found box is located in the coat/boot room of Bravo Academy.

FOOD

Bravo Academy does its best to be a peanut, nut and gum-free facility, and kindly asks students and families to refrain from bringing these items to the facility. Bravo Academy does not guarantee the absence of allergens at any given time. No food or drink is to be consumed in the studios; only water.

COSTUMES

For Group Classes and Troupe Programs, Bravo Academy supplies all main costume pieces. Students are responsible for footwear and supplementary items, as required and as outlined in advance of performances. 

FOOTWEAR

Outdoor shoes are not permitted in the studios at Bravo Academy. Bravo Academy asks that all outdoor shoes and boots be removed at the front of the school and placed in the coat/boot room. Students are responsible for their own appropriate footwear for the different classes or shows. Footwear requirements will be shared with students based on class needs. Proper footwear is essential to ensure students’ safety in musical theatre, acting and dance.

LIABILITY – RELEASE – WAIVER

Students, parents and guardians agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts and the employees and contractors, from and against all claims of injury, damage or loss of any kind whatsoever arising out of the participation in any activities associated with Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts.

SCHOOL CLOSURES & HOLIDAYS
SNOW DAY

In the event that the school is closed due to inclement weather:

  • Private Lessons will move to an online format when possible. If the instructor and/or student is unable to move online, an in-person make-up lesson will be provided at a later date and organized directly with the instructor.
  • Group Classes will be re-scheduled outside the regular class schedule.
  • Troupe Rehearsals will be re-scheduled to the best of our ability. 
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

All private lessons will be made up by a student’s instructor in the event of a Religious Holiday. Students must notify their private instructor at least 24 hours in advance of the absence to take advantage of this policy. Please refer to Holidays and Special Events above for days which Bravo Academy is closed.

GOVERNMENT-MANDATED CLOSURE

In the event that the physical building is closed by government or public health mandate, Bravo Academy reserves the right to continue classes in an online format, using Zoom or an alternative video conferencing software. No refunds will be given in the event of government-mandated closure.

COVID-19 POLICIES

Bravo Academy is subject to regulations set by Toronto Public Health to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In the event that public health measures such as masking, social distancing, and/or proof of vaccination is required, Bravo Academy will comply with all public health measures.

PRIVATE LESSONS

REGULAR PRIVATE STUDENTS

A Regular Private Student is a student who has a time slot reserved on a specific day and time each week with the same teacher, for the 2023/24 School Year. Regular students are given the opportunity to perform two recitals per year (Fall and Spring). 

TRIAL LESSONS

Students who wish to enroll in Regular Private Lessons are entitled to one 15-minute trial lesson per instrument of interest. After a trial lesson, this slot will be held for one week, after which all registration materials and payments must be received or the slot will be reopened.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT FOR REGULAR PRIVATE LESSONS

A regular private student is fully registered once the following materials are complete and submitted:

  1. Signed Registration Form;
  2. Annual Registration Fee (2023/24 – $40 per student and $60 per family);
  3. Required to provide tuition installments for the terms applicable (Term 1: Sept. 1; Term 2: Nov. 1; Term 3: Jan. 1; and Term 4: Mar. 1).
    Note: Music lessons are exempt from HST. HST only applies to dance, acting, musical theatre classes, Troupes, camps, and registration fees.

ANNUAL PRIVATE LESSON RECITALS

All Regular Private Lesson students have the opportunity to perform in two formal recitals per year held in November and June. At all recitals, students are encouraged to invite family and friends to share their performance experience. A non-refundable annual $70 accompanist fee ($35 per term) is required for all voice students per term at time of registration.

WITHDRAWAL/REFUND FROM PRIVATE LESSONS

Four weeks written notice is required if a student decides to terminate lessons for any reason. If a student must withdraw immediately, they will forfeit a fee equal to four lessons from the date of written notice. Bravo Academy will refund any remaining tuition beyond the 4 weeks. All makeup lessons must be made up by this time or the lessons will be forfeited.

For students who sign up during pre-registration (before September), a private lessons deposit of $150 plus applicable fees (annual registration fee, recital accompaniment fee) is due. This is non-refundable.

MISSED LESSONS AND MAKE-UP POLICY

MORE THAN 24 HOURS NOTICE

Regular Students can receive up to two make-up lessons per year (September – June) with more than 24 hours notice for any reason. (Note: If a student registers after Jan 1 they receive only one +24 hours notice make-up lesson. Summer Private Lesson Students receive one +24 hours notice make-up lesson.) If a make-up lesson is not possible, the fee for the lesson will not be refunded. If a student misses or needs to cancel a scheduled make-up lesson, another one will not be scheduled.

LESS THAN 24 HOURS NOTICE

Students cancelling lessons with less than 24 hours notice forfeit the lesson time and lessons will not be made up.

LATENESS

No lesson time will be made-up if a student arrives late for a lesson.

TEACHER ABSENCE

Bravo Academy reserves the right to have a supply teacher teach a lesson in the event a teacher is ill, absent or unavailable. If a lesson is cancelled due to a teacher’s absence, the student will receive a make-up lesson for each lesson a teacher is away.

SICKNESS

All student sicknesses are subject to Bravo Academy’s 24 hours notice policy. Out of consideration for our teachers, who are performers and educators, as well as other students in the school, we ask that students who are sick consider staying home. In the event of ongoing or major illness, please contact the administration immediately to make appropriate arrangements.

BRAVO ACADEMY EVENTS

Lessons will be made-up in the event that lessons fall the same time a student is required to attend a Bravo Academy rehearsal or performance.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

All private lessons will be made up by a student’s instructor in the event of a Religious Holiday. Students must notify their private instructor at least 24 hours in advance of the absence to take advantage of this policy.

CASUAL PRIVATE STUDENT

For students who are not registered in Regular Private Lessons at Bravo Academy, but want to take occasional lessons, the “casual student” option is available. Lessons are booked with a specific instructor based on the instructor’s availability. A casual student is not committed to a specific time slot and books lessons on a casual basis with the teacher as available. A casual student lesson time is guaranteed if it is booked with a minimum of one week notice.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

A casual student is fully registered once full fees and a signed registration form have been submitted. Fees must be paid 48 hours in advance of the lesson in order to confirm the time slot.

MAKE-UP LESSONS

Any casual lesson booked will not be made up, and fees will be forfeited if cancelled with less than 48hrs notice. If it is cancelled with more than 48hrs notice, the lesson can be rescheduled. If a rescheduled lesson is cancelled, no further time will be made up, and fees will be forfeited.

COACHINGS

Bravo Academy offers individual coaching sessions in voice, acting, and dance, for all Group Class, Troupe Program, and Regular Private Lesson students. These sessions must be booked through Administration and paid in advance. Fees are available upon request, and differ by instructor and length of coaching session.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

Coaching is confirmed once the following actions have occurred:

  1. Contacted administration and confirmed instructor and time availability.
  2. Payment has been received.

Payments can be made cash, cheque, or credit card. Fees must be paid 48 hours in advance of the coaching in order to confirm the time slot.

MAKE-UP LESSONS

Any coaching booking will not be made up, and fees will be forfeited if cancelled with less than 48hrs notice. If it is cancelled with more than 48hrs notice, the lesson can be rescheduled. If a rescheduled lesson is cancelled, no further time will be made up, and fees will be forfeited.

VIRTUAL LESSONS

Bravo Academy is committed to maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students. As we have made the transition to online learning, we’ve experienced so many wonderful moments with our students and staff! We are excited to continue the learning in this format and to be able to support our students in their continued performing arts education.

HOW WE'RE USING ZOOM

All our Virtual Lessons will be held over Zoom. Each class has a unique link and password to keep your meetings private. We have enacted a number of extra security features to maintain your privacy such as:

  1. Disabling the chat function that allows users to chat with each other privately; students may only chat with the meeting host (either an instructor or Bravo Academy administrator).
  2. Disabling the option for meeting participants to change their display name.
  3. Creating a waiting room so that only approved participants may enter the meeting.
  4. Disabling the option for meeting participants to record their own copy of the lesson.
  5. Enabling the option for the meeting host to “lock” the meeting room, which does not allow any new participants to join the meeting once it has started.
  6. Enabling the option for the meeting host to expel a participant from the meeting if necessary.
  7. Enabling the meeting host to mute participants or turn off participants’ videos.
  8. Disabling the option for meeting participants to share their screen or computer sound during the lesson.
  9. Recording lessons for safety and quality control.

SUPERVISED ACCOUNT CREATION

Personal Zoom accounts, which are required to participate in Virtual Lessons, must be created and administered by a parent or guardian. Students under the age 18 may not create a Zoom account, based on the terms of service laid out on zoom.us. 

BEST PRACTICES FOR USING ZOOM IN YOUR HOME
  1. Set up your lessons in a supervised area, as opposed to a closed room. This allows parents to easily monitor their children’s learning.
  2. Clear the immediate area around your device to allow for a neutral background.
  3. Show your child how to turn off their microphone and video, should they wish to do so at any time.
  4. Make other family members aware that your child will be participating in a Virtual Lesson, so they may avoid appearing in the background, if desired.
  5. Talk to your children about appropriate conduct in a Virtual Lesson. Bravo Academy has a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate language and behaviour, included but not limited to swearing, discriminatory language, adult or discriminatory images, or any other conduct deemed inappropriate for participants under the age of 18. Any such conduct will result in the student’s removal from the Virtual Lesson.

GROUP PROGRAMS

Please note: group program policies do not apply our Advanced Musical Theatre Troupe Programs. Please see our Troupe Program policy section.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

A student is fully registered in a group program once the following materials are complete and submitted:

  1. Signed Registration Form OR completed Portal registration
  2. Annual Registration Fee (2023/24 $40 per student or $60 per family plus HST);
  3. Program fee(s) are paid in full at the time of registration.

GROUP PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL POLICIES

Written notice is required for all group program withdrawals. Any student who wishes to withdraw from a group program before the first day of class may apply their account credit to another class or private lessons, provided they enrol in the new program within the same school year.

Refund policies:

  1. Withdrawal before first day of class: A refund, minus an Administration Fee of $20 and the Annual Registration Fee of $40, will be available.
  2. Withdrawal before the second class: A refund, minus the fee of one class, an Administration Fee of $20 and the Annual Registration Fee of $40, will be available. Note: No refunds will be issued after the second class of the session.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is an important factor in all of our group programs, as all productions are ensemble-based, and each student carries an equally important weight in the show. It is recommended that students not miss more than two classes per session.

 

1) Students should arrive dressed and ready to start class on time;

 

2) If a student will be away or late for a class, we request that the student call or email the school prior to the class so that adjustments can be made to the rehearsal schedule.

Note: Bravo Academy reserves the right to cancel any group class or camp due to insufficient enrollment. All tuition fees will be fully returned to the enrolled families.

SUMMER AND MARCH BREAK

SUMMER & MARCH BREAK CAMPS

All payments for camps are required in full in order to hold a space. 

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY
All payments for camps are required in full in order to hold a space. Written notice is required for all Camp withdrawals.
  1. If a student withdraws from a camp eight weeks in advance of camp start date they will receive a refund minus a 5% non-refundable administration fee.
  2. If a student withdraws from a camp four weeks in advance of camp start date they will receive a refund minus a 15% non-refundable administration fee.
  3. If a student withdraws from a camp two weeks in advance of camp start date they will receive a refund minus a 30% non-refundable administration fee.
  4. No refunds are issued if a student withdraws with less than two weeks to the start of the camp.

SUMMER PRIVATE LESSONS

Summer private lessons are available through July and August. Please contact Bravo Academy Admin at admin@bravoacademy.ca for more information.

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY

All lessons purchased must be used between July 4th and September 3rd, 2023. Students must notify their teacher with at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel a lesson.

MAKE-UP LESSONS

Summer Private Lesson Students receive one +24 hours notice make-up lesson. If a make-up lesson is not possible, the fee for the lesson will not be refunded. If a student misses or needs to cancel a scheduled make-up lesson, another one will not be scheduled. All make-up lessons for the Summer must be used between July 4th and September 3rd, 2023.

INTENSIVES

INTENSIVE WITHDRAWAL POLICY

All payments for intensive programs are required in full in order to hold a space. Note: A fee of $20 will be charged for all NSF cheques.

Written notice is required for all withdrawals. If an artist withdraws more than 30 days prior to start date of the program they will receive a refund minus a $50 non-refundable administration fee. No refunds will be issued to any artist if they withdraw 30 days or less from the start date of the program.

ADVANCED MUSIC THEATRE TROUPE PROGRAMS

REGISTRATION
  1. Upon acceptance into the program, Bravo Academy requires a completed registration package which includes:
     A non-Refundable Annual Registration Fee of $ 40+HST 
  2.  Required tuition paid in full, and;
  3.  Provide a valid credit card for the remainder of the year’s tuition, to be charged on November 1st, 2023.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

Withdrawing from the fall production (2023/24)

1. Before June 30th, 2023: Refund minus Annual Registration Fee and $200 deposit.
2. After June 30th, 2023: No refund provided.

Withdrawing from the spring production (2023/24)

1. Before November 1, 2023: Remainder tuition will not be charged on November 1.
2. After November 1, 2023: No refund provided after tuition has been charged.

Your November 1, 2023 tuition payment will be automatically billed to the credit card on file. Written notice is required for all Troupe program withdrawals. Tuition fees are not transferable to other programs.

COSTUMES

All major costume pieces will be provided by Bravo Academy. Students may be asked to bring in various items (for example white dress shirt, black pants, khaki pants, leggings, hosiery, etc.) A list of which will be provided for each production. Students should be expected to provide an all-black “base” that will be worn under all their costumes: black t-shirt, black leggings or pants, and black shoes, with no logos or markings.

FOOTWEAR

Students are responsible for their own proper footwear. The administration will notify students regarding proper performance footwear, which may include jazz shoes, character shoes, tap shoes, or sneakers. Students must bring a change of (indoor) shoes to wear during rehearsal, suitable for movement.

HAIR AND MAKEUP

As part of the costuming process, participants will be given specific instructions as to how their hair should be styled for each show. Each student must provide their own makeup for sanitary reasons.

ATTENDANCE

It is mandatory that all students arrive dressed and ready to start class on time. Students must attend all classes. If a student will be away or late for a class, it is the student’s responsibility to call or email the school prior to the class so that adjustments can be made to the rehearsal schedule. Students may be required to book coaching with an instructor to learn the material missed in class. All coachings are an additional fee. A student may no longer be in a specific number if they miss a major choreography or staging rehearsal and they are not able to catch up before the following class. If a student is repeatedly late or misses two or more classes in a session, they may not be able to continue with the program and take part in the final performances (at the discretion of the artistic team).

Students will be notified in advance of all Sunday rehearsals which will occur throughout the school year. Any Sunday rehearsals which you are called to are mandatory.

REHEARSAL

Rehearsal schedules are posted online on the Student’s Corner section of our website. The Troupe programs run at an advanced level and in order to maintain a high-quality program students are expected to:

  1. Have lines memorized before each rehearsal
  2. Have music prepared and memorized for each choreography and staging rehearsal
  3. Review staging, choreography and/or music before each rehearsal

CONDUCT

Participants are expected to attend all classes with enthusiasm, positivity and an eagerness to learn. Respect for fellow students, teachers and Bravo Academy staff is very important. There will be zero tolerance for bullying or inappropriate behaviour. In the event of any serious misconduct, the participant will be removed from the program with no refund of tuition fees.

EXTRA LESSONS AND COACHINGS

It is highly suggested that all Troupe students consider private voice lessons, dance lessons, acting lessons and/or vocal coachings due to the fast-paced nature of the program. Private lessons and/or coachings are available at an additional fee.

PROGRAMS

Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts reserves the right to alter or cancel any programs or activities. Rehearsals and showtimes are subject to change.

PRIVACY

Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts reserves the right to use photographs/video material of the participants for promotional purposes such as web site. All personal information collected will be used for Bravo Academy’s purposes only.

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY POLICY

All smartphones, tablets and laptops must be turned off or put on silent while in the rehearsal room, backstage, and during performances (unless otherwise approved by instructors if informed of an expected or urgent call). Any class instructor maintains the right to collect any item of personal technology and hold it until the end of a class. In all cases, there will be no personal technology backstage under public performance conditions. For all students, failure to adhere to the terms and conditions of the policy will result in disciplinary measures.

DRESS REHEARSALS AND SHOWS

Performances are the culmination of our hard work all year, and all tech/dress rehearsals are fundamentally important to the safety of our staff and students. Therefore, it is absolutely essential and non-negotiable that students be available for all tech rehearsals and performances. Any conflicts with tech/performance dates that are presented after casting may result in the student’s removal from the program; no tuition fees will be refunded.