Class Information

Classes are held twice a week at the Skyview Middle School dance room.

Mondays 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Thursdays 6:00-6:45 p.m.

1100 Heron Ave N
Oakdale, MN 55128

Class Etiquette

Rhythmix tap team dancers should…

  • Follow the uniform policy

  • Go to the bathroom before class starts

  • Arrive before 6:00 p.m. (dressed, hair up, ballet shoes on, ready to focus)

  • Bring your tap shoes into class

  • Write your name or initials on the inside of your shoes

  • Call your teacher Ms. Susan

  • Work hard and stay focused during class

Rhythmix Rules

1. Be Kind
2. Be Safe
3. Listen

Rhythmix families should…

  • Teach your dancer the etiquette

  • Call the teacher Ms. Susan

  • Stretch and practice with your dancer at home

  • Check your family file folder every week outside the dance room door

  • Check the website (rhythmixtapteam.com) for information

  • Ask questions

  • Attend the first class of the month for observation time at 6:35 p.m.

  • Wait quietly in the hallways and clean up after yourself.

  • Remain in the fitness hallway unless you go to the restroom and supervise your children in Skyview Middle School, performances, and competitions.

  • Drop off and pick up your dancer at the dance room door.

Rhythmix Policies

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for Rhythmix tap team dancers. When children miss a class, they must get caught up on the skills and choreography already taught. This takes up class time away from those dancers who do not need a review. As a result, the class progresses more slowly.

A dancer will be considered tardy if they have not arrived by the time class starts.
A dancer will be considered tardy if they are not in uniform.

Two tardies = 1 absence

Parents/Guardians must contact Susan Peterson before 5:00 p.m. by phone, text, or email if a dancer is going to be absent due to illness or injury.

  • State your name and the dancer’s name

  • Give a reason for the absence.

Phone: 651-442-8272 Email: Rhythmixtapteam@gmail.com

Not contacting Susan Peterson and not attending class will result in 2 absences.

If you have a family event or vacation planned, please contact Susan Peterson at least 2 weeks in advance.

Dancers have a total of 49 classes which equals only 36.75 hours. Dancers who miss more than 4 classes will be declared ineligible and will be unable to attend the upcoming performances, events, and competitions with the team. Families will be responsible for paying any outstanding balance due plus a $250 fee for Susan Peterson having to rework and re-block the routine. Dancers may choose to continue to attend classes and learn along with their peers.

If the dancer becomes injured, the parent/guardian agrees to take them to a physician or chiropractor for an evaluation upon the onset of the injury and will provide written results of the evaluation to Susan Peterson within 2 weeks of the onset of the injury.

If the dancer is unable to participate in the Rhythmix tap team due to ongoing illness or injury the parent/guardian agrees to pay 50% of the tuition due during the duration the dancer is unable to participate.

Uniforms

To learn proper technique, teachers need to see the shape of the dancers’ bodies. Covering up with loose, baggy, street clothes can hide arms and knees that bend, ankles that sickle, backs that curve, and other unsafe, improper dance alignment.

Dancers who do NOT follow the uniform policy guidelines …

  • The 1st time, a verbal reminder will be given in class to follow the uniform policy for the next class and a tardy will be given for that class.

  • The 2nd time, families will discuss the uniform policy guidelines with Ms. Susan and a tardy will be given for that class resulting in one absence.

  • The 3rd, 4th, 5th and so on time, a verbal reminder will be given in class to follow the uniform policy for the next class and a tardy will be given for that class.

Dancers are required to purchase specific shoes and uniforms before the first day of class. Wearing uniforms promotes a sense of belonging to a group. There are no competition or feelings of inadequacy when everyone is dressed the same. Dancers will be required to purchase the following items from Amazon before the first class on October 2,2025.

Shoes

Tan Stelle Tap Shoes for Girls Boys Patent Leather Detachable Bow Dance Shoes (Toddler/Little Kid/Big Kid)  $22

Tan RoseMoli ballet shoes for girls/toddlers/kids/women, leather yoga shoes/ballet slippers for dancing  $10

If a dancer outgrows their shoes during the season, another pair of shoes must be purchased. Dancers’ shoes need to fit correctly. Wearing shoes that are too big or too small will not allow a dancer to learn the proper technique regardless of their age.

While wearing shoes a size too big, the dancer will have to compensate by moving their foot in a different way to slide their foot forward or backward. Doing this repeatedly week after week, dancers will learn the incorrect way to move their feet and in turn to perform their steps. If your shoes are too big or too small, you will need to get different ones.

Shoes should fit snug with little room in the toes. Dancers should be able to point their feet/stretch their ankles easily. When placing the tip of the toe on the floor the foot should not slide down.  When standing flat you should not be able to stick your finger in the back of the shoe.

Monday Uniform

  • Purple Heart MOLLDAN gymnastics leotard for girls dance biketard Unitards 2 pack tumbling outfits for kids (purple heart and purple butterfly) $15

  • OPTIONAL: pink footed tights (thin plain)

  • Socks – coordinating ankle or no-show socks

NO UNDERWEAR

Thursday Uniform

  • Purple Butterfly MOLLDAN gymnastics leotard for girls dance biketard Unitards 2 pack tumbling outfits for kids (purple heart and purple butterfly) $15

  • OPTIONAL: pink footed tights (thin plain)

  • Socks – coordinating ankle or no-show socks

NO UNDERWEAR

If a dancer outgrows their uniform during the season, another uniform must be purchased.

Dancers do not wear underwear with their tights or dance wear. Underwear bunches up under snug fitting clothes, it sticks out in the legs and it shows, it can pull down the dance wear, and it creates a streamline look that aligns with the aesthetic. It is more comfortable with them off.

Hair

Dancers must wear their hair up in a neat style. French braids, high ponytails, buns, or other up-dos need to be worn to keep the hair out of their face and off their neck.  NO low ponytails or loose braids.  Secure your hair back away from your face with no loose or wispy hairs that could fall in your eyes.

Dancers with short hair should clip hair away from their face.

NO, NOs

  • Underwear (dancers wear leotards, biketards, and tights in place of underwear)

  • Jewelry – unless stud earrings are needed

  • Street clothes of any kind

  • Street shoes

  • Costumes

  • Hats

  • Gum

Observation

Families will be invited into the last 10 minutes of the first class of each month. This is a time to observe what your dancer has been learning and receive any important information. Having parents/guardians see what they’ve learned is an important part of the learning process. Participating in and encouraging your dancers are very important for their mental health. They need your support to grow!

When the teacher invites you into the dance room, you will need to turn off or silence your cell phones. Street shoes are not allowed on the dance floor. Dirt and moisture make the floor’s surface dangerous for the dancers. Please remain on the carpet.

No children are allowed during observation time. Squirmy, wiggly, loud siblings are distracting and make it very difficult for the dancers to concentrate. It is also problematic for the teacher to talk over fussing babies or toddlers calling out for their siblings.

Photos and Videos

Video recording and picture taking are not allowed without prior permission.

Rhythmix tap team’s policy is that no one except staff is allowed to take photos or video tape dancers during class without prior permission of the participating families. This is to protect the identity and privacy of each dancer participating in the Rhythmix tap team. Please talk to your teacher regarding permission to take photos or record videos. 

Families may video tape the tap routine during the observation days in January, February, and March only.

Family File Folders

Each family has a family file folder provided for them in the box outside the dance room. Folders are alphabetized by the dancers’ last name. This is a one-way communication from Susan Peterson to our dancers’ families. Please check and remove all the papers in your folder every week. 

Do NOT leave papers, payments, or other things in your file folder.