Welcome!

Welcome to our dance family and the 51st season of Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio! Our staff are prepared to educate dancers in a nurturing classroom environment.  We know the first few weeks of class are a transition for our young dancers and we are here to help make this a positive experience for everyone :) If there is anything specific to your child that would help us to be the best educator we can be, please be sure to update the medical section in their student account.

Sick Policy

  • Do not come to the Studio if sick/not feeling well, suspect that you have or are positive for any contagious illness/disease.
  • If a dancer comes in sick or says they are not feeling well, they will be sent home.
  • Email or call in your absence in advance. Include your dancer's full name, class and location.

Absence/Make Up Class Policy

  • Email or call about your absence in advance. Include:  dancer's full name, class name/day/time, Studio location, optional: make up class request (if you would like to)
  • Make up classes are available in classes with openings. Students may try a new class as a make up (ie. Preschool can attend Acro 3-5, Level 1 can attend Hip Hop 7-12). 
    • Click Here for class listing. Any class with "register" next to it is available for a make up class. Submit make up class request with absence notification.

Drop Off/Pick Up & Waiting Rooms

 Drop Off/Pick Up: Arrive on time, no earlier than 5 minutes before class.
  • Cranston-front door
  • Smithfield-front door
  • Warwick-Drop Off: front door /  Pick Up: back door (red awning)
Parents line up at door 2 minutes before end of class.  Dancers will be dismissed to you at the door. For safety reasons they cannot walk to cars in the parking lot. Please leave parking lot after pickup to make room for the next class.

Waiting Rooms are available for recreational dancer parents who need to stay during their dancer's class. Drop off/pick up is most common.
  • In the event that we do not have an office staff present, the waiting room will not be open to parents.
  • Viewing of class is not available. We have Peek Week twice per season!
  • The Studio door will be locked once class has begun for safety reasons. There is an emergency exit at all locations. If you must leave during class there is no re-entry until pickup. Only office staff may unlock the door.
  • Please be mindful of class transitions. Exit the Studio promptly when your dancer is done to make room for the next class.
  • There is no eating inside the Studio.
  • Please keep personal device volume off or use headphones. 
  • WiFi not available.
  • Studio culture of positivity and respect should be upheld by all members of our dance family in the waiting room. Use of appropriate language and behavior is very important to maintaining a positive environment at CDDS.
  • Please let the dancers continue the independent entrance and preparation for class that has proven to be very successful and beneficial for their development.
  • The waiting room open is subject to change at any time during the season. This is an evolving process and we thank you for your support and cooperation.

Belongings

  • Minimize belongings brought into the Studio.
  • Dancer's name should be written in all shoes, dance wear, etc.
  • Studio is not responsible for misplaced items.

Dress Code

  • CLICK HERE for required dress code.
  • Upholding dress code is a sign of respect.
  • Hair should always be pulled back away from face and in a bun for Ballet.
  • During cold season leg warmers and Ballet shrug are optional:
    • Preschool/Primary dancers may wear light pink Ballet shrug and light pink leg warmers  to match tights (plain knit with no tassels, flowers, things hanging off, etc.).
    • Leve 1 & up dancers may wear black Ballet shrug and light pink leg warmers  to match tights in Ballet (plain knit with no tassels, flowers, things hanging off, etc.). Black leggings leggings or athletic shorts are worn during Jazz/Tap
  • Please wear easy on/off outerwear that the dancer can take off/put on by themselves.  
  • NO jewlery except small stud earrings. Please remove BEFORE arrival.
  • NO underwear under tights. Tights are an undergarment.
  • NO street shoes (shoes worn outside) are worn inside the dance rooms.

No Food/Street Shoes/Gum Chewing

  • Food is not permitted inside the Studios except when students have long rehearsals/classes they may bring a nut-free healthy snack to have on a break.
  • Gum chewing is not allowed inside the Studio
  • Street shoes are not permitted on the dance room floors. For sanitary and safety reasons and to protect the dance floors.

Toddler & Me

To uphold the integrity of our dance education, Toddler & Me classes require 1 adult per dancer. No other adults or siblings allowed in dance room. If you have multiple children, another adult must attend per child.  Other siblings/children, may not be left unattended in the Studio.  We understand childcare situations arise with other siblings, but cannot make any exceptions to these policies. Please notify the Studio if you are unable to attend and make up classes are available.

Arrival:
  • One adult and dancer enter the front door, ready for class, dancer Ballet shoes on.
  • Adult leave shoes and belongings (purses, keys, cell phones, etc.) in the waiting room

Preschool

  • Please have your dancer use the bathroom before leaving home :)
  • Arrive ready for class with Ballet shoes on inside easy on/off shoes.
    • Slides/slippers/Crocs so the dancers can wear their Ballet shoes into the studio and the ballet shoes are protected!  It is an easy on/off for the dancer when they get in the Studio.  
  • Bring tap shoes only in a small dance bag.
  • Do not bring anything else in with you.  No water bottles needed.

Primary & Primary/Acro

  • Please have your dancer use the bathroom before leaving home :)
  • Arrive ready for class with Ballet shoes on inside easy on/off shoes.
    • Slides/slippers/Crocs so the dancers can wear their Ballet shoes into the studio and the ballet shoes are protected!  It is an easy on/off for the dancer when they get in the Studio.  
  • Primary bring tap shoes only in a small dance bag. No water bottle.
  • Primary/Acro bring tap shoes and a small sealable water bottle with attached top in a small dance bag.
    • Make sure tights are convertible to be barefoot for Acro.

Level 1 & Level 2

  • Please have your dancer use the bathroom before leaving home :)
  • Arrive ready for class with Ballet shoes on inside easy on/off shoes.
    • Slides/slippers/Crocs so the dancers can wear their Ballet shoes into the studio and the ballet shoes are protected!  It is an easy on/off for the dancer when they get in the Studio.  
  • Bring tap shoes,  jazz shoes , black leggings/athletic shorts, and a small sealable water bottle with attached top in a small dance bag.

Level 3 & Level 4

  • Arrive ready for class with Ballet/Contemporary shoes on inside easy on/off shoes.
    • Slides/slippers/Crocs so the dancers can wear their Ballet shoes into the studio and the ballet shoes are protected!  It is an easy on/off for the dancer when they get in the Studio.  
  • Bring tap shoes,  jazz shoes , black leggings/athletic shorts, and a small sealable water bottle with attached top in a small dance bag.

Acro

  • Remove shoes in designated area.
  • Bring a small sealable water bottle with attached top, nothing else.
  • Full leotard and leggings required, no crop tops or just sports bra.
  • (Not in Recital)

Hip Hop

  • Arrive ready for class with Hip Hop sneakers and a small sealable water bottle with attached top in a small dance bag.
  • DO NOT wear Hip Hop sneakers outside. Shoes worn outside cannot be worn in the dance room.
  • For Hip Hop Ages 7-11 and Hippity Hop Crew recital routines, dancers need solid black sneakers. (Hippity Hop Ages 5-7 do not perform in Recital)

Musical Theater 7-11 Session Class

  • Please have your dancer use the bathroom before leaving home :)
  • Arrive ready for class with Jazz shoes on inside easy on/off shoes.
    • Slides/slippers/Crocs so the dancers can wear their Ballet shoes into the studio and the ballet shoes are protected!  It is an easy on/off for the dancer when they get in the Studio.  
  • Dancers may bring a small water bottle with attached top.

What to Wear
  • Capezio long sleeve black nylon leotard (134C)
  • Capezio transition tights ballet pink (Ballet) and light suntan (Jazz/Tap)
  • Capezio jazz shoes caramel (EJ2-C)
  • (Optional) Black knit Ballet shrug
  • (Optional) Solid black high waisted dance shorts or leggings (no writing/rhinestones/etc.)
  • Boys: White athletic T-shirt, Black athletic pants, Black athletic shorts can be worn in warm weather, Black ballet shoes, Black tap shoes, Hair pulled away from face