Campus Recreation and Community Programs - Active for Life University of Alberta

FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What do I wear to Orchesis dance classes?
 
Modern: bare feet
Jazz:  jazz shoes, jazz sneakers or jazz oxfords
Clothing all classes: Leotards and tights, dance and/or yoga style pants or leggings without feet, or unitards without feet. Dance tops or T-shirts with a snug fit and support or if appropriate, please wear a sports bra.
NO-NOs: gum chewing, bare midriffs, hats,  excessive jewellery, underwear revealing attire and hairstyles that get in the way of dancing so pull it back!
 
May I switch into a different level mid-year?
 
Yes, you may. if you feel you need an additional challenge and want to move up a level or if you feel you want to focus more on basic technique and move down a level. Either way, please consult with your regular instructor first. Your instructor will know what is best for you and assist you in making the change.
 
What type of volunteering is expected from Orchesis members?
 
Volunteering for Orchesis is usually quite simple and not very time consuming. Examples would be:
There are more responsible roles as well. These are continuing volunteer positions and they belong to the dancers who want to help lead the group. We call this group the Volunteer Executive and the Extended Executive. These roles have membership discounts of 50% - 75% attached to them because their jobs are ongoing. Please refer to the Volunteer executive link on this website for information.
 
When I register for a full membership, am I supposed to attend both a modern and jazz dance classes each week, or may I take either modern or jazz?
 
With your Orchesis membership registration fee, you may take up to 2 classes per term of any combination of modern or jazz. For example, if you have never taken a modern or jazz class before you might register for both Modern I on Wednesday and Jazz I on Saturday. If you have danced before and you want to focus on modern you might want to sign up for both Modern II and III.  
 
What if I want to take more than 2 classes per week?
 
Some people are very involved in their dance training and may want to take a 3rd or 4th class. This can be done too for an additional charge, over and above the membership fee. Please refer to the class page of this website or the Campus Recreation Activity Guide for additional fees.
 
What does the term "Level appropriate" mean?
 
"Level appropriate" means that you should be wise and choose to take classes that reflect your previous experience or lack of it. We care about dancers and potential injuries. We want to prevent injuries from happening.
 
I can only take one class a week. Am I required to take 2?
 
No, you are not required to take 2 classes. Your membership is based on a one class fee but just as a bonus and benefit, we offer the option of a 2nd class for additional fee. Our fees are EXTREMELY cheap if you only desire one class a week for the entire year or if you choose to take 2. But we offer this as an option. The same is true for performance options. No one is expected or required to be involved in rehearsals and the Dance Motif performance. It is simply an option that is offered at no additional cost. We are a very user friendly group but obviously expect that those who take advantage of all these "options" give back through volunteerism, of which there are many opportunities.
 
My class schedule changed/I have been seriously injured/I can no longer continue dancing for various reasons. Can I receive a refund?
 
In many cases, the answer is yes, but it would be prorated and a handling fee is charged. Please refer to the Campus Recreation refund policy printed on one of the back most pages of Activity Guide. You can also find this information on-line through Campus Recreation.

 I am very eager to perform in Dance Motif this year, but I do not know what that requires. Is there an audition? And if so, when and do I need to choreograph something?

Orchesis is very accessible for dancers who want to perform. You do not need to audition or choreograph anything. You simply need to attend the choreographers' idea presentations on September 24th, 2009 at 8:10 PM to ~ 9:20 PM. Once everyone has settled in ~8:10 -8:15, we introduce the choreographic process to the all the dancers present through a Power Point program. There will be lots of time to ask questions about Motif rehearsal expectations. Then we introduce each choreographer, one at a time to talk about their dance. Each choreographer gets about 4-5 minutes to speak. When all have had a chance to speak, dancers who are interested meet them in the space and can sign up to be accepted into their rehearsal if the choreographer's rehearsal time works for them and if the dance is one they want to be in. Once you are on a list and the choreographer sees that you have signed up, they expect you to show up for the 1st rehearsal as announced. Then attend your classes regularly for training and technique and be committed to the time requirements of your dance.

Registration HELP! "The phone is always busy at the Campus Recreation Activity Registration Zone, (ARZ) and they put me on hold. If I were to fax the registration form where do I get a registration form? "

At the start of the year, and at the beginning of a new term, the ARZ is VERY busy. There are hundreds of people trying to register at the same time. Faxing is an excellent alternative since Orchesis does not take registration online.
The Fax number is: 780-492-7190
There is a registration form on the back page of the Activity Guide. The guide is also found online. Or you can go to the link at the bottom of this page for a registration form.

MAPS: "I am not familiar with the university. How do I find the E-19 dance studio?"

Orchesis is housed in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation (PER).

PER facilities are called the Van Vliet Centre (VVC) and it has 3 buildings:

1. Pavilion (PAV) often called the Butterdome because is yellow like butter,

2. the WEST building and

3. the EAST building.

E-19 is located in the EAST building of the VVC and is on the very bottom floor. If you find the Butterdome you are very, very close! All 3 buildings are connected on the bottom floor and have clear signs telling you where to go. The East building is just east of the Butterdome. Here is a printable map that you can download of the North Campus: http://www.campusmap.ualberta.ca/ and a link at the bottom of this page offers a map of the VVC. 

Links: