Starfire Little Stars Company FAQ

Updated 7/27/26

We are excited you are interested in joining the Starfire Little Star Competitive Dance Team! Please read below for common questions and notes going into auditions:

How are Starfire members selected? All members are selected through an audition process, with the audition being $60. Dancers audition based upon age. 

How is a dancer selected for particular groups? Audition scores, height, age, ability and previous experience all play a part in determining routines for individual dancers. 

What are my travel responsibilities if selected for Starfire? The new season begins with the audition process. Following the selection, there will be 2 regional competitions for Little Stars. The dates and locations of the competitions will be released on or before November 1 and are required for ALL Starfire dancers as specified.  If you miss a competition, the dancer will be removed from the choreography for the remainder of the year. Each dancer must be enrolled in KDA weekly classes, attend Midwest Movement and any Master Classes. 

What should I plan concerning choreography practices? Choreography usually begins in the fall and continues through March. Choreography weekends are REQUIRED and dancers may not be excused.The number of routines a dancer is involved in will determine how many practices you will have. Choreography dates are scheduled and given to you in advance. 

What about costume accessories? Basic costume accessories are a rhinestone choker and earrings. They are required for all competition dancers and you may purchase them at any time during the season. Advance purchase is always recommended. Any tights/fishnets/shoes are an additional expense to the costume and are not included in the below estimates. Dancers are also required to have team shoes, warm ups, t-shirts and practice gear.  Details & sizings will be given when designs have been selected. Orders will be placed online.

Are we responsible for instructor travel expenses? Our studio charges a flat travel fee per year. This basically covers the mileage it takes to get the props to and from the competitions and small things (awards/parties) for the dancers each year.  We do not charge our dancers for staff expenses such as hotel rooms, food, etc. The travel fee is a flat fee of $150 per dancer for all Company members. This charge on your account is in May.  

What are my required dance classes? Little Star Starfire Dancers MUST attend KDA every week and be enrolled in 4 classes; tap, ballet, jazz & Little Star Co. Class. The 5+ program is an option if a dancer is wanting extra classes. The core required classes (excluding Company Class) will be performed at recital along with Starfire dances.

What about conflicts, whether school or family related? All conflicts that cannot be avoided (weddings, graduations, etc.) should be EMAILED to the office - office only please - no texts, calls or personal emails - as soon as you get them. If your approved conflict is not on our calendar, you will not be excused from any practices. We try to miss school conflicts the best we can. It is strongly suggested that you do not plan vacations until the competition schedule  is announced as vacations will NOT be listed as excused absences. Choreography weekends  will often hit a conflict. It is impossible to avoid everything for 30+ dancers & staff. If you cannot adjust your conflict, you will need to email the office immediately with specific times/days of your conflict. If a schedule can be adjusted, then it will. If not, the dancer will have to be removed from the routine. Absolutely no conflicts are taken for competition weekends.

What happens if I miss class? Dancers who have more than 2 UNEXCUSED absences will be at risk to be removed from the Company. All instructors are considerate of school activities, however, it is YOUR responsibility to keep your instructor and the office informed in advance. Most Company dancers have REQUIRED classes at least 2 days per week. Each dancer is allotted 2 absences per month (example: 1 Monday, 1 Wednesday) If a dancer misses 2 Mondays in the same month, then 1 Monday becomes unexcused. This absence policy INCLUDES school activities. After 2 absences for illness (throughout the year), a doctor’s note will be required, The absence policy does not EXCLUDE anything. Any absence is counted no matter what the reason. Period.

What if I quit the team after choreography has begun? If you choose to quit the team after we have started choreography, costume deposits and choreography fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. You will also not be allowed to audition the following year, depending on the circumstances.

When will I receive the competition schedule? We try our best to have it out by November 1st. 

How much do I need to plan for competition costumes? Plan on $200-$300 per costume. This is a guideline that we always try to stay around or under but it can vary. Competition costume deposits are due in October. They are $100 per costume. The balance is billed as soon as the costume is completed.

What is the policy on prop fees? If your dancer is in a routine that uses a prop, there will be a charge on your account per routine that uses that prop. This covers the materials and maintenance of the prop. Construction time is donated by our awesome prop dads.

 What about choreography fees? Choreography fees are charged per routine that the dancer is involved in. These fees are for actual choreography, instruction/blocking of choreography, as well as the travel and expenses of the choreographer. Fees are as follows:
                      ✰ Large Group $85/pp ✰ Small Group $95/pp ✰           

Is there an estimate for competition fees? Competition fees vary per competition. The fees are based upon how many routines a dancer competes. All fees are calculated for you per competition and you will be notified when they are due. All competitions charge a studio entry fee that is $25 per competition per dancer. Most, if not all competitions have added a media fee. These fees will vary based on the competition. Listed below are current competition rates but media fees have not been released yet, so look for these to increase. Media fees & studio fees are charges on top of entry fees. We also try to pay all of our entry fees by cashiers check to try and save the credit card service fees which saves you money as well. In order to do this we need everyone to pay their competition fees as soon as they are billed.  Listed below is an average guideline per competition:

Groups/Lines $70-$85 per person 

What about hair, make-up and nails for competition? Once costumes are selected, competition make-up and hair styles are chosen.You will receive notification on make-up to purchase from a local beauty counter or we may provide make up kits. Please refrain from dramatic trends/styles/colors with hair, makeup and nails. We go for a cohesive look as a team. Ideally, hair should be at least to your shoulders and no longer than your back bra strap. Nails should be bare (NO POLISH) or a french tip manicure. 

If I make the team - what happens next? You will have an approximate 12 month contract, extending from the date of auditions to the last day of Midwest Movement,  the dancer and parent will read and review together and accept the dances you were selected for in the season.  Breaking any terms of the contract may result in removal from the team.

Do you have a Payment Plan? Yes! We can make an approximate estimate of the cost of your dance season. Once you have accepted the amount of routines that you have been selected for, we can create an estimate which will include monthly tuition, choreography fees, competition fees, competition costumes and recital costumes. We divide that amount by the months remaining with auto monthly billing. You can choose to make a payment once a month, or make several payments on the amount due throughout the month. It isn’t exact - but should get you pretty close. It is strongly suggested that you begin immediately in the month of September with payments. 

What about Fundraisers? Fundraisers are great! They vary each year.  Parents volunteer to put together events and they are always optional to participate in. We always welcome a great fundraiser - but ALL MUST BE APPROVED BY KARI BEFORE YOU CAN ATTACH THE STARFIRE NAME TO IT. If someone is doing a fundraiser, we generally like to offer it to the entire team over individual fundraisers. 

Being a member of the Starfire Dance Company is an invaluable experience for your dancer. You are presenting your dancer with an opportunity to pursue their dance dreams in a positive way while providing them with excellent training in all areas of dance. Former Starfire dancers are now instructors, choreographers or studio owners, while others are working in the industry in places such as LA, New York & Las Vegas or as members of professional or college dance teams/groups. Even dancers who do not continue in the dance field, view their Starfire years with love and memories that will never be forgotten. We look forward to welcoming you into our STARFIRE family!!