About Coach Shavaun Tonini
When Shavaun was three, she took her very first dance class in Southern California. She now have 26 years of dancing and teaching under her belt. During those years, She competed for two and now coaches a team of her own. When she was younger she took Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Hip-Hop. She has danced at three different dance studios: Cathy’s Dance, Dianna’s Dance and The Dancers Studio; all in different parts of Southern California. When She was not in the studio, She was practicing with Her high school dance team. As a part of that team, They competed against other dance teams in Southern California. On top of being a dancer, She was in theater as an actor that played major roles in a few productions; one production She played the part of Ms. Hannigan in the play “Annie”. As well as participating in the plays, She also has choreographed the dancing for a few productions.
After she graduated from West Valley high school in Southern California, she moved to Arizona where for two years, she taught an after-school program of dancing and acting for ages five to 12. With that same after-school program in Tuscan, she started teaching dance for summer programs. After living in Arizona, She moved to Utah where She was a substitute dance teacher for a studio while She went to school for aesthetics. She is now married and a mother to 3 beautiful children and loving living in North Dakota.
She opened Black Gold Dance Studio in 2019 and started a competition team in 2021. She love teaching and learning new thing with her dancers.
About Coach Ashley Mesker
Ashley was born and raised here in Tioga. She started dancing in grade school with Just for Kix. She continued dancing through high school while also Cheerleading for THS. She also was avid in Musical Theatre and speech performances and competitions. She was accepted into the Missoula Childrens theatre performing arts camp in 8th grade. She performed with them for the next 5 summers until she graduated. after high school she was accepted into the Los Angeles theatre academy in Hollywood, CA. She them moved back to Tioga and has lived here since with Her husband and two kids. She still loves to perform and dance any chance she gets. In 2023 she played Heir Drosselmeyer and Mother Ginger in the production of The Nutcracker. She started coaching Competition team in 2022 and Also became a teacher at Black Gold Dance in 2023. S
Our Story.
Our story is one of coincidence and fate. After many attempts to get our oldest daughter into dance, we felt defeated and stopped trying to get her into a studio. After talking to a family friend, she convinced us that Tioga needs a dance studio and that Coach Tonini should be the one to start it. A few weeks later, Black Gold Dance was formed and started. We started dancing at the local community center and had an overwhelming response from the community. There was a need for the Studio that we did not realized existed. It was such a good response that only after four months of having the studio opened, we started looking for a new permanent spot for our studio. There was a commercial spot in downtown Tioga that was available and we looked to get funding so we could renovate. After being awarded the REV award from the Bank of Tioga and then got funding from the City of Tioga to renovate our space. We turned an old post office into a dance studio in a month and that is now the home of Black Gold Dance. The love that Coach Tonini has for her dancer and her families fuel her to be the best dance teacher she can be. With our studio located in downtown Tioga, not only do we offer premium dance training but offer the great amenities from other local business including Red Moose Coffee Hus, Kick and Fit Gym, Napa Auto Parts, Hidden Beauty Hair Salon and others. Our goal and purpose is to provide the best dance experience for every individual that walks into our door.
Studio Policies
Dress Code
Dance Shoes are only to be worn in the studio or on appropriate dance floors, and not on pavement or concrete. This is to preserve both the life of your dancer’s shoes as well as the dance surfaces, as debris from the street can cause untimely erosion. This is also a hazard as dancers may come in contact with the loose debris while dancing, leading to possible injury.
Appropriate attire
Tiny tots- Pink ballet shoes, Any leotard, pink or black tights, hair in high bun (wrap skirt optional)
Ballet- Pink ballet shoes, Plain Colored Leotard , Pink or Nude tights, Hair in high bun (wrap skirt optional)
Contemporary/Modern- Dance paws (lyrical half-sole shoes), shots or pants and Dance top. Hair in high bun or high pony tail.
Hip Hop- Sweat pants, yoga pants, or athletic shorts, Black street shoes or hip-hop sneakers, comfortable shirt, Hair in pony tail
Jazz- black dance pants or shorts, Dance shirt or Leotard, black jazz shoes
Performance Team- Appropriate dance shorts or pants, Sports bra and dance top. Jazz shoes, hiphop sneakers, and dance paws. All 3 shoes are needed.
The Appropriate attire is required for each dance class as outlined above. All hair always needs to be out of face. And proper shoes need to be worn. If unsure if you have the correct shoe, please contact me. Please Remind your dancer that the proper dance clothes have to be worn.
Performance team will have auditions May 15th 10am to 1230pm. Results of the auditions will be posted same day. The team will consist of up to 10 dancers. Auditions will consist of a Contemporary combo, Jazz combo, and Hip hop combo, as well as leaps and turn evaluation. Performance team age limit will be 10 -18 year old. Performance team will do parade performances, Charity events, sporting events, local events, advertising events etc. Cost for Performance team includes a monthly fee as well as a one time purchase of team costume and team jacket.
Health Guidelines I understand that Black Gold Dance has to follow guidlines put out by the CDC due to illnesses( ie. covid 19). I understand that if a shut down is needed or reqired, that tuition will not be refunded or discounted
Payment Policy
I understand that tuition payment is nonrefundable
Payments accepted: Cash, Check, Invoice
Tuition is due: the 1st of the month
There will be a Late fee of $50 if tuition is not paid by the 7th of the month. With and additional fee of $50 for every week it is late.
Any returned Check will be charged a NSF/Bank Fee of $25
I understand that if Tuition payment is not received for the previous month, my student account will be marked as problem and put as inactive until all fees are paid. Student will not be allowed back to dance until all fees are pay including late fees. If payment is not received this will affect student and family from re registering for future seasons.
I understand that Black Gold Dance has to follow guidelines put out by the CDC due to illnesses( ie. covid 19). I understand that if a shut down is needed or reqired, that tuition will not be refunded or discounted
Absences are sometimes unavoidable. We understand busy schedules and unexpected illnesses. Please notify the studio if/when your dancer(s) cannot attend class. We appreciate your communication and do look forward to having your dancer in class each week.
Dancer conduct All students are expected to be respectful and disciplined in class to create a positive and professional dance experience for all students. Foul language and inappropriate clothing is not permitted. Bullying is unacceptable! If caught bullying dancer(s) will be asked to sit out of class and there will be a sit down with parents. If caught again Dancer(s) will be removed from class. We ask that Parents/Gradians of our dancers follow the same standards as our students. We ask that your Dancer shows up on time as to not interrupt the other students and be able to enjoy the full class experience. We are here to have fun and learn but Respect for the instructor and property are required. Any deliberate damage to the dance studio will be paid for by the offending party.
Tuition is due the beginning of every month no later than the 7th of the month. If paid after the 7th a late fee of $25 will be applied. Then an additional $25 for every week after not paid.
Soloist One class a month can be missed and absences after required a make up class.
Performances. There are two performances during the dance season. Our winter Recital is the week before Christmas. Our spring recital is the end of April. The dates of the recitals are on your registration page. Please make plans now so your dancer(s) will be there for the performances
Recital and Performances
I understand that Recital 2021-2022 I Recital Date: Saturday December 18th 2021 and Saturday, April 23th 2022 at Tioga Movie Theater or community center.
Rehearsal will be held on Friday December 17th 2021 at 530pm and Friday April 22nd 2022 at 5:30pm
These are Mandatory Rehearsals unless excused
*Costume Information: BGD makes every effort to select costumes of both the highest quality and value.
NO EXCEPTIONS! A costume will not be ordered for your dancer, if a payment has not been received! A $50 late fee per Costume will be added if paid for after due date.
Costumes are non refundable.
Balances due Feb 15th 2021. Late fee of $50 per Costume will be added after Jan 16th 2021
style shoes and/or colors, information will be given at time costume is administered to dancer. Costumes and sizes are carefully selected according to companies' size charts. Costumes are not custom fit and may require slight alterations (hemming, stretching and/or taking in)
*Attendance Requirements:
Beginning January 1, 2021 : Dancer's may not miss 3 classes in a row OR 6 classes of a given discipline in order to perform in the recital. If sick or Emergency please see me to discuss the absence. There are No refunds for tuition or costumes.
*Dancer and Family Agreement:
-All accounts must be in good standing to perform. Students must also attend the dress rehearsals Dancers must remain backstage in their dressing room areas for the ENTIRE Recital. -Dancers are not allowed to leave during the show-No Exceptions! Parent's are not allowed in dressing rooms without prior permission.
All dancers must respect and listen to their room chaperones and keep
their area picked up -Cheer each other on and build each other up! -Have Fun and Smile!
I understand If I Choose to pull my student from the recitals I understand that Ticket and costume purchase will NOT be refunded.
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