Before Choosing a Dance Studio
There are 5 main things that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives, the amount of extra work and hassles the parents must deal with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program. Here are 5 things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.
Does it really matter which school at which you choose to enroll? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!
1. What type of dance floor is used?
Dance is a very physical activity that requires a lot of jumping, which can put stress
on the bones and joints. Most dance footwear does not provided any cushioning or
support, so the shock of dance movement can place a lot of pressure on the knees and
back of a dancer. The best way to prevent against potential injury is by choosing a
studio with a professional “suspended hard wood floor.”
2. What is the size of the class?
If the dance class has fewer students in it, each child will receive more personalized
attention, learn more and have more fun. With younger students it is easier for a
teacher to maintain control over the class and make sure each student understands
the concepts and instructions. Our smaller class sizes make sure that no fundamental
concepts are being missed. A smaller class size also allows our teachers to ensure
that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique. Our studio limits
all of our classes to the appropriate ratio of students to teacher. Most all classes have
teacher assistants to help with the students.
3. What are the “extras” required for the year-end show?
Most studios put on a year-end show in a professional theatre. Parents can be
affected with extra work and expenses for making or altering the costumes. Our
Studio has a fixed rate for the year end costume so you know from day 1 how much
your costume will be. We also sew and alter our professional dance costumes with
a complimentary tailor provided for free before year-end show. This makes the year
end costume hassle-free for the parents who are busy or can not sew.
4. Is there a well-designed curriculum in place?
Dance is a very technical form of art. A well-designed curriculum should both
challenge and inspire the beginner to the most seasoned dancer. This balance
between a challenging yet inspiring program must contain proper technique,
sequence and terminology at all levels. The mixture of fun, creativity, energy, and
the proper music are also big factors when determining if a program has been
designed for optimal learning and enjoyment.
Our class schedule offers a broad range of popular and traditional dance forms for all
ages (3 & up) and all levels. Our school has a specific curriculum designed to create
and capture a student’s enthusiasm while emphasizing proper technique, sequence and
terminology.
We also provide the opportunity for our dancers to excel beyond recreational level.
Our “Show Team” is a vehicle through which a dancer can participate in performances
And competitions throughout the year.
5. Can I get immediate assistance and customer service?
In many studios the teacher or the studio owner conducts classes and does the
administration. By trying to do two jobs at once, the class may suffer as the teacher
has to use class time for customer service issues, or the studio may have no customer
service available if the teacher is in a class. To have a good experience it is important
to choose a studio that can assist you with details like costumes or schedules, even if a
teacher is occupied in class. Our studio has office staff on hand during all regular
class times, so you can get immediate assistance.