If most dance studios seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience teaching children and a big show at the end of the year, aren't they all pretty much the same? Does it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Yes. 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.
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 bones and joints. Most dance footwear does not provide 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 “floating floor”. A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam or rubber mounts. Both of our “full size” teaching studios have these types of floors. We invite you to stop by the studio to experience the difference a floating floor can make.
2. CAN I WATCH MY CHILD'S DANCE CLASS?
Our studio's waiting area is equipped with large windows with one-way mirrored glass. This means that when the parents look at the window they see what is going on inside. However when the children in the class look at the window they see themselves in the mirror. This allows the parents to observe without the children in the class being distracted by who is watching.
3. IS THERE JUST ONE TEACHER IN THE CLASS?
Most of our classes have “teaching assistants” that help the teacher give more individual attention to each of the students. The assistants can watch the students while the teacher is demonstrating the movement. This allows them to make sure that no fundamental concepts are being missed and ensures that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique.
4. WHAT ARE THE EXTRAS THAT ARE REQUIRED DURING THE YEAR?
Most studios put on a year end show in a professional theatre, ours is held at the Civic Auditorium every spring. Most classes also perform at other events throughout the year (Community events, retirement homes, competitions, etc.). Students that perform in these shows must have a costume for their dance number. Some studios may require parents to sew their child's costumes, or pay extra and the parents must find their own seamstress to do the sewing. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who are busy or can't sew. Our studio uses our own professional seamstress to sew and alter the costumes, so parents do not have to worry about any costume hassles. This way you as a parent will not be faced with any extra work.
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 a class. Our studios have office staff on hand during all regular class times, so you can get immediate assistance.
