If most dance studios seem to have:
1. qualified, friendly teachers
2. experience teaching children
3. 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 4 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 4 things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.
What Type Of Floor Is Used?
Dance is a very physical activity that requires a lot of jumping. This 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 “spring” floor, which usually consists of a wood structure built on top of the regular floor.
The top layer of the dance floor is also an important factor. A vinyl composite “marley” floor is accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational to professional dance. Facilities such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England, and Riverdance – The Touring Show, all use marley floors as their dance surface. A marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of “controlled slip”, but is not slippery so there is less risk of slips and falls. Very few studios use professional marley floors because of the expense involved, and usually opt for a regular floor tile for a studio floor.
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 smaller classes make it 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 (ages 6 and up) to a maximum of just 12 students per class. With our preschool dance classes (ages 3 – 5) we limit the size of the classes to a maximum of just 8 students per class. In addition, most of our classes will have a dance assistant to help with classroom management, safety and learning in the class.
What Are The Performance Opportunities?
Most studios put on one year-end recital. We offer several performances during the year. The size of the show will vary depending on the season. All our performances are stress free for the students so they can feel a sense of accomplishment that helps to build confidence and self esteem. Students that perform in the dance recital must have a costume for their dance number. Our costumes are at a set price and not required for all performances. When required, our studio purchases the costumes for the students, delivers them to the students right in their class and takes care of any alterations. Parents do not have to worry about any costume hassles.
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.