4
Things Every Parent Should Know Before Choosing a Dance Studio
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 in which place you decide to enroll?
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.
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 to absorb the shock of jumping.
A high-density foam base is superior to a “sprung” floor,
which usually consists of a wood structure built on 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 tile for a studio floor.
Our studio has such
a special floating floor. It
helps to reduce the risk of injuries and allows students to dance longer
without getting tired.
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 (ages 7 and up) to a maximum of just 14 students per
class. With our preschool
classes (ages 3 – 6), we limit all of our classes to a maximum of just
10 students per class. In
addition, many of our classes have assistant teachers to help your
child.
3.
What are the “extras” required for the year end show?
Most studios put
on a year end show in an auditorium.
Students that perform in the show must have a costume for their
dance numbers. Some studios
may require parents to sew their child’s costumes, or pay extra for a
seamstress, which the parents must find.
This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who are busy
or can’t sew. Most studios
also require parents to purchase tickets and programs for the recital
performance night.
Our studio removes
the worry of costume sewing by having costumes ordered for the students
that require minimal, if any, alterations.
Also, there are no tickets to purchase for family members and
guests to attend the recital. Free
recital programs are handed out.
4.
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 hat
can assist you with details like costumes or schedules, even if a
teacher is occupied in a class. Our
studio has office staff on hand during all regular class times, so you
can get immediate assistance.