Most dance studios seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience teaching children, and a big show at the end of the year, so aren’t they all pretty much the same? Does it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Yes. There are 6 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 6 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 enough 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, sprung floor.”
A floating, sprung floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of uniformly patterned sub-flooring which allows for even resiliency while dancing. This floor is built on top of a durable cushioning material to absorb the shock of leaps and jumps. Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to
dance longer without getting tired.
This is the same professional dance floor system used at the world renowned New York City Ballet.
2. What are the “extras” for the year end show?
Most studios put on a
year end show in a professional theater and students must have a costume for
their dance number. Some studios ask parents to sew children’s
costumes, or pay
extra if they are not able to do the sewing. This can be inconvenient and
frustrating for parents who are busy or can’t sew.
Our studio orders costumes from professional companies and we always work to match the artistic elements of the dance with the appropriate costume for each age group. While some studios allow students to wear just class leotards and skirts on stage, we believe a beautiful costume helps dancers get into character, have the confidence and motivation to perform their best and make their parents proud.
Many studios also require
parents to purchase tickets for the performance night. At our studio, there are
no tickets to buy, required amount of tickets to sell, or donation jars to make
audience members feel guilty. Instead, we charge a modest performance fee and
encourage students to invite their family and friends to join them for the
show. The emphasis is then placed on encouraging the dancers on their special
day and enjoying the performance.
3. Can I learn one style of dance without being required to take other types of dance?
Yes! We provide the freedom to choose from many styles of dance or to concentrate on one specific dance discipline. There are schools that require a student interested in learning Jazz or Tap to also take Ballet.
We discuss class options with
students and parents (from over 70 classes offered), then allow them to
make their own choices.
This allows the student whose interest is primarily one discipline (ex. Ballet or Jazz) to have the option of taking multiple classes within that discipline and not be frustrated by being required to pay for classes in which they have no interest.
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 that can assist you with details like makeup classes, costuming 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.
5. Are there any performance opportunities besides the year end performance?
Yes. As students become
more accomplished, they often find that performing once a year is not enough.
We offer opportunities for students to join our Junior Company I, II, III,
Senior Company, or the Wilson Dance Company. From ages 8-18, there are
different levels of expertise and involvement. Some local performances include
schools, the Toy Lift, and the Children’s Medical Center while national
opportunities include dancing at the Peach Bowl and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade. Some dancers perform only ballet, while others are
multi-disciplined and also perform Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop or Theater Dance.
Fridays After Five
6. Can I wait for my children while they are taking class?
Yes. There is ample parking and our studio has main floor waiting areas with amenities and the feeling of home. Amenities include spring water, a wisdom wall, a magazine rack with dance and other periodicals, over 60 books for children and pre-teens, toys, and areas to do homework or use your laptop computer. Convenient shopping centers are just a mile away at Forest Lakes and the new Hollymead Town Center. Stores include Target, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Starbucks, CVS, UPS Store, nail and hair salons, an ice cream store, and numerous restaurants to eat in or take out, to name a few.
and more...