4 THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW BEFORE
CHOOSING A DANCE STUDIOIf 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 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 floor tile for a studio floor.
Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries
and allow 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 6 and up) to a
maximum of just 12 students per class. With our kindergarten dance classes (ages
3 - 5) we limit all of our classes to a maximum of just 8 students per class.
3. WHAT ARE THE “EXTRAS” REQUIRED FOR THE YEAR END SHOW?
Most studios put on a year end show in a professional
theatre. We have an informal recital which you pay a recital fee of
approximately 20.00 and anyone can attend at no cost. We also have a formal recital
which is a sit down dinner and show approximately $40.00 and there is one
required and two suggested tickets to purchase(A wonderful evening for guests
and students). The way in which this recital is
conducted has made it an exciting event for parents and students for the last 20
years Students that perform in the show must have a costume
for their dance number(Approximately 65.00-85.00) Students dancing in two
numbers in their class as well as specialty classes are at the higher end. We also have a seamstress who assists us with costume
problems.
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 costumes or schedules, even if a teacher is occupied in a
class. Our studio is open almost every evening and office has communication with
department heads to get information. Parents can email questions,
phone in or stop into the office. The website provides much information as
well.
