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FOUR THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW
BEFORE CHOOSING A DANCE STUDIO
If most dance studios seem to have friendly teachers and a big show at the end of the year, aren’t they all pretty much the same? Does it really matter at 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 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.
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1. 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 3-12) to a maximum of just 12 students per class. With our teen and adult dance classes we limit all of our classes to a maximum of just 10 sudents per class.
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2. 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 dancer's knees and back. The best way to prevent potential injury is by choosing a studio with a professional “sprung floor”. A sprung floor is a dance floor system that gives to absorb the shock of jumping.
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.
All of our studio locations have sprung floors and a marley top surface. Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.
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3. CAN I WATCH MY CHILD IN CLASS?
Most dance schools either do not allow parents to watch classes or only allow them to watch once or twice a year. However, as with any learning experience, positive reinforcement and support from family members helps students to grow in knowledge and self esteem. Knowing how your child behaves in class and what he or she is learning helps you to encourage appropriate behavior and continued learning.
We invite family members to watch classes via our in-house television system. Every class is available for viewing using this system. We believe this is an excellent way for parents to see what their children are learning without distracting the students with additional people in the classroom.
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4. ARE THE TEACHERS QUALIFIED?
Dance schools and teachers do not have to obtain a special license for teaching. As such, some dance schools and teachers have very little training and experience. It is important to learn proper technique in order to prevent injury during dance. Having a qualified teacher with training in dance is important.
All our teachers have a bachelors degree in dance and professional dance training. Additionally, our teaching staff often work professionally as dancers and choreographers. This brings new and exciting ideas and choreography to the classroom, and our students benefit.
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