If most dance studios seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience teaching children and a big show at the end of the year, aren’tt they pretty much the same? Does it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Absolutely Yes! There are four main things that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives, the amount of extra work and hassles a parent must deal with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program. Here are four things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.
1) What is the size of the class?
If the dance class has fewer students in it the child will receive more personalized attention, learn more and have 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 15 students per class. With our preschool dance classes (ages 3-5) we limit all of our classes to a maximum of just 8 students per class.
2) 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.
3) Consider what you want in a dance studio and the philosophy of the teachers / owner.
There are many excellent dance studios but not all are a good fit for every dancer. Do you want a laid-back experience with an emphasis on fun or do you want a studio that offers lots of opportunity to perform and compete? Answering that question before you begin your search will make the process of choosing a dance studio easier. At Studio III we cover all areas. We teach people to dance at every level, but to also love the experience of dance and to learn to dance correctly. Dance should be fun, enjoyable and a learning experience. Students will grow from year to year at Studio III, not only in their passion for dance but in their technique, strength and performance quality.
4) Are the music, choreography and costumes appropriate for my dancers age?
As a parent you may be concerned about what music your child is listening to and what influence it may have on them. The boundaries of good taste are crossed all too often these days. On the radio people have the option of changing the channel if they find something indecent but dance students must dance to the music selected by the teacher. We use current, popular, pop, rock, and hip-hop, but we are selective. We feel that all the music used in our studio should contain nothing that is likely to cause serious or widespread offence. Dance costumes and dance moves have been greatly influenced by the popularity of Britney Spears and other rock stars who push the limits in their on stage performances. You can buy lots of Britney-style costumes, but we prefer to keep our dancers decently covered. We teach classic dance movement and use contemporary choreography, but we never forget we are working with children.