Does the teaching staff...
have both professional training and performance
experience?
This is important to insure that the teachers you trust
with your child have the experience and knowledge to
properly develop and educate your child in the many spectrums
of the dance industry.
Make sure that you do not have kids teaching kids. Many
studios will use student teachers as the principal instructor
for their 3 year old Pre-Dance classes. That amounts,
essentially, to an hour of baby sitting. You still want
an experienced teacher, even with a class of beginners
and young children, to insure proper training and progression.
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Is the facility a safe place...
for their training?
First and foremost to a proper dance education environment
are the floors. Make sure that the floors are raised
with adequate spring, not directly on concrete. This
will protect the child’s body and prevent many
injuries in the future.
All the ballet barres should be smooth and secured to
the wall at the proper height. Mirrors should be smooth,
clean, and large enough for the dancer to see their entire
body from anywhere in the room. All acro equipment should
be clean and of the proper quality to protect landings
and tumbling movements.
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Is there a strong progression...
from the youngest dancers to the oldest?
Ask to observe several classes at a studio to see the
development that takes place with training. The 3 year
olds start their training with a pre-dance program. Then
visit a 6 year old class to see how the training progresses.
You should observe age-appropriate games and technique
instruction that engage and encourage the children to
achieve.
By the time you get to the senior level, you should
be able to see a tremendous level of accomplishment and
achievement by the dancers. If this is not evident, ask
the directors to explain how a child will progress if
they decide to take dance on a full time basis.
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How does the studio deal with ...
different interests in dance training?
At many studios you have different levels of dance interest.
Is your child a committed dancer who wants the full commitment
of complete dance training? Is your child interested
in taking a hour-long hip-hop, jazz or tap class a week
for fun? Make sure that your child’s instructors
are just as enthusiastic when teaching the hour-long,
single-class-only students as they are when instructing
the pre-professional, advanced senior students.
Keep in mind that as a child grows, proper training
is vital no matter how many hours they attend class.
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What is your first impression...
of a studio when you walk in the door?
When you walk into a dance studio, there should be a
fresh and enthusiastic feel. Watch a class. Observe the
kids waiting for the next class. How does the staff treat
you? Both you and your child’s instincts should
count for a great deal when taking in a first impression
of a studio. Remember there are a lot of studios out
there and one might be more convenient than another,
but convenience should not be the only factor when deciding
a place for a child’s dance education.
Do your research and ask a lot of questions. You must
feel comfortable with your decision. Ask for your child
to attend a class, for free, to see if they enjoy themselves.
Talk to the teacher and the director. If you or your
child do not feel 100% comfortable with what you see,
do not attend the studio.
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Here at Dance Arts Centre
we do not
audition the kid, the kid auditions us! |
