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4 THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD
KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A DANCE SCHOOL
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 two dance rooms are both equipped with floating floors containing a high density
foam under the floor surface. One floor is a finished hardwood floor, the other is covered
with a marley top surface. 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 sizes to ensure personalized interaction between the
instructor and the student.
3. WHAT ARE THE “EXTRAS” REQUIRED FOR THE YEAR END SHOW?
Most studios put on a year end show in a professional theatre. Students that perform in
the show must have a costume for their dance number. Some studios may require parents
to sew or make their child’s costumes, or pay extra and the parents must find their own
seamstress to do the sewing. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who
are busy or can’t sew. Most studios also require parents to purchase tickets for the recital
performance night.
Our studio ensures that parents do not have to worry about any costume hassles. Our
studio also gives each parent 2 free tickets for our year-end show. This way you as a
parent will not be faced with any extra work or expenses.
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 hasoffice staff on hand during all regular class times, so
you can get immediate assistance.
| Andrea's Dance Center 5584 Eureka Drive Hamilton, Ohio 45011 (513) 892-2609 |