Choosing a Dance Studio for Your Child

Dance classes can be a wonderful introduction to the performing arts, as well as an enjoyable form of exercise and socialization. If your child is interested in dance here are some ideas you may want to consider when choosing which studio or class to sign her up for.

The first thing you'll want to consider is very basic - why does your child want to dance? If your child is a girl and is very interested in the idea of wearing a tutu and pretty costumes, you'll want to ask about the studio's dress code. Some studios require students to wear solid color leotards and tights. This may be a big disappointment for the little girl that has her eye on a pink tutu with sparkles. They may also require very specific leotards, tights and shoes. Make sure you ask about purchasing costs so you can anticipate the costs of signing up.

If your child is interested in taking dance to meet friends or for the opportunity to dance around you'll want to ask about the structure of the class. Are the children given any opportunity to improvise or play dance games? Is free-style dance incorporated into the class? Or are the children expected to be quiet and wait their turn to dance? Are there opportunities to share ideas and dance as a group?

Your child may be an aspiring ballerina already serious about the art form. If this is the case, technique will be more important to you when choosing a studio. Ask about the format of the class and if there is a specific syllabus or style that the studio follows. Are there certain skills that students are required to learn in order to progress to the next level/class? How much emphasis does the teacher place on technique and correcting students?

Another good issue to consider is what kind of music is used in the class. Do they use classical music, a live pianist or current pop tunes? Do they vary the music week to week or use the same songs. Depending on the type of class this may actually make a bigger impact than you might think. Some children do well with repetition and hearing the same songs each week may help them with technique. Other children might get bored with the same songs, or have an aversion to country music, and a dance class with country music is the last place they would want to be.

You will of course want to know about costs and payment before signing up. Ask how payment is handled - by the class, by the month or by the semester. Many studios charge a flat monthly rate that is actually pro-rated for the entire semester. So some months may have less classes, but you will still pay the same amount. Some studios are now starting to offer "by the class" payment plans that allow you to only pay for the classes you attend. Ask about make-up classes and refunds. If your child misses a class do you still have to pay? Are there any other classes that your child could take to make-up what they missed?

For young children you will want to know about supervision. How many teachers and assistants are in the class? If a child needs to step out and use the bathroom are the other children left unsupervised? Are you expected to stay in the waiting room during the whole class or can you leave the building?

Related to supervision is the observation policy. Can parents observe the class at any time or only on certain days? Some teachers find parents in the room a distraction to the students, other teachers encourage observation. On the first day of class, if your child is hesitant what is the studio's policy regarding parents? Would you be allowed in the class for security? How do they comfort children with separation anxiety? If this is an issue your child is likely to go through and they insist on no parents, perhaps a "mommy and me" type of class might work better for your child.

Performances are another issue to consider. Does the studio produce a recital or offer any opportunities for performing? If they have a recital, are the tickets for the recital limited? How many days do children perform? You may even wish to ask if the dates are planned yet, especially if you have summer vacation plans to work around.

Another recital related issue is the costumes. What kinds of costumes do they wear and how much are you expected to pay for the costumes? Some studios allow you to purchase the costume, and you are required to pay a deposit in January. Other studios charge a small rental fee and your child borrows the costume from the studio and then returns it. Are there any other costs associated with the recital such as purchasing tights, pictures, programs, etc.?

A great way to get a feel for the studio is to ask if they have any samples of performances. Many studios have copies of recitals on DVD that you can borrow. And a few are starting to post videos online that you may be able to watch.

After your questions you'll want to actually tour the facility and look at the waiting area, the restrooms and changing area, the floors in the dance studio, the size of the dance floor and the parking situation. A comfortable waiting area may be important to you if you are spending a lot of time there. The parking situation is important because there will often be a lot of youngsters and families walking back and forth to the studio. But probably most important is the flooring and size of the studio. You want the dancers to have plenty of room to dance around and not be on top of each other. The floor should be wood or a dance surface such as marley or vinyl. You never want a dance class to be on concrete or a surface with no "spring" to it.

And finally, if it turns out the class isn't for your child, what is the studio's refund policy? Will you be refunded for classes that were paid for upfront? It may be an uncomfortable question to ask, but hearing the owner's response will give you a feel for how they communicate and work with the parents, as well as helping you make a more informed decision.

After all your questions and the tour you should be able to choose the best studio for your child. And with all the information you now have, you'll be able to prepare your child for their first class.