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Twelve Things to Ask When Choosing a Dance Studio


Preschoolers Dance Class

Families have lots of choices when selecting a dance studio. One of the first things many parents ask is, “How much will it cost?” But there are many equally if not more important things to consider when selecting a school. Here are a few questions to ask before enrolling your child.

1. Are the instructors qualified?

One of the first things to ask when selecting a dance school is the qualifications of the dance instructors employed there. Not all dance teachers are the same, and there are no laws governing who can teach your child and who is not qualified. So, this should be the very first question you ask. A quality dance studio will be affiliated with a state or national organization that certifies instructors, such as Dance Masters of America. Instructors can also be college graduates with dance degrees or equivalent experience in the field. There are many ways in which dance educators can be qualified, so make sure your child is in the hands of a professional educator.

2. What are the safety standards at the studio?

A quality studio will require instructors to be CPR and first aid certified. A great studio will have an on-site AED along with staples such as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit. These items should be centrally located and easy to reach in an emergency.

3. Is the goal to help students reach their potential, or to enhance the studio’s reputation?

Teachers should never force students beyond their natural flexibility or encourage ballet students to “turn out” their feet farther than their natural rotation will allow. These practices cause injury. Safety should be paramount in any extracurricular activity.

4. What type of flooring does the studio have?

A dance class should never take place on a concrete floor or flooring laid over a concrete sub floor. This is dangerous for a dancer’s joints when they jump and land…which happens a lot in a dance class. The ideal flooring for a dance studio is a sprung floor. This specially made dance floor allows some motion in the flooring to protect and cushion a dancer’s joints as she lands from a jump. The sprung floor can be covered with wood or vinyl dance flooring. (Ideal for many types of dance such as ballet and modern.)

5. Can I watch the class every week?

While it would certainly be distracting to allow parents to sit in on each and every class, there are other ways in which parents can view their child’s weekly progress. Some studios have windows into the classroom. This can be a great way to see the students in action, but also allows the students to be aware they have an audience. The best way to view class is through a monitor into the w