Page 6 How To Guide • Thursday , March 13 , 2025
pressnews . com
How to ...
Choose a Dance Studio
Dancing is an excellent activity for young and old alike , but choosing an appropriate dance environment can often seem to be an intimidating experience . How do you shop around for the right school ? What are some of the questions to be asked ? What is available in your community ?
Evaluate Your Needs
To begin , you should evaluate your needs and desires . Ask yourself “ what do I want from this experience ?”. Are you looking for a purely recreational environment , or are you interested in a program that involves competitive or performance opportunities ? Do you think this will be a casual interest , or do you think the future holds a career in dance ? Does the studio you are considering support educational opportunities beyond the basics ? And , perhaps most importantly , does the studio embrace your own particular standards and values ? After evaluating what you want from your dance experience you will be able to find the dance school best suited to your specific needs - ensuring the best chance for a positive experience .
Start on the web .
Most dance schools have websites . Here you should be able to find out general information , pricing , and class information .
Make a Phone Call
Begin your search with a phone call . How long has the school been in business ? What are the classes offered and what does the school teach ? How often and how long are the classes ? Ask about class size . Ask about student / teacher ratio . Is there a dress code ? Are their recitals or performances associated with the class ? What are the expenses involved with these recitals or performances ? Do the dancers need costumes and do I need to know how to sew and rhinestone ? How experienced are the instructors and what are their backgrounds ? What are the costs associated with this program ? Ask about the schools ballet program . A good dance school will have a strong ballet program , and therefore , technically strong dancers .
Visit the Studio
Next you can visit the studio . Just because you saw it on TV does not mean that is what a dance studio is really like . TV shows are designed to have drama . Dance studios are designed to build confidence , self-esteem , coordination , and friendships along with dance skills and techniques . Is the staff courteous and well informed ? Are the songs and costumes age appropriate ? Watch some of the advanced students . Do they knock your socks off ? Do you feel comfortable at the studio ? Talk to other parents who are there . Get a feel for the atmosphere at the school . Is it a positive envornament that will nurture your childs dance development ?
As you search for the perfect dance experience , please use this article as a starting point . Ask around . Some schools will offer basic classes in different styles ranging from tap , jazz & ballet to hip hop , creative movement and lyrical . Other schools may specialize in ballroom , ballet , ethnic dance , or modern dance . Some exceptional dance schools offer programs in a variety of dance styles , with offerings for the most casual student to the pre-professional student , from young children to adults . Classes offered by these studios range from the most basic of introductory movement classes to intensive individualized programs of coursework designed for students who wish to go on to a professional career in dance . There are many dance schools in the Metro area , catering to a variety of different dance styles and levels of interest - it is almost certain that one will be the perfect match for you .