Choosing a dance studio
Lee Ann Womack sings, “And if you have the chance to sit it
out or dance, I hope
you dance.”
There is great joy in movement, plus confidence, artistry, physical training and
discipline
from learning to express through dance…all wonderful reasons to provide
your child with a dance education. When
you find a good school with well trained,
passionate teachers, your child is gifted with more than knowledge. They develop
self esteem,
sportsmanship, grace and sensitivity.
When you’re looking for a school, look at the students. Are they pleasantly challenged,
or do they look disorganized or stressed? Are there students who have been there for
years and are there classes for
advanced students?
Then
look for teachers, trained to teach. Are they involved? Do they know all the
students names? The best teachers are not
necessarily the best dancers, but they must
possess the ability to communicate, inspire and correct with a gentle hand.
A dance
education degree is a good sign, but even former
dancer-moms make great instructors for the tiniest
dancers,
age 6 and younger.
An
experienced teacher is essential to developing
proper technique in all disciplines for older dancers.
Be careful
of how they pace your child’s education.
Often teachers push young dancers into pointe shoes
before their
bodies are developmentally ready. Pointe
work done too early can lead to major injuries and
development issues,
as well as really bad dance habits.
Corrections are an essential part of a dance education. Positive reinforcement is very
motivating
to young dancers as is goal setting and recognition of accomplishments.
Is the studio inviting and child appropriate?
Are there scarves, bean bags, etc…for
young dancers? Is there a variety of engaging and lively music and a variety
of dance
styles to provide a balanced dance education? Are the students excited? While technique
is essential to
a dancer’s development, there must also be joy.
Are there performance opportunities for ALL dancers, not just the most experienced?
Having no performance is like practicing for the big game and never getting to play.
Quality schools integrate all
the technical skills in the curriculum for the level and
style of dance into a well choreographed dance for an end of
the year performance
which becomes a celebration of the accomplishments of the year. Done right, it is a
wonderful
experience that builds a tremendous sense of accomplishment, perseverance,
and appreciation for hard work! And short,
tightly presented recitals keep the audience
happy too.
Dance skills carry you through a lifetime, so as Lee Ann Womack says, “I hope
you dance!”