4 Things Every Parent Should Know 
Before Choosing a DanceSchool

Here are 4 things that every parent should consider
before deciding on a dance studio for their child:

WHAT IS THE BEST SURFACE TO DANCE ON? 

 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 potential injury is 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 no 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 studio features a floating floor that has over 700 high-density foam blocks under the floor surface and a marley top surface. Our special floor helps reduce the risk of injuries and allows students to dance longer without getting tired.

HOW IMPORTANT IS CLASS SIZE
TO MY CHILD'S EXPERIENCE?

  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. Most academic schools in the area accommodate approximately thirty students per class. In many cases our class sizes are half that of the academic schools in the area. 

• 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 their child’s costumes, or 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 takes the hassles out of recitals . We order our costumes so parents do not have to worry or spend time on a costume. Our studio also has free admission to the show. This way you, as a parent, will not be faced with any extra work or expenses.

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 studios have office staff on hand during all regular class times, so you can get immediate assistance.