Choosing a Dance Studio Home

School is back in full swing, which means it’s time for afterschool activities! If you have a little one who is looking to take dance classes this year, it can be hard to find the right studio home. There are a lot of options here in the Greenville area, and receiving quality dance instruction is possible at a number of them. But it’s important to choose a dance home that will be a good fit for your child and your family, as being in the right place for you both can mean the difference between a fantastic experience and frustration.

While referrals and suggestions from other dance parents are a great place to start, remember that everyone has different criteria for what makes a good dance studio home and there are lots of options out there, so ask yourself:

1. do the studio’s values align with your family’s?

The most important thing to know when you’re looking for a studio home is whether it will be the kind of place where you and your child feel comfortable. Beyond just dance instruction, your dancer will be immersed in a whole culture when they join a dance studio family, and it’s important that the mission of the studio you choose aligns with your family’s values and your personal goals for your child, or it just won’t feel like the right fit.

Some studios explicitly state their core values on their website or in a mission statement, but sometimes you have to dig a little further to get a real feel for what they’re about. You may want to request to watch some of a class to really see what the culture is like. Don’t be disheartened if they don’t allow you to sit in on a class, as this can be a distraction for students and teachers. Instead, ask if they have the ability to allow you to watch through a viewing window or on a video monitor. Your student should be allowed to take a trial class before committing for the semester. Also, ask if they have (or check on Facebook for) videos of previous performances you can watch. Are you comfortable with the choreography, music, and costumes?

2. what are your goals for your dancer?

Are you looking for a studio home where your child can continue to grow as a dancer in the long-term? Will your dancer be focusing on only one style, or are you looking for a studio that offers classes in multiple styles he or she may be interested in learning in the future? Do you want your child to participate in competitions and what are the options if you or your child want to opt-out of competition teams?

Making sure your goals for your dancer (and his or her goals, too) align with what the studio has to offer – not just for this year, but for the future too – is an important part of finding the right dance home.

3. do they offer classes that suit your level of commitment?

Your child might want to dance every day of the week, but are you ready for that? And what about the other commitments and interests you need to juggle too, like schoolwork, extracurriculars, church, family, and friends… the list goes on! Make sure the dance studio you choose offers classes that fit your schedule and your level of commitment. On the other hand, as your child progresses and becomes more involved in dance, are there going to be additional classes that continue to grow and develop their skills?

Before you commit to a dance studio, ask if additional classes, rehearsals, performance, and practice opportunities are offered and whether attendance is required. You can also ask whether children get the chance to make up classes that are missed.

4. are they organized and professional?

When you contact the studio for information, do they greet you professionally and politely? Are you made to feel welcome and comfortable when you walk in the door? Do they get back with you by phone or email in a timely manner? It’s important that organization and communication are easy and consistent if you’re going to be trusting your child’s dance education to them for the next one to ten years (or longer)!

When you visit the studio, it should be a clean and positive environment. Do you feel good walking in the door? Do the owners encourage a good attitude towards all other studios? Do they support the dance community as a whole? The atmosphere of the studio has a lot to do with how your child feels about dance, and while positivity is contagious, a negative attitude can be really damaging to your child’s experience with dance overall.

5. what is the quality of dance instruction?

Many excellent dancers do not make good teachers. Look for dance teachers that are knowledgeable in age-appropriate dance instruction and able to teach children with different body-types, abilities, and learning styles. A teacher with an impressive dance resume may not know how to describe movement for children or beginners. When choosing a dance studio home, look for a teaching staff that is

• Experienced and knowledgeable about dance and dance instruction.
• Engaged with the students and excited to be there helping them learn.
• Enthusiastic about the studio, the classes they teach and their students.

dance without limits – quality dance instruction in a positive learning environment

Our culture is of the utmost importance to us at Dance Without Limits. We believe that the atmosphere we create in the studio is every bit as important as the dance education our students receive. Our staff of experienced teachers is dedicated to teaching our students values that transcend the studio setting, that they will apply in every aspect of their lives. Learn more about who we are and the dance classes we offer on our website, or you’re welcome to stop by the studio or give us a call Monday through Thursday, 3-8pm.

Looking for a dance studio home in the Greenville area? Sign up for a free trial class at Dance Without Limits!

At Dance Without Limits, we believe dance is for everybody. If you’re looking for quality dance training in an inclusive, positive learning environment for students of all ages, experience levels and abilities in the Greenville area, we welcome you to sign up for a free trial week online.