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4 Things Every Parent Should Know
Before Choosing A Dance Or Tumbling School
If most dance studios seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience teaching children and a big show at the end of the year, aren't they all pretty much the same? Does it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Yes. There are 4 main things that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives, the amount of extra work and hassles the parents must deal with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program. Here are 4 things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.
1. WHAT TYPE FLOORING IS USED IN THE STUDIOS?
Dance and tumbling are very physical activities that requires a lot of jumping, which can put stress on bones and joints. Ballet slippers and bare feet do not provide any cushioning or support, so the shock of the movement can place a lot of pressure on the knees and back of a dancer or tumbler. The best way to prevent against potential injury is by choosing a studio with professional flooring.
For dance the best floor is a “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 less 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 or coated plywood for their studio floor.
All of our dance studios have floating floors that have over 700 high density foam blocks under the floor surface and a marley top surface that is imported from England. Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.
For tumbling the best floor is a fully covered dense foam floor specially made for gyms. This thick 3” foam absorbs the shock of the cartwheels, backhand springs and other tricks to help avoid injury and strain upon the body. This floor is costly and some studios will only cover a portion of the studio, but many gymnasts have been injured from twisting their ankle from “falling off” the foam floor. It is sometimes these small injuries that cause long term problems and pain.
Our tumbling studio is not the largest room in the area, but it is the largest foam floor. We use the 3” dense foam to ensure our tumblers have the padding and support needed for their tricks. We cover every square inch of our 30x30 studio with this special floor.
2. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE CLASS?
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. Our studio limits all of our classes to a maximum of just seven students for ages 3-5, nine students for ages 6-9 and twelve students for teen classes.
3. WHAT ARE THE “EXTRAS” REQUIRED FOR THE SHOW?
Most studios put on a yearly show. 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 pay extra and the parents must find their own seamstress to do the sewing. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who are busy or cannot sew. Most studios also require parents to purchase tickets for the recital performance night as well as require high-priced photos to be purchased.
Our studio has a minimal show fee. In 2009 our $35 show fee included unlimited tickets for each student, hassle free costume (skirt – dance, shirt & shorts – tumbling), free 5x7 group photo and a participation medal.
4. 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.
Clearfield
801-621-6683
620 E 1700 S
Clearfield, UT 84015
Ogden
801-621-6683
120 E 4700 S
Ogden, UT 84405
