1. A Professional Setting.

A professional dance studio will focus on one thing: your child's continued progress in dance. Many dance schools are commercial in nature, focusing more on fun and recreation. Class sizes at these establishments are usually very large. The main focus of a commercial studio is the annual recital. If you want your child to learn proper technique and receive quality instruction, choose a professional dance studio with small classes and serious instructors.

 

 

2. A Qualified Teacher.

Just as all dance studios are not alike, neither are all dance instructors. Your choice of dance instructor is crutial to your child's future success as a dancer. Bad habits learned at a young age are extremely hard to break. Make a point to check the dance instuctor's qualifications.  Dance students with professional aspirations need to know as early as possible that their teacher and his or her mentors are qualified to guide them along the professional track. Ask where and how the teachers were trained themselves. Look for someone who has danced with a professional company, has a degree in dance from a reputable university dance department or holds certifications in a reputable teaching syllabus that allows a teacher to know what, when and how to present a technique.  The teachers at The Conservatory are trained in Vaganova and RAD technique. Check out the qualifications of OUR TEACHERS.

 

3. A Cushioned Dance Floor.

Certain styles of dance can put stress on young bones and joints, especially ballet, with its many leaps and jumps. Look for a professional floor that is well-cushioned to absorb the shock of jumping. Never allow your child to attend a dance class on a concrete floor. Check to make sure the wood or Marley floors are not placed directly over concrete, as this could lead to shin-splints, knee injuries and other problems. The Conservatory has sprung hard wood floors in both studios.

 

 

4. Small Class Sizes.

The fewer students in your child's dance class, the more individual attention he or she will receive. It is easier for a teacher to maintain control over a smaller class, and having a only a few students at a time allows for more personalized instruction. Observe a few classes at the studio to count kids, or simply ask the instructor. Each dancer in the class deserves proper instruction and correction from the teacher. Smaller class sizes mean that the students will get the highly individual attention they need. Dance is often an exercise in patience, as gradual adjustments are made for each student over the course of many months and years. Classes with more than fifteen students make this level of detailed attention harder to accomplish.  We believe that the quality of dance instruction is more important than the quantity.

 

 

 

5. A Pleasing Environment.

The overall environment of a dance studio is key to your child's success. The dance studio should be warm and inviting, as well as the staff. The studio should be clean and well-maintained. The dancing room should be well-ventilated and spacious, with mirrors covering at least one entire wall. Your child should be provided with adequate space to change clothes, and have free access to a water fountain and a restroom. Take a look outside, too. The studio should be located in a safe part of town, as you will probably be dropping your child off at the studio as he or she gets older. Most of our dance students think of our studio as a second home. We keep a refrigerator and microwave for the students as many come to the studio directly from school.

 

 

 

6. Realistic Expectations.

A quality dance studio will not offer serious ballet training to dancers under the age of seven or eight. Experienced dance instructors know that before the age of about seven, the body is not ready for the demands of ballet. Also, a quality dance teacher will have very strict guidelines as to when your child will be able to start dancing on pointe shoes. Dancing on your toes requires tremendous strength and ability in order to prevent injuries to the feet and ankles.  Most of our students do not start work at the barre until they are seven.

 

 

 

7. Reasonable Tuition and Fees.

You should be provided with a written layout of tuition costs and other fees that you will be responsible for during the year. Most dance studios offer your child the chance to perform in an annual recital, but you will probably be expected to pay for a costume or two. Inquire also about the cost of recital tickets. Most dance studios provide a certain number of "free" tickets, but charge a performance fee. Finally, ask about possible withdrawal penalties. Your child may be excited to start dance classes, but you never know when he or she may decide to quit. Will you be expected to pay for unattended classes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Structured Program

Look for a structured program for each level, with a set curriculum based on a time honored method such as Vaganova or Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) for ballet. Some form of evaluation or examination is desirable to see if the students have completed the curriculum and skills for their current level before promoting them to the next. Children have their own timetable for development. Placing a child at a level that is inappropriate for them may cause unnecessary harm and frustration.

 

 

 

9. Disciplined Environment

To foster the discipline and organization that is essential to the art form, a studio should have a sense of structure to it and adequate basic facilities. Rooms should have barres and mirrors on at least one wall. A set list of uniform regulations with regards to leotard and tights, proper hair styles and neat shoes, also suggests that the school is well regulated and a positive learning environment. We do require dance uniforms for our students based on their level. Not only for structure but because we want the emphasis to be on learning not about who has the prettiest leotard.