How to Choose a Dance Studio
These guidelines will help you to have a successful, rewarding experience learning to dance. These are practical tips that we have discovered from years of teaching and our experience with teaching hundreds of students each year.
Visit the studio
Before you sign up for classes, it is always a good idea
to visit the prospective studio and if possible meet some
of the staff and watch a class. When you consisder that
classes generally run the length of the school year, it
is important to know that you will be comfortable with
the environment during the hours you will spend there.
For this reason we do not register new students over the
phone or online. We want you to be sure that our studio
is the right fit for your family. So you should visit a
studio in person to get a feel for the place.
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 cclass 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.
How will I know how my child is doing?
In many studios, parents are limited to viewing classes
just a few times per year. Our studio has one-way glass
observation windows that are always open. Parents can
watch every class if they so desire. In addition,
students are given written evaluations and progress
checks to take home. For students that are getting a late
start or are experiencing difficulties, teachers may ask
to spend extra time with them outside the regular class
time to bring them up to speed with the rest of the
class.
How Young is Too Young – Starting at the Right
Age
Adults can start dancing at any time. Their success is
based on how willing an adult is to commit to practicing.
We teach many beginner students in their 60’s and 70’s.
For parents with toddlers that would like to explore the
world of movement and dance, a parent/child class is
ideal. There are no separation anxieties to contend with
and the parent has the ability to control the child’s
experience in the class. The child can become accustomed
to the structure of a dance class with the security of a
parent.
For children, starting at the right age is a key element
to the success of their lessons. Some people will tell
you “the sooner, the better,” but this attitude can
actually backfire and be a negative. If a child is put in
lessons too soon, they may feel overwhelmed and
frustrated and want to stop lessons. The last thing you
want to do is turn a child off dance because they are not
ready for the format of a structured group class. Most
children start between ages 3 and 5. Sometimes if a child
waits a year to start lessons, their progress can be much
faster. They understand how to follow directions better,
they have achieved greater independence from the parent,
and they are able to thrive in a structured class
environment.
What type of dance floor is used?
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 against potential injury is by choosing a
studio with a professional floating, sprung dance floor.
This is a wood dance floor that is installed several
inches above the concrete sub-floor to allow room for the
wood to “give.” This allows the floor to absorb much of
the impact and prevents fatigue and injury.
The top layer of the dance floor is also an important
factor. A wood surface is accepted worldwide as the best
surface for recreational and professional dance. It
allows a freer range of movement and keeps stress on the
joints and ligaments to a minimum. Very few studios use
professional wood floors because of the expense involved
and usually opt for a rubber-like covering called Marley.
All of our dance rooms have floating wood floors with a
custom finish. Our special floors help reduce the risk of
injuries and allow students to dance longer without
getting
tired.
Phone: 281-491-7530
In person: 9920 Highway 90, B-270, Sugar Land, TX 77478
At the intersection of Hwy. 90 and Dairy Ashford.(near
Houston Swim Club)