| While on the surface, the offerings may appear | | | | Absolutely anyone, (EVEN YOU!), with a little bit of |
| the same, the essence and caliber of each dance | | | | coaching could pass their "teacher exam." It is |
| school may be completely different. How do you | | | | preposterous, but true, that absolutely anyone, |
| know which school will be right for your child? | | | | (EVEN YOU), can open a dance school! |
| Some schools try to create a more | | | | Has the teacher studied dance in college, at a |
| conservatory-type atmosphere, requiring a certain | | | | conservatory, performing arts school or school |
| number of classes per week, for example. This | | | | with a professional company? If the teacher has |
| can be good for more serious students, but for | | | | a list of impressive people he or she has studied |
| the student who enjoys dance as one of several | | | | with, was it just one or two classes or |
| other activities, this can create a hardship. | | | | continuously for at least a year? Is the teacher |
| Sometimes, exceptions can be made. Do not be | | | | continuing to study dance at professional quality |
| afraid to ask! If the school cannot accommodate | | | | schools on a weekly basis? Does she carry |
| you, try another school where your child will be | | | | herself like a dancer? How is her posture? What is |
| more comfortable. | | | | his/her performing experience? If she's young, is |
| It is not unusual for a studio to audition students | | | | she still performing? Many women have |
| for placement purposes or to move students | | | | performed with the Rockettes at Radio City |
| around if they end up in a class that does not suit | | | | Music Hall in New York City. This means they are |
| their ability. Sometimes, age groupings are the | | | | tall, can lift their legs high and can do precision |
| standard, but if inflexible, this can hold back a | | | | work in a group all day long with very short |
| talented dancer or push ahead someone who is | | | | breaks. According to at least one former |
| not ready. | | | | Rockette, however, it says nothing about their |
| Most schools have a recital at the end of the | | | | ability to teach or to dance ballet, tap or jazz. |
| year. This is a great way to see the progressive | | | | What do you look for in classes? For |
| work at the school. You'll find out how advanced | | | | Preschoolers, the best type of class includes |
| the older students really are! Dancing on stage can | | | | group stretching, explores rhythm and a wide |
| be an enjoyable & growth promoting | | | | range of movement possibilities with a variety of |
| experience for children,if the school you choose is | | | | music and sometimes uses props such as |
| not high-pressure about their recital. Some schools | | | | scarves, tambourines, or shakers. Occasionally, a |
| actually begin working on the Spring recital in the | | | | teacher may use records with instructional games |
| Fall! However, this greatly reduces the amount of | | | | or dances, but a steady diet of this shows an |
| time that students are learning the art & | | | | inexperienced teacher with no creative direction |
| technique of dance. | | | | of her own. |
| It is wise to check into recital costume fees when | | | | Beginning at the kindergarten age, many schools |
| you are looking into a school. Although a studio | | | | do combination classes of ballet and tap. Some |
| prefers the glamor of sequin costumes, which can | | | | schools include jazz, but usually second grade is |
| cost you as much as $100 a piece, their show | | | | plenty early for teaching jazz. Most young children |
| and their teachers may not be the caliber you are | | | | do not have the physical maturity to execute |
| seeking! There is a trend beginning in some | | | | jazz movement and should not be in a full class of |
| schools to keep costs down by putting together | | | | jazz before third or fourth grade. (Why spend the |
| costumes that can be worn again for classes or | | | | extra money on the shoes??) By third or fourth |
| as street-wear. At our studio, we had access to | | | | grade, most children can handle an hour to an |
| a wide range of costume possibilities to support | | | | hour and a quarter of just Ballet or Tap or Jazz. |
| these new ideas. Parents appreciated the lower | | | | Another big question is "What about pointe?" Most |
| prices and greater usage potential. | | | | little girls dream of someday dancing on their |
| What is the school's policy about parents watching | | | | toes, but the fact is that most should not! Before |
| classes? Some schools have observation | | | | beginning pointe training, the feet and legs must |
| windows; some have parent visiting days; some | | | | be strong, bones and muscles developed and the |
| will let you watch anytime as long as you have | | | | technical ability must be good. It is possible to |
| teacher permission, and some will lock you out | | | | begin pointe work AT THE BARRE around age 10 |
| completely. There are good reasons behind all of | | | | or 11, but age 12 is preferable. Reaching a certain |
| these policies, but as a parent, you should feel | | | | age is NOT automatic grounds for beginning pointe |
| comfortable with both the policy and any needed | | | | work and I would be very wary of any school |
| explanations. It can be distracting to both the | | | | using only age as criteria. Some teachers feel that |
| children and the teacher when there are | | | | if a child wants to go on pointe and is not allowed, |
| observers in the class, so please be understanding | | | | then they will change schools. Every good teacher |
| of this when you do have an opportunity to | | | | will continue to say "no" to that student if they do |
| observe. | | | | not have the strength and technique necessary. |
| Does the studio do competitions? How | | | | This is VERY IMPORTANT because a child's feet |
| competitive are the students with each other? | | | | or legs could become damaged and they may |
| The merit of the school has little to do with its | | | | never be able to dance again. |
| standing as a competitor. Often times, schools | | | | If you are not sure about pointe, you can do |
| that compete have very demanding schedules | | | | some simple tests with your child: Are her feet |
| and many hidden expenses for costumes and | | | | and legs steady when she stands in first position |
| competition fees. You must decide if this will work | | | | releve (standing on the ball of the foot)? Can she |
| for you, your dancer and your family. | | | | stand solidly on one foot? Can she raise herself to |
| If the school has been around for a while, what | | | | half toe on one foot without wiggling or falling? If |
| has happened with former students? Have any | | | | she is solid and steady, then perhaps the strength |
| gone on to study dance in college or perform | | | | and balance is there. There is much more on the |
| professionally? Or are they just teaching at the | | | | technical level to look for, but this gives you some |
| school they came from? If the students have had | | | | basic information. |
| good training (unless you are at a school with a | | | | Tap is a popular dance form at the local dance |
| professional company), chances are that they will | | | | school level. Most parents don't realize that there |
| not be teaching at the studio instead of going to | | | | are two basic types of Tap: "Broadway Tap" and |
| college! | | | | "Jazz Tap" (also called "Rhythm Tap"). |
| I have spoken with many college level dance | | | | "Broadway Tap" is usually done in heels and uses |
| professors who constantly lament about the girls | | | | greater arm movement. It tends to be more |
| who have taken class for ten years at the local | | | | visually showy with less emphasis on the |
| dance school and were considered to be the "star | | | | complexity of the sound. |
| pupil." Unfortunately, when they get to college, the | | | | In the style of Gregory Hines, Savion Glover and |
| young women learn that their technique is terrible | | | | the old tap masters, the emphasis of "Rhythm |
| and they don't know even basic dance | | | | Tap" is on the clarity of the sound and complexity |
| terminology. These kids often have a big ego | | | | of the rhythms. It is usually done in flat, oxford |
| from having been the pride and joy of their | | | | type shoes is most often the style taught in the |
| former teacher and it is very difficult to coach | | | | better college dance programs. |
| them properly. All that time and money wasted! | | | | Above all, you want your child's dance experience |
| Very sad indeed, for parents and dancers alike. | | | | to be a joyful, learning experience with quality |
| Sometimes, these same girls decide after two | | | | training in an atmosphere that respects both the |
| years of college to either go back and teach at | | | | children and the parents. Remember, Dance |
| that local school or to open up their own studio! | | | | Teachers are Human Beings and work very hard, |
| And the cycle continues!! | | | | some teaching as many as 250 to 300 students |
| What about the teachers of the schools you are | | | | per week by themselves! Even the teachers who |
| considering? Where did they study? What are | | | | do not meet your standards, deserve a great |
| their credentials? Many dance school teachers | | | | deal of respect. (You don't have to send your |
| belong to organizations such as Dance Masters of | | | | kids to them, but they still deserve your respect!) |
| America or Dance Teachers Club of Boston. | | | | This should demystify the dance school world a |
| These are fine organizations, but belonging to | | | | little bit. Here's to joyous dancing throughout the |
| them does NOT make a person a good teacher. | | | | year! |