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 OF DANCE FLOOR IS USED?

The nature of the dance floors at a studio is crucial for the health and safety of dancers. Dance is a very physical activity and the styles that require jumping put stress on the bones and joints. Since most dance footwear does not provide much in the way of cushioning or support, it is very important to have a supportive dance floor. Choose a studio with a professional “floating floor.” A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam. This foam absorbs the shock of jumping, thus reducing the pressure on your dancer’s knees and back. The surface of the dance floor is equally important. A “Marley” floor is the best surface to reduce slipping.

All of our classrooms have floating floors with over 700 high density foam blocks under the surface as well as a Marley layering on top of the surface. These special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and fatigue.

2. CAN I GET IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE?

In many studios the teacher or the studio owner both conducts classes and handles office work. This leaves them pulled in two different directions, and both the classes and the customers are receiving less than 100% quality service. It is important to choose a studio with a full-time customer service staff that can help you with details like scheduling, enrollment, class placement and costumes, even if a teacher is occupied in a class.

Our studio has office staff on hand all day, starting at 9:30 AM, so you can get immediate assistance.

3. DO THE STUDENTS LEARN MORE THAN JUST DANCE? WHAT IS THE RETURN ON MY INVESTMENT?

There are lots of dance studios and lots of dance instructors. You want a studio where your student will learn how to become a better dancer and how to become a more disciplined, highly motivated, harder working young person. See if the students are well-mannered and polite. Ask if the dancers at the studio shine not only onstage but also academically at school.

For the past 20 years we have specialized in taking beginning students and through the pre-professional program have trained them into great dancers and disciplined, courteous, respectful, and successful young people. Students in our pre-professional program routinely excel at school and often receive academic scholarships from college.

4. WHAT DOES THE STUDIO HAVE TO OFFER ME?

Are there a variety of classes for all of my children? Is the neighborhood safe and attractive? Are the parents welcomed to observe classes? Is the building clean and aesthetically pleasing?

Our studio offers a wide variety of classes to fit your child’s personality and learning style, all at the same location in a safe, beautiful neighborhood. There are classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, Breakdancing and more. There are classes for girls, boys and children with special needs. We specialize in beginners while retaining a reputation for having excellent pre-professional dance training in the Midwest. Our clean studio is filled with tasteful décor, art and four outdoor waterfalls for families to enjoy. Our classrooms are built to the highest professional standards because we believe in the best for our very important students and families.