Things you should know when choosing a dance studio Location, price and schedule are the usual concerns for a new dance students’ parent, but there are some other things you should know before selecting a studio.

What type of floor is used?
Most dance related injuries are from faulty technique or dancing on improper flooring!  Dance requires a lot of jumping which can put stress on bones and joints.  The best way to prevent potential injury is to dance on a professional “floating” floor.  A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on high density foam blocks. This helps absorb shock to tender growing bones and joints.  The top layer of the floor is very important as well.  A Vinyl “Marley” floor is accepted world wide as the best surface layer for all dance.  Professional ballet companies to Riverdance use these types of floors for class and performance.  These floors allow dancers to slide with control.  There is less chance for slips and falls.  Very few studios use professional flooring because of the great expense and they usually opt for a regular floor tile and sometimes it is directly over concrete!  (These tiles are usually very slippery and tap shoes get them very dirty.) At Performance Dance Center we have invested in a floating floor and “Marley” type vinyl covering, because we want to reduce the risk of injuries and allow the dancers to dance longer.  We felt like it was the responsible thing to do for our students.

How is the organization and communication from studio to parents?
People today have very busy schedules, so knowing what is going on at a studio should be easy and you should be given plenty of notice for important dates.  Does the school have a monthly newsletter?  Is there a policy paper with all important details so you know all of your costs up front?  Does it hand out notices?  Does it put a sign on the door or bulletin board?  Does it talk to customers as they come in? At the Performance Dance Center we plan well in advance and inform our customers in a few ways, so whether you come into the studio or not, you will be informed.  We have a monthly newsletter, We put up reminder signs on the door and in the waiting area, we hand out notices, and try to remind students and parents as well.  Just ask any of our current customers and we are sure they will be happy with the organization.

Recital Info
How long is the recital?  Do I stand in line for tickets? Is it reserved or general admission?  Do you have to do anything to the costumes?  Is the venue air-conditioned?  Some studios have 3 and 4 hour shows, and you must stay to the end because everyone is in the finale.  Some have ticket days where you stand in line for hours, or general admission that can be more lines, and chaotic.  Some studios expect you to do some assembly to costumes.  June recitals can get very hot without air-conditioning. At the Performance Dance Center our longest show was 1 hour 50 minutes, and the Pre School  children never have to stay until the end.  We have a ticket lottery for reserved tickets, so no waiting in line-no ticket day.  Costumes are given to you hung on hangers with headpieces on barrets; the most you have to do is safety pin a strap.  We use the air conditioned Whitman Hanson High School

Teachers’ credentials
There are no state or federal guidelines for opening a dance studio or teaching dance, so anyone can open a school and declare themselves a teacher.  A degree can help a teacher, but experience under a good  mentor, dance training past and present, and being active socially in a dance teachers’ club are key to judge a dance teacher.  For example, a professional Broadway dancer
or ballerina may have great performance experience but not know how to capture a 3 year old’s attention.  A childhood education major may have great creative movement classes for Pre Schoolers, but not know more advanced terms.  If a teacher is not currently taking classes and is not active socially with other dance teachers, they tend to stagnate and do not stay current on the latest techniques.  Some dance teacher clubs require members to pass a test for admittance.  Some clubs are Dance Teachers’ club of Boston and the American Society, Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, National Dance Association, Royal Academy of Dance to name a few.
At the Performance Dance Center teachers are members of at least one club, they have experience in the dance studio setting, and they keep up with the current trends by taking dance class regularly. Also we read dance periodicals and dance books to keep current as well.  All teachers adhere to the Performance Dance Center’s philosophy which is that everyone should have fun while learning the disciplined art of dance.  Technique is very important, but we also believe that building the students’ self confidence, giving them a creative outlet, and teaching the students to respect their bodies and minds is very important as well.  And we love teaching children how to dance!