4 things every parent should know before choosing
a dance studio
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 is it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Yes. There are four 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 four things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.
 

1.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 floor". A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam, to absorb the shock of jumping. A high-density foam base is superior to a "sprung" floor, which usually consists of a wood structure built on the regular floor.

At Center Stage Dance LA, our studio has floating floors in both rooms. Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.

2. What is the size of the class?
If the dance class has fewer students in it, each child will receive more personalized attention, learn more and have more fun. With younger students it is easier for a teacher to maintain control over the class and make sure each student understands the concepts and instructions.

At Center Stage Dance LA, our smaller class sizes ensure that no fundamental concepts are being missed and that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique. Our studio limits all of our classes for students ages 3 to 8 years to a maximum of just 10 students in our small studio and 12 students in our large studio. With our Kindermusik classes (infants and toddlers) we limit all of our classes to a maximum of just 10 students per class.

3. What are the "extras" required for the year end show?
Most studios put on a year end show in a professional theater. Students that perform in the show must have a costume for their dance number. Some studios may even require parents to sew their child's costumes. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who are busy or can't sew. Most studios also require parents to purchase tickets for the recital.

At Center Stage only our students 4 years and up participate in the recital. We measure the students and order the costumes so parents do not have to worry about any costume hassles. Our studio also gives each parent 2 free tickets for our year-end show. We also schedule a "recital picture day" in which you are under no obligation to buy the photos. We try to arrange the recital so that you will not be faced with any extra work or surprise expenses.

4. 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 class 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. Center Stage Dance LA has office staff on hand during all regular class times, so you can get immediate assistance.