| This list will help parents generate questions to ask | | | | form they may implicitly (or explicitly) denigrate |
| prospective dance studios as they make what may | | | | others. |
| be one of the most important choices in their child's | | | | 9: What's on Tap!?! |
| dance life! While originally crafted for tap dancers, | | | | Do they offer both Broadway & Rhythm Tap? |
| most of this article is helpful regardless of which style | | | | Do they know the difference? Which do you want? |
| of dance you're considering. | | | | Which does your child want? Be aware that some |
| Remember, you are not seeking "right answers", only | | | | schools tend to look down on "Rhythm Tap", |
| answers that you are comfortable with and | | | | especially if they are unable to find anyone who |
| understand. | | | | teaches it well. In addition, some schools might say |
| Dance Studio Consideration 1: Do you like the studio | | | | they offer "Rhythm Tap" because "all tap has |
| owner? | | | | rhythm." This is not an acceptable answer. |
| First impressions count for a lot in this game! If all | | | | 10: Knock, Knock! Who's There? |
| goes well, this person will be a part of your life for | | | | Are most classes taught by professional instructors |
| many years to come. Is this a person that you can | | | | or are most taught by students from the older |
| relate to? Does your child seem to like them? Do | | | | classes? Are the teacher's passionate about the |
| they seem to like the children? Are they organized? | | | | classes they are teaching, or are they just teaching |
| 2: Owner Involvement | | | | them out of obligation? |
| There can be any number of motivations for starting | | | | 11: Toward What End? |
| a dance school including, to make money, for tax | | | | Studios that focus on competitions will generally have |
| purposes, a passion for dance, etc. Do you like their | | | | a big display case containing many trophies and |
| reasons for being there? Are they involved? | | | | ribbons. Other studios may focus on seasonal recital |
| 3: The Voice of the Village | | | | performances and/or performances in the |
| Some parents are comfortable with a dictatorship as | | | | community. Each approach has pros and cons which |
| long as the outcome is good, whereas others may | | | | should be investigated. |
| want a democracy regardless of the outcome. Which | | | | 12: "Huh? What's a Festival? |
| do you prefer? | | | | This is a big one! If a studio is trying to convince you |
| 4: The Mission | | | | that they are serious about tap yet they don't |
| Does the structure & management of the | | | | encourage their students to take advantage of tap |
| organization seem to align with its mission? | | | | festivals or workshop series, you should ask why |
| 5: The Peanut Gallery | | | | that is. |
| One great way to find out what's really going on | | | | 13: Money, money, money... |
| "behind the curtain" is to sit in the waiting area with | | | | When comparing dance schools, parents tend to |
| other parents and listen to what they have to say | | | | compare the monthly costs of the classes. This |
| about the school. | | | | approach ignores some very crucial components, |
| 6: Parental Involvement | | | | namely, costumes and recital fees! Dance costumes |
| If you go to sit in the waiting area and classes are | | | | can be pricey and at many schools there is a |
| full but all the parents are gone, be curious about | | | | different costume for each dance a child is in. Thus, if |
| why that is. This is especially important if the children | | | | a school has two recitals per year, and your child is in |
| are young. | | | | 5 classes, you may be paying for up to ten new |
| Also consider whether parents are expected to | | | | costumes every year! On top of that, some schools |
| invest lots of additional time in the studio, can you | | | | have to charge a recital fee to parents in an attempt |
| make that commitment? | | | | to recoup the high costs of putting on the recital. |
| 7: Methods & Madness | | | | Just be sure to get all of the relevant figures when |
| Is there a formalized structure or do teachers have | | | | comparison shopping. |
| freedom to teach as they see fit? With which of | | | | 14: Word on the Street |
| these approaches are you more comfortable? Which | | | | Have they been in the community long enough to |
| one is more appropriate for your child's learning style? | | | | have a reputation? Consider what people are saying |
| 8: The Focus | | | | about them. Don't be afraid to mention the name of |
| Some dance schools elevate Ballet or Hip Hop, while | | | | the school to friends, coworkers, and church |
| others may elevate Tap dancing. Does your child's | | | | members to see what they have to say. You may |
| interest align with the studio's focus? | | | | get some important insights! |
| Caution: Sometimes when a school specializes in one | | | | 15: From The Bottom Up! |