Saucon Valley
Dance
Conservatory
Dance
Conservatory
| 4 Things every parent should know about choosing a dance school |
| 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 facility is available?
When choosing a dance studio for your child, it is important to know the facility where your child will be dancing. Is the room
large enough to house the number of students in a class? Are there poles in the middle of the floor that will distract your child or
even cause a danger of bumping into? Is the ceiling high enough that when an older child jumps they will not brush their hands
along the ceiling? What type of flooring 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. The best way to prevent against
potential injury is by learning proper technique and by choosing a studio with a professional floor.
"Marley" floors are accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational to professional dance. Facilities such as the
Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England and Alvin Ailey in NYC, all use Marley floors as their
dance surface. A Marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of 'controlled slip' but is not slippery so there is less risk of
slips and falls. Very few studios use professional Marley floors because of the expense involved.
Our beautiful dance facility offers three spacious dance studios that measure 20x40 feet. Our facility was built in the 1860's and
has the look of an old NYC dance studio with thick woodwork, and high ceilings. Two of our rooms offer the Marley floor which is
perfect for all forms of dance. We also have three separate waiting rooms, three restroom's, and a bar area with coffee or to do
homework or business work while your child dances. Every summer we make improvements to keep up with a modern look, and
conveniences.
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 the instructor to maintain control and make sure each student understands the concepts
and instructions. A limited class size also ensures that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique, and also
allows the student the room needed to dance freely and not worry about bumping into another dancer.
Our studio limits class size by age and level. Our class sizes are generally half that of a typical learning classroom. Our average
class size is generally around 10-12 students. Our ECE (Early Childhood Education) classes also have an assistant teacher to
help in the class and ensure each child receives individual attention throughout the class.
3. What are the qualifications of the instructors?
Many studios use inexperienced teachers who "learn as they go" while teaching your children, or students that are still in high
school. Your child may learn different techniques and curriculum with different instructors, sometimes leaving them feel left
behind when they change a class within their dance studio.
We feel it is extremely important that our teachers are not only trained in dance, but are also trained in educating children.
There are thousands of great dancers, but few make excellent teachers. Our studio strives to provide your children with the
absolute best instructors possible. Our teachers are fully equipped to make your child's dance education experience fun,
engaging, and complete. We teach correct terminology (don't laugh -- many teachers don't!) respect and discipline, and proper
technical training is at the core of our philosophy. Our teachers make dance class engaging, upbeat and fun all while giving
your children the best, most complete curriculum in dance. Every instructor also follows one set curriculum based on the
age/grade level, so that every child no matter what instructor they have will be learning the same concepts and technique as
their peers.
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 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.
Our studio has office staff on hand during class hours to help with questions, Danceshop, tuition or any kind of assistance
needed. Our comprehensive website will also help answer any question you may have. You can email the studio 24/7 and get a
response within 24hours.
Our goal is to provide our students with the skills they need to enjoy dance for a lifetime and to provide our
families with outstanding customer satisfaction.
When choosing a dance studio for your child, it is important to know the facility where your child will be dancing. Is the room
large enough to house the number of students in a class? Are there poles in the middle of the floor that will distract your child or
even cause a danger of bumping into? Is the ceiling high enough that when an older child jumps they will not brush their hands
along the ceiling? What type of flooring 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. The best way to prevent against
potential injury is by learning proper technique and by choosing a studio with a professional floor.
"Marley" floors are accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational to professional dance. Facilities such as the
Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England and Alvin Ailey in NYC, all use Marley floors as their
dance surface. A Marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of 'controlled slip' but is not slippery so there is less risk of
slips and falls. Very few studios use professional Marley floors because of the expense involved.
Our beautiful dance facility offers three spacious dance studios that measure 20x40 feet. Our facility was built in the 1860's and
has the look of an old NYC dance studio with thick woodwork, and high ceilings. Two of our rooms offer the Marley floor which is
perfect for all forms of dance. We also have three separate waiting rooms, three restroom's, and a bar area with coffee or to do
homework or business work while your child dances. Every summer we make improvements to keep up with a modern look, and
conveniences.
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 the instructor to maintain control and make sure each student understands the concepts
and instructions. A limited class size also ensures that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique, and also
allows the student the room needed to dance freely and not worry about bumping into another dancer.
Our studio limits class size by age and level. Our class sizes are generally half that of a typical learning classroom. Our average
class size is generally around 10-12 students. Our ECE (Early Childhood Education) classes also have an assistant teacher to
help in the class and ensure each child receives individual attention throughout the class.
3. What are the qualifications of the instructors?
Many studios use inexperienced teachers who "learn as they go" while teaching your children, or students that are still in high
school. Your child may learn different techniques and curriculum with different instructors, sometimes leaving them feel left
behind when they change a class within their dance studio.
We feel it is extremely important that our teachers are not only trained in dance, but are also trained in educating children.
There are thousands of great dancers, but few make excellent teachers. Our studio strives to provide your children with the
absolute best instructors possible. Our teachers are fully equipped to make your child's dance education experience fun,
engaging, and complete. We teach correct terminology (don't laugh -- many teachers don't!) respect and discipline, and proper
technical training is at the core of our philosophy. Our teachers make dance class engaging, upbeat and fun all while giving
your children the best, most complete curriculum in dance. Every instructor also follows one set curriculum based on the
age/grade level, so that every child no matter what instructor they have will be learning the same concepts and technique as
their peers.
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 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.
Our studio has office staff on hand during class hours to help with questions, Danceshop, tuition or any kind of assistance
needed. Our comprehensive website will also help answer any question you may have. You can email the studio 24/7 and get a
response within 24hours.
Our goal is to provide our students with the skills they need to enjoy dance for a lifetime and to provide our
families with outstanding customer satisfaction.