Choosing a dance school is a big decision that will impact your child for years to come. As a ballet teacher and dance studio owner for 30+ years, these are some of my recommendations finding for the right dance studio for your family. 

These suggestions go beyond checking the class offerings and schedules. They go beyond asking friends and family for their recommendations. They are about understanding the culture of a particular dance school. Here are my tips and tricks:

1. What are the Teen Dancer Like?

To begin, look at where your child will likely end up. Do the preschoolers at this dance school begin with cute ballet & tap classes and end up as hip hop specialists by the time they are sixteen? Is there a clear plan for when dancers would get their pointe shoes or will move up a level? What are the school's goals for their teen dancers?

Action Step: Ask the teacher or school administrator to describe what dance lessons will look like for your child as a teenager.

2. Ask to Observe a Class or Attend a Performance

Visit the dance studio in person to check out the facilities and atmosphere. Make sure the studio is clean and well-maintained as this often reflects the care invested in the studio program by the owner or director.

Ask to observe a class. I once asked a ballet studio with an excellent reputation if I could observe a class before enrolling my daughter. They refused, saying that parents were not allowed in the classrooms. I took that as a red flag and didn't even consider enrolling my child.

Another way to see the end product at a dance studio is to attend a performance. This will give you a window into all of the age groups and help you know if the school is a good fit for your family. Parents are often shocked at the sexy-sassy dances that appear onstage during a dance recital, even at reputable dance schools. If a wholesome dance experience is important to you, make sure to attend a performance before enrolling your child.

Action Step: Schedule a visit at one or two dance schools in your area. Or purchase tickets to see a performance. (Performances are usually held in December and/or May/June.)

3. Check out the Costumes

Another quick way to assess the culture of the school is to observe the student costumes, either at a performance, on the website, or in framed photos on the studio walls. If modesty or body image is an important issue to your family, make sure to notice what the dancers are wearing when they perform.

Be aware that dance studio websites can be deceptive. Very often they feature a young ballerina in a beautiful tutu (because, after all, ballet is beautiful), when in actuality, the emphasis of the studio is jazz or hip hop and not ballet. Make sure to watch any performance videos on the studio's website to see what their "star" dancers are performing and what they are wearing.

Action Step: Browse studio websites and notice the performance costumes. 

4. Are the kids smiling? 

Peek into the dance studio during class. Are the kids smiling or bored? Listening or goofing around? Do they leave class glowing or do they look like they wish they'd never come to class?

Happy dancers will stay the course and continue with dance for the long haul, so student enjoyment is an important part of choosing a dance school home.

Action Step: Set up an appointment to visit your local dance studio while classes are in session. If possible, remain in the waiting room until classes let out so you can observe dancers at the end of class.

Would you like to give ballet a try before signing up at your local studio? Butterfly Ballet Club is an affordable & easy first ballet experience! Get a monthly ballet class video + everything else your young dancer needs including a tutu, dance props and other fun items!

Grace & Joy,

Miss Gwen