New to the world of dance? 

Imagine your little ballerina putting on her brand new ballet slippers and walking into the studio for her first dance class! But how to find the right studio for your child?

There are two main categories of dance studios. Understanding these categories will help you make the best decision for your family. 

1. Recreational vs Pre-Professional Dance Schools

Are you looking for a fun-filled activity that will build basic skills? If so, your best fit will likely be a "recreational" dance program. If you prefer a program that has the potential to train your child for a professional dance career, look for a "pre-professional" program.

Most Recreational Dance Programs: 

• Are less expensive
• Demand less time commitment
• Tend to be more community-oriented
• Are inclusive for kids with all body types

Most Pre-Professional Dance Programs:

• Are more expensive
• Demand a more intensive time commitment
• Are more competitive
• Can be difficult for dancers who don't have a natural gifting or body type for dance

2. Competition School vs Non-Competition School

Many dance schools promote their competition programs. Competitions can motivate your child to work to their full potential. Competitions can also breed negative attitudes among dancers and parents. Each individual school varies, depending on its values.

Most competition-based dance schools:

• Charge competition, costume & travel fees which often cost thousands of dollars/year
• Are prone to a competitive spirit among dancers & parents, unless the school works extremely hard to foster a team spirit.
• Require extra classes & rehearsals to prepare for competitions

Most non-competition dance schools:

• Offer a significantly less expensive dance experience
• Are less likely to foster a competitive spirit among students & parents
• Do not require as many classes or rehearsals each week as compared to a competition school

Visit & Interview each Dance Studio 

You could spending thousands of dollars on dance lessons over a child's lifetime. Take the time to find out what kind of school you are joining and what it would look like for your child to continue into her teen years.

Questions to ask when visiting a dance studio:

• Do you offer recreational and/or pre-professional tracks?
• Do you participate in dance competitions? Is this required for all dancers? What are the costs associated with competitions for older students?
• How many hours/week do your young dancers attend class & rehearsals? How many hours/week do your teen dancers attend class & rehearsals?

Prepare your child for her first dance class with a FREE online ballet class from Butterfly Ballet Club. 

This FREE butterfly-themed ballet class for ages 3 to 8 will be delivered directly to your Inbox. It's a great way to give ballet a try and the perfect activity for a rainy day. Butterfly Ballet Club creator, Gwen Potter, has taught ballet for 30+ years and directed her own ballet studio for 20+ years.