The ONE thing you need to ask yourself before you sign up for dance class
If your looking for dance classes, chances are you’ve asked a few friends or looked on Google and found that there’s lots of options in the Tri-Cities.
But which one is right for you and your dancer?
I have an easy process that I work through with parents that reach out to us asking questions. I’m going to guide you through that process so that then you can find the best studio right off the bat without wasting a ton of time and money .
There’s only one question you need to answer:
What EXACTLY do you want to happen when you put your son or daughter into dance?
It’s a simple question but one not many people think of when they start looking for a dance studio in the Tri-Cities. It’s also pretty broad so let’s look at a few options and see if any of them spark your interest.
I want my child to have fun doing something they love - This one is usually at the top of parent’s list because they know their kid loves to dance and wants to give them the opportunity to have that joy every week.
I want my child to get away from screens and get more exercise - This is another top motive for parents because when kids have organized activities, it’s not on them to come up with something to do every week. They can bring them to dance and know their child is getting all those physical and mental benefits from being active. Parenting for the win!
I want my child to perform or compete at dance - Kids will often initiate this one, but a lot of parents know the benefits of focused and disciplined training.
I want my child to build self-confidence, discipline, and teamwork - No doubt about it, if your child is dancing in a positive studio, these are great side effects of participating in dance.
I want my child to express themselves creatively - A lot of parents know that the arts is sadly lacking in our public school system and sees the benefits of getting kids involved in performing arts.
I want my child to make friends and have a positive place to be after school - I’ve seen this come up a lot for middle and high school dancers because those are the years that an encouraging and accepting place can make all the difference in those kids!
I want to support my child in their goals - When your dancer has a goal, it feels so good as a parent to help them along their journey! One kid I know has a life goal to be in the Nutcracker. One dancer wants to get stronger and more flexible so she can do cool tricks in jazz class. Make sure to talk to your dancer to know exactly what they want so you can get them into the right class.
These are the top answers I get as a studio owner, but there are still many more! Take a moment and think about what you want to get out of putting your son or daughter into dance.
Got it? Great!
Now lets look at how your answer is going to guide you to a studio…
If you want your child to get away from screens and have more exercise, you’ll want to know if the studio offers classes that are high energy and will help your child break a sweat.
If you want your child to do dance competitions, find out about the requirements for the company at the studio and if those fit within your budget and family values.
If you want your child to have fun doing something that they love, see if you can do a trial class to make sure they actually will love it!
If your child wants to be in the Nutcracker, send them to a studio that has offers that performance opportunity.
It’s not rocket science, but it is a process you’ll want to think through before you jump into committing for 9 months and paying lots of money to a studio that then doesn’t meet your expectations.
If you’ve been thinking about your goals and want to chat with me, send me an email. I’ll help you find the best studio for your dancer so that you can feel confident in your decision without wasting a ton of time and money.