T'Dance

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If most dance studios seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience in 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 dance studio you decide to enroll your child in?

Yes, It Does!

There are 5 main things that can make a huge difference in the quality of dance instruction your child receives, the amount of extra work and hassle the parents must deal with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved in a professional dance program.  To help you choose the right dance studio for your child, here are the 5 main things that every parent should consider before deciding at which studio to enroll their child.

1.) What is the Studio Mission?

It is most important to consider the mission and values of the dance studio.  Some studios spend all of the class time working on one or two dances to perform at the end of the year.  Other studios are focused mainly on competitions which can create an unhealthy win/lose atmmosphere.  Also, many studios have young children perform in revealing costumes with suggestive music and choreography normally reserverd for Las Vegas showgirls.

At T'Dance our classes focus on proper technique and dance education as well as including inspiring choreography in a fun and encouraging atmosphere to help develop well rounded, technically sound performers.  Our students always perform in "family friendly" costumes with age appropriate music and choreography to help build confidence and self-esteem.

2.) What type of dance floor 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 much cushioning or support, so the shock of dance movement can place a lot of pressure on the knees and the back of a dancer.  The best way to prevent potential injury is by choosing a dance studio with a professional "floating floor".  A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam, to absorb the shock of dance movements.

T'Dance studios all have professional "floating floors" made from high quality flooring materials on top of hundreds of high-density foam blocks.  Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without fatigue.

3.) What is the size of the class?

If the dance class has a limited number of students in it, each child will generally receive more personalized attention, learn more, and have more fun.  With younger students, it is easier for a teacher to maintain control over the class and to make sure that no fundamental concepts are being missed.  A limited class size also allows teachers to ensure that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique.

T'Dance studio limits the size of all of our classes and students are grouped based on age and skill level to ensure that no fundamental concepts are missed and that each student receives the attention they need to develop good discipline and proper technique.  We have at least one, sometimes 2 assistants helping in all of our combination classes, depending on the number of students.

4.) What "extras" are required for the year end show?

Most studios put on some kind of year end performance.  Students who perform in the show must have a costume for their dance number.  Some studios require parents to sew their child's costumes or pay extra for alterations.  This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who are busy or do not know how to sew.  Other studios "mark up" the cost of costumes.

T'Dance uses only professional costume suppliers and each costume comes ready to wear with only minor strap adjustments or hemming to be done.  We try to utilize dancewear for costuming when appropriate, and also use many of the same "basics" year after year.  We also have students wear their own street clothes, depending on the dance.

5.)  Are the instructors qualified?

In many studios teachers lack the qualifications to actually be teaching dance.  Without proper training and education some teachers can actually injure or harm a child by teaching them improper skills and technique, then making the student have to re-learn proper dance technique upon changing studios.

T'Dance owner/instructor holds a B.F.A. in dance from one of the most reputable college dance programs in the country and continually attends workshops and annual dance educational programs to enhance the learning experience offered.  We also have instructors that are qualified to be teaching, and have had many teachers with degrees in dance or with college dance experience; currently, and in the past years of our program.