6 Things Parents Need to Know Before Deciding on a Dance Studio:

If your area studios appear to have experienced and friendly teachers, offer children’s classes, and have a big recital at the end of the dance year, don’t they seem pretty similar? Does it really make a difference where you enroll your children? The answer is “yes”. Here are 6 important things that can make a drastic difference in what kind of dance education your child receives, the sheer fun of learning, and your happiness of where you choose to enroll in a dance program. Please read the following and use these points as a guideline before making a dance choice for you and/or your child.

1. Is my child learning in class?
At many studios, parents are not allowed to view their children’s classes. You may often wonder how they did, what they learned, and most importantly how they are progressing.  DDS offers one way windows for parent viewing at all times. This enables you to see what your child learns weekly and what our curriculum offers to your child.  Many parents have stated that their child has learned more in one month at Debbie’s than they learned in their previous year at other dance studios. 

2. What type of dance floor is installed in each studio?
The art of dance is a physical activity requiring jumping and, more importantly, landing. This activity puts additional stress on joints and bones. Dance shoes alone cannot provide enough cushioning or support, so dance itself can put pressure on the back and knees of each dancer. If a studio is equipped with a professional floating floor, that studio is taking every measure to ensure the health of their students. This floor rests on a system of high density foam that in turn absorbs the shock on the body. DDS features high density foam based floors in all studios.

3. What is the size of the class?
If a 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 a teacher to maintain control over the class and make sure each student understands the concepts and instructions. Our smaller class sizes make sure that no fundamental concepts are being missed. A smaller class size also allows our teachers to ensure that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique. 
Our studio limits all of our children’s classes (Creative Movement ages 2-3) to a maximum of just 9 students per class. We limit our beginning, intermediate and advanced level classes (age 6 and up) to 14 students per class.

4. Are the dance classes and choreography age appropriate?
We are very careful to select age appropriate costumes for recital. Our music and choreography for dance class and performances will be age appropriate as well. Many studios have no guidelines on these standards and children are exposed to inappropriate costumes, music, and choreography in their chosen classes.

5. Will my child have a chance to perform, other than the end of year recital?      
DDS offers various opportunities to dance within the central Illinois community, such as Decatur Celebration, Decatur and Monticello Christmas parades, the Nutcracker, local churches and various special events.  Performances are not mandatory, but allow the students a special chance to spot light their talents and hard work.

6. Is the schedule varied and offering different class times?
Debbie’s Dance Studio has a wide array of classes at all times in all dance forms.  Our classes don’t extend too late into the evening hours, keeping families and school work in mind.  As students advance, we try to keep your child’s classes on the same night if at all possible.