Finding the dance school for you

The first step to finding the right dance school for you is discovering what you truly want to do with dance in your life. Realize what your goals, dreams and desires are in respect to dance. Do you just want some exercise? Do you just want a social activity? If your focus is purely social and a little exercise, then your journey is much more easier than you thought. Just ask around. See where your friends go. Do they study dance or do they go to dance class just for another activity? In other words, what is your goal?

But, if you absolutely love to dance —if you eat, think, sleep and dream dance  and have the thoughts of a professional career, either on stage, as a teacher or choreographer, then your goal is to find a school with teachers who have a focus on those same ideals. A teacher who has your dreams in their heart as well.

Always remember that classical dance study is based on the study of  Classical Ballet, which is the basis of  ALL dance forms. Schools of classical study focus on proficiency, artistry and good taste. When locating a school if you find that “commercial style dance” that is has its focus, with little regard to classical training, their dancers will not be proficient in classical methods and  students will have difficulty further along in their dance future. I always recommend that a dancer register for a minimum of one ballet class per week. As the dancer progresses, I suggest a second class per week which is a technique only class. Most dancers, as they years go by need more ballet classes per week if they are focusing on a dance career in their future.

Once you know what kind of a dance school you are looking for, it will be much easier to find it. First, talk with the owner of the school. Do the teachers who work for the school have some type of certification or are on their way to one? What kind of experience do the teachers have? Where did they study?

Don’t just be impressed with rows of trophies, since to be judged is always just someone’s opinion. Not all schools with rows of trophies have the dancer’s heart first and foremost in their value. Think of dance as an art-form. Judging art is always someone’s opinion.

Does the school offer a graded syllabus where the dancer will progress to a certain level from year to year? This is an important question to ask. Just as you would graduate from grade to grade in school the same should be for dance school.

Does the school know what method of ballet that they offer. You would be surprised that some local dance schools have no idea that there are different methods or the differences between them. I teach the Cecchetti method, but some of the others that are foremost are the Russian Vaganova  method and the Royal Academy of Dance method..  It is good for a school to focus one method instead of combining methods as many do. The variations in the syllabus and the technique can confuse a dance student.

 

Having a dress code within the school indicates discipline. Dress codes have multiple benefits for dancers in a class.  Not only do dress codes create uniformity and unity among dancers, it helps in teaching students the beginning basics of discipline and “dressing the part’” that is so important as a dancer.  When dancers wear the same attire, it minimizes distractions for students and creates an atmosphere of focus and energy.  Dress codes are also extremely important in helping instructors see mistakes in a student’s technique and body positioning, therefore allowing for better corrections and education. Dress codes are a form of “dancer discipline”. Is discipline a part of the school’s criteria? It should be. Dance is discipline.

A well rounded dance program should offer an array of classes with the main focus on Classical Ballet and ballet technique with possibilities of  pointe work in the future. Jazz, Tap and Modern/Contemporary  should be second on the list of classes to seek out. All of these classes contribute to the building of a well rounded, well informed dancer.

Acrobatics has come into play as part of choreography in recent years. In the past, Acrobatics has been a class of its own, but now, in recent times, it is being seen more often in Jazz, Modern and most often in Contempory  Acrobatics is even present in “character style” Ballet choreography.

Are you interested in an end of the year performance? Are you interested in dancing in a Nutcracker at Christmas time? Although these two aspects of dance school are important for learning stage presence they should not be the focal point of the studio, learning and increasing your dance technique should be the main objective.

Some signs of quality dance training are:
-Proper placement in class with focus on correct fundamentals
-Emphasis on correct execution of steps, with a focus on clean lines, strength and stability,.
-Technical proficiency of a majority of students in the school and graduating dancers with intent to continue dance in college and beyond.
I am hoping that this upcoming dance season will be your best one ever, learning good solid technique, gaining strength, progressing and having fun!