How To Choose A Dance School For Your Child

When we imagine a dance class, we often envisage young children learning to plié and point their toes. However, there is far more to dancing than this and choosing the right studio for your child is crucial for nurturing their lifelong love of dance.

We are sitting down with Bonnie Ross from Radiance Dance Academy who is sharing some tips for how to choose a dance school that best suits your child.

Why consider dance as an activity for your child? 

There are so many styles of dance, and, although they’re all different, they have a lot in common.

Dance teaches our children coordination, confidence and resilience that will support them throughout their lives.

By attending dance classes, children build friendships, develop social skills and learn about teamwork. And, of course, dance builds strength and fitness!

The number one thing you should look for

How to choose a dance school? Like a ballet slipper, it’s about the fit! A dance studio must be the right fit for your child.

Most studios will offer a trial class. If your child attends a trial class and loves it, you may have found the right school!

Most of all, though, trust your child’s instincts – they need to be happy and comfortable. Be sure to take particular notice of how the teachers interact with the students and parents at the studio as well as the syllabus and classes on offer.

What else should you look for?

Studio culture is the next thing we encourage parents to look for.

At Radiance, we value discipline, teamwork, respect for one another, community and, most importantly, an overarching love of dance. To help our students get the most from their classes, we have capped class numbers that allow for individual correction and attention. And we ensure our students know that the process is more important than the outcome – we love to celebrate their achievements! The studio environment at Radiance is supportive, empowering and fosters progress over perfection!

There are a few things we suggest parents look for in a studio’s culture:

1. Nurturing & Supportive

First and foremost, the studio must nurture a love of dance; it needs to be an encouraging and supportive environment that inspires students to do their best, whether that be recreationally or professionally!

You want your child to love going to their dance class. Not only will this help them get the most from their lesson, but it is reassuring for you to know they’re enjoying themselves.

2. Experience & Qualifications

Secondly, the teachers need to be qualified and experienced, with a passion for dancing and teaching.

In Australia, the dance industry is unregulated, so be sure to speak with the studio director about their teachers’ qualifications and experience. You want to ensure your child is being taught by someone who has studied dance formally, learned how to teach and engage children and knows how to incorporate safe dance practices into their classes!

Also, pay particular attention to the syllabi offered as this will indicate the studios teaching qualifications. At Radiance we offer the prestigious Queensland Ballet Petit Pointers preschool program and the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.

3. Safety

Finally, ensure that classes are run in a safe, professional environment which includes the correct dance flooring (Tarkett or spring wood), mirrors and barres. Safety should be a priority to ensure your child is receiving the best possible tuition and care when they attend their lessons!

What style of dance is best for children?

There is no right or wrong answer here. If a child has a preference, start with that! However, if your child doesn’t show a preference, we recommend choosing a class that combines styles.

At Radiance we have a popular Tiny Tot Combo class combining ballet and jazz, offering young children aged 1.5-5 years the opportunity to learn both styles. This is fantastic in allowing young children to learn the two foundation styles of dance in one lesson! The perfect start to their dance journey and a convenient option for busy families!

We believe children should be encouraged to try as many styles as possible and then pursue those that light them up. Whether it’s ballet, jazz, acrobatics, hip-hop, contemporary or acting, dancing and singing in a Musical Theatre class – there is a style for every child at Radiance!

Parents should look for a studio offering several dance styles, passionate, qualified teachers, classes that balance discipline with fun, and a happy, positive culture and embrace it!!

We hope you’ve found these tips for how to choose a dance school for your child helpful. You can find out more about Radiance Dance Academy and classes at their Holland Park and Windsor studios at www.dancewithradiance.com or visit their Facebook page/Instagram.