Wednesday, May 22, 2013

What to ask when selecting a dance studio?

Seeking some input on this one. Below are the questions I thought of do far. 
1. the obvious. Hours? Days? Prices?
2. Additional costs? Costumes, shoes, etc average
3. Any mandatory fundraisers?
4. Teacher credentials? Ongoing education?
5. Studio parent requirements?
6. Any off hour or out of studio requirements? Special shows, etc
7. Process for being in company; invited, auditions, open,...
8. Contract for company?
9. Who costumes and does make up and hair for competitions? Is there a QA or approval process at the beginning of the season and each competition?
10. Is a teacher present for every competition?
11. How are company numbers selected for solos, duos, trios, small groups, special parts?  Auditions or teachers discretion?
12. Can or should a parent stay during class? 
13. How many recitals/showcases do you have in a year? 
14. Where are recitals held?
15. Are parents allowed in the dressing room?
16. How much are tickets to the show?
17. Is there a ticket minimum per student? 
18. Sibling or family discounts?
19. Genres of dance offered? Any vocal or drama or acro offered in the studio?
20. Does the studio organize additional events for education or team building?
21. Are teachers able to handle special needs?
22. What is the studio dress code(s)?
23. What is mandatory for company?  For example no more than 1 day out during summer intensives. No vacations during competition season. 
24. Are private sessions available to all students?  Cost? How do you schedule them?  
25. Does staff support or notify of auditions or extra opportunities? Ex. Broadway dance center class
26.  Is the studio known for fun, technique, it's company, ...?

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Studio hopper?

I hope I am not turning into a studio hopper. After 1 year of dance at a lovely fun studio we left. My daughter thought the studio was boring and crowded. She went to a fast paced, high energy, loud music, competitive studio. She loved it. She thrived. She has been here for 4 years. 3 of which she has been part of their company and does very well. It is her sport. This year she has struggled. 
She has had conflict with the young teacher throughout the year. She just turned 9 and is old enough to recognize unjust.  She also was a child to call it out. Thus the conflict began. She has been embarrassed in class multiple times. She has been sad. She has been beaten down to where she would not call anything out but still is called out in every class as being the problem. She cries and does not want to be with this teacher nor be in the numbers any more despite them being her favorite genres. I thought it would pass but did not the entire season. 
We also moved 2 years ago and are now traveling 25 miles to class. She is the only child from her school district in this studio. 
There is a competitive studio 8 miles away from our home. Their team does just as well as ours. It was actually originally founded by the same dancer. The school is in her school district. We attended 1 class to see first if we would be welcomed and second to check out the teachers and students. She was warmly received, as was I. She is begging to go. We talked about her commitment for the year but are strongly considering the move for next year. We were open with the studio owner. She would like to discuss further. We are good parents. We make and donate props. My husband does the floor work. I sew costumes.
 I tried early on in the problem to have a conversation with the problem teacher to find out what was happening. We still don't  know what the problem is. She was too busy for weeks. I scheduled a private and told her I wanted to use the time for us to talk when I got there. She said it was an ambush and she wanted her mom there. I told her i just wanted to clear the air and discuss whatever was going on. She is 25 and half owner of the studio with the other teacher. She denied any problem. She proceeded by moving my child to the back of class and the numbers and treating her even worse. Other parents say she talks about me and my daughter all the time. I believe it because I have heard her call other children in the studio horrible names. 
Her spirit during dance is already affected be aide she no longer believes the people who do best get the front. She say it doesn't matter what she does. The teacher always thinks she is terrible. From what I see, she is right. 
Is it studio hopping or protecting my child and her love of dance?