5 Things Every Parent Should Know
When Choosing a Dance Studio

If most dance studios seem to have qualified friendly teachers, who are experienced 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 place you decide to enroll? Yes. There are 5 main things that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program.

 

 

 1. Who is teaching your children?
Many dance studios use dancers who have moved up the ranks of the studio to teach entry level classes. Sometimes these teachers are teenagers and even though they may be wonderful dancers and great kids they are too inexperienced to be in charge of children.

At ECPAC all of the teachers are adults. Even our entry level classes are taught by teachers with years of experience. At ECPAC we have teachers who are certified through professional dance associations like Dance Masters of California and teachers who are university trained. You can be sure your child will be taught by qualified and experienced teachers.

2. What type of 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 any cushioning or support, so the shock of dance movement can place a lot of pressure on the knees and back of a dancer. The best way to prevent against potential injury is by choosing a 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 jumping. A high-density foam base is superior to a “sprung” floor, which usually consists of a wood structure built on the regular floor.

At ECPAC your dancer’s health and safety is the highest priority. We have professional floating wood floors in all our dance rooms. Our special floors help reduce the risk of injury and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.

3. Can I watch my child’s classes?
At many studios families are not permitted to watch classes. Parents are left wondering what is happening in the class and if their child is advancing and having a good experience.

At ECPAC we think it is important for parents to be able to see what is happening in the class. We believe it helps the student feel secure and parents feel confident that their children are having a great experience. Because of that each of our dance rooms has a large viewing window and we have quarterly Family Viewing Weeks where mom and dad can watch from inside the classroom.

4. What are the “extras” required for the year end show?
Most studios put on a year end show in a professional style theater. Students that perform in the show must have a costume for their dance number. Some studios “mark-up” costumes to make a profit.

Our studio does not need to profit on costumes. The only fees added to costumes cover tax, shipping, and staff time it takes to place the orders. Costume prices are set and parents are notified of these fees at the time of registration so there are no surprises.

5. Can I get immediate customer service?
In many studios the teacher or the studio owner conducts classes and does the administration. They are so busy that they can have problems returning phone calls in a timely fashion or at all. To have a good experience it is important to choose a studio that can assist you with customer service issues. We have an office staff on hand during prime class hours, 2:30 to 6:30 Monday through Friday.