Let’s Dance! How to choose the right dance studio for your child

There is so much more to a dance class than learning how to plié or high kick. Finding the right dance studio for your child is critical. We sit down with Natalie Lightfoot from Dance Edge Studios to find out the secret to choosing a great dance studio.

Why is dance a great kid’s activity?

Dance provides so much to a growing mind and body: confidence and coordination for life, it makes for well organised teenagers and young adults, friendships, social skills, a focused mind for school studies and, of course, fitness.

What should you look for when choosing a dance studio?

Our best advice is to find the right ‘vibe’ for your child and ask if the dance studio offers a trial class. If your child comes out of that trial class “buzzing”… embrace it! Dance is for life!

Studio culture is number one for us here at DE Studios. The right mix of experienced, qualified, talented teachers along with the studio ‘vibe’ should be your first thoughts when looking at where to send your child for dance classes. You want the dance studio you choose for your child to foster the love of dance first, above everything else. If your child loves going to the dance studio, they will love their dance classes and have a positive learning experience.

Once you have found the right studio ‘vibe’ for your child’s personality, it is always important to ask the studio directors about their teachers, their experience and their qualifications. Unfortunately, the dance industry in Australia is not yet regulated. This means anyone can pop a sign on a door and advertise ‘fun dance classes for children’. Qualified dance teachers have studied their art form, often at Diploma or Degree levels, which also includes studying and learning safe dance practice with children.

How do students choose a genre?

At DE Studios, we believe in students being offered the opportunity to try all genres of dance and performing arts – from classical ballet right through to hip hop and acting classes. When children start dancing from a young age, it is hard to know what genre to enrol them in to. If you’re able to find a studio that offers all genres of dance and performing arts, with a positive studio vibe and qualified dance teachers, you’ve hit the jackpot. At DE, we believe in a love of dance, training all-rounded and versatile dancers and, most of all, happy kids. If students grow up wanting more of a particular genre of dance, it is also important for studio owners to offer pathways for their students, to ensure they are receiving optimum training to pursue their dreams.

Is it all serious, or can dance be 
just for fun?

Dance can be both serious and fun! We have recreational students that have been taking one to two dance classes with us for the past ten years. They come to their dance classes for fun, to hang out with their friends (who they made years back) and also for fitness.
We also have students that call DE Studios their ‘second home’. They attend classes three to five times a week, they attend extension classes and workshops, they have a special friendship circle with other like-minded young people and train hard. Both types of students have something very special in common – they love dance, they enjoy their time at the studio and look forward to what their dance classes offer them each week.

You can find out more about Dance Edge studios and their classes at danceedgestudios.com.au

 

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Search tags: Dance | Services | Sunshine Coast
By Claire Gilligan
WITH A FIFO HUSBAND WHO WORKS AWAY WEEKS AT A TIME, CLAIRE ENJOYS FINDING FUN, LOCAL THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT TO OCCUPY HER AND HER TWO GIRLS' TIME. ORIGINALLY FROM SYDNEY, CLAIRE AND HER FAMILY LOVE ALL THE THINGS THE SUNSHINE COAST HAS TO OFFER AND ENJOY SHOWING IT OFF TO VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Kids on the Coast is a free family magazine whats on guide for Kids: things to do, school holiday fun and free activities for kids... Fun attractions, family food & travel, kids health & wellbeing, kids parties venues, parenting, pregnancy & babies, guide for parents. Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids things to do with kids, schools and education and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.

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