SPECIAL REPORT:

4 THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW
BEFORE CHOOSING A DANCE STUDIO

If most dance studios seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience 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 at? Yes. There are 4 main things that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives, the amount of extra work and hassles the parents must deal with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program. Here are 4 things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.

What type of dance 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. The top layer of the dance floor is also an important factor. A vinyl composite "marley" floor is accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational to professional dance. Facilities such as Broadway Dance Center in NYC, all use marley floors as their dance surface. A marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of "controlled slip", but is not slippery so there is less risk of slips and falls. Very few studios use professional floors because of the expense involved, and usually opt for a regular floor tile for a studio floor. Our studios have floating floors that have over 1000 high density foam blocks under the floor surface, and a vinyl top surface. Our special floors help to reduce the risk of injuries and to allow students to dance longer without getting tired.

Do you use student teachers?
Many dance studios use their advanced students as "teachers'. These "teachers" may some day have the potential for being excellent teachers, but they themselves are still learning. Being an excellent dancer does not equate to and excellent teacher. All of our classes have professional teachers. We also utilize our advanced students as demonstrators for lower level classes. If dance class has student demonstrators, each child will receive more personalized attention, learn more and have more fun. With younger students it is easier for a teacher to maintain control over the class and make sure each student understands the concepts and instructions. Through the use of student demonstrators, time is spent ensuring that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique.

Do you offer combo classes?
In combination classes, such as ballet/jazz or gymnastics/tap, time is wasted changing shoes and losing the attention of the student. By the end of the year, the child may become proficient in changing shoes, but will not have had a full year of training in any discipline. Each of our classes is dedicated to one discipline. Our students accomplish more through focused and concentrated instruction and more time is spent learning.

Can I get immediate assistance and customer service?
In many studios the teacher or the studio owner conducts classes and does the administration. By trying to do two jobs at once, the class may suffer by the teacher having to use class time for customer service issues, or the studio may have no customer service available if the teacher is in a class. To have a good experience it is important to choose a studio that can assist you with details like costumes or schedules, even if a teacher is occupied in a class. Our studio has office staff available during class times, so you can have immediate assistance for any customer service issues you may have. Our teachers are left free to focus on teaching: the class always gets undivided attention.

Across The Floor School of Dance & Gymnastics
97 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Phone: 732.726.9090