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Choosing a Dance Studio

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 recitals….aren’t they all pretty much the same? Does it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Yes! There are four 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 four things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.

1. 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.

2. What is the size of the class?

If the dance class has fewer students in it 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. Our smaller class sizes make sure that no fundamental concepts are being missed. A smaller class size also allows our teachers to ensure that students are not developing bad habits and improper techniques.

All of our dancers that are six years and under have a maximum of six students to a class. Classes with dancers age seven and up, have a maximum of 12 dancers. The only classes that we allow to have more than twelve students are our competitive teams. The requirements for these teams are different and so the class size is adjusted accordingly.

3. What are the extras required for recitals and performances?

Most studios put on a year-end show in a professional theatre. Students that perform in the show must have a costume for their dance number. Some studios may require parents to sew their child’s costumes (or find their own seamstress to do the sewing), and/or pay extra fees throughout the year in order to pay for one. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who are busy or can’t sew. It can also create family “budget” problems.

Rather than one recital, HCCD has two during the year, in addition to other performance opportunities. HCCD feels it is important for students to perform as much as possible. Because of this, HCCD has a “hassle-free” costume program. We include the costume with the student’s monthly tuition. This insures that they are always “fitted” for a costume no matter what performance comes up. If a student transfers groups, grows, etc., HCCD takes care of it! This also makes sure that there are no “surprise” costs in costume fees throughout the year! Most studio costume fees can range anywhere from $120-400.00 (and up). This is a big dent in anyone’s pocketbook and is frustrating for a costume that (at many studios) is only worn once. At HCCD parents don’t need to stress before performances. They just show up with their student and enjoy the show!

4. 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 as the teacher has 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 studios have office staff on hand during all regular class times, so you can get immediate assistance.

Are All Dance Studios the Same? Compare all the options… Here’s why the High Country Conservatory of Dance is the right choice:	High Country Conservatory of Dance	Other Dance Studios
Small Class sizes – Maximum 6 per class for ages 3-6, and a maximum of 12 per class for ages 7 and up.
All Studios are equipped with floating floors which help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.
Mirrors that start at the floor level so that dancers can see their feet from any place in the dance floor.
Hassel-free costume policy where your child is always kept fitted in a costume and the costumes are brought for you to the performances.
Evaluation and levels programs sent out every other month to keep students on track, and parents informed of their student’s progress.
Choice of recreational, performance, and competition teams.
Wholesome environment
Modest Costumes
Caring & Qualified Instructors
Multiple performance opportunities, recitals and class showings

"Are All Dance Studios the Same? Call us today and discover what sets us apart in Dance Instruction in Northern Colorado"

High Country Conservatory of Dance provides dance classes in Fort Collins and Loveland, CO. Dance instruction include Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Clogging. Professional dance classes are available for everyone from young to old, the inexperienced to professional dancers. Discover today why the (HCCD) High Country Conservatory of Dance is widely recognized as the premiere dance studio in Fort Collins, Loveland and across Northern Colorado.