When it comes to selecting a dance school, there are as many schools out there as there are educational and artistic viewpoints. Consider the following guidelines when selecting the right school for you.
Professional Background/Accreditation
Interview teachers before they interview you. Asking about the training, professional background and accreditations of the teacher(s) will give you a good sense of how qualified they are to teach you. Some teachers may will hold degrees in dance and others might have dance teaching certifications. Others yet may have years of experience studying with a master or performing professionally. If for any reason, this information is not provided to you, you have good reason to be suspicious of a teacher’s qualifications.
Class Structure
Choosing a class structure that’s right for you is important. Does a school offer a recreational environment or more rigorous pre-professional training? Are classes that offer creative expression more in line with your career goals or would you prefer more structured technical training? It’s also important to get an idea of how classes will divide time between theory, exams, performance and competitions and whether extra time or financial commitments are involved.
Performances/Recitals
Annual recitals allow students to showcase all of their hard work, to experience rehearsing and to perform on a stage. Recitals generally require more money for students, but they provide students with something to look forward to.
Examinations
Accredited dance schools may offer dance exams that follow a structured syllabus through several grades. A structured syllabus provides a learning framework for the students as well as for the teachers. If the school offers exams, much of the class time will be spent mastering a specific set of exercises over the year. Schools without structured exams may choose to vary the class exercises more frequently. Exams don’t necessarily make a student into a better dancer, but they do provide goals and rewards for students to reach.
Competitions
In conjunction with other national and international schools, some dance schools may participate in adjudicated dance competitions. During competitions, the students will be ranked and awarded trophies and prizes. This means that a lot of class time will be devoted to learning and mastering a specific routine for a competition.