When is a good time to move?
My daughter has been dancing ballet for 3 yrs. She loves it but she is getting bored with the classes. She is not bored with dance just with the class she is in. She is good and is very determined to learn any and all she sees. Is it time to change dance studios? We like our teacher but it is a very small studio and I worry her talent is just not getting what it needs to grow. If we move dance studios should I go to a studio that has more than just ballet or just stick with ballet? She is taking contemporary for 1 yr. as well. She wants to compete but I am not sure if that is a good idea. She is only 7 but can do things advanced dancers can do. What do I do?
3 Answers
Visiting other schools in your area will help gain some perspective on whether or not another studio is a better fit for your daughter. Most studios will be happy to let you observe or try a class in your daughter's age group. Talk to the owner, teachers, dance parents, and other students to learn more about their experiences at the school.
Your daughter is at the age where proper technique is important, and she should be feeling slightly challenged by what she is learning in class. Ballet is the backbone of every dancer's training, but choosing a school that is solely classical based over a school that offers a variety of dance styles depends on your daughter's dance goals, and what she enjoys.
It is possible to find a school that offers a variety of dance disciplines and still has quality technique classes. However if her dream is to perform with a classical ballet company in the future, there are advantages to training at a classically based school with a good reputation.
Here is a link to an article from our blog that covers some more points you may like to consider in making your decision: How To Choose A Dance Studio
Let's hear from some other dance parents out there who have gone through a similar situation!
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Terry Finch is a dance teacher and choreographer with an extensive training and teaching background that spans 26 years. Terry has held a variety of teaching positions, from assisting instructors at her dance studio, to teaching at summer performing arts camp, and leading college level master classes. She is currently in her fourth year as a dance teacher at a studio in central Pennsylvania.
Kristen Padden is a dance choreographer, educator, and performer who has been immersed in the world of dancewear at All About Dance for the past six years. She has performed with numerous contemporary dance companies in New York City, founded a modern dance company in northeastern Pennsylvania, and has enjoyed teaching dance to children and adults for more than 15 years. Kristen loves to write and chat about anything and everything dance!
