There is something extremely personal about finding a dance studio. Not only are there basics that you need to look for (flooring, class sizes, class lengths, etc) but there is something personal about a dance studio. This personal aspect was not something I planned on encountering on my search for a new studio.
I've been looking for a new studio since February. I had found what I thought would be the next studio and was attending classes there as well as at my current "home" studio. The instructors were nice. The classes were fun. Dancing no longer felt like something that I was required to do. It was something I enjoyed again. I looked forward to these classes every week.
Then they moved at the end of May. They moved just far enough away that it wasn't making sense for me to continue taking classes there. Now I had to start my search over again.
When I started dancing four years ago, I just went to the studio that was recommended to me. As I moved to different apartments and into a house, I just kept going to the same studio. And now that I'm trying to find one that works with me and for me, I'm realizing that it won't be as easy as finding the closest studio.
- Please start offering adult classes, dance isn't just for kids. The first, and biggest, problem I had was actually finding a studio that worked with adults. Did you realize that most studios don't?
- I'm not a professional, please don't expect that level of expertise. Of the few that actually do offer adult classes, they expect you to be a professional dancer. Yes, I love ballet, but I'm not planning on being in the Royal Ballet or even in the Texas Ballet. I just want to dance. So please back off and stop expecting my développé to go up past my shoulder. Not happening.
- I'm not a beginner, I want to be challenged, too. Please stop trying to stick me in classes with adults that are in their first or second year. I've been in their shoes before and I don't want to be the person that everyone is trying to follow. I'm not the teacher, stop trying to get me to lead the class. I want to learn, too.
- I have a life outside of the studio. Don't expect me to have my life revolve around my classes. This is something that bothers me at my current studio and a reason I'm looking. As stated earlier, I'm not planning on being a professional dancer. This isn't my life.
- I want the chance to perform. Some of the studios I've come across may offer adult classes, but these classes are never given the chance to perform. Now, I'm a bit of an introvert so most of the time doing something (anything) in front of an audience would make me want to cry, I love to dance on stage. Why would you not even give me that opportunity?
- I need a bit of flexibility with my schedule. One problem I have with my current studio is that they feel that I should attend classes the days and times they say. But guess what? I can't always do that. I have work. I have school. I have a life. What about vacations? Is your studio's policy so strict about missing classes that I'll be scolded for taking time off?
- Let me advance because of my talent, not my wallet. I've had this problem a bit recently and a few of my friends have left my current studio because of this. There seems to be a direct correlation between the advancement you're placed in and the number of classes you take. As you enroll in more classes, you're allowed to continue to the higher levels. If I want to continue into the upper ballet levels, it shouldn't be contingent upon me taking jazz and tap and irish and pilates and yoga....
- Please let me know what kind of ballet you offer. There are many different types of dance out there. Just because you call yourself a "dance studio" doesn't mean you are. And just as there are many types of dance, there are many styles of ballet. I know what I like and what I don't. Please make this clear so I don't waste my time and yours because you wont specify whether this is Russian or Royal or Cecchetti.
- Zumba isn't dance. Stop it. No. Just no. Zumba is not dance. I hate places that are pilates/yoga/zumba/whatever else that like to call themselves a dance studio because they offer one zumba class. If you're going to do this, at least make this clear on your website so I don't go to your establishment to ask about what styles you teach for some teenybopper behind the counter to stare at me glassy eyed and confused.
