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? 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.

Dancing is a tradition that is passed from person to person. It can not be learned from a book. Unfortunately, a person can take dancing for years and still not have the skills to be a great teacher. That is because you can only pass on good training if you received good training in the first place. Even dancers who received good training and performed professionally may not make good teachers unless an experienced teacher has tutored them in how to carefully pass on their knowledge.

It is important that teachers utilize a syllabus that is age and ability appropriate. Exercises that are inappropriate for a student can leave a student feeling bored, frustrated, or injured. Many people have heard of the damage done to bone structures by allowing students to dance “on pointe” prematurely. Unfortunately, few people are aware of the damage that can be done to joints (particularly knees and ankles) when certain exercises are given to developing bodies before they have the muscle structure to execute them correctly.

At Birmingham Ballet Academy, our teachers are experienced professionals. They have all received superior training. Many of them have performed professionally and received degrees in dance. We stay up to date on the latest in dance training methods and injury prevention. Together, we provide careful quality training with proven results.

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 or improper technique.

Our studio limits all classes for ages 2 1/2 - 4 to a maximum of just 8 students per class. Primary Ballet classes (age 5) are limited to 10 students per class. All other ballet levels (6 and up) are limited to 12 students per level.

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 “sprung floor”. A sprung floor is a dance floor that uses several layers of wood arranged to absorb the shock of jumping.

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 the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England, and Riverdance - The Touring Show, 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 marley floors because of the expense involved, and usually opt for a regular floor tile for a studio floor.

All of our studios have sprung floors that have 5 layers of wood under the floor surface and a marley top surface designed by Harlequin (top floor designer) . Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.

Most studios put on a year-end show in a professional theatre. A recital fee is charged to cover this cost. Students that perform in the show must also purchase a costume. Some studios may require parents to sew their child’s costumes. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for parents who are busy or cannot sew. Many studios also require parents to purchase tickets for the recital performance night. Most studios put their show together as a 2 to 4 hour string of “recital numbers” that family and friends have to sit through just to enjoy their own child on stage for a few minutes. Because of this, many people (even teachers) feel like recitals are a year-end torture that must be endured as part of the price of dancing. Some teachers even opt not to do recitals for their students to save themselves the hassle.

At Birmingham Ballet Academy we really look forward to our Spring Performance. Dancers love to perform and we wouldn’t dream of not giving them the opportunity! We produce a real production - not “recital numbers”. Our studio orders professional costumes sewn for your child. We give each dancer an unlimited number of tickets to our year-end show. We present a performance that is entertaining for everyone and limit it to a comfortable 90 minutes. That way, you as a parent can enjoy the performance and celebrate your child’s accomplishments.

For more information about Birmingham Ballet Academy call 979-9492.