We’ve all heard a story here and there about dance academy drama. There are the crazy stage moms or the teachers that show too much favoritism… How about the diva that has to be the center of attention or the studio owner who focuses solely on making money?
Here are a few tips and tricks to help avoid any dance academy drama
1. Ask whether the dance academy focuses on competitions. Do they have multiple trophies all around the studio?
2. Check how expensive their recital fees are and how much hype surrounds them.
3. See what their reputation is by chatting with some other moms about what they’ve heard.
4. Try your very best to get an overall vibe of the dance academy you plan on attending. Find out whether it is about creating a positive environment where dancers feel welcome to learn? Or does it feel cliquey?
5. Does the dance academy require you to purchase their custom dance clothes or is the dress code too strict?
6. See if they offer a trial class before you go ahead and spend a bunch of money unnecessarily.
7. How does the front desk staff treat you? Are they warm and inviting or does it seem like they don’t have time to answer your questions?
8. Observe how the teacher interacts with their dancers. Are they focusing on their class as a whole or a select group?
9. How involved are the other dancers’ parents? Does it seem healthy or overbearing?
10. How are behavioral issues dealt with? Do you agree or disagree with the academy’s approach?
Of course, the conflict will always be part of our daily lives so the important thing to remember is that we cannot control the people around us. What we can do is to remove ourselves from negative environments.
If a dance academy is doing its job right, the true spirit of dance should always come through. Support, encouragement, and positivity are all great aspects of the dance world that can do wonders for anyone. Always do your research to ensure that your dancer is in the best environment possible while having FUN!
