How to Choose a Dance School

Choosing the best dance school for your needs is important if you want to learn how to dance well. Dancing can be a fun way to learn a new skill and enjoy a healthy physical activity. However, it's important to choose the perfect dance instructor and dance studio for the type of dance you want to learn. Inferior instruction can cause you to suffer an injury or lose your hard-earned money. Use these guidelines when selecting a dance school.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Call some local dance studios and ask the receptionist to tell you the days and times the class you are interested in is offered. Ask for tuition prices as well. If the studio has brochures, ask the studio to mail a copy to your home. If the dance school has a website, visit the website to get more information about the school.

2. Ask the receptionist about the qualifications of the dance school instructors. Did the instructors dance professionally? Did they earn degrees in dance?

3. Receive permission to watch or participate in a class. Many dance schools will let prospective students try out a class free to see if they want to continue with dance lessons.

4. Observe the instructor and students during the initial visit. Does the instructor take time to explain and demonstrate steps? If the instructor seems impatient or doesn't explain steps well, you should not attend his school. You will only get discouraged and waste your money on ineffective instruction.

5. Check to see that the dance floor is the proper type for dancing. Hardwood floors or professional dance floors are necessary in order to avoid injury. If the floor is concrete or tile, you should avoid taking dance lessons in that particular studio because you could get seriously hurt.

6. Continue to go through the above steps in order to determine which dance school is the best one for your needs. With a little persistence, you will be able to locate a knowledgeable caring instructor who will develop you into the best dancer you can be.

Tips & Warnings

• Use Internet search engines to locate dance schools in your area that have websites. This will allow you to take a virtual tour of the school before you go there in person.
• Don't be lured by schools that brag about how many competitions their students have won. Receiving quality dance instruction is more important than winning trophies.