There’s a reason why dance studios in the United States make up a $4 billion market size. More people are seeing the value of dance than ever before. Whether you and you’re child are interested in dance for physical health, artistic purposes, or social reasons, a dance class is a great place to start.
Unfortunately, many younger dancers often feel stressed before their first class. This isn’t restricted to younger students either. Regardless of your child’s age, they might still be nervous about what to expect in your first dance class.
Our advice: don’t panic. It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous before trying something new. To help you feel better in this article we’ll walk you through what to expect. That way nothing takes you or your child by surprise. Let’s get started!
Think About What Type of Dance Your Child Wants to Take
The first decision you and your child need to make is what type of dance class to take. There are a variety of different styles to choose from. Some popular types include things like ballet, conservatory dance, jazz dance, hip hop dance, contemporary dance, and lyrical dance. Ask your child what style interests them the most.
If neither of you is sure, then consider watching videos on YouTube to see which type looks like the most fun. Or, you can contact the dance studio and seeing which class they recommend for your child.
How Old Should Children Be When They Start Dancing?
Many parents want to know how old their children should be when they start dancing. The youngest class we offer is for children that are two years of age. This is a mommy-and-me style class that allows the caregiver to provide support while the child fosters an early love for dance.
However, we generally wait until age four before beginning primary dance classes without parents. At this point your child can pick a path to start down: tap, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop are great places to start. However, keep in mind that some classes, like pointe ballet, are age-specific.
Medical experts recommend waiting until your child is twelve years of age before starting these classes. This is done to avoid damaging the growth plates on your child’s feet. However, ultimately, it depends entirely on the training they receive before learning pointe. As such, every case is different.
Try a Complimentary Trial First
We want all our students to be excited about dancing. But, the only way you can do that is by making sure that they feel comfortable in the environment first. That’s why we offer a complimentary free trial to see if our studio is a good fit. These types of drop-in classes are a great way to see if the dance style and instructors are a good fit for your child.
Then, if you like the class you can sign up for classes on a monthly or yearly basis. Alternatively, you can also schedule single classes without any commitment.
What Should You Wear?
If you’re attending your free trial, then you should wear comfortable clothes that you can dance in. If you own tights, leggings, or leotards, then we recommend wearing these. Certain classes, like ballet and jazz, require specific types of shoes. If you don’t own any, then just wear socks or come barefoot.
Also, remember that street shoes aren’t allowed on the floors in our studio. After you’re trial class you’ll need to adhere to the dress code required for each class.
The good news is that vendors like Discount Dance Supplies carry all the items found on the San Elijo Dance & Music Academy dress code list. After you register for your class, you’ll receive a discount code for purchasing dress code items from Discount Dance Supplies.
What to Expect On Your First Class
Different classes bring different expectations and exercises. For example, our youngest classes will learn fundamentals like how to sit and stand like a dancer. They will also learn simple, but important, things like how to take turns and how to raise their hand for questions. Beginner and intermediate classes will focus on skills related to their dance.
For example, ballet classes will focus on skills related to that branch of dance. During these early classes, you can anticipate a lot of the fundamentals. While it might seem unnecessary for certain students, good fundamentals are key before learning advanced moves and techniques.
Regardless, on your first day, you should expect to hear a lot of new terms — especially if you’re a beginner. You should also come prepared to meet a lot of new people, like your fellow students and teachers. Come with an open mind that’s prepared to learn, but also have fun. After all, dancing is a joyous activity.
What Can Parents Do During the Dance Class?
Parents are invited to wait in the comfortable lobby areas during the classes at San Elijo Dance & Music Academy. There are both viewing windows and live televisions so you can watch your child dance. Observation days twice a year allow you to sit in on a dance class and watch your child from the studio.
Is Your Child Interested In Dance? Get in Touch With San Elijo Dance & Music Academy
We hope this article helped you learn more about what to expect from your first dance class. Every dance class will be run differently. However, at the end of the day, you and your child should feel at home in a community of fellow dance lovers. So, how do you find this community? If you live near San Diego, then look no further than the San Elijo Dance & Music Academy.
We believe in offering a family-friendly environment to nurture student’s love of dance. For serious students interested in a dance career we even offer pre-professional classes. So, whether your child is just starting out or about to go pro, we can accommodate them. If you’re ready to schedule your free trial class, then get in touch with us today.