Why does Dance cost more than other extra-curricular activities?
What is the difference between recreational dance classes and Dance Impression’s Dance Education?
Why does my child HAVE to take a ballet class?
Why are the classes so structured/disciplined?
I’ve heard shouting while waiting in the lobby during my child’s dance class, is this necessary?
Why do we have to buy the same bodysuits and tights, what’s wrong with the cheaper ones at department stores?
Why does my daughter have to have her hair in a well-done dance bun for dance classes?
I don’t understand why all of the dancers need to have the exact same hair and make-up for competitions.
Why does my daughter/son need to wear make-up on stage when she/he is only a pre-beginner?
I’ve been told Dance Education can help my child in school, is this true?
Why is my child staying in the same level when her friend (who is the same age and experience) has moved up?
When is the best time to contact my daughter’s instructor if I have questions or need to let her know if my child will be away?
Why does Dance cost more than other extra-curricular activities?
I
I think your concern is one we all question at some time or another. I believe people get what they pay for. When enrolling your child at Dance Impressions, you are entering her/him into a full ‘Dance Education’ with Certified and Professionally Trained Instructors. These professionals have personally invested countless hours and dollars in their own education to become well trained instructors for your child’s individual growth at dancing including her/his body, mind, and spirit. The dance Instructors at Dance Impressions have a lot of background and dance education and that is definitely worth the dollar they charge.
I'm sure you would not want uneducated people teaching your children math or music, so why would you have someone uneducated teach your child dance? Acquiring an Instructor who is educated comes with a price and that, perhaps, are the fees.
Students from our studio are getting a solid dance education with life lessons and experiences that will take them wherever they go... not all studios’ can offer that.
Ryan herself, let alone her instructors, has invested much time, energy, money and mindful consideration to accomplishing this, as well as worked hard to bring you a great facility. Remember too that our building and other facilities that we use have expenses that need to be covered. Keep in mind, that only instructional hours are covered. Lesson plans, costuming, choreography, exam planning, administration, and other areas that are sometimes taken for granted, are not paid for by dancers and are done more on a volunteer basis by your instructors and Miss Ryan. Like other educators, the personal time and attention given to your child far exceeds the monetary rewards they receive!!
Our families receive full value for their dollar and can expect an efficiently run studio, great space, and high-quality dance lessons. Try not to focus on the money, but the quality of instruction and what you receive per each dollar you spend on dance. I think in the end experience will show you that the more qualified studios will stand out and give you a better value for your dollar in spite of higher fees.
DI’s fees are incredibly low compared to equivalent Dance Education you would receive at any certified school in Alberta including Lloydminster or Edmonton. Miss Josephine’s comment was,
“At most dance schools you get what you pay for. What Ryan offers these dancers for what she charges is unheard of. The dancers and parents don’t realize how much they are receiving and how much Ryan does for them. At Dance Impressions, dancers and parents receive far beyond what they ever pay for. Ryan is incredible to them.”
Feel free to research other qualified ADAPT or Cecchetti training schools and check into their fees schedule. You will be surprised (and thankful) for OUR rate schedule.
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What is the difference between recreational dance classes and Dance Impression’s Dance Education?
Typically you cannot expect the instruction of Recreational dance sessions offered in rural communities to equal that of city centers. From a Professional Dance Educator's point of view, this type of dancing is considered recreational and not educational. Children in recreation programs or recreational dance schools are not required to uphold any professional training standards as most times their teachers are not certified. While recreational dance is a great, fun form of exercise and movement, DI’s education is a more structured Dance Education for your child. The important life skills of focus, personal discipline, and striving to reach individual bests are taught through unfaltering instruction. It is only through proper Instructor led ‘Teacher Training Programs’ that Dance Educators become certified and it is this certification that leads to a higher set of standards and progressions being taught. Our Instructors have attained Professional Education at accredited schools which enables them to not only properly teach your child the importance of her/his body and posture, but also her/his mind and spirit. Parents and students new to dance should be very cautious of dance schools where uncertified coaches are teaching dance, and ask many questions! You might not only be paying for incorrect techniques, but long term physical damage that can hinder future Dance Education elsewhere.
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Why does my child HAVE to take a ballet class?
Safety!! Ballet technique is traditionally deemed essential because it is considered to be the building block of the key principles and steps of dance. It is encouraged strongly at a young age to build good habits and to protect the dancer's muscles, limbs, bones, and health. Ballet introduces safe methods of technique, insuring that young bodies are physically ready to perform moves of increasing difficulty. Students are required to learn the names, meanings, and precise technique of each movement they learn. Emphasis is put on building strength in the lower body, particularly the legs, the ankles, the feet, and the core (also called the center or the abdominals). A strong core is necessary for many movements, especially turns, in all disciplines. Detailed study is spent on developing the carriage of the upper body, the movement of the arms, the usage of the back, and showcasing the beauty of line with expressive eye focus, harmony, co-ordination and balance of the lower and upper body. Ballet is also a good introduction to developing flexibility partnered with the strength necessary to hold the positions you often see dancers in and develops strong, flexible feet and ankles which will help a dancer maintain clean lines right to the tip of his /her toes!
(It equates to never teaching a child basic hockey skills such as skating or taking a check properly, and then having her/him play higher level hockey…chances are she/he will be able to feign her/his way through the game, but serious, long term injury could occur!!)
If you have a dancer that is currently in other disciplines and expected to perform various jumps and spins without the foundation of proper Ballet training, significant, lifelong injuries can take place and careful monitoring by a physician is advisable.
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Why are the classes so structured/disciplined?
True Dance Education involves the whole self. It is meant to establish a foundation of passion and determination into our dancers. Your child is taught as an individual, through all avenues including her/his personal obstacles. At the right time, steering a young dancer off the beaten path and urging her/him to confront difficult barriers head on will give her/him a sense of self-respect and satisfaction that will carry on into daily life and stay with her/him through adulthood. We believe in fostering respect for others into our dancers as well, and expect as much during teaching time. Just as in any classroom, our students are expected to pay attention to instruction and the Teacher without disrupting others. This time is specified to your child’s education by you the parent, and is not to be used by others as a time to catch up with friends or to fool around. We realize, and respect, the money and sacrifice you have given to have your dancer here at Dance Impressions and will ensure that she/he is getting a full, quality Dance Education without interruption.
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I’ve heard shouting while waiting in the lobby during my child’s dance class, is this necessary?
Chances are you are hearing the Instructor trying to be heard over both the music and ten or more dancers!! If instructors spoke to the dancers in a regular tone at a conversation level, they would never be heard across the room and above the music. Most dancers don’t even notice it, as it is a regular part of the training process. Being loud and enthusiastic encourages the dancers to work harder, and push themselves further. Our Educators are trained to urge the dancer to her/his full potential, so be aware that most words you are hearing are in the context of encouragement. Also, you as parents are encouraged to join in the adult classes to experience this from the other side. It truly is motivating for a student, our Instructors should know, they are presently taking further Dance Education themselves!! If you are still concerned, or your dancer is sensitive to this, please contact Miss Ryan, she is always open to parent communication! !
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Why do we have to buy the same bodysuits and tights, what’s wrong with the cheaper ones at department stores?
For the Instructor to give proper corrections, even to our youngest dancers, she needs to have her students in a tight that actually defines and contours their leg by holding it, not just covering it. Although it may not appear to be the case, proper tights make a lot of difference to a dancer!! Tights that are too thin, like nylon, tend to snag and run more easily and often have different colorations and shading on the thigh where they are pulled tighter. Since our dancers are without undergarments, most choose to wash tights after each class, which can lead to runs and holes in the lesser quality tights. Tights that are too thick, like cotton, are too hot to dance in and give the leg a ‘padded’ look. Another important characteristic of a good tight is that it needs to be breathable for hygienic reasons.
As for the bodysuits, having all dancers in the same suit enables the instructor to really focus on each dancer’s movement without distraction. There are other specifics too; the leg line and the cut of the bodysuit need to be precise. Some suits can give distorted images to the instructor lessening your child’s quality Education. With everyone in the same suit it gives our dancers an even standard without having the worries of who has the better suit! We respect each student as equal and don’t want the cost or showiness of the ‘better’ suit becoming a status symbol in our Dance Classes.
Thankfully for us, Miss Ryan has been trying many different brands and types of dancewear over the years. Her goal is to provide dancers with high quality, lasting tights and bodysuits at a reasonable price. Only having to buy one pair (or more depending on number of classes) of quality tights actually works out cheaper by the end of the year! She even orders in the needed attire for your dancer to save you driving around to find those hidden dance stores!!
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Why does my daughter have to have her hair in a well-done dance bun for dance classes?
Unlike extra-curricular activities and sports, Dance is an Art and some of the aspects that make art beautiful to the eye are the details; seamless lines, elegance, flow etc. In order to fully appreciate (and correct) a dancer, you have to see their face and neck, not to mention their arms. With long, loose hair, this is very difficult, which is why Dance Instructors across the world insist on ballet buns for their students. This way, they can observe the line of the neck and head placement to properly evaluate the alignment and technique of the dancer. A ballet bun gives a sleeker more delicate, graceful look without the distraction of hair whipping around in the dancer’s face.
By expecting our dancers to be well-groomed, we are teaching them the importance of taking pride in their appearance. If we give our dancers consistent high expectations at an early age, it carries on into daily life and what they can become. (Also, practicing every week helps prepare Mom for Exams and Competitions!!) Dance Impressions is passionate about your whole child’s education, details are important for the complete schooling of your dancer. Some schools are not as precise and assume that details don’t matter…we realize they do!!
If you're new to ballet…or just a Dad who is dropping his daughter off at the dance studio for the first time ;o) click here for tips on how to make a Ballet Bun!!
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I don’t understand why all of the dancers need to have the exact same hair and make-up for competitions.
True understanding of this will come after witnessing Festivals first hand! Watching Dance Impression’s Dancers on stage, you will be amazed at how much difference this precision actually makes. It brings the entire performance together and shows the commitment and dedication given by the parent, dancer and instructor for our overall success.
(Over time our parents refer to this as becoming “Ryanized”. You too will come to appreciate the pride felt when other dance company’s parents ask you what ‘city school’ your child trains at!!)
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Why does my daughter/son need to wear make-up on stage when she/he is only a pre-beginner?
If our dancers stood onstage without any makeup on, the audience would probably see a blur instead of their faces!! The strong, bright stage-lights wash out all of the dancer’s facial features. A large part of the choreography is the emotion of the dancer, joyful, sorrowful, excited, etc. To assure the best performance possible and to highlight and accentuate their eyes, cheeks, noses and other features, all dancers around the world (male and female) wear makeup when they are onstage. By starting our dancers at an early age, they become accustomed to this important note to detail.
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I’ve been told Dance Education can help my child in school, is this true?
Every child benefits from quality dance training, even though he/she may ultimately choose another career path. In dance, children learn the cooperative teamwork skills necessary to produce a high quality work of art. They develop creative thinking skills and the ability to push themselves to higher achievements. They learn an immense amount about music and rhythm, and are introduced to the French language. They encounter spatial relationships and must think with both sides of their brain while learning to dance. All of these abilities will enhance your child’s academic performance, as well as their physical well-being. Self-confidence and self-esteem continue to develop as a young person conquers new movements and grows more certain of his/her ability to apply themselves, work hard, and master any task put before him/her. Growing through this artistic process helps a child find the pathway to personal integrity and self-assured adulthood. He/she enters society with the ability to do well at whatever life places before him/her; and with the ability to maintain the uncompromising high standards absorbed during his/her Dance Education.
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Why is my child staying in the same level when her friend (who is the same age and experience) has moved up?
Class Placement
Number one is I put your child’s needs first. I do want the very best for your child and in all honestly I probably spend more time analyzing your child than you care to know. If she is placed in the most appropriate level and maximizes her potential she will have a really enjoyable year. The goal, in the end, is to have your dancer feeling proud and successful of her accomplishments. This will only happen if she is properly placed.
This season will be my 11th year teaching, and if experience has taught me anything it is that frustration, high-stress, and emotional breakdowns generally coincide with dancers pushing too hard to keep-up with a level unsuited to their needs; and not necessarily just technical needs either. All children, pre-teens, teens and even adults hit developmental milestones at their own rate and in their own time. Physical, emotional, and mental factors also have to be taken into consideration.
Progression Through Levels
Each level is exponentially harder than the one preceding it. Not only do the technical requirements become more difficult with each level, but the pace at which the dancer is expected to think, connect, apply, respond and perform becomes demandingly faster. Also, the focus on quality, consistency, presentation, and accuracy of each movement also becomes progressively more intense. Flexibility requirements also increase with each level not only for injury prevention, but because flexibility is essential to all movements beyond the very simplest and basic elements of dance. Mastering the requirements of each level is detrimental to the continued success of the dancer because each skill learned becomes the foundation or the root movement of the next progressive skill. Without that strong solid foundation, there is nothing to build from.
Please, please, please refrain from discuss other children and/or their placement. If you do have any questions or concerns about your own child’s placement, I will be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss them with you and your child personally.
Miss Ryan
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When is the best time to contact my daughter’s instructor if I have questions or need to let her know if my child will be away?
This is a very good question! Chances are, like the rest of us, the only time you are at the studio is when you are dropping off or picking up your dancer. The instructors are busy switching classes and it is next to impossible to catch them due to class needs.
There are a few options however;
þ Drop a note in the Studio’s drop box. (The metal mailbox attached to the front of the counter)
þ Phone the studio at anytime and leave a message on the studio voicemail.
þ E-mail your message to danceimpressions@telus.net
Miss Ryan checks all of these daily and will return, or redirect, any messages promptly. Please keep in mind that if you need to speak directly with Miss Ryan, it will have to be after 10:00 pm (if that suits you) or between 12:00pm and 4:00pm during the day to avoid instruction time. The contact number that you can be reached at should correspond with these times.
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