The Dance Factory & Music Studios is committed to teaching the arts of dance and music through superior industry knowledge of its instructors. That, combined with a genuine love of what we do encourages the growth of creativity and builds self esteem on an individual basis. We welcome all students, from the recreational to the serious performer. To learn more about us take a look below.
“We have an unwavering passion for dance and music.”
Four Things Every Parent Should Know Before Choosing a Dance Studio
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 “floating floor.”
A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam, to absorb the shock of jumping. A high density foam base is superior to a “sprung” floor, which usually consists of a wood structure built on the regular floor. 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 studio locations having floating floors that have over 700 high density foam blocks under the floor surface and a marley top surface that is imported from England.
Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.
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’s 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 of our classes (ages 7 and up) to a maximum of 10 – 15 students per class. With our “pre-ballet dance” classes (ages 3-6) we limit all of our classes to a maximum of 10 students per class.
No, our end-of-the-year showcase is completely optional. Unlike some studios that have a costume fee included in their tuition, ours is paid separately. This gives each dancer the option of participating in our showcase without losing any money. Dancers are allowed to remain in the class and learn the dance combination just as if he/she would be performing it. The only difference is he/she would not be put in formations. This is specifically designed for students strictly interested in learning and not performing.
We also have a designated waiting area for parents. We have live video feed in our lobby for parents to observe classes.
Another great way for parents to see the progress of their dancer is with our Parent Observation Week. We have two Parent Observation Weeks: one in November and the other in April. During this week, parents are allowed to sit inside the classroom and observe their child’s dance class.