Choosing Evansville Ballet Classes For Kids? Here

By Nancy Gardner


In the heart of the Mid-West, Evansville, Indiana is developing a fine tradition of ballet excellence. Students and professionals alike come together in excellent programs of study and performance. For the youngest new dance enthusiasts, this means wonderful opportunities. For parents who may have never studied dance, these helpful guidelines will help to explain how to find the solid technical foundation children need when starting.

If you are a parent looking for Evansville ballet classes for kids for the first time, and you have never had any dance training yourself, then the first thing you must do is visit the local studios in person. Do your research online to see what attracts you, but go to each location before making any final decisions. This is important because you will be looking for things that dancers experience during class times, rather than images of the finished product.

To receive permission to view classes, contact the studio administrator. Present yourself as the parent of a child interested in studying there. Most will allow you to observe from an adjacent area or to take a few moment sitting someplace in the classroom. Write down questions for later, so as not to disturb the class.

Before your child attends class, watch a session. You will look for several things. How does the instructor interact with the students? Once the instructor demonstrates exercises to the entire class, does he or she help students individually? Are struggling students encouraged or discouraged? Are students forced to hold difficult or uncomfortable positions? Try to gauge the general classroom mood. Look for happy faces, or concentrated, focused eyes. Ballet study is traditionally formal, so expect that discipline will be exercised. But with very young students whose bodies, minds and emotions are still developing, class should be more relaxed. Showing positions, using hands to guide young hands, arms, legs and feet is quite normal. Forcing young bodies into pain is not.

Once your choice is made, try to schedule a trial lesson for your child. Use that time to evaluate the experience. The teacher will look for signs of readiness, too. Discuss the class together. If all is positive, then you can move ahead to regular lesson times.

When you decide to enroll, the studio may require waiting for the first class in a new series, or you may be allowed to join a class already in session. If you must wait, consider enrolling in a class to explore movement for young ones until the ballet lessons you want are taking new students.

Studios have different requirements for the dance wear their students must have. The most traditional schools often have different colors for different levels. Students are allowed to wear a new color as they move up to a more advanced level of study. For others, wearing black leotards with pink tights is common. Most require either pink or black ballet shoes. All expect hair to be securely fastened.

Expect a registration fee and tuition by the semester or class. This varies by studio. With the basics done, your child may begin a lifetime of dance adventures.




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