Why Cumberland Dance?
As a studio, we firmly believe everyone, children and adults, have the ability to learn dance and will grow to love it.
That is why our classes are tailored to fit all levels of experience and age.
As a parent we realize you have a choice between several different dance schools. All studios are not the same. We constantly renovate and improve our facilities and provide ongoing training to our staff to ensure we are always providing our students and parents with the best experience possible.
3 THINGS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW BEFORE
CHOOSING A DANCE STUDIO
If most dance studios seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience teaching children and a big show at the end of the year, aren’t they all pretty much the same? Does it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Yes. There are 3 main things that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives, the amount of extra work and hassles the parents must deal with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program. Here are 3 things that every parent should consider before deciding on a dance studio for their child.
1. WHAT TYPE OF DANCE FLOOR IS USED?
Why is this important?
The impact force with which the foot strikes the ground will rebound off the surface and vibrate up through the body as an energy shockwave. This shockwave affects muscles, tendons and leads to joint trauma at the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back. According to Sports Medicine experts, the body feels three times its weight in pressure with each foot-fall while running and up to seven times its weight when it jumps. Jumping on a non-sprung floor can result in shin splints, sprains or worse.
True “sprung” dance floors have the right amount of “give” to them. Dancing on concrete or floors laid directly on concrete results in the body absorbing the energy of that impact. A true sprung dance floor means that every point on the dance surface is separated from the concrete surface by air.
According to Perry Silvey, the production stage manager of the New York City Ballet, this flooring is injury free and predictable. Concrete floors can create many physical problems for they allow no "give". A properly sprung floor absorbs energy, preventing overuse injuries. The added protection from the "sprung" floor provides consistency and cushioning for the dancer.
So before you sign up for classes at any dance studio, ask if they have true sprung floors!
2. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE CLASS?
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 is 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 6 and up) to a maximum of just 15 students per class. With our younger dance classes (ages 3 - 5) we limit all of our classes to a maximum of just 11 students per class with an instructor and an assistant.
3. ASK ABOUT THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE.
An end-of-the year performance is important! It gives a dancer valuable stage experience, as well as the opportunity to use what they have learned during the year. Dance is, after all, a performing art! At Cumberland Dance Conservatory, our year-end performance is designed to compliment your child’s classroom training - not replace it.
We hope the information presented here helps you find the right dance school for your dancer - one that provides quality instruction in a healthy atmosphere. Even though your child may not want to make dance a career, you still want them to gain proper understanding and an appreciation for the art form. At Cumberland Dance Conservatory, we believe that every child has the right to learn the art form properly - taught by the best instructors available - and have fun doing it! If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us.
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