What Should I Expect In The First Week?

Preparing for Class

1. Dancers are to enter the dance studio fully dressed for class with their hair properly pulled back. Dance bags are to be brought into the dance room where they will be stored in the cubby area.

2. Combo classes (ages 2 through 6 years old) will need to have their ballet shoes on each week when entering class. Please put your tap shoes in a dance bag that they will bring in with them. Put your child’s name in the shoes and on the bag. The teachers will help dancers change shoes in the middle of the class.

3. There is a dressing room area for our dancers, should you need to change. 

What to Expect Your First Week

1. The halls are very crowded for the first few weeks of classes. This will settle down after the first few weeks.

2. There is a lot of switching around of classes as parents are trying to get settled in the new schedule of the year. Please be patient. Classes are often ending with students needing to get to their next class immediately in order to accommodate the different subjects that dancers are taking.

3. Similar to academic classes, the first few weeks of dance classes are curriculum review and getting everyone comfortable with new classes and new teachers. This will relax the students and helps our teachers ensure that students are properly placed in correct classes.

4. If dancers have been placed into classes that are not correct for them –Don’t worry – we will find a more suitable class!

5. Parking is the #1 complaint with parents in dance schools around the nation. This is something that can’t be helped. Please be careful to watch for children!

6. Parents, it is best to get your dancer in class on time and ready to dance. The waiting room area has a viewing tv. 

7. The youngest dancers will often have tears or anxiety in the first few weeks. This is normal. The teachers are trained to get children “on task” quickly. It is not uncommon to have a few dancers that need to be held the first month of class! The best way to ensure success is to assure them they are going to have fun. Leave as quickly as possible and watch them through the tv. Please keep the noise down in the waiting room and don’t let siblings open/knock on the doors. This will distract the dancers.

8. Please have all dancers use the bathroom before class. Teachers will gladly take them if they do need to go during class, but this can be a disruption.

9. You do not have to stay at the studio while your child has a class unless there is a break between their classes and will require your assistance to get to their next class. However, if you do leave during your child’s class, you must be on time for pick-up. If you are running late, please call the front desk so that we can notify the teacher and your dancer. Your dancer will either be in their classroom or in the waiting room waiting for you.

Always stop in at the front desk if you have questions or concerns. Every staff member wants your IDA experience to be positive and rewarding.