Why Choose Us
The Dance Factory is proud to be a participationg studio in the American Academy of Ballet Performance Awards Program. Please view our informative video below for more information.
About The Dance Factory
From the Director
4 Things Every Parent Should Know Before Choosing a Dance Studio
1. What type of dance floor is used? 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 held reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.
2. What is the size of a 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 7 and up) to a maximum of 15 - 20 students per class. With our "pre-ballet dance" classes (ages 2-6) we limit all of our classes to a maximum of 10 students per class.
3. Do I have to be in the end of the year showcase? 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 loosing 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.
4. Can parents observe classes or is there a designated waiting area? Our new location has 1 way observation windows in the dance studios so parents can watch their children dance. The reason for the 1 way observation windows is that the dancers are not distracted with traffic going on in the hallways. We also have a designated waiting area for parents. Another great way for parents to see the progress of their dancer is with our Parent Observation Week. We have 2 Parent Observation Weeks, one is in November and the other is in April. During this week, parents are allowed to sit inside the classroom and observe their child's dance class.