Dance Studio vs. Activity Centers

[kvandrew]

You know what really grinds my gears? An activity center that calls itself a dance studio! I’m sorry but if you’re not dancing during every class, then you are an activity center and you should rename your studio as such. Do you really think that Russian dance schools have their 3rd graders jumping on trampolines and going through obstacle courses? Maybe that’s why they turn out some of the best ballet dancers and your studio turns out mediocre dance teachers!



You might be an activity center if…


…your students learn on how to jump on a trampoline vs. learning a tour du l’air.
…any particular overweight student has been with you over a year and has not lost any weight.
…ALL of your advances jazz students cannot perform a double pirouette on both sides.
…none of your students turn into professional dancers.
…you color during class.
…you have ANY classes that don’t actually involve dancing or stretching.
…your middle school students can’t count the beats in the music after their first dance class.
…the costumes are the most impressive thing during a performance.
…your students cannot understand the french ballet terms.


So please don’t call yourself a dance studio when you’re really an activity center! If you are a dance studio and any of the above apply to you, please take action and turn your studio back into a real dance studio…thank you!


-Kevin Andrews

 

[Ray Sison]

You know what really grinds my gears? An activity center that calls itself a dance studio! I’m sorry but if you’re not dancing during every class, then you are an activity center and you should rename your studio as such. Do you really think that Russian dance schools have their 3rd graders jumping on trampolines and going through obstacle courses? Maybe that’s why they turn out some of the best ballet dancers and your studio turns out mediocre dance teachers!



You might be an activity center if…


…your students learn on how to jump on a trampoline vs. learning a tour du l’air.
…any particular overweight student has been with you over a year and has not lost any weight.
…ALL of your advances jazz students cannot perform a double pirouette on both sides.
…none of your students turn into professional dancers.
…you color during class.
…you have ANY classes that don’t actually involve dancing or stretching.
…your middle school students can’t count the beats in the music after their first dance class.
…the costumes are the most impressive thing during a performance.
…your students cannot understand the french ballet terms.


So please don’t call yourself a dance studio when you’re really an activity center! If you are a dance studio and any of the above apply to you, please take action and turn your studio back into a real dance studio…thank you!


-Kevin Andrews

Nicely articulated, clever rant, Kevin! And welcome to Dance Forums!

 

[fascination]

actually... while I echo the welcome, I don't agree with the rant...every studio has a different set of goals and missions and ways of staying open (cross-training is a way), you don't have to respect them but it doesn't make them unentitled to call themselves a studio...people who are looking for something more rigorous will very quickly exit...I don't see the big deal

 

[nucat78]

LOL! Nice troll!

 

[danceronice]

actually... while I echo the welcome, I don't agree with the rant...every studio has a different set of goals and missions and ways of staying open (cross-training is a way), you don't have to respect them but it doesn't make them unentitled to call themselves a studio...people who are looking for something more rigorous will very quickly exit...I don't see the big deal

I agree with fascination. Especially if the kids in question are young enough to be coloring, the goal may not be to crank out cookie-cutter robots for the corps of the Kirov. It might just be to get kids moving with music and having fun. Does not make it any less entitled to use the word "studio."

 

[ireniecat]

I find this rant hilarious! I'm picturing it as Peter Griffin from Family Guy. LOL!!

Anyway! If I were to take it seriously, I think the appropriate name for the kind of dance school OP describes is "conservatory", not "studio."

 

[Purr]

I agree with fascination and danceronice.

 

[3wishes]

Agreed as well with Fascination.

 

[Harvest]

…any particular overweight student has been with you over a year and has not lost any weight.



-Kevin Andrews

Lol, I do see that. It may have something to do with individual's metabolism. I, myself can't get rid off that extra inch even when I do rounds after rounds every day