Things to look for before you choose a ballet dance school

Looking for a ballet school for your child?

This is an exciting task which can go sour if not well-conducted. Why waste your hard-earned money for low quality services? That is why you should be equipped with the tips to find the best school.  Here is how to make every penny count.

Check out for qualified teachers

You want your kid to learn this craft and only a qualified and experienced teacher can make it happen. Confirm the teacher’s credentials before leaving your child under his/her care. Find out more about the teaching faculty of the dance school of your choice. A strong teaching faculty will have qualified teachers who not have a strong repertoire of dancing and teaching experience but are also well-conversant with the ballet syllabi and well-equipped with knowledge of safe teaching practice.

At Young Dancers Academy, our teachers are all equipped with the necessary qualifications to provide your child with the best learning opportunities that not only develops his or her technical skills and abilities but are also committed to ensuring the best learning experience for your child.

You may refer to Our Faculty to find out more about our teachers at YDA.

Friendly teachers

Apart from good papers, dance schools should have teachers and staff who are children friendly. Teaching young minds require a trainer with both patience and forbearance to be able to teach the skill effectively. Kids have different learning abilities; while others are fast at learning, there are always some that may be slower. Teachers therefore need to be flexible in their teaching methods. Reviews and testimonials of the school’s teaching faculty and staff play a very large role in informing you of the suitability of the teachers.

Dance school program

Like with all learning institutions, dance schools should have a program of its own. With a clear program, you can easily know what your child will be able to do at a certain level. On top of that, having a recognized dance syllabus is also important if you intend to prepare your child for ballet examinations and grading.  Both a program and a syllabus provide guidance to the school, as well as add structure to your child’s learning.

At Young Dancers Academy, we offer both the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and Australian-based Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) syllabi in our ballet classes. We also prepare all students for annual ballet examinations classes. Find out more about these certifications here.

On top of regular syllabus classes, YDA also offers a wide-range of Scholarship Programs for our students to maximize their potential. This program offers pre-professional dance training for students who are looking at furthering their dance training. You may refer to Scholarship Programs to find out more about our Scholarship Programs. Students from our Scholarship Programs have also participated in numerous competitions and have received many awards. Find out more about Our Achievements.

Age appropriateness

It is common for ballet dance schools to have very high expectations of their students which should not in any way compromise the child’s safety. When hunting for a good school, do not only go for one that only boasts of achievements and medals. Instead keep an eye on schools that are concern about letting your kids grow step by step. Do not allow your child to be exposed to dance moves that are too strenuous for her. At the same time, do make sure that your child is not in a class that allows her to achieve her fullest potential. Choosing an age-appropriate class is important not only for your child’s development of dance technique but also for her socio-emotional learning. Being with other children of the same age group will definitely make your child feel more at ease. What is most important is making sure that child is enjoying the classes.

At Young Dancers Academy, our staff and teachers are able to advise you on the appropriate class(es) for your child. Trial classes are also available for both you and the teacher to gauge the suitability of the classes prior to enrolment. This ensures that your child gains the best learning experience of the ballet classes here. You can contact us to find out more about our classes and trial classes.

Dance school program

Like with all learning institutions, dance schools should have a program of its own. With a program, you can easily know what your child will be able to do at a certain level and if not, you can raise it to the teacher. Both a program and a syllabus provide guidance to the activities of the school. You can never go wrong with organized ballet lessons in Singapore.

Class placement

A dance school should have different levels in which a child graduates to after completing the previous one. This shows progress and that your child has understood the skill even better. These classes also give peers a chance to build friendships as they interact on many occasions.

At Young Dancers Academy, we offer classes for all grades for both the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) syllabi.

Child safety

Like with any sport, injuries can occur if the training environment is inappropriate. For ballet, the flooring of the studio is very important. Ensure that the studio of your choice has dance studios that are equipped with appropriate dance floors that are safe for dancing. Young Dancers Academy Studios are well-equipped with sprung floors and imported dance mats for safe dancing.