Ballet lessons? Or Business lessons? I got spoiled in Bozeman. The little dance studio where H took two years of lessons was a low key business with the slogan "A new approach to dance." I didn't know exactly what the slogan met. I do now and I so desire "A new approach to dance." H has abandoned dance for other pursuits, but K was anxious to start. Not wanting to do soccer and dance (she is only 4), I waited until October to sign her up and then my choices were limited. Most places were full. I found a "studio" less than a mile from my house and the fees seemed reasonable. Accept that she didn't tell me everything.
In Bozeman we paid, $40 a month for lessons and $32 for a recital costume. The recital was low key, free, and we could bring as many people as we wanted. The costumes were cute, but always something that could be worn to class next year. The classes were in a lovely second floor studio with old wood floors, walls of windows and mirrors. I've seen better studios, but this one was nice. The recital was fun with a break after the little kids performed so they could join their families to watch the older girls.
Here we pay $30 a month for the same length of class, $72 for a costume that will have to go in the dress up bin, $11 per ticket for the recital, and we have to hire a babysitter for backstage during the performance because she doesn't get to watch the older girls. I was shocked. Shouldn't all this be part of the up-front information? The owner says, but this isn't a recital is it a show, "The students need to know the performance aspect of dance." Please. K is four. She needs to learn vocabulary, to control her body, to use her body to express emotions, to have fun and to give a little RECITAL at the end of the year to show off what she has learned. Save the SHOW for the older kids who are sold on dance, who do need to learn about performance. And did I mention this studio is a cement floor in a basement with cheap Walmart door mirrors on the floor? There are only four little girls which is nice. I've called around and the expensive costumes, paying for the recital tickets even if you are the parents, seems to be the norm around here. I wish I was a dancer. I would start my own studio. Part of me wants to demand a refund and let K go do gymnastics with her sister. I don't appreciate hidden costs.
Is all this normal?
4 comments:
I had been looking for a tumbling class for Jacob and haven't found one for under $100 (once you pay the class fee and insurance). It seemed way too much to me. I should ask my sister-in-law (who teaches dance) if she would want to come to Saginaw once a week to teacha class, maybe with no recital?
Oh, I completely understand this one. We have a studio nearby that I looked into for X-man. But they have a dress code for class, and then there's the recital stuff and it all seemed way too high maintenance and REALLY expensive for a little guy who just loves to shake his groove thing. (And the dance school's rep at the table was drooling over the fact that a boy's mom approached them at the information event.)
I guess I was looking for something that would allow him to move his body to some music and teach him some terms and some fun new ways to move. I already showed him pirouette, which got him excited. And now every time he hears music he says, "Pirouette with me Mommy!"
The Champaign and Urbana park districts have classes but they're advertised as being only for girls and I'd pay double the price as a non-resident (around $75-90). But finally they offered one on Saturday mornings at my little rec center in Savoy for $25, for 45 minutes every week for six weeks.
Sure there's no recital. But I guess, I'm looking more for the expression than the performance.
It does seem like there's this insane movement to put little people in stringent programs re: achievement rather than the social or emotional benefit of the arts, sports, etc. The whole thing is very curious to me.
My gal pals with older girlies are always complaining about this...except you are getting a deal on the class, theirs cost $50 a month. Like you I am outragged at this, and have yet to find a decently priced class (without xtra hidden costs)Peanut might just have to settle for our dance parties at home,play soccer, t-ball, anything really...that isn't priced to bankrupt us. lol :) Hang in there, and I guess if the 4 year old isn't into it or you are uncomfortable with the situation...maybe see if she has anyother intrests....grow with those and come back to dance when she is a lil older. Good Luck!
Bay City has 2 great places, or shall I say most recommended and very well teachings, Perry Woodard School of dance and the gymnastics acadamy. Olivia attends Perry for Acro. class, a mix of gymnastics,dance and floor routine. The nice thing is we recieve all info. upfront, $, schedule of recitals etc. at end of year. We only pay 27.50 a month and costumes run 45.00. More classes you take the bigger the discount. So if you lived closer I would totally recommend those 2. Hopefully you will find one you like !!
It is amazing and sad at the same time the amount of fees that people charge for children to attend extra activities !
We just stick with one thing thru the year then t-ball/4 pitch for spring/summer.
Easier on the schedules :)
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