Choosing a dance school for yourself or your child is an essential matter especially when dance runs in your blood and you can't imagine a day without tapping your feet and moving your body to the rhythm. So as a parent and individual, how would you pick the right dance studio that will help in improving and learning new dance techniques, as an artist as well as throughout everyday life? The choice is crucial if you or your child want to become professional dancers or seek a career in Bollywood. Other than the cost, it requires some investment, responsibility and proactively preparing and working your body.
Since your career is at stake here, the parameters to choose the best dance school must not be ignored. In case, you're new to the world of dance. To enable you to begin, here are a couple of tips to help you.
1. Teaching Staff
Bollywood's most famous choreographers like Remo D'souza, Shiamak Davar, Saroj Khan and so on got themselves trained from reputed institutes as well and have their own dance institutes now. An academy or institute which takes dance seriously hires certified dance instructors that meet the criteria of quality and professionalism. This is especially critical when you are getting trained in traditional expressive dance like Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and so on. Instructors who meet these criteria will guarantee that you will be trained properly. Variety of dance forms in an institute show that you can choose the dance which suits you the best.
2. Age-specific and Other Essential Facilities
The best dance institute keeps in mind the requirements of their students considering their age-groups. For example, children need more attention in comparison to an adult student. Do not choose those dance studios that depend on their senior students to train younger students. The training rooms for children and older students should be different. The same applies to dance teachers as well. If a teacher for senior students teaches young students without any understanding of their behaviours, it would not result in proper training. Poor method can eventually cause damage and take several years to "unlearn". Check whether the dance instructor has proper certification for teaching children. Also, this allows them to prepare for the huge competition which they will be facing once their training is done.
Don't forget to check the dance institute's achievements and the facilities they provide for children and adult students before deciding. If a dance institute trains special-needs children then it is certainly a good one.
3. Participation in Dance Competitions
The best dance institute participates in dance competitions at local, provincial and national levels. By doing this, new artists invest energy in practising and proving their talents. A great dance institute offers the chance to take part in top-notch competitions that prepares them for an expert profession in the performing expressions. Also, this allows them to prepare for competition which they will be facing once their training is done. Don't forget to check the dance institute's achievements before taking decision. The higher the number of awards and prizes, the better the institute would be. Participation in competition would show their commitment towards dance and the future of their students.
4. Basic Safety Measures and Floor Material
This may seem like a normal query but it's essential to know if the selected dance institute takes the safety of their students seriously. This parameter includes the availability of a paramedic or nurse, First-Aid Kit and the material which is used to create the floor. Padded dance floors often reduce the risk of injuries. Dance requires a lot of training and can strain your body. You need to understand that the floor you are dancing on will help you in balancing the weight on your feet and body that will reduce the chances of getting accidental injuries.
5. Proper Certification for Students and Staff Availability
Search for a dance program in any institute which analyses and rates your performances with proper certification. The school must have an assessment procedure for its students. A counsellor must be available as well so you can understand what dance form suits you and what needs improvement.
Also, keep in mind that the teachers in any dance institute must focus on teaching dance moves only. For costume selection, food and drinks, common queries other staff must be present. Well-Structured management is a sign that the institute takes its responsibility of guiding its students seriously.
6. Placement Facilities
Even if you come across a good dance institute, the final good thing would be if you get a placement facility after completing your training. Just getting a certification is not enough; your dance institute must take their students’ future seriously. Once the training is finished, the next step should be to give students a placement form to fill and then instruct them even after they get out of the institute. A counsellor must be present in the institute for the same purpose. This facility is specially good for children and college students who are passionate about pursuing their career in dance.
In the end, only teaching basics aren't enough; the institute must take the role of "guru-shishya" or teacher/student seriously.
It means "prerna dene wale, soochna dene wale, satya batane wale, margdarshan karne wale, shiksha dene wale aur bodh karane wale- ye sab guru samaan hain".
In a similar way, a true dance teacher would show dedication to students and guide them properly. Just trust your instincts while choosing a dance institute for yourself or your child.