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 52 THE QUEENS COURIER • DANCE • SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com  What parents should know about dance schools BY COURIER STAFF editorial@queenscourier.com Dance is both fun and educational. If parents teach their kids that dance is important and should be taken seriously, the child will follow suit. It is important to attend all classes so as not to fall behind the others. You should let an instructor know in advance if your child won’t be attending. Also, aim to show up to class 20 minutes before it starts to give the student time to warm up and fi nd a place in the studio, not getting stuck in the back of the class because he/she is late. “Parents should understand that dance, like any school subject (math, science), is an art that is worthy to be studied. It requires discipline, commitment and should defi nitely be taken seriously. Classes are usually progressive. Therefore, for a student to do well and receive the best dance education offered, be sure to attend every class,” said Regina L. Hill, artistic director of The Dance Hut in Jamaica. If you’re not sure of what style of dance is best for your child, speak to the instructor/director of the studio. “To help parents decide I give them a description of the dances that are offered and ask them to tell me about their child,” said Hill. “For example, if they tell me that their child enjoys a lot of moving around or jumping then I will also recommend jazz or African. If the child enjoys moving slow and graceful then ballet is a good start. If you want to dance, try it. I often tell new parents, ‘Just come and try it. Take a couple classes, if your child doesn’t like it, there’s nothing lost.’ They may not be ready or it may not be for them.” “Don’t force them otherwise they’re not going to be happy and they’re not going to enjoy it,” said Terri Cassiglia, owner of Gotta Dance Studio in Middle Village. Inquire about tuition and fees ahead of time. You should be provided with a written layout of costs and fees you will be responsible for throughout the year. Beware of studios that put more emphasis on money than dance itself. Louise Benes advised parents to know what it is they’re looking for in a dance studio, but also be realistic about a dancer’s abilities. “Dance really is a lot of work. I’ve seen parents come down on students. I caution everyone to be patient because there is a progression from beginner to intermediate to advanced dance,” said Benes. As there are countless dance studios in Queens, don’t be discouraged if you come across one that is not up to par. Many dance schools allow late registration. What’s most important is that your child is able to have fun while dancing in a warm, inviting studio with encouraging, knowledgeable instructors. dance


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