Dance schools

[Reluctantdancemum]

Just wondering what people feel about ballet and dance schools etc.

DD6 really enjoys dance - she's certainly not demonstrating anything other than enthusiasm (if you see what I mean!) but really loves it. She's at a well-thought-of dance club. Beginning to think it seems quite pushy: primary exam is coming up - principal expects them to attend (and pay for) an extra lesson each week this term in preparation. There is also a 'mock' (also extra £). Uniform requirements etc all pretty specific (but I know that's par for the course with RAD). Is this as other MNers find? Not sure whether to look about for somewhere less elitist? Should add that my Mum was a dancer then ran her own dance school, so I know what the business is like. I also work in theatre and agree with the efforts made by many performing arts institutions to become less elitist. So maybe this dance school and I aren't 'best fit'...

Really interested to hear people's thought and experiences! Not sure whether IABU!

Sounds the same as the dance school we use. We were previously at a different school where it was all a lot cheaper (still RAD) but the quality of teaching was definitely not as good and the shows they put on, whilst more frequent, were terrible!

I don't think it's about being elitist, it's just that RAD exams are challenging and it's helpful to have a bit of extra time to focus on exam requirements.

Not a RAD school but my kids dance school is v relaxed. Exams optional and no extra classes till at higher level

Sounds pretty typical - extra lessons, charges for exam and accompanist, uniform including new shoes, hair. Assume you have not had a show yet though, that will be ££ for costumes, tickets and extra, often awkwardly timed, rehearsals. I'm guessing your dd is maybe 6?

Our experience. My dd did ballet for a few years age 3-7ish. I thought it was all a bit uptight but thought as long as she was enjoying the classes I would pay for them and go along with all the extra time and expense of exams. It came to a point when she started to complain about going and wasn't enjoying it as much and after much deliberation decided to give it up. She joined a theatre school instead which does have exams but is much more freestyle and 'fun'. Some of the girls she was at ballet with are still going 10 years on and really love it.

I can relate. My DD went to a RAD school. It was barmy. Extra lessons, precise about uniform, insisting that I learnt the exam pieces as well so I could correct my DD. The woman was so demanding. DD got through the exam and then left. I saw both children and mothers crying. Not worth it on any level. Quit while you are ahead.

DD is at a BTDA school, she's done multiple exams now in ballet and tap and what you describe is entirely normal for us. She's nearly 9

sounds like my dd’s old RAD dance school. it was run by one teacher, she knew all the pupils and parents by name, no extra costs apart from the exam itself. it was taken over, turned into more of a business. new owner had lots of staff, every single thing was an extra at the cost of parents. some told they were not good enough and left out of exams etc. stopped being a hobby for dd and turned into something from fame! sadly decided that was enough, which was a shame because she still loves dance now.

Just find a different dance school.

Thank you folks. It is pretty much as described then! Think I'll see how long the enthusiasm lasts - and perhaps keep an eye out for courses for my own particular horse as I go!

Yes with RAD; we always had to do extra lessons for a term (bugger to fit in) and a trial exam (no extra cost until later years when the pianist needed paying - used MP3s other lessons).

This was not so with the other dance school we tried; there they had loads of 'shows' which cost a fortune in costumes, tickets and time, used up class time so they did not do the exam work (we went through 2 shows in the time we did one exam) and then there were all the 'dance school hoodies' and other little bits and pieces.

Swings and roundabouts.

The contemporary dance group with the local area dance agency cost nothing extra but costumes (mostly cheap or reusable or already available) and they could wear anything suitable for classes.

Sounds the same as ours. Uniform costs a fortune, but fortunately there is a thriving 2nd hand trade which I've bought from and sold through. Uniform not an issue for exams for us as DD has correct uniform for each class already.

Extra lessons for exams are par for the course. Dance teacher is lovely and realistic about the kids especially at this age (DD is also 6) - she will put them in for exams when they are ready, but they're not compulsory. Only ballet at this age too, she does tap and modern but teacher starts exams for those at grade one or two.