Zoom dance class

[queenofnaps]

So I get this email from my DDs dance school basically saying we HAVE to download zoom due to Lockdown. I asked why because how can people be expected to have a sports hall type space in their homes for dancing but yes it’s for dancing.
We just don’t have that kind of space, it’s really small house. No grand hallways, no dining room, no other reception room or conservatory nothing like that. AIBU to wonder where the heck she’s supposed to dance?

I can do zoom ballroom in a tiny kitchen, you just adapt. I've also done it in the garden.

Give it a go. You may well be surprised by how well it works!

DD does Tap, Modern and Jazz in our living room. The dance floor* I "installed" under the rug isn't that big.

*sheets of hardboard!

I have to do rugby classes over zoom

My son does dance on a Tuesday, last time I used to move the sofa out of the way to give him a bit more room. He still jusr flailed about like a nutter.

What would you like the teacher to do?
Dance studios are closed - online ( typically zoom) is the only way to run dance classes at the moment and it's actually really difficult for the teacher!

I know it isn't perfect but actually the dance lessons my daughter have done quite a lot of the children are in small living rooms and the lessons have adapted accordingly.

What the lessons give though is the chance to do some good stretching, to stay in touch with classmates and the teacher, and to maybe look at some bits of the dance technique even if they can't do all of it

@SoupDragon

DD does Tap, Modern and Jazz in our living room. The dance floor* I "installed" under the rug isn't that big.

*sheets of hardboard!

So cool @SoupDragon I won't let DD tap in the attic!

It’s the only way they can do things at the moment and zoom allows for some interaction still.

I did a gym class via zoom yesterday and as much as it wasn’t the same as being in the class with everyone it was a way of keeping it up.

My dd is doing a zoom dance class right now, and did right through lockdown. The teacher will adapt - dd has a kitchen work surface as a barre and a wooden floor, but not much space. Others in her class have space but carpet, or a low ceiling so they can’t jump, or nothing to use as a barre, or awful internet connections. It’s a something is better than nothing situation, I’m afraid.

I won't let DD tap in the attic!

Probably wise! 😂 Quite apart from any structural issues, it's quite loud!

My DD is a dance teacher who taught on Zoom throughout the first lockdown. She's not had to go back to it yet (Scotland) but is resigned to the likelihood of doing it again. She hated it, but basically its that or nothing. No classes for her pupils and no income for her. As she has not been self employed for long enough to receive any government support, my DD had a pretty strong incentive to make Zoom classes work and she worked incredibly hard at it. Its a matter of making the best of a bad situation because the alternative is worse.
The classes have to be adapted to suit the probability that most people don't have a lot of space, or sprung floors and of course that the teacher cannot give any physical corrections. Many teachers won't have a lot of space either. My DD lives in a small house and so do most of the other teachers I know. And professional dancers come to that, who have had to keep themselves fit and in practice from home.
It isn't easy for anyone, and of course it isn't as good as face to face classes but the options are to do it, or not have any class for the duration of lockdown. The other thing to consider is that lots of teachers of extra curricular activities, and voluntary organisations too in fact, have suffered a lot financially through this period and may not survive if people don't support initiatives like online classes. The risk is, if we all say "no thanks, we will be back after lockdown" there may be nothing to go back to.

Our dance studio wanted everyone on Zoom too. I said no for my 3 year old. If she were older then yes we’d give it a go but at 3 I doubt she’d get much out of it. I feel a bit guilty as I understand it’s their livelihood but it really didn’t feel suitable for my child.

My ds karate teacher did deliver karate over zoom in first lockdown. We just said it did not work for us. They resumed in August and he just passed his next belt the same time as rest of his cohort. His cricket coach has adapted and he is doing a weekly cricket quiz. This works well as no jumping about. Zoom sessions are not compulsory.

I think they should be applauded for trying to keep it going for the children. No, it’s not ideal, but they don’t have magic wands and can’t make the virus go away and can’t make the lockdown not happen. I bet if they did nothing, 50% or more of the parents would be moaning about that

I think everyone needs to accept this is a shitty situation AND STOP WHINGING AT PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO DO THEIR BEST.

This ^ x 1000%. thanks @HeddaGarbled

I volunteer with Scouts. Like every other organisation providing for children and young people - people are just doing their best. No, it isn't waht we signed up to do. Yes, it is completely out of the comfort zone of 99.9% of us. No it isn't ideal. However, people are doing their best to adapt and the Leaders (in my case) , dance teachers (on this thread) are also in the same circumstances with not having space or not having professional IT set ups, or not having IT skills or not having knowledge in the first instance of how to deliver what is essentially a physical F2F activity, on-line. But people have moved mountains to try and offer the best they can. No it's not ideal. No, it won't be able to be access by everyone. Yes, it is depressing when you have put so much in to try and making it work that the only feedback you get is negative.
But this is such an unprecedented situation we are in (globally) we are all just trying to do our best, and a little support and the occasional thank you doesn't go amiss.

Honestly put her in your biggest room and you will be fine

My DD encountered a lot of different attitudes from her pupils and their parents regarding lockdown and her online classes and she did take this into consideration when she reopened her "real life" classes with the necessarily reduced numbers post Covid-19. Some of the parents who cancelled their direct debits within minutes of lockdown being announced and didn't even call or email her apparently feel that she is being "unfair" and "petty" by giving priority to those who kept paying and attending the Zoom classes throughout, or at least gave it a go and explained why they were dropping out if they did.
Actually she's just making a business decision based on who is most likely to prove reliable clients in these straightened times and I for one don't blame her.

@mrsavocet... I mean she kind of is from what you have described each child and payee should be treated equal dependant on described service. My cousins mum who could easily afford has cancelled dance class and child care due to lack of communication and follow through on support ect

As I said Ghosts those who explained why they were dropping out were given appropriate consideration, not those who cancelled their payments with no notice and no communication. She runs a business, not a charity, any more than her landlord, insurers etc who have still expected to be paid throughout. In what other circumstances would you expect a supplier with a limited "supply" to treat previously unreliable and uncommunicative customers the same as previously reliable ones, assuming they all want it? It would be a lot more unfair surely to say "Sorry Mrs Bloggs. I know you pay on the dot every month and have gone out of your way to help Lucy do the Zoom classes every week, but due to limited class sizes I can't take her any more." and to then offer that place to someone who cancelled their direct debit without a word 10 mins after you emailed the lockdown arrangements (ie , as far as you knew, left your school)? Not to mention stupid, if you wish to remain solvent.

@mrsavocet you didn't explain that no. And the fact you have a clear interest explains why you cannot be trusted.

@Ghosts2020 she kind of did
"Some of the parents who cancelled their direct debits within minutes of lockdown being announced and didn't even call or email her apparently feel that she is being "unfair" and "petty" by giving priority to those who kept paying and attending the Zoom classes throughout, or at least gave it a go and explained why they were dropping out if they did."

The same rule applied to my acupuncture - those who had been in touch, got first dibs on available appts (despite there being far less appointments) those that hadn't stayed in touch got what was left

[quote Ghosts2020]@mrsavocet you didn't explain that no. And the fact you have a clear interest explains why you cannot be trusted.[/quote]
She absolutely did explain it.

Lots of dance teachers don't have room in their homes also. I know a few and they all make it work.
We know it's not ideal but we are trying to make the best of a difficult situation.....one that keeps everyone dancing, businesses running, students engaged and wages paid.
Be supportive, find a positive.

@bluewindows

Lots of dance teachers don't have room in their homes also. I know a few and they all make it work. We know it's not ideal but we are trying to make the best of a difficult situation.....one that keeps everyone dancing, businesses running, students engaged and wages paid. Be supportive, find a positive.

Yes DD was lucky is just had the attic converted into a workshop for me otherwise she'd have been in the back garden the whole time

Thanks everyone for your input, I realise perhaps I wasn’t clear enough in my OP that my annoyance was at the expectation from the school that we have the facilities (space, technology etc.) to do the lesson and that we HAD to do it. It wasn’t please let us know if you can attend, it was you must download zoom ASAP.
I applaud people trying to keep businesses running in times like these and I fully support them. Although my DD won’t be attending the zoom lesson, I won’t ask for a refund as it’s my choice not to attend.

My daughter did classes all though lockdown. Many of her classmates are doing them in a tiny student halls of residence bedroom. The teachers will know and will adapt.

You don't need huge amounts of tech, just a smartphone or tablet.