HawthorneVillager.com

Thinking of putting my 4 year old daughter in a local dance school. I'd be grateful for anyone's thoughts or experiences with the local schools. Been looking up The Dance Element, Dance Elite, and the Dance Shoppe. Not sure if there's any difference between them right now given she'd be in the very beginner class, but presumably if she likes it she would continue on.

We selected the Dance Shoppe for our three year old daughter. After checking out many dance schools in Milton and Mississauga; we felt they were the best choice for what we were looking for (class times, studio, teachers, etc.).

I would suggest to visit each of the studios and speak to the owners as well. If your child decides to pursue dance as they get older, it will be a large expense both financially and time wise (I danced for 10 years as a child and remember the # of hours I spent at the studio ); so you want to ensure the dance school you join is one both you and child feel comfortable at.

I also choose The Dance Shoppe for my child. We are now, on year 3. I did not know anything about dance schools when I signed her up, but this is what I learned through time spent at the Dance Shoppe and talking to different parents.
It is very friendly and family orientated.
It has a huge waiting room compared to other studio's.
It has window to every class room so you can watch your little one progress. From what I understand most places do not have this feature.
Your child's recital clothing, is clothing. The Dance Shoppe keeps the child's age in mind when selecting costumes. One mother told me she moved her child to another dance studio and after the first recital she quickly came back.
They are very concerned about your child's education and will accommodate space and time for child to do homework while at the Dance Shoppe.
They have a Television for your other children to watch, while one is in class.
Plus they order Pizza at 12:00 on weekends so you can have a small lunch $2.00 for your child.
But, like I said I am just learning about Dance Schools, so far I am very please with the Dance Shoppe. I'm not sure what other Schools offer.
Good Luck with your search.

my daughter goes to Dance Elite. This is her first year, but so far we are very happy. Classes are run well and DD is really enjoying it. We chose it because all her friends go there and because they promised me there would be no 'skimpy' costumes for the end of year show!!!

here also...Daughter in year 3...and loves the teachers...the recitals..
the owners Ruth Ann and Owen are wonderful to the students, staff and the parents!!!
You can see us this Sunday (as I am sure the other Dance studios...) on Sunday at the Milton Santa Parade..

_________________
~Jim & Paulette~

Have Old & Unwanted Gold?
Contact me ...I will help you get rid of it~

Another satisfied Dance Shoppe parent here. My daughter's six and is taking jazz after two years of ballet and she loves it. As a dad I also have extra piece of mind knowing the owner is a cop.

I chose Dance Elite 7 years ago and we are still at Dance Elite. Both my daughters are now dance at Dance Elite. The older one is in their competitive team. Super happy with the studio, owner, directors and all the teachers. Very professionals and appropriate costuming for all dancers.

It is a personal experience and I suggest that you talk to people around you and visit the studios in person. If you child like dance and decide to continue on.......it is most likely that you won't move to other studios once you are in the competitive program.