Hi, Moms! You all have been so helpful to me with my past questions, I knew this would be the first place I begin my latest search. I want to enroll my daughter in a dance class. She will be three in August and we have really been working on potty training, but she's just not quite there yet -- maybe I'll get some advice from you all about that another time! :) I'm not looking to put her on the path to become a ballerina necessarily, just want to get her into a fun, not-so-expensive class with a teacher who can bring her out of her shell. She's shy, but just started showing interest in dancing and making new friends. We live in the DTC area. Where should we start looking for a class that fits the bill? Thanks so much!
I am also starting my just three year old at Little Theatre. We are attending the one on the west side but, I believe there is one over that way. We have only made it to one trial class but, I can tell she will love it. Many of our friends kids have gone there and they have only had good things to say about it. I think it is about $60 per month. If that is too high check out your local rec centers?
Your local rec center.
p.s. Please don't go to a dance school and pay extra money for costumes and performance fees. When I've attended dance school recitals, and it's the tiny kids' turn to dance (pretty much all kids under age 7), the audience just laughs at them. There is no resemblance of dancing at that age, and I've actually seen children get very upset as they realize the entire audience is laughing at their group. I'm very serious about this. They get embarassed, cry, go home with hurt feelings.
I take my daughter to Dance Kaleidoscope at 6883 S. Dallas Ct. in Greenwood Village - ###-###-####. I love the teachers, but I'm not sure on the ages for the classes. We've been there for over a year and are planning on classes in the fall!
I looked into a LOT of places for my daughter when she was 3. I was looking for some not so expensive, and not-so-serious -mainly to see if she liked it. Oh, and a VERY patient teacher was needed :-)
Surprisingly, the Lone Tree Rec Center (actually, all the South Suburban Rec Centers) has a TON of ballet classes for the little ones. She took the 3-4 year class (still in it) with Ms. Holly, and it's GREAT. There are only 8 kids in the class, so there's lots of individual attention. It's relatively inexpensive - and Ms. Holly is a SAINT. She deals with the kids seriously, and expects them to pay attention, but she has astounding patience with this age set. They teach classes as young as 18 months. we aren't in South Suburban, so it costs a little bit more, but definitely well worth it. I just signed her up for the fall classes because she likes it (and I like it) so much. (I think her fall class is something like $25/month or something like that?) (And, bonus - you can go work out while she's in class, or just hang out with the other moms outside the class.)
The good thing about these classes is that they are limited time - so you can test the waters without it being too expensive. If she likes it, she can continue with the classes. This particular teacher teaches 18 months through competition ballet, and is from the Colorado Ballet, so she does know her stuff.
I highly recommend it - I will definitely keep her in these classes until she's a bit older, then we'll decide next steps. But, for inexpensive, good, lots of times, great teachers and convenience, you can't beat it!
I second, and third the rec center idea. Lone Tree is near you, or look at whatever your local one is. They all have classes, and are a great way to see if your little one likes it. My daughter has gone to Little Theater for years, someone else said that too. They have a location at c-470 and University, that is the closest for you. If that is too far, go to the rec center. Little Theater will let you try out a class before you buy. The rec centers will not, but they are cheaper.
I think anyone that you may be interested in, a good teacher would let her come and experience one class before signing up. I have found that to be great with my kids at finding the place that truly will be a good fit with them. Good luck!
W. Nichols-Dewey, CD(DONA)
www.birthfirstdoula.vpweb.com
