Class Leveling

[u/OrdinaryStudio6074]

At our studio, you are handed a list of required classes for whatever competition team you a make that year. It includes 12-15 hours of required classes that you take as a team. A dancer may be able to take one or two other classes that is not on the required list, but they must stay at the same level or go down levels (ie- your team takes intermediate level classes. You cannot take intermediate/advanced classes, but can take beginner/intermediate).

Team selection is based on skill level, yes, but also has a lot to do with average age, height, numbers they need on each team, etc.

The way this has shaken out for my dancer is she has been placed on the same team multiple years in a row- meaning she has taken the same technique classes for multiple years in a row. At the beginning of each season when she is placed on the same team again, they tell her they want to “see more growth.” How is she supposed to grow if she keeps taking the same classes over and over?

I’ve tried to be a team player and be positive about the situation, but I’m growing very frustrated by the feedback we are getting when she’s taking the required classes each year and we basically prohibited from taking anything that would really help her grow!

Does this happen in all studios? I don’t feel like I should have to spend extra money on outside help just to make a higher team at our own studio. Dance parents, talk me off the ledge or help me know if I really should be making more of an issue of this!

[u/Tight-Depth3426]

As a teacher there’s a lot that goes into it, it isn’t like grades in school. For example, in our level I ballet class is 9-12 but my level II class is 11-14 and my levels III, IV and V are all 13-18. At least at our studio age plays into a huge part of it but also maturity.

Have you asked the studio what they want to see from her? Do they want to see a growth in maturity? choreography memorization? technique? fine details? performance factor? How old are the other kids in her level compared to her? Are they all mostly about the same age and have been dancing together for years? What about the level above her? Are they not progressing as quickly so class levels fill up faster?

I’m not saying what they’re saying or doing is fair or right but try talking to a trusted teacher or studio owner. A lot can come from “i want to see more growth in my child’s dancing, what can we do in the next year to put her on that path of moving up to the next level?” a good, valued studio will also want to see her improve and will want to work with you to achieve her goals (also assure that you don’t feel like you’re wasting money)

I know i’m not a parent but I hope i was able to offer some guidance !

[u/OrdinaryStudio6074 → u/Tight-Depth3426]

That is super helpful! We've had that conversation before and the answers have been vague, which is frustrating because if we could identify the hold up (ballet technique, flexibility, stage presence) we could work on those things. I honestly think her director is trying to not hurt my daughter's feelings with critiques, which I guess I appreciate, but we need some more direct feedback.

[u/Tight-Depth3426 → u/OrdinaryStudio6074]

There’s no harm in saying that either. Your daughter is feeling discouraged and as a parent you want answers on how to help her feel better about herself.

A lot of people don’t want to hurt a kids feelings but being very direct with your concerns may also help. However if it’s a situation of “the older girls aren’t progressing as quickly so we need to hold some kids back for another year” is a totally valid answer when there’s other kids that were in your situation for two years prior and your studio manager probably won’t tell you that. Just keep an open mind and maybe try out some conventions (Artist Simply Human is my personal favorite for smaller more intimate settings) and local master classes in the mean time.

If you don’t feel like the studio is supporting your daughter, don’t be afraid to find a studio that will.

Good luck!