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Parent Information for Dance Classes


1. WHAT TYPE OF DANCE FLOOR DO WE USE?

Dance is a very physical activity that requires a lot of jumping, which can put stress on bones and joints. The best way to prevent against potential injury is by choosing a studio with a professional “floating floor”. A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam, to absorb the shock of jumping. A vinyl composite “marley” floor is accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational to professional dance. A marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of “controlled slip", but is not slippery so there is less risk of slips and falls.

Our studio has a floating floor that has over 1,100 high density foam blocks under the floor surface and a marley top surface. Our special floor helps reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.


2. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE CLASS?

When a dance class has fewer students in it, each child receives more personalized attention, learns more and has more fun. With younger students it is easier for a teacher to maintain control over the class and make sure each student understands the concepts and instructions. Our smaller class sizes make sure that no fundamental concepts are being missed. A smaller class also allows our teachers to ensure that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique. All our dance classes max at 10 students per class. My First Ballet Classes are taught by a Lead Teacher and an Assistant when those classes have more than 6 students.


3. HOW MUCH ARE SHOWS & COSTUMES?

Our recital is held at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium at UAA in May. Tickets will range in price between $25-30. Children 10yrs & under are FREE & must be accompanied by an adult.

DANCE RECITAL COSTUME FEES*:

  • 1st Costume: $110
  • 2nd Costume: $100
  • 3rd & Additional Costumes: $95
  • *includes any necessary alterations, size reordering & shipping.

Costume Fees are Due in Full Before the Holiday Break in December.


4. HOW LONG IS A DANCE CLASS?

Dance classes for 5-6yrs & ages 6yrs and older will include about 55 minutes of instruction and, My First Ballet Classes all include approximately 40 minutes of instruction. All dance classes use the last 5 minutes of class for warming down, changing shoes & exiting the dance studio before the next class begins. If a student arrives late, they must quietly enter the studio & wait for the teacher to tell them it is ok to join the class. Students who arrive 10 minutes or more late are not guaranteed they will be allowed to join the class right away.


5. WHAT SHOULD THE STUDENT WEAR TO DANCE CLASS?

Ballet slippers are a soft-soled shoe, with a glove-like fit of leather with suede soles. Please write your student's name in black marker inside the shoe.

Jazz Shoes are flexible with a block-like, half-inch heel. They allow a dancer to point and flex the foot easily. Jazz sneakers are lightweight, flexible and versatile.

Tap Shoes Our teachers recommend Capezio patent leather “Mary Jane style”, low-heeled taps for beginners.

Non-Marking Sneakers: White soled sneakers that are ONLY worn in the dance studio.

Here's what you'll need to wear for the classes we offer:

My First Ballet Class Pink Leotard, Pink Tights & Ballet Slippers

OR: Black Tights or Leggings, Fitted White Top, Black Ballet Slippers
Begin Ballet; Ballet 1

Pink Leotard, Pink Tights & Ballet Slippers

OR: Black Tights or Running Pants, Dance Belt (if necessary), Fitted White Top, Black Ballet Slippers

Ballet/Modern/Lyrical:

Black Leotard, Black Leggings & Ballet Slippers

OR: Black Tights or Running Pants, Dance Belt (if necessary), Fitted White Top, Ballet Slippers

Ballet/Tap:

Pink Leotard, Pink Tights, Pink Ballet Slippers & Black Tap Shoes

OR: Black Tights or Running Pants, Dance Belt (if necessary), Fitted White Top, Black Ballet Slippers & Black Tap Shoes

Highland Dance:

Black Leotard, Pink Tights & Ballet Slippers

OR: Black Tights or Running Pants, Dance Belt (if necessary), Fitted White Top, Black Ballet Slippers

Tap Classes: Black Top, Black Leggings, Black Tap Shoes
Acro Black Leotard w/shorts or leggings & Lyrical half-sole shoes. (A dance shoe w/a sole on the front half of the foot, leaving the heel exposed)
Hip Hop; Hip Hop/Modern; Hip Hop/Jazz : Fitted Black Top, Black Leggings or Sweatpants, & Black Non-Marking Black Sneakers or Jazz Shoes


Shoes worn outside the dance studio & jeans ARE NOT permitted in the dance studio & students wearing either or both WILL NOT participate in class.

Who we are

Anchorage Music & Dance Center is celebrating 30 years of private & group music instruction and 15 years of dance!

Convenient

We are a unique school offering quality private & group music and dance classes at one convenient location. Multiple students from the same family can take private or group music lessons and dance classes on the same day. That means parents only have to drive to one location for everyone's lessons & classes. What a time saver for the entire family!

Homeschoolers

We work with most all homeschool & charter schools in the State of Alaska. We are a direct bill vendor which means we invoice the school, so there is no "out-of-pocket" expense for the family!

Our network of schools include: Family Partnership; Frontier Charter School; PAIDEIA; IDEA; Mat-Su Central; Twindly Bridge; Denali Peak, PACE, CyberLynx & Raven.

Don't see your school here? Contact us and we'll see if we can work with them too!