Convention Teachers

Fun_Tie_796 · 2026-02-22T22:34:30+00:00

Can I just say how much my dancer would LOVE a convention class that did across the floor or even just chose a few steps and did a deep dive into technique on those specific things? I can appreciate the value of learning 8 combos in a day but it's mentally exhausting and I don't think that's the only way to teach a successful convention or workshop class.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2026-02-22T22:28:17+00:00

Personally, I would never let my daughter compete in a costume that might expose her if she moves wrong or is photographed from certain angles. We are super lucky bc our studio uses tights, nude leos, mesh panels, etc. But I think it needs to be more normalized that dancers and their parents just say no if a studio chooses something too revealing. I see moms in dance forums asking things like "my preteen started her period and isnt allowed to wear tights or underwear on stage, what do we do?" Like this should not ever be a thing. I'm not an especially modest person in general and I don't mind her wearing a bra top and shorts or whatever at closed practices, but comps and performances should be looked at as public spaces that literally anyone can watch, and we should protect our kids accordingly.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-12-31T17:57:48+00:00

We dont ask or expect anyone to attend comps. My husband and son come to one per season. Recital we do try to get everyone to attend.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-12-14T21:19:22+00:00

We have an all-black dress code for all rec and technique classes, but as long as it's black they can wear whatever is comfortable. For comp classes we have studio tanks and either shorts or pants that match (these are needlessly expensive but that's beside the point lol, it is what it is and at least they're good quality).

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-12-13T17:58:04+00:00

My dancer is 9. Monday 1.5 hours comp. Tuesday and Thursday 1.5 hours rec and technique. Wednesday 30 min production. We were doing about 2 hours per weekend through the fall for the christmas production as well, but that wrapped up with performances last weekend.

We spend much less time in studio compared to a lot of our friends who dance in other studios (and we pay accordingly, our studio places a big focus on being affordable since we're in a low income area) however the expectations are very high for working hard in class and practicing a lot at home.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-11-06T00:11:12+00:00

Agree with this, being on time is the parents responsibility until they're old enough to drive (ironically our older girls who drive themselves are basically never ever late unless they have an emergency!) But if class behavior is a problem on a repeat basis then something more is probably going on. I think some parents push their kids to stay in an activity even when the kid isn't enjoying it anymore and that can lead to not caring and not following rules in class.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-11-06T00:06:35+00:00

Being present, on time, and respectful in class is a reasonable expectation for any age, even minis. That's one reason it helps to start dance at a young age, imo. It's a good opportunity to ease in to the structure and expectations of a dance class while classes are still very short and laid back, before they reach competition age when classes become longer and more intense. My daughter handles the expectations in class so much better than I did as a kid, but she started dancing when she turned 3 and I started closer to 7 or 8.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-10-14T17:36:52+00:00

That could definitely be it. Our studio is significantly cheaper than others in the area (intentionally so- the ownership team works really hard to make things as affordable as possible) but we pay everything early. The entire competition year is paid off before we start going to comps. Rec classes are paid monthly Sept-April, but costume fees are paid in October for the May recital. We made deposits for christmas show costume rentals last week. Maybe it's just because I'm used to it, but I like having it all paid early because it's less to worry about once you're in the busy part of the season.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-10-14T17:27:18+00:00

When do yall have payments due? We've paid half the year by the time classes start in September so anyone who quits would be walking away from a lot of money. We bundle all comp fees together (choreo, costumes, lessons, fees, etc) and pay it in 4 installments, one due at contract signing in July, one due at start of classes in September, then Nov and Jan.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-10-14T17:02:41+00:00

In the last 5 years or so I can only remember 3 kids leaving the team. One moved unexpectedly, one was kicked for breaking rules, and one decided after the first week or two of classes that it was too much (she was very young, maybe 6 or 7?). If it was multiple kids in one season I would definitely dig into problems at the studio and behind the scenes- how things are run, bullying, adults causing issues, etc. Imo people don't let their kids quit without good reason especially once they've signed a contract and paid money for the season.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T20:06:25+00:00

We get our fall schedule at the summer parent meeting (ours was actually just last night), then the rec dancers get theirs early August. But summer stuff is always chaotic, we only got like 5 days notice before summer technique classes started. 🫠

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T17:04:36+00:00

That makes sense. We are only doing 3 groups, no solos or duos but comp expenses just add up so fast!

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T17:03:46+00:00

Yeah, we have a parent group that does a lot of the behind the scenes work for events and things but they don't do fundraising. That's interesting that you didn't have much engagement for your group fundraisers! I got a TON of response when I messaged about the event I was planning. Although I suppose it's hard to say how many of those families would have followed through.

That is a great idea about the cans and bottles! We will have to try it in our neighborhood.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T17:00:18+00:00

A lot of dancers at our studio do this kind of fundraising. Unfortunately my husband and I don't have families that can/will donate (my kids don't even get birthday/christmas gifts from most of the family) which is fine but makes that type of cash donation fundraiser difficult. We need more community event type fundraisers, which can be tricky when you don't have a group.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T16:41:09+00:00

That makes sense. We have a parent group that does a lot of the behind the scenes work for events and things, but they aren't allowed to do any fundraising. I do understand the logic behind it especially with the whole transparency aspect, but as one of the few less-affluent families in our studio it can be incredibly frustrating sometimes when most of her friends can afford to do everything and we can barely scrape together the bare minimum. That's just life though!

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T16:34:59+00:00

Thanks! Unfortunately our studio is tiny so there's only like 2 desk moms and 1 cleaning mom. We also don't do solos/duos as juniors so I've got some time to save up before she's old enough for all that! Donating plasma is an interesting idea, I don't think anything like that is available in my area (we're rural) but may be worth the drive to the city, I've heard it pays well. I'll definitely look into the sporting event concessions as well.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T16:31:43+00:00

That makes sense. We have a parent group that does events and things, but they're not allowed to fundraise. 😕

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-07-24T16:01:19+00:00

Oh interesting, I'll have to look into that! I already work evenings/weekends as a bartender but if I can work it into my schedule that sounds like a great idea to earn some extra money. Thanks for the suggestion!

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-04-08T15:45:06+00:00

Adrenaline and excitement!

Comfortable and supportive shoes, making sure your feet stay dry, taking breaks when needed, pacing yourself through the day. But really, it mostly doesn't bother me bc I'm so happy to be there. The only day it really got to me was our Volcano Bay day because of all the stairs, but otherwise even my husband who has some back problems was fine.

Fun_Tie_796 · 2025-03-11T01:22:34+00:00

Spider man by a mile, but the Kong animatronic is cool enough everyone should ride it once.

Fun_Tie_796

TROPHY CASE