Diane Matthews School Of Dance

Recommends

cherrybee

Joined 5 years ago

Point of View from Another Studio Owner. As a studio owner myself, I can assure the reader that dance instructors are not in the habit of holding back students when they have developed the skills required to move up to a more difficult class. That is their goal - to teach as much as is possible to as many as is possible. Teachers enjoy seeing their students achieve.

There can be significant differences between students of the same age and even after the same number of years of study. Seventeen students in a class is not unheard of at all and even larger classes are necessary in order to do production numbers.

Most students who attend public elementary & middle schools have more than 16 classmates; inattentiveness or lack of concentration is something students need to work on if they are easily distracted.

Every dancer should focus on what the teacher is saying and demonstrating; the student should then work on perfecting those moves for herself and within her personal space in the studio. She also needs to practice every day at home. If she tends to think of dance class as a social hour, she needs to be reminded that it is study time and that she should visit with her friends outside of class.

When a parent feels that her child is qualified to be in a higher level class, Mom should ask the teacher for a list of the minimum requirements for that class. The student should be able to pronounce the terminology (in French, if it is a ballet class) and properly execute almost all of the moves - not after she has studied the list but immediately upon being handed the list. The teacher will make allowances for potential in achieving the moves too.

Good luck, Dance Mom, in finding a studio that is the right fit for you and your daughter.

Cherry Bee

Recommends

dancer4lyfe812

Joined 5 years ago

My Second Home. Diane Matthews School of Dance is probably one of my favorite places to be. Ive been dancing there for the past 8 or 9 years and I have NEVER had a bad experience. The staff is truly caring and motivating and I feel like Im with my family as soon as I step through those studio doors. I have really gotten to know my peers and teachers over the years and i have learned to appreciate the true meanings of dedication and friendship. I am very proud to say that I am a student at this wonderful studio.

Recommends

ASAAD

Joined 5 years ago

Fantastic Family Atmosphere. My daughter has been dancing at Diane Matthews since she was 4 years old,she is now 14. They have cared and nurtured my daughter and treated her like family. Teenagers today need somewhere to feel like they belong and that parents can trust that they wil be cared for. Diane Matthews provides that environment for my child. She is safe and can express herself through dance. She has grown into a confident,beautiful young woman and I believe in my heart that Diane Matthews has played a large role in the growth of my daughter and I look forward to her continued participation in the school.

Doesn't Recommend

debbie715

Joined 6 years ago

Diane Matthews School of Dance. Beware. My daughter was certainly not made to feel welcome. I tried to change to smaller class after my daughter had troubling focusing in a class of 17 and I was told that the smaller class was so advanced that she was not welcome to join. Both classes were Hip Hop Elementary I. So find a school that really is supportive and caring to their students-not just one that say so. I want you to avoid having to tell you 8 year old that a dance school does not want her-like I had to do.

Recommends

matthewsdancer

Joined 7 years ago

ATRULY CARING SCHOOL OF DANCE AND MORE. I highly recommend this truly unique dancing school where the atmosphere is caring and friendly. Class sizes are limited so students don't get lost in the crowd. Everyone is encouraging and supportive no matter what level or age. There are even classes for adults who can choose to participate in the annual recital if they so desire. For those who want more challenging performing opportunities, there is the West Chester Dance Works Dance Company with divisions for all ages.