How old does my child need to be to begin dance classes?
At Shapes Dance and Acro, we welcome children as young as 18 months old to their first dance class! Classes for young children focus on music and movement to build fine motor and social skills. As dancers grow, SDA has a wide variety of classes for every interest and experience level, from ballet and jazz, to hip hop, acro and tumbling! Explore SDA's schedules by location (Carrollton, Richmond, Marshall or Concordia) to see all of our class offerings.
What happens if my child joins a dance class and decides that they do not like it?
It’s completely normal for children to need time to adjust to a new activity, especially in the first few weeks of dance class. Just like starting school or a new sport, building comfort and confidence takes consistency. Our teachers are experienced in helping new dancers feel welcomed and supported. We encourage families to try classes for a few weeks to give time to settle in, as most children grow to love dance, especially once they start to form friendships in class! If a class truly isn’t the right fit, our Customer Experience Team is happy to help you explore other options that may be a better match for your child.
What should my child wear to dance class, and where can I purchase dancewear?
For your child's first dance class, they can wear any comfortable clothing that allows them to move freely. Once your child is enrolled, they will need to wear the specific dance wear and shoes required for their class to learn proper form and technique.
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Here are some helpful resources for SDA's class dress codes and where to purchase dance wear:
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Preview the dress code for every class
SDA's team is here to help your family select the correct dance wear and shoes so that your dancer is prepared for class, and feels confident in class!
Why should my child take dance classes?
SDA knows that families have many options to choose from when finding an extracurricular activity for your child. More than just the physical activity and fun, dance teaches important life skills that create well-rounded people. Dance helps children of all ages develop physical coordination, confidence, discipline, creativity and teamwork. The best part of all? It comes with a community of friends that excites students to come to every class!
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How long does it take for a new student to feel comfortable in dance class?
SDA dance teachers understand that every child adjusts at their own pace. Some students adjust quickly, while others may need a few weeks to build confidence. With consistent attendance and encouragement, most students quickly form friendships and forget about any nervousness around dance class!
What if my child is nervous, or cries, during dance class?
It is very common for young children to feel shy or emotional when starting a new activity. SDA teachers are experienced in helping children feel safe, comfortable and excited about participating! Most students settle into the rhythm of classes quickly after they become familiar with their teacher, classmates and the flow of classes. We work closely with families to help children adjust and build confidence as they grow.
If dance isn't the right fit for my student, can I get my money back?
Shapes Dance & Acro offers free trial classes for families to experience our studios, and classes, before enrolling. Once, enrolled, dance class tuition is non-refundable because it reserves a spot for your child in the class, for the semester. We want every student to be happy and excited about dance, so we are happy to work with your family to provide a studio credit or assist with a transfer to another class. Recital and costume fees are also non-refundable once processed.
If you loved a trial class but aren't quite ready for a full semester of dance, check out SDA's 8-week mini sessions!
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Can I come into the classroom to watch my child’s dance class?
To maintain a positive and focused learning environment for students and teachers, parents are not permitted inside the classroom during class time. This allows for teachers to make the most of every class session, as students can remain fully engaged, build independence and develop critical confidence and social skills with their classmates.
While parents are not allowed to be inside the classroom, SDA has viewing windows for most rooms at all four of our studio locations for parents to observe class.
SDA's experienced and supportive teachers are trained to help all dancers of all ages and levels feel comfortable, safe and excited to participate in class! Allowing students to participate independently helps to build their confidence and develop important classroom skills. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to SDA via email, text or phone.
Does Shapes Dance and Acro offer beginner dance classes for kids?
SDA offers a wide variety of beginner dance, acro and tumbling classes for kids! Many SDA students register for classes without any prior dance experience. Our teachers are trained to work with students of all levels, and SDA classes are designed to make beginners feel comfortable, confident and excited about learning.
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SDA beginner dance classes focus on building strong foundations, while keeping the experience fun and encouraging. Students learn basic dance skills, like coordination, balance, rhythm and classroom participation while making friends and developing confidence.
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SDA offers beginner-friendly classes for a wide range of ages, including:
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18 Months - 3 Years - Toddlers dip their toes into dance with music and movement classes
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Ages 3 - 5 - Preschool dancers learn basic dance and coordination skills
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Elementary and Middle School- Students dive into more skillful techniques and routines in ballet, jazz, acrobatics, tumbling and more
If you’re unsure which class is the best fit for your student, SDA's Customer Experience Team is happy to guide you!
Are there additional costs besides monthly tuition?
SDA aims to be transparent and simple with all costs and fees associated with enrollment to continue providing high quality dance instruction and performance opportunities. In addition to monthly tuition, these are the costs and fees that your family can expect:
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Annual Registration Fee - All families pay an initial annual registration fee that varies based on the membership option that you choose - Basic or Premium.
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Dancewear and Shoes - Students need appropriate dance shoes and dance attire for classes. To help families get started, SDA offers gently used dance shoes that students may borrow until their new shoes arrive. You can view our full dress code and class attire requirements here.
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Recital Membership Package - Students that participate in the end-of-season performance will have a recital membership package, which includes:
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Recital Costume(s) & Alterations
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Recital T-shirt
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Recital Gift
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End-of-Season Dancer Appreciation Celebration
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Performance Tickets
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Families can purchase additional tickets for SDA performances, including our Holiday Showcase and Spring Recital. Tickets typically range in price from $10–$20 per ticket.
If you need further assistance, please call, text or email SDA.