Dance Studio Red Flags: What to Watch Out For

“One time, my teacher at a dance intensive cut up my toe pads with scissors, and I wasn’t allowed to replace them even when my toes bled after class.” 

Do your dance friends ever tell you stories like this that make you think: ummmm yeah that’s a red flag if I’ve ever heard one. Being tough is one thing but sometimes we need to consider whether a studio is really going to be the right fit for us based on a few signs. 

If you're a dancer or a dance teacher looking for a new studio or looking to leave a studio, it's important to be aware of red flags that could indicate a problematic dance education. While some of these red flags may be obvious, others may be more subtle but still worth paying attention to. 

Here are some warning signs to keep in mind:

Poor Communication

One red flag to watch out for is poor communication from the studio. If the studio isn't keeping its dancers informed about important company news, it could be a sign that the studio is not well-managed. In studios with management issues, it’s easy for students to get lost in the crowd. 

Good communication within the studio  is not just important from a dancer’s perspective but also as a parent or dance teacher. As a teacher, if expectations or schedule is not clearly communicated - red flag. If you are a parent and can’t seem to get clear information about a competition or a show week - that’s a red flag. 

Disrespect

Dance teachers can certainly be tough, but there is a difference between constructive criticism versus bullying. We all saw it either in our dance training or in school, but in my opinion, there is no reason why an adult teacher should bully or humiliate a child in front of a class. It’s just harassment, and it’s a big red flag. 

Dance studios should have zero tolerance for disrespect between students, teachers, and parents. Studios that allow disrespect between teachers or to their students is a big red flag. This kind of behavior is not conducive to a positive and supportive learning environment, and really should not be tolerated. Not only should disrespect not be tolerated, but it gets in the way. Drama amongst teachers can create issues for the students. Teachers that allow issues between students to fester can interfere with the whole class dynamic. 

Lack of Prioritization of Health

As dancers, most of us know the dreaded feeling of having to sit out of a class and watch. Maybe your studio even had you take notes in this situation. Watching your peers dance while you sat made injuries even more painful. However, taking time to rest your body or heal from an injury is crucial in dancer longevity. 

Sadly, there are a lot of red flags in a studio when it comes to dancers' health. If teachers prioritize aesthetics over the anatomy of dancers it could be an issue. Studios that shame students for taking needed rest or sitting out because of an injury is another big problem. Dancers need a supportive environment that prioritizes their overall health and well-being. The best teachers will realize that making a student push through pain is simply not worth potential injury.

Lack of Structure

Looking back on my dance training, repetitive exercises were one of my pet peeves. Yes, practice makes perfect, but there is a difference between class with the intention of killing time versus class with the intention of improvement. I’m sure many dancers go through the same barre exercises or modern warm up day after day without understanding why they do it everyday. If there is no goal communicated, that’s a red flag. 

Studios that have no mission or structure for the dance teachers is another red flag. Yes, dance class should absolutely be fun at its core. But the best teachers are going to show up to class with a goal in mind and create some type of challenge for their students. Studio directors should provide some type of common values or quality control for their teachers to ensure the safety and progress of students. Without structure, it is difficult to track growth and success (psst. Check out our lesson plans to get teachers on the same page and start implementing goals).

Lack of Encouragement to Further Education

Don't forget that lack of growth and no encouragement to further education are additional points that can indicate a red flag. If you feel stuck in your classes or have no opportunities to learn and grow further, this can be a warning sign.

These are just some of the red flags that dancers and dance teachers should be aware of when considering a studio. By taking these warning signs seriously, you can ensure that you receive quality instruction from experienced professionals in a supportive and nurturing environment.