At what age should a student commence learning to dance?

Because dance brings so many benefits to a child, the earlier they start, the better. Certainly if they wish to learn classical ballet they must start while the body is still naturally flexible. Ballet schools usually have ‘pre-ballet’ classes for children as young as three or four years of age. Serious study usually begins at around eight or nine. Males frequently start later and if they are reasonably athletic this is no barrier to their progress, though once again, the sooner they start the better.

What benefits can a student expect to gain from studying dance?

Young boys and girls are mainly attracted to dance because of the joy of moving to music, but they gain much more. Firstly, they achieve a heightened sense of physical awareness and a respect for their ‘instrument’, the human body. Secondly, they learn self-discipline and the ability to focus on goals. Thirdly, they discover the need to respect and co-operate with other people.

Dance also helps to develop other qualities and abilities that have very practical applications. The obvious ones are grace, poise and balance in gesture and movement, plus a sharpening of vision, hearing and touch. Dancers gain a high degree of physical co-ordination and an ability to express themselves in precise terms. Of course dance is renowned for its therapeutic qualities in the treatment of some physical and emotional disorders, and it is a great recreational activity, giving students perspectives and challenges away from normal academic studies.

Which style of dance is it best to study?

The choice of dance should reflect the interests, age and anatomy of the student. It will also depend to a great extent on the availability of qualified teachers in your local area. The main techniques taught in Australia are classical ballet, modern dance, jazz ballet, tap dance and ballroom.

Ballroom dance is an elegant form of social dance that is performed with a partner. It requires a good sense of body carriage, rhythm, balance and co-ordination. Body weight is not important and foot patterns require no ‘turn-out’. Ballroom dancing can be done competitively and it may soon become part of the Olympic Games.

Tap dance is an exciting dance form that differs dramatically from other forms of dancing by its concentration on the rhythmic tapping of the toe, heel and flat foot. Made popular during the 1930s and 1940s in American musical theatre, it is currently undergoing a resurgence in interest. It requires co-ordination, loose ankles and legs, and lots of rhythm.

Jazz dance, which is sometimes called musical theatre dance, draws on elements of tap, modern and ballet techniques. It stresses line, correct footwork and isolated body movements frequently used in complicated patterns. The requirements are an outgoing personality and a flexible and well-shaped body.

Modern dance has been developed by numerous dancers who each emphasised their right to move in a unique way based on his or her own theory of movement. It concentrates on breathing, gravity and the position of the spine, Frequently performed with bare feet, it can be performed by dancers of all shapes and sizes.

Classical ballet is a stylised, theatrical form of dance, which requires the student to learn a very specific technique that was established centuries ago in the courts of Europe and has been evolving ever since. Some of the obvious features of ballet dancing are the regal bearing of body and arms and the emphasis on fully stretched legs and feet. Ballet requires a slim well-proportioned body with good outward rotation of the legs for ‘turn-out’. To be successful in ballet it is important to start at an early age.

What will the costs be?

Tuition costs vary and it is best to contact the school direct to enquire about their charges. However, as a gauge you can expect to pay around $8-$10 a class, which is normally payable by the term. In the beginning the students will be expected to attend one class a week but this increases as the student develops.

Clothing costs again vary greatly but a basic outfit of tights, leotard, and dance shoes will cost approximately $100. If the school has an annual performance there may also be production costs to help meet the expense of costumes etc.

How do I find a suitable school?

The vital link in the success of any attempt to educate the young and developing student is the teacher, which means that after the style of technique is decided upon, the choice of school is of absolute importance. In Australia today there are an enormous number of dance schools from which to choose. The sheer number and variety of the schools make choosing very difficult. However, you should look for a school that is well appointed, observes safe dance practices and has a caring approach to their students. The level of discipline in the class should enable the smooth running of the lesson but not be so strict as to stifle creativity.

If possible it is wise to attend a performance given by the school under consideration. Like students, schools have different qualities and philosophies, which means they set their sights on different goals. The dancers who graduate from the school will indicate the way their school functions. They will show the different qualities that the school emphasises in their training. Good dancers at a school are not only an indication of the school’s merit, but they are also an inspiration to the other students in the classes. They help to create an atmosphere that stimulates artistic growth.

The quality of the teaching is more important than the system of dance taught. Today, good teaching practice aims to utilise the students’ natural enthusiasm, and their need to be constantly challenged, to make their mastery of movement from the simplest to the most demanding, a rewarding task. A good teacher transmits to the student their obvious love of  dance. And the rewards are students who not only gain high exam marks but who also enjoy dancing and can communicate that enjoyment.

To view our Guidelines for Children policy, relating to young ballet audiences, click here