This fall we signed Leigha up for dance class. She is at a supposed great studio about five minutes from our house. What a bonus that was! Even though it seemed great I still had some questions. See Leigha is my horse girl. So with dance we were in a new territory and I wanted to make sure we got it right. I arrived first person to sign her up on new class registration day. I asked lots of questions about the studio, expectations, ability, and requirements. It was said many times that they are a very traditional studio and strive for correct discipline in the art of dance. The owner was great and I left with a whole list of dance wear and shoes to buy. In the paperwork it said "students must". So one Saturday we went on an adventure looking for all of these musts.
The first thing we went to find were the "must" have tan jazz shoes. This studio requires tan. I was told that in their competitions and recital they need the tan color. Ok, so Payless does not carry tan jazz shoes they only carry black. We tried another dance shop but they also only carry black. Third time was a charm though. For 48 dollars we got tan jazz shoes. It took a while because Leigha has really big, skinny, long feet? At the same shop we bought ballet shoes for 28 and tap shoes for 45. This idea of dance class was starting to get expensive and I was rethinking my save money on a combo class idea. Silly me.
After all those shoes we still needed the leotards, tights, and a skirt or two. Leigha is outgrown little girl target leotards so we had to go to a specialty shop to find her size. With the specialty shop we had to pay those specialty prices also. I was so excited to find 2 and tights on clearance for 24 dollars each. This was half off the original price! We didn't find any skirts just these short little things called hot pants. I am not buying my nine year old "hot pants"! So we went home and ordered two skirts online. All said and done we must have spent close to $200 dollars just so Leigha could be dressed appropriately for her dance class.
It has now been over a moth and she has had class five times. I was so excited to bring her to the first class because she was so excited to go. She chose to wear the pretty purple leotard, white tights, white flowing skirt, and hair up in a French braid. She was ready and looked so beautiful.
Every class she is either dressed like this or in another leotard, skirt and tights. Appropriately for class.
So now we are at the complaining part. Every week I bring Leigha. I sit and watch as all the girls come into class. I have noticed how inappropriately the girls are dressed. They don't wear tights, most don't have leotards on and their hair is hanging in their face. This irks me! What happened to respect for dance? I have been thinking about this for a few weeks. Today I emailed the dance studio. Now as far as complaining I have a hard time keeping my emotions in check. My thoughts are also so jumbled I'm afraid that I don't get my point across well. So I started with the word "disappointed" in the subject line. That one word expressed exactly what I have been feeling.
I was disappointed that the girls were not dressed appropriately. I was disappointed that the teacher was dressed like a tramp, I was disappointed that the other parents did not care enough to help their children, I was disappointed that The owner did not say anything to their employees. I was disappointed in myself for not saying anything and letting Leigha feel less of herself. See she was the reason I finials said how disappointed I was in the situation. Leigha asked why the other girls did not care about what they were wearing. She wanted to ow why it was such a big deal that we got the right shoes and clothes when the others do not have them. She said she felt weird in the proper dress when the others weren't wearing it. This was about the time the Mom Roar was working itself out. Why should Leigha feel that that she is the one in the wrong because she did what was right?
Sometimes complaining works. Just an hour after I sent my email I got a response from the studio owner. She assured my that they would rectify the situation immediately. Everything we had spoken about at the beginning of the class was now going to be enforced. Yeah!
I didn't do this to create an issue but to bring attention to what was going on. I learned complaining when done with the best intentions, with facts and clear words maybe you'll get results. Maybe.
Here is the email I sent the studio...
I wanted to make known my concern and disappointment. My daughter is in the Friday evening tap/jazz/ballet class. We are only on the fourth week and I have noticed that the girls are not dressed appropriately. When I signed my daughter up I asked specific questions about what the girls must wear to class. I was told they must have tights and a leotard on. Apart from that they could wear a skirt or hot pants. The shoe list was also quite specific. I, as a parent, went out and bought the appropriate clothes and shoes. I have seen the young girls come into the studio without proper clothes or shoes. It is very important to have the correct items for the sport you choose. If the girls are not wearing the appropriate clothes they show a lack of respect for the sport. The discipline and art of dance is beautiful, intense and fun. The girls need to learn at this young age how to respect the sport they have chosen. They need to learn how and why they are needed to dress for that sport. If they can't remember to dress acceptably are they going to remember what they are expected to do at competitions or recitals? Just like the instructor should dress appropriately, not just a pair of short cotton shorts! Which I have seen there and was very shocked! It is our responsibility as adults to train and teach our children they are not going to just figure it out on their own. My son plays football and if he showed up to a game or practice without his gear he would not be allowed to participate. If he forgets his mouth guard he is not even allowed on the field. It is the same for any sport, art or instrument and I would hope that the coach, leader, teacher, or trainer would insist upon being prepared. Just as the instructor should be prepared to teach appropriately. I understand it is easier to just wear what ever is comfortable but we should not be looking for the easy way out. If most of the girls are not taking dance seriously how does that make the other students feel? I know that my daughter is noticing what the other girls are wearing and she has asked why the are not dressed right. She is concerned that she now looks different, she is starting to feel self conscious. She has mentioned that she loves the instructor but that she feels that some other girls like to goof off. she is confused because of what she and I expected the class to be like.
I am sorry to bring this up but I thought that I had inquired about some of these concerns even before we signed up. I know that many other studios are very disciplined in this and the students do not have a problem because they know that if they want to dance they must do what is required. Thank you for listening to my concern on this issue.
Thank you,
Dawn Amato
