Parents just like you are researching dance studios all over the country, and they are finding out that not all dance studios are the same. Unfortunately, there are no licensing or certification requirements for dance studios or dance teachers in the United States. Trying to find a good studio can be a trying experience. It is important that you choose carefully and wisely since improper training can result in injury and frustration.

So how do you choose? What questions should you ask? And when you ask the the right questions, what answers should you be looking for? Nationally recognized dancer and director Heart & Sole Dance in Tinley Park, Maren Oslac, prepared the following 'Six Questions' to help you in your quest to find a great studio.


1) How do I know I will receive quality instruction?
ONE - It’s always important to make sure that your child’s instructor(s) are qualified. Dance instructors are not licensed in this country; anyone can claim to be able to teach your child to dance. In addition, a good dancer does not necessarily make a good instructor. Look for someone with a degree in dance and/or education from an accredited institution
TWO – Be sure that the school itself has a syllabus and lesson plan for each class. A good school will follow a carefully designed syllabus of instruction in the teaching and well being of its students. An excellent school will also have lesson plans for each class to provide cohesive flow to your child’s education. Ask the school to see the syllabus and specific lesson plans before spending your money.

What We Offer
Here at Rodz Dance studio, Mrs. Rod has a Bachelor of Science in Dance from Texas Women's University. All of our other native Del Rio instructors have studied many years under Mrs. Rod's professional and technical expertise, and taken studio dance for many years, some even have degrees in dance as well!



​2) What about performances?
An end-of-the year performance is important! It gives a dancer valuable stage experience, as well as the opportunity to use what they’ve learned during the year. Dance is, after all, a performing art! The year-end performance should compliment your child’s classroom training, not replace fundamentals. Beware of studios that showcase just a few children, or their teachers. Remember that these classes are for your child, and they should not be dancing behind their teacher during recital. Find out if there are any parents you can contact as references. Also ask about additional fees associated with the showcase, you don’t want to be surprised!

What We Offer
Here at Rodz Dance Studio we believe that technique and fundamentals should not take a backseat to performance. We want all of our students to receive a quality and structured dance education. So while we devote most of our second semester to learning recital dances, we never stop drilling technique and learning new dance steps.

We are currently in the process of developing a competitive and performance program for our studio. We are excited to bring Mrs. Rod's 20+ years of competitive and performance dance team experience to our studio!



​3) What is the instructor to child ratio?
A low student to teacher ratio allows each student personalized attention, so your child learns more and has more fun. Older students grasp concepts and instructions quickly and are easier to manage, so a good ratio for kids 8+ is one instructor per 15 students (or less). Younger students need more attention, which means the ratio should be lower, about 6 students for each instructor. An appropriate ratio also allows teachers to ensure that students are not developing bad habits or improper technique.

What We Offer
Here at Rodz Dance Studio it is our choice to keep the instructor to child ration is low. We try to keep all classes 6+ under 12 students and all classes 3-5 years old under 8 students. In each class along with the primary instructor we have an assistant to help make sure each child has individual attention during class, and to take any child to the restroom so that the primary instructor never has to leave the class unattended.



​4) What should I look for in a dance facility?
A quality facility will provide a clean, neat, and safe environment and offer amenities such as a parent waiting area, full-length mirrors and adequate rest rooms. The single most important thing about a facility is the type of floor that is used. One of the best ways to enjoy dance safely is to select a school with floating floors, which are specially designed to reduce fatigue and prevent injuries.

What We Offer
Our entire facility was remodeled to be completely up to date when Mr. Charlie & Mrs. Rod purchased their facilities to open Rodz Dance Studio. We have two convenient parent waiting areas located in the front and back of our studio space, and two spacious restrooms in the waiting area that are also handicap accessible, a water fountain so our dancers stay hydrated and much more!. We take care to make sure our facility is always kept clean. We have three studio rooms all with high ceilings, wall-to-wall full length mirrors, and full barre. Our most important feature in our studio are our Junckers Dance and Drama Flooring. These are the highest quality dance floors for professional dance studios. This is a shock absorbing, hardwood floating floor with spring clips. This is the same flooring used on ABC's Dancing with the Stars!


*NEW* After a lot of consideration we have now added security cameras to our entire studio! Each studio has a camera inside so that classes can be monitored by Mrs. Rod to make sure that our students and staff are always at their best. There cameras are here for our staff's benefit as well as yours!



​5) What about customer service and assistance?
In many studios the teachers or studio director conduct classes in addition to handling all administrative duties. This means valuable class time used for customer service issues, or that no one available during class times to help you. To have a positive dance experience, it is important to select a studio with separate front desk staff to assist you with questions when you have them.

What We Offer
Charlie Rodriguez, our studio owner and costumer service representative is here in our office during all business hours to sell apparel, collect payments, enroll students, answers any questions, and give studio tours to prospective dancers. He is also available to answer phone calls during and before business hours. Mrs. Rod our studio director is constantly checking in on all classes to make sure that all classes are being taught professionally.



6) What are the costs of classes, and what are the extra expenses?
Remember, “you get what you pay for,” so don’t be on the search for the least expensive studio. A reputable studio will give you honest answers about all pricing up front with no surprises. Of course, the proper apparel and shoes to meet the studio’s dress code will be required for classes, and sometimes an annual registration fee is charged to hold your spot in the class and cover insurance, mailings, etc. Most studios put on a year end show in a professional theater and may charge a nominal performance fee to cover the costs of the venue in addition to costume fees.

What We Offer
We offer a fair, competitive cost for tuition at Rodz Dance Studio. It is very important to keep the saying "you get what you pay for" in mind while selecting a studio. Our monthly tuition covers the cost of our qualified and experienced teachers, our beautifully renovated studio, and our professional Junckers Hardwood Dance Floors. Upon registration, a non-refundable deposit will be collected to hold your child's space in class. The amount of the deposit is 1/3 of the cost of your total costumes for the year, and will be used for your costumes- we don't keep it for ourselves. At Rodz Dance Studio we have a strict dress code that is enforced in all classes. We require all students to dress in pink or black leotards and tights. This not only gives the class a uniform look that allows the teacher to focus on the entire class, but also helps to put the dancer in the mindset of a dancer. This helps them be more attentive and ready to learn in class. We have everything you will need for class in stock in our apparel store; there's no need to place an order that will take weeks to come in and may not fit or traveling hours to purchase apparel that you can actually try on before you purchase it. We also don't charge any recital fee or ticket costs; the opportunity for your child to dance on stage and for you to watch them is our gift to you.
​​

ABOUT

​Why Choose Rodz Dance Studio?