FAQ

Dance is a very physical activity that requires a lot of jumping, which can put stress on bones and joints. Most dance footwear does not provide any cushioning or support, so the shock of dance movement can place a lot of pressure on the knees and back of a dancer. The best way to prevent against potential injury is by choosing a studio with a professional “floating floor.” A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam, to absorb the shock of jumping. A high-density foam base is superior to a “sprung floor,” which usually consists of a wood structure built on the regular floor. The top layer of the dance floor is also an important factor. A ”Marley” floor is accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational and professional dance. Facilities such as the American Ballet Theatre, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, all use floating floors with a Marley overlay as their dance surface. A Marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of “controlled” slip, but it is not slippery so there is less risk of falls. Not all studios use professional floors because of the expense involved, and usually opt for an imitation, less expensive flooring. All of Doubletake’s dance rooms are equipped with floating floors under a Marley top surface. Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without fatigue.

A dance class should be formed with the student’s age and ability taken into consideration. A 5 year old beginner should never be placed in a class with a 3 year old. As children mature, their attention span and ability to learn becomes more developed. Every child will progress at a different rate and each one should be evaluated on an individual basis. Parents should pay close attention to the age range in any dance class. This will help to determine how your child will advance. At Doubletake, each student is placed based on ‘both’ age and ability. All experienced dancers that are new to our studio are given an assessment to determine their placement. At the end of every dance year, all students are re-evaluated by their instructors to determine their advancement level for the next year. Our dance program is structured so that most dancers will progress to a higher level each year.

A dance instructor should be able to relate to the children they are teaching and be able to share their love for dance with those children. They should also be current and up to date on the most recent styles of dance they are teaching. Doubletake Instructors are required to continue their education by attending various national dance conventions and workshops throughout the year. This allows them to not only teach our students the fundamentals of dance technique, but to teach the most current styles and methods of performing these techniques.

Most studios put on a year-end recital. It is extremely important that all recital costumes, music, and dance routines are appropriate for each performer’s age. Students that perform in the recital must purchase costumes for their dance numbers. Some studios may require parents to be responsible for the alterations of these costumes as well as create and attach various accessories. Many studios also require parents to go out and purchase tights for their child’s costumes. This can be inconvenient and frustrating for those parents who are busy or can’t sew. Also, you need to ask upfront what other expenses will come up at recital time. We at Doubletake, strive to make our recitals worry free and no hassle for all involved. Every dancer will perform a routine specially choreographed for their age. In January, all dancers will receive their custom edited music to practice their routines. Every costume is age appropriate, and “all” alterations are performed, at no cost to the family, by our in-house seamstress. All accessories are already attached to each costume and tights are included. Every participant in our show will receive a digital download of the recital in its entirety along with professional action shots taken during their performance. We organize our show properly and make certain that costumes are in, altered, and ready well before the show. The only expense you will see is a ticket to see our professionally run and creatively theme recital. It is truly the Best Show in town!