Poll Result- When Did You Start The 2009-2010 Dance Class Season

The last poll question asked dance teachers and studio owners when they started their 2009-2010 dance season.
4 responded that they started classes before school started.
4 responded that their classes started the same week that public school began in their community.
26 responded that their dancers were back dancing a week or more after school started.

I know that most dance studios keep their doors open throughout the summer with summer classs and camps, as well as competition rehearsals,and community performances. Our question asked, however, when all students returned to class. As a dance teacher, I always liked to have dance classes start up as soon as possible in the late summer or early fall, to get the cash flowing again. However, now as a mother of dancers, I prefer dance classes start after the kids get settled into their school routine again. I've experienced my daughter going to the first day of school and then immediately going to dance class after school. That first week is always rough on entire families, so it's nice to ease back into the activity schedule. It's another example of how my views have changed from being single and a dance teacher, to being married and a dance teacher, to being a parent and a dance teacher.
Thanks to those who have participated in the poll!


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Poll Result- What Was Your Profit From This Years Dance Recital?

The poll question at the end of the 2009 dance recital season asked how much of a profit was made by this years dance recital. Fourteen people participated and the results show a wide range of profit, but do show that recitals are clearly LOTS of work without a huge pay off at the end of the year. Especially when you think of all the expenses that it takes to stage a production that eventually comes out of the total profit.

Here are the results:

4= Profit of $100-$1000

2= Profit of $1000-$2000

2= Profit of $4000-$5000

1= Profit of $5000-$6000

1= Profit of $6000-$7000

1= Profit of $7000-$8000

1= Profit of $8000-$10,000

2= Profit of

Poll Result- Did You Use The Very Popular Song "Single Ladies" In Your Dance Recital This Year?

This was the poll question for June 2009! Actually, the results kind of surprised me. With Single Ladies being one of the most memorable songs of the year and the top music video of the year with that awesome choreography, I thought there would be a lot of single ladies dancing in recitals this year. Maybe using the song is too predictable, the choreography too seductive, or not wanting to copy choreography was the reason. If you read my last post, you will remember that a group of us mom's performed a parody of Single Ladies at our daughter's dance recital last week. Minus the famous leotards, of course.

Check out the new poll question for July! Now that recital season is winding down for the year, I hope all you teachers, studio owners, and students are enjoying your summer!

Poll Result- How Do You Pay Your Teaching Staff For The Hours That They Put In At Dress Rehearsal And Recital?

The results for the May 2009 poll question were very interesting. The results showed that there is a very wide range of how dance studio owners pay their teaching staff for the time spent at dress rehearsal and recital.

24% stated that they pay an hourly wage.

32 % pay their dance teachers a separate bonus.

20% pay them in another way.

24% do not pay their faculty for those days.

Clearly, there is a wide range of ideas and methods on compensation for working dress rehearsals and recitals. Most teachers have probably found what works best for them and their employees in their unique recital situation.

Please leave comments if you have any thoughts or suggestions involving compensation for the time spent on the stage putting together a show.

If you have a poll question that you would like to see posted, please comment.

Poll Result- Do You Pay Your Teaching Staff For The Time They Put In At Dress Rehearsal and Recital?

The poll question for the month of April 2009 asked dance studio owners if they paid their dance teachers for the hours that they spend helping at dress rehearsal and on the day of the recital. 61% answered yes, that they do pay their employees for the extra hours spent on the stage. Thank you to all who took time to answer the poll question.

Check out the new poll question for the month of May. We will continue the theme and ask those of you how you actually pay your teachers for the rehearsals and performance.

Poll Result- Where do your dancers stay while the show is going on?

The March 2009 poll question was "Where do your dancers stay while the show is going on?" Where dancers hang out between performances depends on the facility where the recital is held, the number of dancers in the show, and the length of the performance. Every director of a recital will handle the logistics of their show differently.

When polled 96% of teachers had their dancers stay backstage during the entire recital. 11% of of those polled said that they did allow their smallest dancers to sit in the audience with a parent.

Thank you to all who took time to vote! Check out the new poll question for April 2009!

Poll Result- Number Of Dance Recital Performances

February Poll Result

The February poll question was:

"How many performances of the annual dance recital does your school perform?"

Thank you to all who took time to participate in the poll. Here is how you answered.

42% Perform One Show

23% Perform Two Shows On One Day

25% Perform Two Shows On Seperate Days

3% Perform Their Recital On Multiple Weekends

7% Performed Their Recital More Than That

Poll Result

Poll Result

The January 2009 poll question was "Do you offer combination classes in order to accomodate more students?"

85% said Yes

and

15% said No

My view- I had always been trained that combination classes were not good and dancers should take individual classes to learn the different techniques of dance. As a dancer, I do agree. Although, as a dance studio owner I learned to disagree. Sometimes it is best to offer combination classes. Most combination classes are for the preschool age dancers. This provides them to keep their interest, keep their attention, keep them moving, and they will soon learn which type of dance they prefer better for when they get older. Combination classes for slightly older dancers can sometimes be a good thing. Especially if the dancers are just starting out, have trouble affording classes, or are on a limited schedule with other activities. Combo classes is also a convenient way of getting dancers to take ballet when they aren't excited about it. Of course the older the dancers the longer the combination class can be. Roll up multiple dance styles into one evening, instead of having them at the studio every night of the week. By offering combo classes you can accomodate more students into the weekly schedule at your dance studio. Sometimes you have to do it to keep sane and to bring in enough money. As far as the dance recital, it is up to you if you want each combo class to perform each style of dance on stage or just one dance. For preschool classes I usually had them perform one dance. Dancers a little older were able to perform two or more dances. I would choose a costume that came with multiple matching pieces like a tutu, jazz pants, and a tap skirt that could be worn with the same leotard. The number of dances your combo classes perform also depends on how long your recital is. If you have a small studio, you may want the combo classes to perform multiple times. If your studio is big and your dance recital is already long, then consider one dance for each combination class.

Poll Result- Reducing Costume Costs During Hard Economic Times

Poll Result

The December 2008 poll question was, "Are you reducing recital costume costs this year, due to families tightened budgets because of the economy?"

28% said "yes," they were taking steps to try to reduce the costs of this years recital costumes.

71% said "no," they are not reducing recital costume costs.

Poll Result- Is The Economy Effecting Your Dance School?

Poll Result

The October 2008 poll question asked, "Do you feel the state of the economy is effecting your dance school?"

84% said Yes

12% said No

4% said Slightly

Thank you to all who took time to take the survey!

Hopefully, the economy crisis will resolve quickly!

Poll Result- How do you charge tuition?

Poll Result

How Do You Charge Tuition?

When asked how do you charge tuition, this is how you answered!

76% charged dance lesson tuition monthly.

14% charged tuition quarterly.

5% charged tuition semi-annually.

2% charged tuition annually.

Poll Result- How do you choreograph?

Poll Result

How Do You Choreograph?

11% said that they choreograph everything before entering the classroom.

18% said that they choreograph while in the classroom when they have the students in front of them.

70% said that they choreograph some ahead of time and some on the spot.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer last months poll question!

Poll Result- Planning For Next Years Recital

Poll Result

It Is Summer. Have You Started Planning For Next Years Recital Yet?

Thank you to all who anwered the poll question for July 2008. This is how you answered.

56% said, "Yes, I have only the theme picked out for next year."

24% said, "Yes, I am already choreographing."

0% said that they had their whole show planned out for next year already.

20% said, "No, I am enjoying my summer."

Poll Result

Poll Result

Here is the results from the June 2008 poll question. Thank you to all that took time to vote!

Do you require all your dancers to take ballet?

48% answered yes

27% answered no

6% said after a certain age

17% said they required only competition students to take ballet.

Poll Result

Poll Result

When Do You Give Students Their Dance Class Schedule For The Upcoming Year?

Thanks for the numerous responses to this months poll question!

16% said that they give students their dance class schedule before the previous year ends.

33% releases the dance class schedule right after recital season is over.
33% waits until half way through the summer.
16% registers students for dance classes a week or two before classes begins.

Poll Result

Poll Result

How Do You Notify Students And Parents

About Important Upcoming Dates And Times?

100% of people the who voted said that they give 1 to 3 months notice to students and parents about upcoming events, dates, and times. Hurray, to all who give the families in their dance studios plenty of notice. Thanks to all who took time to vote.

Poll Result- How Do You Handle Seating At Your Dance Recital?

How Do You Handle Seating At Your Dance Recital?

28% polled said that seats are reserved when tickets are purchased.

28% polled said that seating is open and there are no reserved seats.

42% polled said only the front few rows are reserved for special people, such as parents who help backstage, or parents of graduating seniors etc........

Poll Result- Where Do You Have Your Annual Dance Recital?

Where Do You Have Your Annual Dance Recital?

22% polled said that they have their annual dance recital in a theatre.

33% polled said that they have their annual dance recital in a school auditorium.

22% polled said that they their annual dance recital is performed in a gym.

11% polled said that they have their annual dance studio in another type type of location.

11% polled said that their annual dance recital takes place in their own dance studio.

Poll Result- Do You Let Parents Videotape During The Recital Performance?

Do You Let Parents Videotape During The Recital Performance?

50% polled said that they never let parents videotape the recital performance and that parents can purchase a DVD of the recital.

25% polled said that they allow videotaping during their recital performance.

13% polled said that they allow parents to videotape only during dress rehearsal.

12% polled said that they allow videotaping during the performance, but only from a designated area such as the balcony.

Poll Result- How much do your dance recital tickets cost?

How Much Do Your Dance Recital Tickets Cost?

Thank you to all who took time to participate in the first poll. These are the results for "How much do your dance recital tickets cost?"

17% replied that they charged $1.00-$5.00

50% replied that they charged $6.00-$10.00

17% replied that they charged $11.00-$15.00

16% replied that their show was free