Dance School Needed for 2 1/2 Year Old Daughter

My daughters attend Fancy Feet in Matthews, both started at age 4......it is family owened and operated. They are now 11.5 (she insists I tell people that!) and 7. I know that one of the instructors wrote a video tape "Mommie and Me..." it was about dancing. I am 200% satisfied....in fact, I have already PAID for next year...it is very family friendly, when I had an issue with my knees......the OWNER asked my husband about me when he picked up one of my girls......that said a lot to me...we do not do "competetion" but my girls are treated no differently than the competition girls.....the are loved and taught the dance......I wish you the best of luck.

My daughter, who will be three this month, loves the Charlotte School of Ballet. It is on S. Sharon Amity at Providence Rd. It is a true dance school. The owner/director runs the Charlotte Youth Ballet and is very focused on providing the best dance education for the kids. Their website is www.charlotteballet.com.

We had been in another program for a year and it was not at all professional. Kids running around during the class. Teacher not focused on the kids. Teacher running the class around her scheduls so that you could never count on a class being held when scheduled. It was frustrating to say the least.

miller street acadamy is great...not sure if they take 2 and 3 year olds though!

Miss Donna's is a good dance school. My oldest daughter took classes there for three years. They have several locations in Charlotte and suburbs.

I would recommend Steps 'N Motion at The Fountains Shopping Center. It's at Tom Short and Ardrey Kell.

My daughter loves the dance program at the Harris YMCA. The advantage to that is it is in semsters instead of all year. That way if she is not really ready you are not committed for 9 months. they also offer some summer classes that last about 6 weeks. I did that to start to see if she liked, then signed her up for the Fall semster which goes until December. They have a little Christmas recital. then you can sign her up for Spring that goes from Jan to June. They have a big spring recital. The costumes are included in the price. THe teachers are great! and again you can committ as you go along.

Having had two daughters who started dancing at three and are now dance majors in college, I would suggest moms/dads do the following below. Most dance schools in Charlotte arer similiar at the early ages but things change as they get older and possibly do competition. If your child is serious about dance as they get older, get them out of a "competition" school and go to a school that focuses on technique. Colleges do auditions and they want to see a propsective student take a class in modern and ballet.

1) Always ask to attend a class your daughter/son would take and a class level above her so you see what is in the future.

2) Make sure the dance floors in the studio have marle which helps prevent injuries.

3. Go to a recital of the studio or a competition they are performing at to see
if their dances and costumes are age appropiate.