Does your kid take dance?

[SC Minnie]

We have the registration fees at the beginning of each year too as well as costumes, shoes, etc. But instead of the recital fee that was charged when I took dance growing up DD's studio sells tickets to the recital to defray the costs of renting the auditorium.

 

[castleview]

My dd's dance studio runs like everyone else's - you pay monthly, but get a discount if you pay for the full year up front.

The only reason I could think of for this studio's new policy (having taught gymnastics at a dance studio) is that because many kids drop out of activities so abruptly, they may end up with a class that's too small to make a profit. The new policy may be the equivalent of holding a spot in the class. Still, I think it's risky for the owner to do this because she'll probably lose people who don't want to pay up front.

I'm not saying my theory is right, that's just my guess. I understand and agree with your skepticism on this.

As far as the cost of dance, I tell anyone who's interested to just double the monthly tuition cost because that's how much you'll pay in the end (at least). But I have to say, my 4 year old was in her first recidal this past year and enjoyed it so much!

Good luck with your decision.

Allison

 

[dizagain]

Same here...choice between semester or monthly. They do make you commit and pay for recital fee and costume in February. I understand that as they don't want children to drop out and mess up routines. I could never pay for a year up front, not would I want to....what if they closed down or something?

 

[Deb in IA]

DD, 13, is in her 8th year of ballet at the youth ballet program at our university.

The class meets Monday and Wednesday evenings for 90 minutes. And we sign up and pay for the semester. Last year's rate was about $130.

 

[cobbler]

I only have boys but I dance at my local studio. I pay monthly, there are no registration fees or anything like that. We can prepay but we don't get a discount or anything. I couldn't afford to pay for one year at a time as I pay 96/month and we dance during the regular school year.

We do have to pay for our costumes in November if we want to be in recital, which is optional, so if you pay for that costume and then quit dance, then you have a costume you are not using because those are non-refundable.

If I had to do that where I had to pay the whole year at once, then I would go somewhere else, as I couldn't afford to do that.

 

[carole88]

We have always paid monthly, but they have just added the option to pay up front and get one month free which amounts to 10% savings. I wished that they had done it before. This past year tution was $185 per month. I know it's a lot of money to pay up front but I think it is worth it.

Younger DD was in the competition group for the past two years. The competition fees, travel expenses, shoes, costumes and recital tickets really add up and any savings would be welcome.

We are moving and will now have to find a new school. We love our school so much that I know it is going to be very hard to find a new school!

 

[my3kids]

My daughter takes a lot of dance classes and at a couple of studios. Always we have paid by the month. One studio offers a 5% discount for full payment in advance.

The same one that offers the 5% discount requires signing a contract that says the dancer should know by October is it isn't something they are going to want to do. If you drop by then you get a refund of the first month's deposit. Otherwise you are obligated to contine payment through the year unless you move or have a medical excuse. That said, I don't think anyone who wanted to quit was actually held to the agreement.

 

[janette]

Originally posted by danacara
I think dance is one of the best things you can do for a little girl. You can definitely tell the difference in high school among the girls who took dance and those who didn't. It gives you a comfort in sports and at proms - it adds to the confidence level.

I do agree with this, my 12yo DD has taken dance since she was 3yo and I can really tell a difference in how she carries herself, confidence level and other things. She's a good dancer, not great but the training has been very valuable!

Our studio offers monthly or semester, they are pretty reasonable for several hours of dance. They just started taking Credit Cards so I'm excited about that! More flyer miles and it is money we are out anyway. I'm not sure how they are going to set it up but I'd have no problem signing something at the first of the year and just let them charge my card each month instead of having to remember to write a check.

 

[Michie]

My daughter just finished her 3rd year. She is in Jr.Prep1

Pay monthly Sept. - June $75 monthly

Recital fees this year were $200, half by November, balance had to be paid in order to get costumes (3 this year)

Dance company fees :earseek

I know quiet a few of the younger girls quit after a few months, so am looking for changes to be made in order to compensate for that.

It does seem as though each year more and more fees are added.