Dear Parents,
Having taught for over 6 years, I've had the privilege of working with many children, budding artists and dancers. In countless conversations with parents over the years, two words I constantly keep using over and over are courage and patience. It takes both to be a parent, especially in guiding your child through a successful training in the arts, and life! Below are questions, which every prospective parent has asked at some point.
What is the best age to start dance?
As I always believe a child starts moving right when he/she is in the womb. Movement is a very essential part of a child’s growth. The children are usually ready to attend movement classes as young as they are 3 years old. However formal training of structured dance forms like Indian classical, ballet and other disciplinary forms before a child's mind and muscles are developmentally ready may actually interrupt the training process. Typically delicate soft bones solidify and abstract thinking skills develop around age 7. For this reason and many others, creative and expressive experiences are recommended for pre-seven year olds. Our program Oorja is recommended for children below 5years.
How much will I be investing in my child's training?
Dance training, much like training on a musical instrument, is typically 7 to 10 years. Both parent and child will be investing quality time, enormous patience and hard work, and money. As in any investment, there are dividends along the way including lifetime growth in self-discipline, focus, grace, dominion, joy, and freedom.
How do I go about enrolling my child or myself?
Contact us by filling out our application form. You can checkout registrations for upcoming sessions with us. Once you have contacted us, you will also be sent invitations to various dance events throughout that season.
What are your rates?
Rates vary depending on age of child, level of class, number of weekly classes taken, etc. Please check our prospectus for more details on the prices for various classes. We understand that families are sacrificing time and money to make this life skill possible for their children. We ensure that your investment will pay off over the years.
What should I do if my child wants to quit?
Having made the investment of time, energy and money, it is always a shame not to realize the full value of an investment. It is human nature to complain or even resist growth. True growth is rarely comfortable and for this reason, the parents' courage and wisdom are needed to keep the child from quitting. A parent's privilege is to guide their child on the path of life. Only the parent has the experience and wisdom needed to judge if dance is a worthwhile activity. Understanding dance as an activity that fosters self-discipline, grace, hard work and satisfaction, the parent should make every effort to encourage the child NOT to short change his/he future.
What about competition?
Competition is part of life. To compete with one's self is true competition. Mixed messages are sent in spending a great amount of time preparing for dance competitions. Trophies are no substitute for pure technique. There is a huge difference between learning a dance and learning HOW to dance. At Krshálá our emphasis is put on the latter, the learning process. However, dancers are not discouraged from entering or attending conventions and competitions, as long as class time and technique are not sacrificed.
At Krshálá my emphasis is to make every child enjoy the experience of dance. I am always there to answer any queries, concerns, issues or positive inputs from parents so do feel free to get in touch with me. |
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What are my responsibilities ?
At Krshálá we follow a technique for parents, teachers and student called the art of dance to make it worthwhile for everyone being a part of it!
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As a parent
- be Prepared to be a sounding board
- help your dancer be Prompt
- be Patient with long term growth
- be Positive ...even when your child isn't
- be Principled in discerning the difference between normal complaining and valid objections
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As a student
- Prepared & Prompt - punctual to class and rehearsals, consistent attendance, "proper attire" in order (hair, shoes, socks)
- Polite - respectful conduct to all, including fellow dancers, faculty, and family; competing and comparing with one's own growth in class; cooperating for the good of the class
- Patient & Poised - consistent and persistent effort during the many years of training, understanding that learning to dance also reshapes and fine tunes the body with increased flexibility, strength, grace, control, stamina and a beautiful new look
- Positive - bringing to class a sense of humor, open mind, and a receptive attitude
- Principled - expressed in honesty, order, obedience and self-discipline
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As a dance teacher we pledge that we will be
- Prepared - Arriving to class with well thought out curriculum, furthering our own dance training, and staying current in our industry by networking in the dance world with other professional contacts.
- Polite - Giving correct and proper instruction as professional dancers and educators. The many demands of this profession require utmost consideration, thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. Professional instruction is not to be confused with unprofessional personal criticism.
- Patient & Poised - Meeting the individual needs of each student along with on-going encouragement through the many years of training.
- Positive - Not accepting limitations of laziness, negative attitudes, disobedience, disrespect and the like, which prevent the progress of the individual and his/her class from learning life-lessons and dance as a fine art.
- Principled - Teaching correct and developmentally appropriate curriculum for a child's physical (muscular readiness), mental (terminology & technique) and emotional well being (i.e. the dangers of too much too soon).
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