04/07/2019
Essential Dance Class Etiquette (I thought these were well written and cover a lot of bases.)
1. Arrive on time. Arriving late to class is disruptive to the other students, the teacher, and can set up the potential for injury if you do not have enough time to properly warm up. If for some reason you must be late, join the floor where there is enough space during a break so you don't disrupt the current teach/routine. Don't expect the teacher to start over just because you've arrived.
2. Have a good attitude. Energy begets energy, and for a lot of students, this is their one hour a week that they get to leave the house and do something fun for themselves. It can be frustrating when we don’t get something on which we’ve been working, but remember, if it were easy, everyone would do it.
3. Turn off your cell phones and put them away. ‘Nuff said.
4. Try not to leave the dance floor for the duration of class. If an emergency arises, leave discretely. You made a commitment to yourself to be there - keep it.
5. Do not talk when the teacher is teaching. You might think you are being quiet, but if you’re talking, you’re likely not as quiet as you think you are. If you have a question for the teacher, wait for the right moment, and raise your hand.
6. Do not correct other students. That is the teacher’s responsibility.
7. Do not correct the teacher. If the teacher has made a mistake (which is bound to happen) and it is causing confusion in the class, it is fine to politely ask for clarification. If you have a difference of opinion, it is best to save it for after class. It's your chance to have a productive conversation with the teacher.
8. Take correction well. If a teacher corrects you, congratulations! That means they are invested in your development. Perfection is a myth, so don’t let your ego get in the way of your progress. If you hear a correction being given to another student, pay attention! There is a good chance it applies to you as well!
9. Practice. You go to dance class to learn, but you’ll make your progress when you practice outside of class. Make sure to work on any combinations/choreography, so that upon returning to class, you can spend the majority of your time learning new material instead of spending that time on review.
10. Wear appropriate attire and mind your hygiene. Wear something you can get sweaty in and move comfortably in. Keep jewelry to a minimum; wear deodorant to class; and because many people are sensitive to scents, avoid perfume.
11. Keep it clean! No food on the dance floor. Water bottles should be off the floor as well. As a general rule, if you brought it in, take it out.
12. Have FUN! Ultimately, this is YOUR class too, and you should be having a good time. Every teacher feels good when their students leave the room happy, so enjoy the process. Dance is an enriching experience, so be proud of your hard work, celebrate your accomplishments, and keep your eye on the continuing journey ahead.
