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 Ask Rhee Gold
Dance educators seek advice about teaching
issues
Q:
Dear Rhee,
I own and direct a dance studio in a small Midwestern town. I
was wondering what percentage of a school’s students should
return from the previous year. I’m concerned about my low
number of returns but hopeful about all my new enrollments.
Right now 57 percent of my students are returning. Please let
me know if these numbers sound about right to you. I think I
have tried everything, but what can I do to make my students
more long-term? —Linda
A:
Hello Linda,
Although there is no definitive research on student retention
from year to year as it relates to the dance-school business.
I estimate the average to be about 25 to 30 percent among the
school owners who attend such discussions at my seminars. You
seem to be above average, but I have heard of percentages that
are higher. I suggest that you send your non-returning adult
students and the parents of non-returning underage students a
survey to get feedback on why they or their children chose not
to continue dance at your school. (See a sample of this form
on page 61 of Dance Studio Life, August 2007.)
As for how you can improve your retention rate, start by
evaluating your preschool enrollment. These are the students
who are most likely to remain on your class lists for years.
If this group is dropping out at a rate of 43 percent, as you
described, then it’s important to reevaluate your preschool or
creative movement program. Ask yourself if the faculty is
enthusiastic or has the skill to truly understand this age
group. If the teachers are weak or parents perceive them as
too young or inexperienced, you will continue to experience a
high rate of dropouts. And that’s not good for positive word
of mouth; parents of children in this age group are always
talking about the activities their kids are into.
Here’s another consideration: Is your school’s atmosphere
friendly and inviting? Customer service and organization play
as large a role in retaining students as the training does. Is
it easy for parents and students to find answers to their
questions or concerns? Does the season end on a positive note?
If you do recitals or year-end performances, how was the show?
More important, was it a smooth, easy process for parents and
students? What kind of feedback did you receive?
Other factors may have nothing to do with any of the above.
What is the level of unemployment in your community? Dance
lessons will be one of the first things to go when a parent
loses their job. Also, children today have many activities on
their agendas, with parents who want them to try various
sports, arts, and clubs. Often financial and time limitations
have a big effect on returning enrollment.
With all that said, making your school enjoyable and inspiring
for the kids and a low-stress, professional organization for
their parents often results in clientele loyalty that keeps
students returning year after year. Good luck! —Rhee
Q:
Hi Rhee,
I think I have gotten myself into a little mess! Like many
teachers, I have a difficult time getting boys to join dance.
This year I decided to follow some advice and offer dance
classes to boys at half-price—anything to get them in. Great
news—it worked! All seemed fi ne until today, when one of my
competition parents who has two daughters approached me
wanting to know why I was giving special treatment to boys.
She accused me of discrimination, and I just stood there with
my mouth open, not knowing what to say. She made a valid point
about giving special treatment to a certain group, but I
wasn’t trying to discriminate against any gender or group; I
just wanted to get boys to dance. I feel awful! What should I
do? Any suggestions on how to make everyone happy?
—Jeannine
A:
Dear Jeannine,
This is an excellent question, which doesn’t have an easy
answer. However, with the word “discrimination” being tossed
about, I would pursue advice from an attorney before taking
any action. The validity of the discrimination claim aside, I
know of many school owners who have offered incentives to get
boys into the classroom. A large majority of male students who
start to dance are the siblings of girls who are already
taking lessons. Most parents don’t imagine that their sons
would want to take a dance class until they see them dancing
around the school lobby or practicing the movement that they
observed in their sister’s classes at home. This scenario
plays out hundreds of times each season.
The catch for many of these would-be young male dancers is
that the dads (and sometimes the moms) discourage the boys
from dance training because they believe that it is for girls
or sissies. Although our society has taken some giant leaps
forward when it comes to the stereotype of male dancers,
especially with the hip-hop phenomena and the nationally
televised dance shows, some people hang onto the perception
that a boy in tights is a boy who will be gay, especially in
small-town America. The first excuse this kind of parent comes
up with to discourage the boys is that the classes would be a
financial burden. It’s sad but true, and there are thousands
of boys who would love to dance but never have the
opportunity.
Many times it is for this reason that school owners initiate
incentives like partial or full scholarships or a work-study
program to encourage the boys to dance. It is very hard for
parents to tell their son that he cannot dance when the
classes are free or discounted. There are hundreds of
professional male dancers and choreographers who never would
be where they are if it hadn’t been for the kindness of
teachers who offered them encouragement through some sort of
financial aid.
I have a feeling that until we live in a society in which
every child can choose to be what they want to be without
stereotypes or parental fear, dance-school owners will come up
with ways to bring in the boys. I’m not sure whether it is
discrimination or not, but I know I would not be where I am
today if not for the many scholarships and incentives I
received. Get some good legal advice, but please continue to
encourage the boys to dance in whatever way you can. I wish
you the best. —Rhee
Q:
Dear Rhee,
I have a faculty member who is an excellent teacher and
choreographer but does not always set the right example for
her students. She teaches in her jeans with T-shirts that have
a picture of rolling papers or even worse, say “Born to raise
hell,” with a picture of a person sticking her tongue out. The
children seem to love this teacher, but I have heard some
rumblings from the parents and I’m not sure what to do. Do I
have a right to tell her to wear dance clothes and get rid of
the inappropriate T-shirts? Any advice is appreciated.
—Maxine
A:
Hi Maxine,
I certainly do believe that you have a right to speak up. I
would not allow a teacher to wear a T-shirt with a picture of
rolling papers at my school. A good approach might be to
establish a faculty dress code, just like you may have done
for your students. The policy should cover what is allowed as
well as what is not. I don’t think it is unreasonable to
require teachers to wear T-shirts with no imprint. Better yet,
if they are going to wear a T-shirt, make it a policy that it
has to be your school’s shirt. As for the jeans (and I am
guilty of wearing them myself), you might want to make them
off-limits. I would suggest a pair of sweats or leotards and
tights for teachers who work with children. Good luck. —Rhee
Q:
Hi Rhee,
It’s been 30 years since I opened my school. When I started I
was the only one in town; now I am one of 11. Three of the
other schools are directed by my former students. There are
just too many dance options for our small community and my
student enrollment has suffered.
Last week one of my former students (who owns one of the
schools) called me for the first time in many years. She
explained that her enrollment was down and that she didn’t
think she would be able to keep her doors open. She’s not
taking in enough to pay the expenses. Then she asked me if I
would like to merge our schools.
Even though there is a lot of bad blood between us, the
thought of merging our schools intrigues me. I would love to
have a partner to take on some of the responsibilities, and it
would put us both in a better financial place. I think I want
to do this, but it feels so awkward to consider merging with a
former student who has hurt me in the past. Do you think I’m
nuts to consider her proposal? Should I put our past
differences aside? Thanks. —Doreen
A:
Hi Doreen,
From what you have written I would say go for it! If both of
your schools are experiencing dropping enrollment, this
strategy could keep you both in business. I understand the
“bad blood” circumstance, but you’ll be surprised at how
quickly it will dissipate once you are working together to
accomplish the same goal. Be sure to invest in a good attorney
to make certain that you have a partnership agreement that
works best for your future (and hers). Your story is unique,
but it’s a great example of things coming full circle for you
and your former student. Who knows—maybe the other two former
students will be calling you soon! I wish you luck. Let that
bad blood go and instead focus on making this new opportunity
a success. —Rhee
Send your questions and comments to
Dance Studio Life, P.O. Box 2150, Norton, MA 02766 or
gold5678@aol.com.
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