Creating a new schedule for the Fall is always a challenge. Each year, because of faculty availability, ages of the students and the introduction of new classes, I always find it necessary to change things around. Some classes just always seem to work in their spots, especially those of the preschool age.
When we first had our studio, we put a very limited amount of preschool classes on our schedule and as a result we had a very limited amount of preschool students. The old saying If you build it they will come really is true,it just takes a leap of faith to put those extra classes on the schedule and then go with them, even if at first they are not very big. Of course, it is much easier to do that if you are teaching the classes yourself, but I would encourage you to run as many preschool classes as possible even if initially they are running at a loss. You can fill your morning and early afternoon hours with these classes and will quikly start to build a reputation as an authority on early childhood classes. We offer classes for Mom and Me, starting toddlers at eighteen months. Not only are they are very popular, they also help to prepare both mother and child for the moment when the child goes it alone.
Our Fantasy Ballet classes for ages three and four grow bigger each year and we now run them six days a week, two and three times a day. Ballet classes for ages four and five are also thriving and provide the children with basic technique suitable for those ages and prepare them for the more structured levels ahead. Tiny Tap is a big hit not only with the students, but with the parents, too. Where else can the children bang their feet and make all that noise? Of course, learning those first rhythms is very helpful to them as well. Hip Hop for five and six year olds has also proven to go extremely well. Of course, they are learning some basic Jazz technique along with the Hip Hop moves, so it gets them ready and eager to go on to learn more. Through the years we have had so many students stay with us for years because they had this opportunity to start learning dance at an early age, so it is truly an investment for the future.
It is important to put two or three classes of different genres for the same age group and level back to back. For example a Ballet class for ten year olds followed by a Jazz or Hip Hop and then perhaps a Tap. They have the choice of taking a couple of classes together or even three. This accomplishes a few things. First of all it makes the parents happy because they are able to drop the dancer off and not have to pick them up for a few hours. It also enables them to schedule other after school activities on the days when their child is not dancing. And it helps them save time especially if they have other children doing different afterschool programs. The dancers like it because they are able to learn different styles of dance in a short period of time and also have more time to develop friends. We, as studio owners, like it because it makes it easier for us to encourage the child to take more classes and therefore have better students and increase our revenue.
We always encourage the parents to make a balanced schedule for their children and so where you place the classes is very important. It is better to have a ballet class for ten year olds three times a week staggered with a day in between and the same with all the other types of dance rather than have them on the same day. The reality is that it is healthier for the dancers bodies, and it is also better for us as studio owners as it creates more traffic on each day and again encourages the students to take more classes each time they come in. Obviously, the more they take the greater their technique and knowledge becomes and the end result is that you have happy dancers and parents making your studio look good. This has a ripple effect as your word of mouth advertising also broadens and becomes more effective.
Introducing something new and different each year seems to work very well also. Dancers always like to think that they are on the cutting edge when it comes to types of dance and styles. Whether it is a totally new class or just a completely different approach with a new instructor, try to include it in your new class schedule.
If you have performance groups who enter competitions, it is important to have separate classes for those groups. Of course, you want them to take a certain number of regular classes, but it is very helpful if in those special classes you are able to devote time to improving technique and working on choreography. Again, as studio owners, it is a way to increase revenue while making those students better dancers. It also cuts down on extra rehearsal time for the students and you. How many times do we have rehearsals and really do not get paid for them? This way everyone gets a better deal and as a result everyone feels happier. Studio owners by nature are generally very hard workers who frequently sacrifice time and money to help the students. If you can find ways to be compensated for your time and effort, it definitely will make you feel more enthusiastic about your schedule.
Last but not least, try to tap into the adult pool in your area. First of all, you have all the parents of your students and they all have friends, so this means a ready made clientele for you. People in different geographic areas of the country may be interested in different types of adult classes. We have found that the ones with the best following are Jazz, Tap, beginner Ballet and a fun workout type of class like Zumba. Most adults want to have fun, work up a sweat and do something different to keep fit besides going to the gym. Ballroom classes, especially those with a Latin flair, are also popular. Schedule adult classes either in the morning hours or after seven at night. Adults can sometimes be a little inconsistent for a variety of reasons, so it is a good idea to get them to sign up for short sessions; this way, if they do not attend, they can do a make-up, but at least you have your faculty covered.
Each year as I make up the schedule it is like a jigsaw puzzle and invariably certain classes end up being moved around. The main thing is to get each class to a decent size so that you are making a profit. Sometimes it does take a while to build a class, especially if it is new or has a new instructor. You have to decide how long you are willing to wait before keeping it or removing it. Last year we started to offer Sunday classes between the hours of twelve and three. They have proven to be popular and have increased our student body this year. The most important part of creating an effective class schedule is to ensure that it works well for everyone. Have fun creating your schedule and watching those classes fill up.
