Portland Metro Arts
Dance Department Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome! By enrolling in a dance class, you have become part of an exciting arts program. To help you get started, here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions. If you need any further assistance, please call us at 503-408-0604 or email Dance@PDXMetroArts.org. We will be happy to help.
What do dance students wear to class?
Dancers need to be comfortable and have unrestricted movement. Below is a link to uniform dancewear for weekly classes. Please do not dress children in costumes such as tutus. Costumes are distracting to everyone and are not appropriate for class. If you already have dancewear that is of a different color or style than the class uniform, you may wear that to class. However, when you purchase new dancewear, please keep the class uniform requirements in mind, as that is what will be worn in our Spring Dance Showcase.
Where can you get dancewear?
We maintain a limited stock of uniform leotards and tights in our student store. Consult with our front desk for the dancewear store nearest you for shoes and other supplies. We also have an exchange program for dancewear and shoes. When your dancer outgrows still usable items they may exchange them for a like item in another size. We also gladly accept donations of dancewear and shoes in good repair.
Are there any dance performances?
Performance is an essential part of any dance experience. Every student should avail themselves of as many of the following performance options as possible.
What is the right age to start?
Enrolling in an age appropriate class is the key element. If a child is put into formal ballet, tap or other lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed, frustrated and want to stop lessons. The last thing anyone wants is to turn a child off to dance just because they had an unpleasant experience, which could have been prevented. Waiting until the right age will allow them to progress much faster.
PMA age recommendations
Age 3 ½-Kindergarten—Pre-Dance
Pre-Dance gives children an opportunity for learning in a setting, independent from their parents. Our classes assist with the constant readjustment and re-learning of physical skills necessary because of the rapid physical changes. Especially at this age, a child’s self-esteem is largely based on their confidence in their movement skills. This creative exploration of movement, music, shape, design and patterning provides a solid foundation for future learning.
School Grades 1 & up—Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop
By first grade a child is physically, conceptually, and socially ready for a more focused class with exacting technical demands. Each dance form has a specific technique that often includes repetitive movements. Younger bodies lack the structural development to safely sustain the necessary body positions, movements and shapes. Having the capacity to understand the concepts presented is not only critical to the dance form but also to the student’s safety. Finally, having the attention span and patience with the process of learning generally comes with the beginning of first grade.
How do I help my child get the most out of class?
Arrive Ready to Dance
A little pre-planning the day before class can make it a more pleasant and productive experience for everyone, especially your child. This is particularly important for students who come to dance class directly from school.
Dancewear—Enlist your child’s help in packing their dance bag or setting out everything they need for class. See that they are in their class uniform or similar appropriate clothing.
Hair—It is essential that all dancers with long and medium length hair fasten it securely in a bun or hair clip; flying hair can cause injury and interfere with class work. Short hair should be kept off the face with a headband or barrettes. If you need help with your child’s hair please let us know.
Arrive on Time—While we realize it is not always possible to accurately predict the flow of traffic, develop a plan that will allow an extra 15-20 minutes prior to the start of class for just such days. When children arrive late or without enough time to properly get ready, it not only creates stress for your child but disrupts class for everyone.
Visit the Bathroom—Make sure that, before every class, your child visits the bathroom, gets their drink of water or whatever else would cause them to leave class. This is especially helpful for the little ones. It is hard to concentrate on class when children have other things on their mind.
Be Free of Distractions—We only have a short time each week for class, so we need to make it count. It is a time where all attention needs to be on the instructor and the information being presented. Bringing toys, friends and costumes to class diverts the attention of every student in the class. Each year we have special times set aside for visitors.
Attend Visitor’s Week
We encourage you to attend your child’s class during our mid-term and end-of-term Visitor’s Week. Parental praise is the most coveted award; there is no substitute for a pat on the back for a job well done. Hard as it may be, we ask that you respect that during the other weeks of the term, your child in engaged in serious learning and deserves to be focused on their class-work If a parent is in the classroom on a weekly basis, the child has two authority figures in the room. As parents we cannot help but respond with smiles of approval when our child does something wonderful and register disapproval for inappropriate behavior. A parent’s very presence divides a child’s attention and creates a distracting situation. Class time should be a special moment for each child. Independence means that they have something very special that only they can share with you and Visitor’s week is the time to do it. You will be amazed at the degree of improvement that takes place from term to term.
Progressive Training
We ensure that your child is able to advance technically in a thoughtful and appropriate manner. At PMA we use a progressive program of training for all dance classes. Ballet classes are based on the system developed by the world famous Vaganova Choreographic Institute in Russia, so no important part of learning will be left out. This is a time-tested system that is widely recognized throughout the dance world. Our students, who have gone on to professional careers, have been well prepared by their training here.
Performances
Performances, while an essential part of dance training, should not substitute for weekly dance class training. It is important that students learn “how to dance”, rather than just learning “a dance”. Constantly performing here, there and everywhere disrupts the process of learning. PMA has appropriate performance options for all levels of students. The Spring Dance Showcase Concert, held each year in June, is an informal concert that provides even the youngest dancers with a positive, low-pressure performance experience. Dancers wear their class uniforms rather than expensive costumes with limited use. Upper Division students are welcome to audition for Metro Dancers’ season of performances including the full-length ballet. It is also helpful to take your child to live concerts or watch them together on TV as often as possible. Seeing advanced dancers on stage provides encouragement for students to continue their own training. All PMA students also receive complementary and discount tickets to a variety of performances throughout the year.
Proper Facilities
Dancers need a resilient floor with a non-slip surface covering and a large mirror area. PMA dance studios are designed to provide maximum resiliency as well as stability. All of our studios have sprung wooden floor with a unique interlocking grid system that has been copied by universities and several private studios. The Marley floor covering provides an excellent non-slip surface that eliminates the need for rosin. We have a large expanse of mirror in each studio. Well-equipped dressing rooms are located upstairs
hours
M-F: 1pm - 7pm
Sat: 9am - 1pm
Address
9003 SE Stark St.
Portland, OR 97216
Phone
(503)-408-0604
