Having the choice and ability to change dance studios depends on a variety of factors.

Dancers in cities and metropolitan areas may have more access to more/different studios nearby where they live.  And it even depends on how popular dance is and where the major and minor studios are located from state to state. If you have the opportunity to choose different dance studios in your area, here are a few circumstances where you may want to consider switching studios.

YOU'VE HIT A PLATEAU

As dancers, we like to be continually challenged.  We are working towards being better, building strength and skill through our technical training and star quality through our performance.  Sometimes, we discover that our studio may not have the level of challenge that we have worked up to.  It's totally appropriate to change studios with the motivation of continued growth and to further the horizons of your dance education.

You want to specify your focus or change your focus for long term goals

If it's your goal to dance with the NYC ballet, but you're at a studio that focuses more on competing, you may want to consider changing to a more ballet-focused program.  This goes for any style of dance; as we begin to focus on our long term dance goals, our present training should come into alignment.  If we are hoping to build careers as hip hop dancers, we should be training at a predominantly hip hop studio.  It just makes sense.  As you start to define your area of specialty (if you choose to do so) then changing studios to train towards that goal is a solid idea.

You feel like you're being asked to do things that are damaging to your body

If you're in class with teachers who aren't warming you up properly, or teaching you the safety elements of executing movements, it may be a good time to look into another studio.  Dance can be detrimental to your body when done right, so it's even harder on your physical body if not taught properly or without care for your safety.

On the flip side

It may NOT be a good idea to change studios if:

• you're having arguments with friends (they build character and you'll probably be over it in a week)

• you don't like the music or costume for your piece (sometimes we don't love these things. Are they really worth uprooting our entire studio life over?)

• It's not feasible because of where you live or tuition costs. (we can widen our exposure and training by going to workshops, intensives and master classes as they come through town.)

There are often going to be times when we desire change; it's just our human nature!  It's always important to weigh the pros and cons, and to be really honest with yourself about your motivations, especially with bigger decisions (like changing studios.)