Minute Masterclass Episode 149

Welcome to your one-minute masterclass. I’m Andrea Trench, founder of DiscoverDance and creator of the Foundations Course for Early Childhood Dance Educators and the DiscoverDance Experience Membership. 

Now that we have prepared our students and their observers, it’s time to prepare our space. We already communicated our expectations prior to everyone’s arrival. Now we want to post our expectations inside our studio, so observers can easily see them when they enter as a final reminder. Have plenty of chairs or benches set up, but remember to keep a space open at the front of the room for the teacher. It’s also a good idea to post a sign that says “please keep area clear for the teacher” so no one sits in that space.

 When it comes to your lobby and administrative staff, it’s always a good idea to have a welcome crew to greet your guests and show them where to go and what to do. Remember, this may be the first observation week they have ever attended or the first time they have ever been in your studio. For an exceptional experience, make sure it’s easy for your visitors to see who works at your studio. Brightly colored studio branded shirts will make it easier for them to find someone when they have a question. Name tags are also an important touch. They may have talked to your office manager on the phone many times, but if they don’t know what they look like they would never know. The people who pay you should know what you and your staff look like and what their names are. These are easy ways to make your visitors feel welcomed and comfortable.

 For more information, to enroll in the Foundations Course, or to join the DiscoverDance Experience and view our Observation Experience full training inside the Academy, visit DiscoverDance.com.