| Posted By |
Message |
twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
|
WWYD??
My daughter was in a show this winter with her dance school. I paid $60 for her to participate. Then I paid $75 in tickets for 5 people. Most of the preparation for the show was done during regular dance class , but she did participate in 4 extra rehearsals.
On the day of the show, no one in my party saw her because she was behind a much taller girl I was upset, but thought if I had a better seat on the other side I would have seen her. Well I finally borrowed the video so I could view her dancing and realized that she was directly behind a girl about 8, and she is four so all I could do was see her arms occasionally.
WHat would you do? Would you complain? I basically paid $135 for my dd to be behind someone else in the show for her 2 minute performance. I am so annoyed and disappointed.
|
Posted 3/17/12 9:35 PM  |
| |
|
|
|
Re: WWYD??
Yes, I would say something for the future. I don't think you'll be able to get your money back this time.
|
| Posted 3/17/12 9:38 PM |
| |
|
nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: WWYD??
I am a dance teacher, so let me try to answer from that prospective. First off, I don't really know why they have a 4 year old in class with an 8 year old to begin with. Their levels of maturity, memory and body control are on completely different levels. As far as the cost goes, that sounds about right. I charge a little less for the costumes, but more for the tickets. There is a lot of expense involved in having a recital. First, and most expensive, is the auditorium/theater rental. Then lighting, music, tickets, programs, staff, etc... It all adds up. And the bottom line is, the studio is going to make a profit as well. If you want to say something to the teacher, I would question why the ages were grouped together more so then your DDs placement on stage. You can maybe make mention that because she is petite you would appreciate if maye she was placed near more petite kids as well, but even that is a tough sell. I happen to be a fair teacher who tries to allow all kids on be on the front line at some point in the dance, and I find it really annoying if a parent comments on placement. Everyone would like their child front and center, but obviously that is just not possible. And I do sometimes have taller children in front of shorter ones. I think every teacher puts the kids who know the routine best towards the center, and sometimes those kids are taller.
|
| Posted 3/17/12 10:18 PM |
| |
|
nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: WWYD??
Posted by greenybeans
Yes, I would say something for the future. I don't think you'll be able to get your money back this time.
I would not, nor have I ever, given or even been asked or a refund.
|
| Posted 3/17/12 10:20 PM |
| |
|
twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD??
Posted by nferrandi
I am a dance teacher, so let me try to answer from that prospective. First off, I don't really know why they have a 4 year old in class with an 8 year old to begin with. Their levels of maturity, memory and body control are on completely different levels. As far as the cost goes, that sounds about right. I charge a little less for the costumes, but more for the tickets. There is a lot of expense involved in having a recital. First, and most expensive, is the auditorium/theater rental. Then lighting, music, tickets, programs, staff, etc... It all adds up. And the bottom line is, the studio is going to make a profit as well. If you want to say something to the teacher, I would question why the ages were grouped together more so then your DDs placement on stage. You can maybe make mention that because she is petite you would appreciate if maye she was placed near more petite kids as well, but even that is a tough sell. I happen to be a fair teacher who tries to allow all kids on be on the front line at some point in the dance, and I find it really annoying if a parent comments on placement. Everyone would like their child front and center, but obviously that is just not possible. And I do sometimes have taller children in front of shorter ones. I think every teacher puts the kids who know the routine best towards the center, and sometimes those kids are taller.
WHile I guess I can see your point, there were no other children who were not visible. And this was the nutcracker performance that they asked us to do as an extra. This older girl was not in my daughters class. There were 8 girls in her class. But she was a mini snowflake and she was out there with teenage snowflakes. It was ridiculous. All the other little girl classes in the performance were out there alone without any others...and I am pretty sure they paid the same amount. These are 4 yr olds, not competitive dance. So basically my money was used to create a nice show for the older children, well I should have saved my money. I decided I am finding a new dance school. But thanks for your thoughts.
|
| Posted 3/18/12 9:29 PM |
| |
|
nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD??
Since this is a WWYD, I'd say it depends on how my daughter is doing in dance. Is she learning? Does she love her classes?
To me dance class is not about the recital. Actually at my dd's dance class, you weren't required to participate in the recital.
Before you pull her, I'd speak to them about how disappointed you were. Again, if she's happy in the school, I wouldn't switch. It's worth giving the benefit of the doubt.
|
| Posted 3/18/12 9:57 PM |
| |
|
ArmyOfBabies
Growing older but not up
Member since 7/07 4427 total posts
Name:
Jeri
|
Re: WWYD??
I don't think I would ask for a refund, but I would definitely say something. It's not fair that you paid the extra money for the costume and tickets to not be able to see her behind an older kid. I would be mad.
|
| Posted 3/18/12 10:01 PM |
| |
|
BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD??
Yes, I would say something. I think it's ridiculous they would put a 4 year old directly behind an 8 year old. Stagger them so you can see EVERYONE. I don't care of the reasons. Parents go to the show to SEE their kid dance.
|
| Posted 3/19/12 7:48 AM |
| |
|
nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: WWYD??
Posted by BargainMama
Stagger them so you can see EVERYONE. .
I would imagine they were meant to be staggered. I always have my kids spaced so that no one is directly behind anyone else, but that is not to say that they don't end up behind someone. I always stress to my kids to stay in their "window" but once they start moving around they often get out of place.
|
| Posted 3/19/12 10:48 AM |
| |
|
maybesoon
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 5981 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD??
Posted by BargainMama
Yes, I would say something. I think it's ridiculous they would put a 4 year old directly behind an 8 year old. Stagger them so you can see EVERYONE. I don't care of the reasons. Parents go to the show to SEE their kid dance.
Yes I agree and I would ask for the money back on behalf of the other people in your party. I really would have been so angry!
|
| Posted 3/19/12 8:57 PM |
| |
|
twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
|
Re: WWYD??
Posted by BargainMama
Yes, I would say something. I think it's ridiculous they would put a 4 year old directly behind an 8 year old. Stagger them so you can see EVERYONE. I don't care of the reasons. Parents go to the show to SEE their kid dance.
That is what I thought and honestly there was really only one or two repetitive moves to do, so it made no sense why she could not at all be seen. There was no real routine. I was going to leave my studio but I realize nferrandi is not my dance teacher and I doubt they did that on purpose so I will not hold her response against my dds school. I will discuss the matter with them. because as a paying customer, I do expect to see my dd on stage. I fully expect them to tell me that it was an accident and that it won't happen again. No more nutcrackers for her. I look forward to her real recital.
Message edited 3/19/2012 9:03:07 PM.
|
| Posted 3/19/12 9:00 PM |
| |
|
nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: WWYD??
Posted by twicethefun
Posted by BargainMama
Yes, I would say something. I think it's ridiculous they would put a 4 year old directly behind an 8 year old. Stagger them so you can see EVERYONE. I don't care of the reasons. Parents go to the show to SEE their kid dance.
That is what I thought and honestly there was really only one or two repetitive moves to do, so it made no sense why she could not at all be seen. There was no real routine. I was going to leave my studio but I realize nferrandi is not my dance teacher and I doubt they did that on purpose so I will not hold her response against my dds school. I will discuss the matter with them. because as a paying customer, I do expect to see my dd on stage. I fully expect them to tell me that it was an accident and that it won't happen again. No more nutcrackers for her. I look forward to her real recital.
I'm confused? I don't know if I'm reading or interpreting this wrong, but did you find something offensive in my response? I was trying to be honest in giving you another perspective.
|
| Posted 3/19/12 9:25 PM |
| |
|
dawnygirl25
Growing up soo fast..
Member since 1/06 14917 total posts
Name:
Dawn
|
Re: WWYD??
My DD has been in dance for 3 years. If this happened to us, I would definately speak up and say something - - more so that it didnt happen again! I dont know if I would ask for money back, probably not, but I would definately voice my concerns and frustrations. I also took dance for 10+ years as a child and I know for sure if my parents could not see me on that stage after all of the money they spent, they would have a huge problem with that and tell the director. Good luck. Im sorry this happened.
|
| Posted 3/19/12 9:33 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: WWYD??
i wouldn't say a thing. i would just file it under shit happens. if it bothered me that much i would find another place for her to take dance in the future. i don't think it's my place to tell the dance instructor how to do her job and i can't control how my kids or other kids perform their routines. they are so little! i give the teacher credit getting all of them on and off the stage, let alone coordinate moves 
grouping a 4 and an 8 year old does seem odd though...
|
| Posted 3/21/12 9:21 AM |
| |
|
