Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the more common questions that parents ask us. You should be able to find the answers to all your questions here, and if not then please contact us.
About Eclipse Dance
What are the term dates?
All term dates and times can be viewed on our dance classes page.
What teaching qualifications have the teachers got?
Miss Jane is a fully qualified dance teacher and fellow of the IDTA exam board (the International Dance Teachers Association). Qualifications include Fellowship, Licentiate and Associate exams in Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, street Dance and Freestyle.
These advanced qualifications allow Miss Jane to not only teach to any level but also to enter students for all graded exams from Preparatory to Advanced 2 – which is the highest grade there is for dancers.
It’s important to check when choosing a dance school that the teacher is experienced and fully qualified with a recognised dance board otherwise they may not be able to enter your child for exams if they wish to take these. Check a potential dance teacher for your child is sufficiently qualified to enter them for all level and subject exams. IDTA qualified teachers and schools are listed on the IDTA website.
In addition to IDTA qualifications Miss Jane has a BA Hons degree in Dance and Theatre Performance from Bird Theatre College, one of the top professional dance colleges in the UK and a Certificate of Education (PCE) in teaching. Therefore Miss Jane has trained to degree level and professionally as a dancer (see next question for more details!) and has taught and managed dance courses in Further Education colleges entering students for BTEC and UAL Subsidiary and Extended Diploma Dance courses.
What experience do the teachers have?
All classes at Eclipse are taught by the Principal Miss Jane or hand picked dance industry specialists so you can be sure your child is receiving quality dance teaching. Ask what professional dance experience any potential dance teacher has – where did they train? What companies have they worked for? The more experience the better!
Having worked as a professional dancer and choreographer for many years Miss Jane has valuable first hand experience to pass onto her students about what it’s like to be a dancer. If in the future your child decides to pursue dance as a career then Miss Jane will be able to advise them how to progress – where to train? which course to choose? what to expect at auditions? and lots of inside tips and contacts!
A few career highlights of Miss Jane’s include travelling the world as a cruise ship dancer, head girl and choreographer for P&O (Oceana and Artimis) and Fred Olsen (Black Prince) cruises, dancing at the NEC in a Magic of Christmas show, touring as a dancer for CentreParcs and even choreographing Strictly Champion Camilla Dallerup in the pantomime ‘Cinderella’!
How do I contact you?
You can email me via our contact form and I’ll reply to you asap. If you have a question then please make sure you check out all the questions on this FAQ page as well.
Before your child’s 1st dance class
How do I get the first dance class for FREE?
To get your child’s first dance class for free, simply request your FREE first dance class voucher here. Then present your voucher to a member of the Eclipse Dance team on the day.
The voucher is valid for 2 weeks, you should see an expiry date on it. Bring your voucher to a dance class within that 2 week period. If this isn’t possible, then please download a new voucher.
I've download the FREE 1st Class voucher, but we can't come this Saturday. Can we use the voucher the following week?
The FREE first dance class voucher is valid for 2 weeks, you should see an expiry date on it. Bring your voucher to dance class within that time. If this isn’t possible then please download a new voucher nearer the time.
How do I register my child to Eclipse Dance?
Once your child has tried their first dance class, you will be emailed a link to the registration and payment page on our website. Please complete your child’s details and accurate contact details. You will then continue to our payment page to set up your direct debit monthly payment.
If the class is already full (we have maximum class sizes of 18 children) then your child’s name will be added to a waiting list for the next available place.
How do I register & pay?
After your child’s first trial dance class, you will be emailed a link to complete our online Registration Form. This will include your child’s details, your contact information and a medical form.
On this form please let us know if your child has any medical requirements or any conditions we need to be aware of, particularly if this affects their ability to participate fully in physical exercise.
In addition to holding an enhanced DBS certificate we are also fully insured and take injury prevention and health and safety very seriously. You will then proceed to the Payment Form to set up your direct debit monthly payments for your child’s classes.
Where do the classes take place?
Dance classes take place in Kenilworth School on Saturdays. You can get more help to find the dance school on the website here.
What does my child need to wear?
Don’t worry about getting dance uniform to begin with. Wear something they can move in with bare feet – please no tights. Leggings and a T-shirt are fine for girls. Shorts and T-Shirt for boys.
For girls, if they have a skirt that they can put over the top for ballet, then that’s great. If your child has long hair, please make sure they have their hair tied back (girls ideally in a bun) and that they do not wear jewellery for class.
If after a couple of weeks they are really enjoying the class and you are looking to buy the official Eclipse Dance uniform then we have samples in class and we can help you with sizes etc. You can order and pay for uniform on our website.
Any uniform ordered with us will usually be with you by the following Saturday (as long as it is ordered on or before the previous Tuesday at 6pm) ready for your child to wear in class.
Does my child need to bring food or a drink?
Please make sure your child brings a drink with them for refreshment during the class – ideally not fizzy. We don’t have time for snack breaks as the classes are jam packed with dance and exciting activities so please make sure you child has eaten beforehand and has lots of energy!
During the dance class
What happens on my child's first day?
Please arrive at Kenilworth School Dance Studio 5-10 minutes before the start of the class with your child dressed accordingly and ready to go! Follow signs from the car park to our dance studio and parent’s waiting area.
A register is taken at the start of every class and each child is signed in and out of the studio as parents drop off and collect. Parents should arrive promptly at the end of the class and let us know if they are going to be late or if someone else is picking up their child.
Children should wear clothes that they can easily move in such as leggings, t-shirts or fitted jogging bottoms with their hair tied back. They will be asked to have bare feet if they don’t have dance shoes yet. If you have been organised and have already purchased the Eclipse dance uniform they can of course wear this from their first day.
Can I stay and watch my child dance?
Parents will be asked to wait in the waiting area as we find that children concentrate and develop more confidence on their own.
If you wish to leave the premises and collect your child at the end of the class, please wait until your child has been signed in and entered the studio. Please arrive promptly to collect them at the end.
Also ensure all contact details are kept up to date.
Do you offer Street Dance classes?
Street Dance is growing in popularity and is a technique that I am qualified to teach however with young children I feel it’s good for them to start with the three main dance disciplines of ballet, tap and modern to first develop fundamental and essential dance skills. As children and the school develops separate Street Dance classes will be included in our timetable. Modern Dance in particular will benefit children who later want to take Street Dance.
Do you do any classes for older children?
Exams, shows & dance festivals
Does my child have to do exams?
Most children who dance chose to take graded exams as this gives them a great sense of accomplishment and pride (along with a certificate and Rosette). However if your child decides they don’t want to take exams then that’s fine too and they can move through the classes with their friends and continue to learn all of the new dance steps. There are many performance opportunities at Eclipse in addition to exams for all to take part in.
Do you do any shows or festivals?
At Eclipse Dance there are dance shows and competitive festivals for children to take part in. I believe that developing performance skills and confidence is so important for young dancers so these opportunities are offered as part of our school calendar.
All children perform in an end of term show in July which has proved very popular and successful- a fantastic experience for all. We also have a Junior and Inter Show Team class for children interested in performing. Our Show Teams regularly perform at dance festivals and events across the country.
To attend this additional class, children must also attend a regular Eclipse dance class, be at least 6 years old for Junior Show Team and at least 9 years old for Inter Show Team. They must be of an experienced dance standard.