Aly loves to dance. We switched studios this year. Our experience at her previous studio had not been positive. After 6 months of 5 hours of practice a week, I was concerned about the cohesiveness of the team and the fact that the girls were back-biting to each other and to a team mate who gave notice just a few weeks before competition that her family had just decided to move out of state. I attended a practice and discovered that the girls did not even know each other's names ... after 6 months together. When I asked the studio owner about it and expressed my concern about how the teammate was treated, the owner responded by telling me that told me that the attitude came from the girls chatting in the back of the room -not from the teacher - but in the same conversation told me she didn't have time to be their social director and that the girls didn't know each other because they didn't have time to chat. I was extremely disappointed that she didn't see the value of team work and trusting their team mates. I didn't understand how the girls could trust each other and care about each other if they didn't even know each other's names. It made me wonder if the teachers even knew their names and used their names. Aly never felt like she fit in on her team and after my discussion with the owner, I realized that the studio didn't have the same values for my daughter and her dance experience. So I started looking. I found a studio run by a lady who had previously been one of Aly's dance teachers. I had liked her as Aly's teacher so I talked to her about her our experience. She has daughters close to Aly's age and she was shocked and disappointed to learn about our experience. She shared some things that they do at her studio to prevent problems like this and to bind the girls together as a team and we made the decision to move.
This year, she has been happy to go to dance class, she has practiced more and loves her teammates. They aren't necessarily her best friends and she doesn't hang out with them outside of dance very often, but she enjoyed being at dance, dancing and being at competitions. She wanted to be around her team. She felt like her team and studio had her back. They had a party for her team before their first competition. They had team moms to help the girls. They had good luck gifts for each girl at each competition. The girls from all the teams supported and cheered for the other teams at their studio. They were kind to each other in the dressing room - even if they were on different teams. They were positive and even when mistakes were made, the girls pointed out good things about each other and encouraged them. It was exactly the environment I wanted for my daughter. I don't remember hearing negativity. The coaches gave feedback in the form of things they could do to improve but they always gave it in a way to build the girls, not tear them down. I am very glad we made the decision to move. I have no doubt it was the right decision for Alyssa. She has LOVED it.
June 15th was her final recital for the season. They did competitions and did well. Alyssa drastically improved her skills and the coaches seemed to find ways to make her shine. She is excited for next year. But first, here are a few pictures of her and her team.
Thank you Performers Place in Lehi for being a good experience and the right fit for Aly.
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