frequently asked questions
Q: Why should I choose the Meneer School of Dance over other dance schools in our community?
A: We never underestimate your child's potential. Technique and quality of training is the focus at our school, rather than the recital. Our school can train your child to be a professional dancer if they choose, but more important than that, we train their minds to concentrate and their bodies to be controlled. Our performing opportunities cannot be matched in this area. Every staff member has been professionally trained and is a seasoned veteran in the dance field. We do not have combined classes.
Q: What does the term "professional dance school" mean?
A: The Meneer School of Dance is a pre-professional dance school which means that the students will receive proper instruction and a higher level of training because our school employs teachers who have received at least 15-years of professional training themselves. Most people do not realize that there are no credentials necessary to open a dance school or to teach any form of dance. For example: How can an educator teach trigonometry if their schooling stopped at 8th grade math?
Q: How long are your upper level classes?
A: Students in 3rd grade and older should be taking proper technique classes which should be a minimum of 90-minutes each. Additionally, dancers should be taking multiple classes every week, depending on their age and technique level.
Q: What performing opportunities does my child have at your school?
A: Every student at the Meneer School of Dance participates in either the Student Performance in May or classroom demonstrations, depending on the class that they take. Additionally, our school is home to BALLET THEATRE OF OHIO - a pre-professional ballet company which selects 40 dancers for its company PLUS an additional 40-50 children (ages 2nd – 4th grade) selected from our school to be in its productions each year. Our dancers have the opportunity to partner with and dance on the same stage as seasoned professionals. This year we will be performing Nutcracker in late November and early December and The Little Mermaid in May 2025 at the historic Akron Civic Theatre. These memorable performances are optional and available by audition to all Meneer School of Dance ballet students, 2nd grade and older with at least two years dance training at our school. Once a student is entering 5th grade, they are eligible to audition to be a company member of Ballet Theatre of Ohio. Our school is also home to our Jazz and Tap competition team which competes in jazz, tap and lyrical. Our team regularly receives the high recognition award of Best Company and Best Technique.
Q: Are parents allowed to watch class?
A: Visitors who watch class tend to be a distraction to the dancers, especially children under age 7. We typically have two scheduled visitation weeks during the year - one at Christmas and one at the end of the year.
School Philosophy
Ms. Meneer has been blessed with the ability to inspire hundreds of children each year to get up on the stage and perform in front of huge audiences. There is a special place in her heart for the preschoolers and she loves to sprinkle as many little ones into the BTO professional productions as the ballet can possibly handle. All children seen in Ballet Theatre of Ohio's NUTCRACKER at the Akron Civic Theatre are students at Ms. Meneer's School. Her school is best noted for its professional flair. Not only do children learn how to dance and choreograph, but they learn how to care for their body and prevent injuries, Every class, rehearsal and school performance, as well as professional performance, has Ms. Meneer's mark of excellence. There truly is a difference.
Discipline plays a key factor in the training at the Meneer school. Ms. Meneer has surrounded herself with the best teaching staff possible. Students learn discipline, how to focus and how to work hard while never giving up. These qualities will follow a child into their adult lives. Dancers are taught to pay attention to how the body works, why the body works, how to improve it and how to avoid injury. Meneer believes that it is important to train the whole body, mind and spirit, not just to teach a dance routine. Dancers who stay in the Meneer program for a significant number of years generally have an exceptionally high level of focus and discipline, a very positive self-esteem and an outstanding work ethic.