Question 1

At what age can my child start dancing?

Accepted Answer

Every child develops at a different rate; that being said, we can take students into the toddler class from 18 months of age. Generally, the parents/guardians may have to help out a little more in this class with them, but it is an enriching class for 18 months to 3 years old.

Question 2

Do you allow parents/guardians to watch the class?

Accepted Answer

This varies with the different classes. We allow parents/guardians to stay and watch the toddlers, beginners & intermediates class on a Saturday only. All of our other classes are known as “Kiss and Drop” classes whereby the students are dropped off for the class in the carpark (attended by teachers) and then collected from the same point. Of course, if your child is brand new to the class we welcome you to walk them in and settle them for the first 5-10 minutes before leaving them to enjoy their dancing.

Question 3

I'm not sure what class is suitable for my child. Can you make a suggestion?

Accepted Answer

We are here to help you out with all of these decisions. The easiest way is to give us a call or send us an email, and we will be able to weigh up all of the options for you, depending on your requirements.

Question 4

Do you audition for troupes, or can anyone join?

Accepted Answer

We don't audition for our troupes; we require that students doing our Jazz/Tap troupe classes also take a Jazz technique (exam-style) class and a Tap technique (exam-style) class. This being said, depending on what age they are joining, they will need some dance experience. If you are unsure, don't hesitate to contact us, and we can clarify.

Question 5

Do you have an end-of-year concert, and is this compulsory?

Accepted Answer

We get asked this question a lot. We hold an end-of-year concert for our students at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, generally on the last weekend of November. Except for troupes, you DO NOT have to participate in the concert if you don't want to. It is often a great weekend (and a highlight of our year), but we understand that you may not want to commit due to several circumstances, which is entirely Ok with us.

Question 6

Do your students compete in competitions?

Accepted Answer

As a studio, we always select one primary set of competitions to work towards each year. This is often in the July school holidays and has been the Mandurah Festival of Dance for the past few years. We have students compete in troupes, solos, duos & trios, and our very popular dance ability class at these competitions. Soloists may choose to then enter other competitions throughout the year as long as the studio principals are aware of their participation.

Question 7

Is there a set uniform for dance classes at the Valerie Heston School of Dance?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no set uniform for dance classes at our studio. We believe that expression, comfort and freedom of movement are important for dancers, so we encourage our students to wear clothing that allows them to move easily and comfortably.
For ballet classes, we ask that students wear a leotard & pink tights. For other styles of dance, such as jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip hop, students can wear comfortable and flexible clothing like leggings, sweatpants, or dance shorts, with appropriate footwear for the style of dance.
We also recommend that students tie their hair back in a ponytail or bun, so it doesn't interfere with their movements during class.
It is important to note that as long as the clothing worn allows the student to move comfortably and safely, they are welcome to wear any type of clothing they prefer, and we want to foster an inclusive and accepting environment for all students.
More information is available in the enrolment package here. 
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at the studio, we will be happy to assist you.

Question 8

Can you pay for a trial before signing up for a term?

Accepted Answer

At the Valerie Heston School of Dance, we understand that it can be difficult to commit to a full term of classes without trying them out first. We offer a trial class for potential students before they sign up for a term, allowing them to experience the class and the teachers before committing to a full term.

You can sign up for a trial class at our studio by contacting us directly, either through email or by phone. We will then schedule the trial class at a time that is convenient for you. The trial class fee is $15, however this will be deducted from your term fee if you choose to continue.

We hope that after your trial class, you will decide to join us for a full term and be part of our dance family!

Question 9

How much are classes?

Accepted Answer

The cost of classes at the Valerie Heston School of Dance can vary depending on the type and level of class. We offer a variety of class options, including single classes, class packages, and full term enrollments. We also offer family discounts and multi-class discounts for families with more than one student enrolled, or for students taking multiple classe.

Our fee schedule can be seen on this page of our website by clicking here.

Frequently asked questions