Online classes via Zoom
All of our regular in-person classes will also be streamed via Zoom.
We have strict health and safety protocols in place so students showing any symptoms of illness are not permitted to come to class in the studio. It is for these students that we will be offering an online alternative.
How to get your home Zoom-ready
Please ensure your dancer has adequate space to dance in.
This may mean pushing furniture aside or designating a space in your home as a dance space. A great way to see if your dancer has enough room, is to see if they can complete a “lindy square” with arms fully extended.
Click here for a helpful video.
Please provide your dancer with a private space
We understand that this can be very challenging, depending on your living situation, but we encourage all of our families to treat Zoom classes as if they are regular in-person classes. Pets, siblings and other distractions are a natural part of being in your own home, but it can make focus and learning very difficult for young dancers. Please do your best to provide your dancer with an isolated space to learn in.
Dress code still applies!
Yes, you are dancing in your own home, but we would like to maintain as much structure and normalcy as possible. Please arrive on-time to your online classes in proper hair and dress code.
Familiarize your dancer with the “view” function on Zoom.
Usually located in the top right corner of the screen, they should select “gallery view” that way they can see all the dancers in the class as well as the instructor. Please do not set it to “speaker view”.
Familiarize your dancer with the “mute” function on Zoom.
All dancers need to be able to “un-mute” themselves during class if an instructor needs to speak with them. It is a button usually located in the top right corner of their individual square on the screen.
Please ensure that your dancer’s audio and video is turned on.
When you enter a Zoom room, the program usually prompts you to join with computer audio and video. If not, please look to the bottom left of the screen and turn on audio and video. For safety reasons, we need to be able to see all dancers at all times.
Please do your best to make sure we can see the dancers’ full body.
You know what they say, “Location, location, LOCATION!” Please try to set your device in a place far back enough for instructors to see the dancers’ full body. The best location seems to be on the floor.
If you are using a laptop, dancers can move the screen relatively easily to adjust the angle. This is a bit more challenging with tablets, so if you have a tablet protector that can prop up the device without it falling over, this is very helpful.
Zoom takes up a LOT of bandwidth!
Unfortunately, live streaming takes up a lot of bandwidth and can slow your internet speed considerably. We are not asking everyone to go out and purchase wifi boosters or get new internet plans, but families should be conscious when their dancers need to use the internet for class.
If a dancer is streaming via Zoom and another family member is watching Netflix, and the other is FaceTiming with a friend, this can make things very challenging for the dancer who is watching their instructor move in slow motion or freeze due to slow internet speed.
If you need to, you can always hardwire your dancers’ device into your modem using an ethernet cable that can be purchased inexpensively. This can help boost the speed on that device. The challenge here is that your dancer has to be dancing in the same space as your modem is located. Our best suggestion is, if you can, take this as an opportunity to switch off and read a book, have a bath, play cards, or finish knitting that scarf you started 6 years ago while your dancer takes their class.
Zoom FAQ
“My dancer takes Tap, how do they Tap at home?”
Great question! There are a few options to help protect your floors and your neighbours. You can simply use a plywood board on a yoga mat or a towel for stability. And for added sound proofing, you can put socks over your tap shoes!
“How do I get my Zoom code?”
A link will be sent prior to the first class. Please make sure you keep it saved as it will be the same link every week.
“Do I have to pay to use Zoom?”
Nope! It’s absolutely FREE to use! Once you are sent the link, simply click on it and you will be prompted to download the free app.