First Dance Class: A Guide for KMSD Families

What to Expect at Your First Dance Class at KMSD

Starting something new can feel exciting, and a little nerve-wracking too.

At Kerry Moore School of Dance, we do everything we can to make your child’s first class feel comfortable, welcoming, and full of joy.

KMSD Dancers pointing at the building sign downtown Hanover

Here’s what to expect at your very first KMSD class.

When to Arrive

We recommend arriving 10 minutes early for your first class. That gives you time to:

Find your studio room
Have your dancer use the washroom (dance mom pro-tip )
Let your dancer settle in

If your dancer is nervous (totally normal!), our staff are fantastic at gently helping them ease into the space. You can find Miss Shannon in the front room.. she’s a pro at welcoming new families to KMSD!

KMSD Kids dancers in their costumes for the performance

What to Wear to Class:

Great question! We love, love, LOVE to see our dancers dressed for dance class. What does that mean?

Think of it like this:

Don’t wear to dance class what you wore to school that day.

Simple right? Dance wear can be a multitude of things… basic t-shirt, yoga-style leggings, bodysuit, tights, yoga shorts.

We have a breakdown on our site of the recommended attire and the required footwear for our dances. Check it out under “Dress Code”.

two dancers in KMSD t-shirts looking into the studio

Here’s a great tip if after school is a rush to get to dance – have the dance wear ready to go so it’s easy to grab and even change into at the studio. Make sure the dance shoes are ready to go too. A dance bag is great for all these things (note… new dance bags coming to KMSD soon!).

What else could you have in the dance bag?

A brush and hair elastics so that your dancers hair is neat and tidy for class.
A water bottle. Doesn’t have to be a fancy Yeti or Stanley.. any water bottle will do, just be sure to have their name on it somewhere so it doesn’t get mixed up.

Personal items like boots, shoes, coats etc…

Every dance season, someone goes home with the wrong shoes on their feet, or the wrong coat etc.

At KMSD we’ve seen it all (and sometimes I wonder what the heck a dancer actually wore home LOL).

So, here’s some great tried and true tips:

If you are dropping off your dancer, leaving to run errands (or take a quick nap in your car..no judgement here), take their outdoor shoes, coat, mittens …whatever… with you.
Honestly, we are a VERY BUSY dance studio and we can have over 100 kids come through our door in an evening.
Those boots and shoes can start to pile up and look alike.
Take them with you and bring them back when you return to pick up your dancer.

If the boots and shoes are staying at the studio, a few of our nifty dance moms have a great hack:
-Clip the boots together with a clip you can pick up at the dollar store! Brilliant!!
If mittens involved, put those in the boot
– OR –
put the mittens in the sleeve of the coat.!
All these types of things can help stop these items leaving on the wrong dancer.

KMSD dancers in Hip Hop shoes

What Happens in Class

Our teachers lead a fun, structured class that may include:

A warm-up to get moving
Simple, age-appropriate technique exercises
Across-the-floor movement or centre work
A short routine or combination (depending on age/level)
Smiles. Lots and lots of smiles.

For our littlest dancers (like KMSD Kids or Tiny Tots), we focus on creativity, rhythm, and building confidence through movement.

Can I Watch the Class?

We know how special these moments are! Both of our studios have a viewing window. We may have it closed for a portion of the class but we will open it for the last 10-15 minutes of the class so you can see what we’ve learned!

Maybe you’re wondering why the viewing window is closed for a portion of the class. Honestly, the kids just LOVE that you’re waiting out there and they can’t wait to show you what they’re learning.

However, the window can be a bit of a distraction, so by closing it we can have their attention, learn something new and then viola…we open the window for you to see! The kids get so excited knowing we’re working on something for this moment!

Where can I find all the important dates for the dance season?

Important dates are soooo important! You can find them in the parent portal under “Info”, “Documents and Files”.

As the year goes on, we will add more information sheets here such as; Dress Rehearsal schedules, performance information etc…

smiling dancers at KMSD

Trying a new activity can feel scary, but we promise, we’re here for you. We’re here to support your dancer every step of the way and for you, making your dance experience stress free.

At KMSD, we’ve created a space where kids can express themselves, grow in confidence, and find the joy of dance.

A KMSD dance mom said this once “what you teach at KMSD goes way beyond the studio walls”. What an amazing compliment!

If you have any questions, reach out. We’re always happy to help.
And most importantly… welcome to the KMSD family!

Kerry