Help guide · about a 3 minute read
What happens at a trial class?
A trial class is a normal class that your child joins for a session to see if they enjoy it. Come in comfortable clothes with a water bottle: there is nothing to buy beforehand, nothing to prepare, and no pressure to decide anything on the day.
- full class session for a trial
- 1
- to buy before you try
- £0
- youngest dancers we welcome
- 2½
- Whiteley Road, Ripley
- DE5 3QL
Trials are booked online, rescheduling is no problem, and school-age children can be dropped off while our youngest dancers' parents stay nearby in reception.
Before the trial
Do we need to wear a uniform for our trial class? +
No. Just come along in comfy clothes they can move in: leggings and a T-shirt are ideal. There is no need to buy anything before you have had a chance to see if it is the right fit.
Do I need to let you know we're coming? +
If you have booked your trial online, you are all set and there is no need to confirm again. If you are unsure which class you are down for, drop us a quick message and we will double-check for you.
Can we try more than one class? +
Yes, and lots of our dancers do explore more than one style, from Acro and Ballet to Street and Musical Theatre. Just let us know and we will help you find another trial that suits their age and interests.
What happens if we can't make our trial? +
No problem, life happens. Drop us a quick message and we will happily reschedule it for you.
On the day
Where are the classes held? +
All classes take place at JL Dance, Whiteley Road, Ripley, DE5 3QL. You can find directions and parking information on our Contact page, or tap the map link in the footer.
Can I stay and watch the trial? +
Our classes are designed to be independent and we do not have viewing areas inside the studios, because most children settle faster and try more without an audience. For younger children, friendly assistants help them settle in, and you are welcome to wait in our small reception area if you would like to stay close by.
Do I need to stay at the studio during the trial? +
For most school-age children it is absolutely fine to drop them off, and we will have your contact number from your booking. For our littlest dancers, aged 2½ to early 4s, we suggest staying nearby in reception or close to the studio in case they need you.
Do we need to bring anything? +
Just a drink, preferably water, and clothes they can move in. An extra layer is helpful when it is cold outside, and clean shoes are ideal.
How long is the trial? +
Most trials are one full session, just like a regular class, so your child can get a real feel for it. If you would like to try more than one session before deciding, we can usually arrange that too.
After the trial
What if my child is shy or nervous? +
Completely normal, and lots of our dancers are a little unsure at first. Our teachers are used to helping new faces settle in gently, and there is no pressure to get everything right on day 1.
What happens after the trial? +
We will check in with you after class to see how it went. If your child enjoyed it and you would like to continue, we will help you get everything set up. If not, that is genuinely fine too.
Common worries, answered
Trial classes assume no experience at all. Classes are grouped by age and level, so your child will be alongside dancers at a similar stage, and the teacher will pitch things so a first-timer can join in from the start. Everyone in the room had a first lesson once.
It has not. Some children bounce straight in, and some cling to a leg and watch for a while before joining in. Watching is a completely normal first step, our teachers and assistants know what to do, and plenty of our most confident dancers started exactly that way.
A trial is just that: a chance to try. We will ask how it went afterwards because we genuinely want to know, not to sign you up on the spot. If it is not the right fit, we would rather help you work that out than talk you past it.
The JL perspective
Everybody gets a hello
First classes are some of our favourites to teach, and we have been welcoming new dancers every week since 2010. Everybody gets a hello the moment they walk in, because the first 5 minutes shape how the whole class feels.
What we love most is the moment, usually about halfway through, when a new dancer forgets to be nervous. That is the whole point of a trial, and it is why there is never any pressure afterwards: if your child has enjoyed themselves, the decision tends to make itself, usually in the car on the way home.
The JL teaching team
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Ready to try a class?
If your child would like to give it a go, you can book a trial online. If you would rather talk it through first, call us on 01773 746 770 or email info@jldance.co.uk and we will help you choose the right class.