Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better

In the dance world, there’s a growing perception that bigger means better. Bigger studios, more students, flashier social media accounts — it can all look very impressive from the outside. But after decades in this industry, I’ve learned that what looks good on the surface doesn’t always reflect the quality that truly matters.

I run a small, boutique-sized studio where I know every dancer by name. It’s not that I don’t want to be successful, I just believe success isn’t measured by how many students you have, but by how well you serve the ones you do.

Over the years, I’ve learned there’s a sweet spot when it comes to class sizes. When students receive consistent, individualised feedback and are truly known by their teachers, they build strong technique, healthy habits, and a deeper sense of confidence.

They’re not just learning combinations — they’re learning how to think, apply corrections, and take ownership of their development. That kind of training creates dancers who are resilient, adaptable, and prepared for the professional world, not just the next eisteddfod.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of training dancers who’ve gone on to work professionally on international stages or have become renown choreographers and teachers. My studio might not be the biggest, but the results speak for themselves. And yet, I’m constantly overlooked.

Why? Because somewhere along the way, “big” became synonymous with “better.”

I watch students with enormous potential follow their friends to larger schools because it’s “the place to be,” not realising that there is no one place to be. There is no one path to success. Dance is not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes being in a smaller studio — one where you’re not just a number, where you’re seen, guided, and mentored — is the very thing that can change the course of a dancer’s journey.

In a big studio, your child might be the 32nd best in their class. At a boutique studio, they might be the second. That difference matters. Not just for their confidence, but for the opportunities they’ll be given, the corrections they’ll receive, and the belief they’ll build in themselves.

When it comes to dance, you need to choose a studio based on what your child needs to thrive. Don’t underestimate the power of a teacher who sees your child’s potential, and has the time and passion to nurture it.

Sometimes, all it takes is one teacher who really sees you to change everything.

I know the power of individualised attention because I lived it. My full-time training cohort ranged from just four to ten dancers at a time. There was nowhere to hide, no chance to slack off, and we were held accountable — every single day. That intensity shaped me. Had I been given the chance to skip a class unnoticed or coast in the back row, I honestly don’t think I would’ve become the dancer — or teacher — I am today.

Before you enrol somewhere because it looks impressive or has a long list of followers, ask about the class sizes. The teachers’ credentials. The success stories. Ask whether your child will be guided, mentored, and supported — not just slotted into a system.

The truth is, some of the best dancers I’ve ever trained would have disappeared in a larger studio. Not every dancer is loud. Not every dancer is confident from day one. Some need time. Some need nurturing. And some need to be in a room where they can be seen.

While a large studio might be the right fit for some, don’t mistake bigger for better. Choose the studio where your child can truly thrive. In the end, it’s not about the size of the studio, but the space where potential is nurtured and seen.