When you’re choosing a dance studio for your child or teen, there’s a lot to think about—fun, quality instruction, community, and location. But one of the most important things to look at is often the most overlooked: how seriously the studio takes safety.
At Gail Wildfong School of Dance in Gladwin, MI, safety isn’t just something we talk about—it’s built into everything we do. From the floors to the way our classes are structured, we’re focused on protecting growing bodies while supporting confidence and healthy progress.
Here’s what to look for when it comes to safety—and how Gail Wildfong School of Dance makes it a priority for every student.
A Studio That’s Built for Safe Dancing
The flooring in a dance studio matters more than most people realize. Young dancers are jumping, turning, stretching, and landing—all of which puts impact on their joints and muscles. That’s why we use sprung dance floors, which are designed to absorb shock and reduce the chance of injury. Hard surfaces like tile or concrete under vinyl may look similar, but they don’t protect dancers’ bodies over time.
At Gail Wildfong School of Dance, our space was built with dancers in mind—because a good dance floor helps prevent injury before class even begins.
Teaching Safe Technique from Day One
From your child’s very first class, we teach technique the right way. That means learning correct posture, safe alignment, how to warm up and cool down, and how to move with control. These skills reduce the risk of injuries like sprains or strains and support strong dance habits that stick with them as they grow.
Our faculty knows how to break things down by age and experience, so dancers build safely, step by step. Whether your child is in preschool ballet or working on pirouettes in a teen jazz class, they’re learning the same thing: how to move smart and protect their body.
Strength, Conditioning & Body Awareness
Our classes aren’t just about choreography. We build in strengthening, stretching, and drills that help dancers support their movement with strong muscles and better flexibility. That conditioning work happens in a way that’s fun and age-appropriate—especially for younger students.
While we don’t offer formal cross-training classes like yoga or Pilates, we incorporate strength, balance, and mobility work right into our regular class structure, whether it’s beginner jazz or an advanced technique class.
A Positive, Supportive Environment
Keeping dancers safe isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, too. We believe kids should feel encouraged, not pressured. Our instructors correct with kindness, celebrate progress, and help every dancer feel proud of where they are, whether they’re learning their first plié or competing on stage.
We want students to love dance for the long run—and that starts with feeling safe, seen, and supported in every class.
Helping Parents Stay Informed
We believe dance families should feel informed and involved, so we also talk about injury prevention with parents. That includes reinforcing the importance of proper shoes, rest and recovery, warm-ups, and listening to their body. If a dancer ever needs to modify movement, we adjust and support them.
We’re here to help parents feel confident about how their child is being trained—because your child’s health matters to us just as much as their dance growth.
Why Families in Gladwin Trust Gail Wildfong School of Dance
We take a thoughtful, long-term approach to training. We want every child to feel confident, excited, and cared for—not just during recital season, but every step of the way. That’s why families in Gladwin and surrounding areas choose Gail Wildfong School of Dance as their dance home.
Want to learn more about our programs for ages 3–18?
Visit our studio in Gladwin, MI, give us a call, or email us at [email protected]. We’d love to welcome you in and show you what a safe, structured, and fun dance education looks like.