Adah Smith
October 25, 2017 11:11
We took a hip hop class here this year, along with ballet and tap. Our hip hop teacher was routinely late (up to 30 minutes for a 1 hour class), and eventually quit with no notice. Before he quit, he taught no actual steps or technique to the kids, instead just filling the class time with games. Instead of the studio giving us a replacement teacher, a high school senior was our substitute instructor. The company never offered any refund or discount for this subpar service.
When you go to the studio, children run around screaming in the hallways with no supervision.
The ballet and tap instruction on the recreational level is almost nonexistent. None of the kids can point their toes or execute a turn-out. You see almost no evidence of even knowing the basic ballet positions. Ballet performances at the end of the year are essentially lyrical performances, with a few poorly executed ballet steps sprinkled in between. Tap performances consist of the kids turning around and shaking their booties at the audience, with one or two shuffle-hop-steps thrown in. Throughout the year there are numerous charges placed on you, for recital fees, recital tickets, and costume fees. This would be fine if the fees were clearly stated on the website, or the schedule was given ahead of time. On top of all this, once you finally reach the recital, rehearsals are conducted during work hours, and you're charged for things as simple as a program. Want to know when your child's dance is, so you can go back stage and help them change? Be prepared to pony up that final $12.
The whole studio is completely uninterested in actual instruction. The recreational classes exist solely to help fund the competition teams. Save yourself the headache and find a studio that's actually interested in teaching every child.