I signed my toddlers up for a 2-3 year old dance class. The owner Rachael, was their teacher…read more During the third class Baby A would not leave the open bathroom (the bathroom is in the dance studio itself, not the lobby and class had started), and Rachael came to me visibly shaking with anger to tell me That baby A wouldn't "leave the restroom." I go and discover that she needed her diaper changed, I do so and baby a goes back to join her class. I do NOT expect the dance teacher to change her. My other daughter (baby b) was more nervous about leaving me and would participate in about a third of each of their three lessons. On ONE instance Baby B had a meltdown because she wanted me to go in with her, and I would not. This caused Baby A to be concerned about her twin and she came out of the studio to check on her. Rachael was upset by this and physically removed Baby A from class. Rachael did not do this with any of the Other children there who also went in and out frequently because they too, are toddlers.
At the end the teacher decided my Girls needed PRIVATE lessons. I felt pressured. I had already paid nearly $400 to this studio for Recital fees, costume fees, and two months worth of class lessons, and we had only taken 3 classes at this point. The set day next week for the private lesson came and Rachael did not show up. I knocked. I called. I emailed. No answer. When someone else opened the studio for a different class- I left a note. In all of these instances of attempted communication I asked Rachael, the owner, to contact me asap and she never did. So next week I show up for our normal class lesson time which was on Thursday. There are many new kids present. I walk into the studio where she is sitting on the floor and say "Hi Rachael, We were supposed to have a private lesson with you last Friday as arranged, and no one was here." She says "Oh, yeah, I know. I thought it was tomorrow." I say "Why didn't you call me?" Rachael says "Well, I got your messages but I am super busy with class schedules during the week and I wanted to talk to you in person." I told her that A phone call would have gone a long way. She stared at me and shrugged. I then asked "So, What is our recourse? I don't think private lessons are appropriate for 2 year olds." She then agreed to let them have that day in class to "See how they do." Since my kids were super excited and we were there- I agreed. Baby A went into class and was much more well behaved then other 2.5 year olds in class who had to have their moms continuously stick their heads in for correction. Baby B wanted to sit by me, and did so with Minimal fuss. Then they switched to doing tumbling and baby b went in when everyone else Did on her own. I followed just to the glass door so I could watch. All of the kids were lined up sitting at the mirror but Because baby B had never done the tumbling part before she did not know to go sit with them. I was watching and listening and Rachael did not once tell baby B to sit down with the others and wait her turn. So Rachael then picks up Baby B and puts her outside the (glass) studio door into the lobby. Baby b has been kicked out of class and is sobbing. Baby B is upset because she hadn't done anything wrong, she did not KNOW what was expected of her by Rachael. Less than a minute later Rachael is removing Baby A and physically putting her outside the studio door as well. Baby A starts melting down, sobbing, telling me "I good, I not trouble, I want dance class." I instantly demand a refund, Rachael's mother starts saying she will give me one. She then tries to tell Me Rachael did NOT tell me that she purposefully didn't contact me. I refuted that and threatened legal action if my money wasn't refunded asap. I had to carry my sobbing, Broken hearted children out to the car. Baby A still wailing about how "me good! I no trouble. Please momma dance class." Over and over. It is not something I will soon forget.
I am a professional musician, music teacher, actress, and (while not a professional ballerina) I have actually taken classes myself for nearly 20 years. The treatment my children suffered under this studio is reprehensible and completely unprofessional. I'm sorry I let my kids stay there for as long as I did. Clearly Rachael was overwhelmed and didn't want to teach my children. But Instead of simply saying that she led me on this ridiculous chase and treated my children as second best. Had she simply told me that she didn't think we were a good fit with her studio, I would have respected her decision and taken them elsewhere.
I did get my refund for the second month of classes, the recital fees, and costumes via certified mail within days. They did immediately take down any photos of my children on their social media platforms when requested. My children have had zero complaints from their preschool about their behavior.
