Toxic,This is our experience: My dougher was attending classes for few years and eventually…read morebecame a "company apprentice" last year.
In spring of 2025 we travel for competition in Orange County. The day before the competition, on a Thursday, there were two regular classes scheduled that were unrelated to the competition itself. My daughter had an important final exam at school the next day.
Some students had already left for the competition and therefore missed those classes. Others were reportedly told by Laurie (the owner) that they should rest and did not need to attend. However, when it came to my daughter, she was treated very differently. ( she wasnt considered as good as the dancers with much longer experinece on the team)
Laurie called my daughter and told her that if she did not arrive at the studio within 10 minutes, she would not be allowed to perform at the competition. At the time, six students were absent from class. My daughter was at home studying for her final exam, and I was not home. However, we had a camera in our living room, and the entire FaceTime conversation between Laurie and my daughter was recorded.
My daughter was visibly upset and crying as she tried to explain to Laurie that she had an important final exam and needed to study. Laurie responded by saying, "Everyone has a choice, and you made yours. If you don't show up in 10 minutes, you're out."
I immediately contacted Laurie to discuss what had happened. I was shocked by what I heard, as her account of the conversation was completely different from what was captured in the recording.
Shortly afterward, we received an email informing us that our doughter was not allowed to perform in the competition, while she was still expected to attend and sit there watching her teammates perform. We were also still responsible for the expenses associated with attending the competition.
I tried to explain to Laurie how cruel and disproportionate I felt this punishment was, particularly given the circumstances and the fact that other students had also missed the classes. Unfortunately, I felt that my concerns were completely disregarded.
After that, my husband and I met with Laurie and Heather at the studio to discuss the situation. Unfortunately, we left the meeting feeling gaslighted, misled, and as though our concerns were not being taken seriously.
During the conversation, Laurie brought up our daughter's absences and made claims about them that we believe were inaccurate and misleading. She also discussed learning disabilities within her own family, including her children and herself,(which her kids denied) in a way that appeared intended to argue that these circumstances should not be considered an excuse for our daughter needing additional time to learn the routine or for not getting the routine correctly the first time.. We ultimately decided to leave in our experience, an incredibly toxic and unhealthy environment. There was also another incident that, in my opinion, demonstrated an incredible lack of professionalism and appropriate boundaries.
An 18-year-old student left the studio during a class. Laurie closed the studio and went searching for the student, accompanied by several parents, including myself. At the time, this initially appeared to be a caring and responsible response to the situation.
Unfortunately, what seemed like a genuine gesture of concern turned into an extremely uncomfortable situation the following day. Laurie came to my home speaking negatively about mothers at the studio, as well as the parents of the student who were concerned about safety. and most importantly talking negatively about the parents of the 18th year old. I found this deeply inappropriate.
and as a side note:
I think it may be worth considering preparing a short, organized speech at the beginning of your recitals rather than speaking at length and, at times, rambling about yourself.
the owner responds to other reviews without slightest level of accountability. looking forward to fact check new defensive lies!
.... after reading Lauries responce I would like to add..
Addressing the issue of the "accommodations" you referenced.
My daughter was told by you, in front of other students, that if she did not perform the choreography perfectly on the next take, another dancer would take her place. Is that what you consider an accommodation?
As for the additional support you claim to have provided, we paid for private extra classes specifically to support our child, and she put in the time, effort, and work. That was not a special accommodation or an act of goodwill on your part. It was an additional investment we made in our daughter's training, and she worked hard for it.
I understand that you may not appreciate having your professionalism questioned or that we do not simply agree with everything you say or treat you as though you are above criticism. However, I stand by every word I said. You cant erase our experience.
