Dropped into my first class even though I couldn't waist hoop to save my life. By the end of my…read morefirst class I was almost there. They even have beginner hoops for you to use! Now, thanks to Amy I can actually hoop dance. Each class starts with a warm up, then a review of what we did the previous class, followed by learning something new. She then gives us some time to play around. At the end we do a hoop jam circle to show off our moves, followed by a cool down. Taking this class was the best decision I ever made. Haven't missed a class yet. 10/10 would recommend.

We just did a bachelorette event (10 girls) organized by Bellyqueen and it was honestly the…read morehighlight of the day for the bride-to-be and all the other girls! The instructors catered to the bachelorette, and organized little activities focused on her, while also incorporating other traditional belly dancing steps and moves for the whole group. It was so much fun and they also took so many pics and videos to cherish the memories and laughs for years to come. Thank you so much Kaeshi and all the instructors- you guys made our day and motivated us to continue our belly dancing journey and learn this beautiful, sensual dance!

Just took Kaeshis class again , very nice mix of moves and music , professionally transitions from…read moreone move to the next with style and fun ! Thanks .

We came upon Olga through recommendation from friends. During our first initial lesson, Olga was…read moremessaging us to confirm our appointment. She was patient and a great teacher but that took a turn fairly quickly. At our first initial lesson, Olga asked us to pay all of our lessons with her, which we did and that turned out to be the biggest mistake. The day of the second lesson, we showed up on time at 10:30am. Olga was nowhere to be found at 10:45am. When we finally called her at 10:45am, she said she was still home and had forgotten about our lesson, putting it on her calendar as 10:45pm. She managed to show up at 11:15am and at this point, we have already waited 45 minutes for her. When she arrived, she had forgotten the name of our first dance song. Following this experience, she promised us that this was a one time mess-up. We gave her the benefit of the doubt of course. The following lesson which was only 6 days after the mess-up was scheduled for 9:15am on a Sunday. I texted Olga the morning of at 1am to make sure she was aware. I texted her once again when we were getting on our train at 8:30am. At 8:45am, I received a call (mind you we were only 10 mins away from our destination) that Olga was in BOSTON because her student was injured. She said she could extend our following lesson to make up for this time. However she did not apologize for the time we wasted on her, only using the excuse "this was out of my control". Absolutely ridiculous and unprofessional. If she had an emergency and knew about it, she should have cancelled the night before so we didn't have to rush out in the morning. Luckily, we were able to get our money back for the following lessons and the missed lesson when she was in Boston. But we did not get compensated for our time spent traveling to the lessons or the time we spent waiting for her. I would give zero stars if I could.

We had Olga as our dance instructor and absolutely loved working with her. She is a beautiful…read moredancer and so very patient. We would highly recommend booking dancing classes with her.. she really prepared us for our 1st dance at our wedding. Love you olga

This review is for all the folks who haven't tap danced in 20+ years... you know who you are…read more Yup... you sure do. Perhaps we told ourselves after that back injury that there was simply no use, there was no way we'd be able to hop around anymore, much less create an actual sound that didn't sound like hooves (at a slaughterhouse). We threw out the leotards and tights years ago. They wouldn't have fit our larger, aged bodies anyway. Besides, we hated them, they never quite fit anyway. But for some reason we couldn't throw out the tap shoes. We loved our tap shoes. And so, they sat, in the back of the closet. Why? Because, in the back of our minds we thought maybe... and then we talked ourselves out of it... but still we wondered... but nah... there's simply no way. NO WAY. NO WAY IN HELL. Until one day... we decide to challenge ourselves. Because deep inside, we needed to see if all was lost. I mean, our body literally twitches when we watch others tapping on tv, the muscle fibers still trying to do what we KNOW we used to do. We have a an actual iTunes Playlist dedicated to "great songs to tap to". We secretly lie in bed trying to remember old combinations. We stalk and save OTHER PEOPLE'S tap dancing videos from Facebook.... we need to challenge ourselves... because of all of this. And because we LOVE those tap shoes. We decide to commit to the challenge, to see if we can handle 5 minutes of it (or 10 minutes... or...?!?) ... and so we make our way to Max McGuier's Adult Beginner class at The Bridge for Dance. Just getting up those 3 STEEP flights is like the ultimate test... the Mt Everest of 20 years of repressed non-tap-dancing. The Machu Picchu of Tap Dance Dreams. We're gonna make it-- HUZZAH!! Our left knee clicks with every step. Screw it... we're gonna DO THIS, you OLD BAG!! Max's sunny disposition can easily light up a room, and he has tough competition because The Bridge is SOOO sunlit and inviting... it is actually a BEAUTIFUL space. None of those repressive, dungeon-y, dingy-windowed, flourescent lit, musty, sweaty, smelly, loud, snotty basement studios that we were used to. YOU KNOW THE ONES. THIS is different, and inviting, and NORMAL, the way a neighborhood dance studio should be, and the other folks in the class... just as warm and friendly, humble and open. It is obvious, we ALL feel comfortable INSTANTLY. There's an instant camaraderie and everyone is supportive. I literally couldn't ask for a better circumstance all around! The acoustics are wonderful... my taps sound like bells, and it is NOT because of me. The wooden floor is PERFECT for tapping. The AC is pumping (another concern that I had... no fears-- it works!!!). There are actual plants growing... greenery... and there's space for them AND us. There is space to MOVE!! (Now if only I could find a space to belt a high C in NYC.... but that's a quest for another day)... Max is doting, personable, gives everyone individual time, he's relaxed and humorous... he drills us on all the basics and then pulls it all together for a combo at the end. He inspires, and is a literal JOY to be around... he makes you want to DANCE, and when you screw up, he asks how he can help you. And he really means it. (Note to self: my mental-computer processing was circa Apple Mac 1996, but my pullbacks were flawless!!!) I am sooo grateful for Max's understanding, smile and energy, as well as The Bridge's warm and inviting atmosphere and crowd... It felt sooo good to think I aced my challenge. After 20+ years, those tap shoes were dug out of the closet and used!! I tolerated the entire hour and I WALKED HOME (I didn't hobble!) afterward.... ... and I will MOST DEFINITELY be back!

A treasure ! Beautiful, clean studios, great location - very…read moreaccessible, wonderful staff and affordable rates if you're looking to rent space. I was and I keep coming back. You will too.

My 4-year-old son is attending KING Camp for a second year; this is his first year at the Riverdale…read morelocation - this review is solely for Riverdale. Their early drop-off and aftercare are what first grabbed my attention. The price is also fair. I am grateful that the center opened for the summer (COVID-19 times). Coach Tracey took the time to assure me that they were doing the very best to maintain a safe environment. The team is always available, and they are incredibly flexible. They are also very good at keeping the parents in the loop - many texts, emails at the end of each camp session, weekly Zoom meetings, and calls when necessary. If this location were closer to my home, I would not hesitate to enroll my son in 2021.

This morning, I saw a group of little children entering Central Park through the West 69th Street…read moreentrance. I became curious because I've been thinking about preschool options for my daughter, so I decided to stop and observe for a few minutes. I parked the stroller and sat on a bench some distance behind the group. The children were about to play together, and I simply wanted my daughter--who is almost 11 months old--to watch other little kids having fun. I thought it would be a lovely experience for her. Unfortunately, it didn't feel welcoming. The teachers seemed very young, and I sensed from their expressions and body language that they wanted us to leave. Trusting my instincts, I quietly left. As we walked away, my daughter kept looking back. She didn't understand what had happened. The experience made me a little sad. I was once a teacher myself, and I always believed that kindness, patience, and making people feel welcome are just as important as teaching lessons. Children learn not only from what we say, but from how we treat others. I hope every place for young children is filled with warmth, inclusion, and compassion. A school should be a place where the next generation learns to embrace others--not to make them feel excluded. Every child deserves to grow up in an environment where they feel surrounded by kindness, love, and a sense of belonging.

I signed up for private dance lessons by Simone and I'm very glad I did, especially after watching…read morevarious other "First Dances" at weddings. Simone presented multiple options on how the lessons would occur and we opted for virtual lessons instead of in person lessons because my dance partner and I would have trouble commuting into NYC. I was worried about how effective these lessons would be, in an NYC living space with an instructor giving the lessons virtually. Relax, have no fear, Simone will be there! She even has a dancing dummy to demonstrate how Person A and Person B should stand/dance/act. Even with lessons conducted via video chat, Simone was able to catch the minor details that we would not have caught or even considered if we were to "learn" via Youtube (which a few of our friends did for their weddings, and it was obvious). For example, while doing a dip, Simone saw an opportunity and suggested that my partner (while being dipped) move her hand in a more graceful manner, a small movement added so much more meaning. We went in with no dancing skills and no idea what to do for choreography. All we had was our first dance song. After after lots of practice and guidance from Simone, when our first dance was performed, it was met with lots of cheer and practically a standing ovation from our friends and family when we hit the climax of the song and dance. Go with Simone. Don't underestimate the value of virtual lessons. She expressed patience and joy in helping us and I know she will continue to do so with all her customers.

Updating this review to provide feedback on the online dance and workout classes DTNYC has been…read moreoffering since the pandemic started. I've been taking the online lunchtime dance workout class over Zoom for the last year and a half now, and it has been a lifesaver while working from home. It's a great opportunity to get some movement going in mid-day when I otherwise would be sitting in a chair all day. After the half hour class, I feel energized for the rest of my day. Also, the workout itself is mostly low impact, so I don't have to worry about getting too sweaty and needing to get a shower right away before going back to work. The dance steps are very accessible and she offers various modifications to the dance and workout level for people of different abilities.

Janelle teaches a high energy, well thought out bellydance class. Very positive, very well informed…read moredance teacher. No two classes are exactly alike and for someone like me who is tough to please I always find myself with a smile on my face during class and no matter how tough my work day has been by the time I leave her class my mood has been elevated to happy, and feeling free! Anyone looking to start to dance or at a professional level Janelle teaches all levels and you will always leave feeling that you learned something new since she stays current with what's new in the bellydance world and also with other forms of dance. This is a class( if your schedule allows ) should not be missed! Kathy Nekrasov one very happy customer!!!!!!!!!!!

Why does Groovefit stand out among other belly dancing companies and studios?…read more 1) Great teachers. No matter if you have two left foot or no left foot at all, is size -2 or size 38+, is under 18 or has few great grand children making more children, speak English or not, Jannelle will make a belly dancer out of you. Same applies to gals and guys. I think, for Jannelle, belly dancing seems to be about the celebration of body in all size, color and shape. She regularly invites dancers of other discipline - ballet, hip hop, for example - to co-instruct her workshops so the students benefit from more than 2 dancing instructors at the same time. Her ability to attracts topnotch performers and personalities directly put her classes at the crossroad of all dancing styles. Jannelle has a knack of knowing what to do and what to say to get you to belly dance before you know it. 2) Excellent variety of belly dancing. Jannelle is extremely knowledgeable in belly dancing styles from virtually all middle eastern country. Why? My suspicion is that she's got a musician's ear & soul insider her dancer's body. Her choreography includes styles of flamingo, Bollywood, Asian, and continue to expand at alarming rate you'd think she'd depart from belly dancing and start teaching Tango or Salsa. Her choreography are musically beautiful and she's got good rhythm. Thanks God for that - does any of us remember that dance teacher who couldn't keep the beat or follow the music? 3) More than dancing. A. In addition to dancing along, you learn the culture of middle eastern countries with Jannelle either by taking group drumming lessons, checking out affordable costumes in remote Queens area, tasting local middle eastern new dig, or joining her in some of the trips that she organizes for her student to Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and many more where they shop for costumes and souvenirs, visit museums & pyramids and (surprise!) take master classes from local belly dancing gurus. B. As an entrepreneur, Jannelle seems to be the kind of professional that is person-centered, meaning she cares about her student not just because of the blingbling but she honestly wants her students to dance well enough to enjoy belly dancing. The sisterhood of the Groovefit dancer is strong and there is no cattiness around. This is hard to explain, but you just have to experience it for yourself. Come see for yourself and feel the passion that Jannelle has for belly dancing. You won't regret it. P.S. The only "con" that I can think of is how crowded Jannelle's classes have become due to her popularity and interests from our society in belly dancing and middle eastern culture. Check out "Jannelle's Belly Dancing Technique Class" on meetup.com to sign up and make sure you RSVP prior to showing up at her classes.

This organization is one of the finest I have ever dealt with. Last year my son sustained a sports…read moreinjury and we needed to find a camp quickly so we called Applause New York. From the first phone call I knew this was the place for us. The staff is amazing beyond words - always willing to answer a question or help out in any way they can. Since joining the camp my oldest has gone on to perform in two of their shows and is doing the program again this year as well as the camp. Our youngest son joined the camp this year and he is already talking about signing him up for the whole summer next year. He will also be doing a movie making class this year which is something he began to love through camp. We have had the opportunity to work with talented and extremely professional individuals who have mentored my oldest son. They have transformed my boy into a very confident performer. There are not enough stars to rate Applause. The counselors are exceptional and they make the days fun and my boys feel supported and loved every day. Each person you deal with is nicer than the next. Audrey has built more than a business, she has created a place that nurtures, encourages and helps develop children to reach their ultimate potential. She has built a home away from home and we are happy to be part of the Applause family. If your child has any desire to act, sing, dance or just have a blast - this is the place to go!

BEWARE!!!!! Do not sign up for these classes until the absolute last minute possible and be very,…read morevery sure that your child is going to respond well to the method of teaching and class dynamic. BE VERY, VERY sure. You will hear that "spots are going fast", and the "class is almost full". If you sign up you will never get a single penny back if your child has an injury or medical condition that prevents them from participating (see above), or the class is not the right fit, or if you have a family situation that arises and prevents your child from attending. There are no exceptions. Expect no compassion. Once you send in the your payment, regardless of any ethical or legal requirements for a refund, you will not get it, and the classes are quite expensive.