Raising kids is hard - raising them to be gracious humans is harder - I fully believe that my kid's now 14 years at BDA has been massively instrumental in creating the young adult that she has become. For dancing - yes - it IS good technique. The evidence is in several students being accepted into regional and national programs like Ballet West, Oregon City Ballet, Summer Dance Lab in Whitman, Lines ballet San Francisco, Joffrey (multiple locations), Debbie Allen Dance Company, and American Ballet Theater company. They are not just being accepted into these programs but placing at the highest levels and receiving praise for solid technical training by the greatest artistic directors in the country. They are also receiving scholarships and call outs by choreographers at dance conventions sending them to National events like DancerPalooza and Dance Awards. As far as beyond the dance goes, yes there are exams, yes they are HARD and take a lot of prep work and dedication to do well. Its about what the dancer wants for them self. The exam program has taught my kid how to prepare for and handle pressure, how to stand in front of an examiner alone and present her best work. The program also meant that my student didn't have to spend 20 hours a week in ballet only but has room for other disciplines yet her technique was strong enough for National Level Ballet. This has set her up for zero fear as she takes on leadership roles in her high school and greater community. Auditions for summer programs were a piece of cake after exams. The show - teaches presentation and being part of something greater than yourself. No - not everyone can be a major soloist. For that it is about BDA presenting their best product by choosing who dances and personality fits the right role. Sounds like being in the business or tech world. Whether or not your little plans to dance forever or not - what BDA teaches is not just how to point toes and stand tall and shuffle step hop but the care the teachers have for these kids goes beyond making a great leaper. Teachers dry tears, hold them up, congratulate, take interest in their lives beyond pirouettes. If the goal is to compete in competition dance this is not the right studio. However, the solid ballet is what earned a couple students full ride scholarships to summer programs at a convention, withOUT competing. I sent one of my personal school students to this studio to help with her anxiety - and watched her absolutely explode in her confidence levels after just 1 year. So with just one year left - I cannot imagine our life without BDA. The waiting in the lobby is long - but I know where my kid is, I know what she's doing, she does plan a future in dance and arts management as a result of her years of the women and men at BDA raising her. read more