I just moved to Atlanta. Coming from Los Angeles; and having just graduated from CalArts, a conservatory where I was taking acting, voice, movement, speech, dance, film, etc. all day long for 3 years (in a small group of 12 MFA students) I must say that I am very impressed with the QUALITY of Dance 101, the courses offered, and its accessibility to ALL people. No auditions needed, no judgment, if you like to dance, you are welcome here.
There are waaaay more Pros than there are Cons, but I will be fair and list all:
PROS:
- There are many many classes all day, 6 Days a week, in 4 different Dance Studios offering a wide variety of dance forms, and opportunities to learn, work-out, sweat!
- The Instructors are all ages, shapes, and sizes.
- The classes are filled with students of all ages, shapes and sizes.
- Each of the 4 Dance Studios are well lit, clean, and perfectly equipped for dance classes.
- Though the classes are always full, there is always room for you on the dance floor.
- There is plenty of parking in the mall-lot where Dance 101 is located.
- The staff is friendly and always greet you with a smile.
- The Studios, main area, dressing rooms, and bathrooms are always clean.
- There are beginner "Discover" classes for most of the major dance forms, as well as Level 1, Levels 2 and 3 for more advanced students/dancers.
- The Instructors are well prepared for classes, they have a strong hold of the routines they are teaching, they communicate clearly, and frequently ask if students have any questions about throughout the class, so no one gets left behind.
- Students are encouraging, welcoming, and everyone is happy to be there. It feels like a real community.
- They offer a First Month Unlimited for $99 which is an amazing deal and allows new members to take all the classes they want and figure out what they are interested in.
CONS:
I have to say, I don't have very many Cons. Only one:
- The decor in the dressing rooms, and bathrooms is a bit outdated. Imagine --Liberace meets a Vegas hotel,--think cheetah prints, pebbles, and pot pourri.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE INSTRUCTORS/CLASSES:
I recommend trying ALL of the classes offered, however, I want to share some of my favorite ones:
Discover Ballet with Melody--
I find Ballet to be very difficult, but it's like Yoga, it requires a lot of meditation, being very present, and working from the inside out. You get a crazy workout, and even break a sweat, but you do it, to beautiful piano music; so I love it, even though it's the most challenging class for me.
Ballet Fundamentals with Tara--
I like that Tara gives you adjustments in class, and offers modifications that help you "get it"
Reggaeton with D Norris--
You will definitely sweat off all your calories while dancing to Reggaeton. So much fun you'll forget it's a work out.
Ballet Fit with Lauren--
I have taken Barre classes, Pop Physique, and so forth, and I find Lauren's class to be one of the best I've taken. You work on strengthening and stretching, but coming from a ballet background/base for the movements presented in the class. The music is up-beat and fun.
Discover La Femme Jazz wit Sahrit--
Sahrit is very warm, always smiling, very confident, and encouraging. Her classes are fun, and they make you feel sexy.
Discover Cardio Jazz with Desiree/ Dance Fitness with Desiree/and Jazzitude with-- you guessed it---Desiree--
Desiree is my favorite instructor at Dance 101. She is super upbeat, great energy, she breaks everything down, her choreographies are fun and you WILL sweat, you WILL be challenged, and you will feel really accomplished after her classes. Jazzitude is currently my favorite class at the studio. At first I was scared to take it because anything--Jazz---I am intimidated by, but it's a fantastic class, and I can't recommend it enough. The routine is not so difficult, but she will push you to do it right, and the choreographies are very sexy, so you feel HOT doing them over and over again.
Classes I still want to take: Flamenco, Bollywood Beats, Discover Hip Hop, On Broadway, Tap.
I have taken classes at many dance studios. From IDA Hollywood, to Heartbeat House, to Your Neighborhood Studio, and more, but Dance 101, is the first dance studio I've been to, that carries itself (and functions) like a professional dance school, but without the pretention/ego of these institutions. Instead, it's welcoming, friendly and open to all people who share in their same passion: Dance. read more