My family has been part of Dance Force way before Mary Lou and Lauren bought the studio from Cindy Bedwell. Our dedication to the studio has always been noticed, along with our love for their highly educated instructors. Recently it has been rare to find that teacher who has the credentials to educate our children. Through our time at the studio there have been multiple teachers "fired" or "quit". Recently two teachers were fired because they wanted to branch out, but treated unfairly by the studio owners because their honesty and creative minds were unwelcomed at their studio. Sadly, this is not the first time this act has happened. Over the past SIX years the studio has lost 22 highly educated dance professionals that taught our children.
This place strives on quality and having the "best studio in Clarksville", but has two teachers', one who danced with the Titan Cheerleaders and studied at Julliard. The second has a degree in dance, worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and has performed in shows. Many teachers are alumni that only have their training from Dance Force and never studied anywhere else. How is this quality training as they have expressed on their website?
Also, they strive on positivity! As a witness on multiple occurrences students have left rehearsals, class, and the studio crying. On multiple visits I have witnessed Staff Members bully their students. There are multiple students that have lost their confidence in how good of a dancer they are because teachers have told them "you suck", "you'll never make it in the dance world", "why are you doing a solo", and if a student is crying because of a teacher belittling them the teacher will kick them out of their class or tell them to "suck it up butter cup". There are many who are scared to let the adult in the room know they have to go potty because of the repercussions behind their "disturbance". They have caused some of their competitive dancers severe anxiety and not wanting to dance. When a student is hurt they say they are faking even when a doctors note is sent in. Many times students injured are forced to continue dancing because they are not believed making their injury worse, and some are so scared to let the choreographer of a competition piece know they can not dance because they will not receive a refund for their injury (if injury absence to dance falls on competition weekend) or they know the choreographer will be mad so they continue to dance anyway. Dance is a place to express yourself, not belittling children and causing 5-8 year olds to hate dance class. Students have ended up in therapy because of them and their staff. It is not a family atmosphere.
The Studio Owners' do not care about having children trained properly, and if they did they would not push staff members out. They lie to the children when discussing why a teacher or student has left. They live through lies, and never want them to be seen as the bad guy. They blame the children for their bad behavior, lack of respect, and poor dedication as why teachers have left. When a student leaves they inform the whole competition team that they have quit on the team, and are sadden by their actions. They lie to cover their backs and have the team turn on those that are called "quitters". It is very sad and not professional.
Drama is not allowed at the studio, but is always occurring. They believe what they (the directors) hear from STUDENTS, and will give the victims consequences because they do not have time to identify or listen to facts. Also, they love pulling students in the office (with the door close) to talk to them about matters that are not their business, and should require a parent in the office with them making them uncomfortable and feeling guilty for doing nothing wrong.
Another factor to consider when you are picking this studio as a place for your child, you need to consider the cost/money. Yes, this place is like paying a car payment. They charge outrageous prices making families work 2-3 jobs to make their children's dream come true. They charge 25 cents a stone on competition costumes. It is cheaper to buy the stones in the store and do it yourself than have the Directors' complete the stoning, but this is never an option. Then there is a travel fee... the fee use to be around $8-$10 dollars, but now ranging from $210-$250 determined on how many dances you are enrolled in. When paying the travel fee it is to include food for the Prop Dads that volunteer their time at competitions, and gas for the prop trailer. It has been 2 years since the Prop Dads have gotten food, and the only reason they read more