I'm so furious that I'm shaking. My daughter has been placed in pointe levels at Northwest Dance Project and Oregon Ballet Theatre, both with professional companies. She was placed in pointe this past spring at a dance school in Paris with instructors from the Paris Opera Ballet. The Paris Opera Ballet is one of the best dance companies in the ENTIRE WORLD. So obviously she's at the level of pointe. Last night, my daughter had a placement class with DanceWorks Performing Arts. They said that level 3 is the best level to assess new dancers. Shortly in, her asthma started acting up, and she ignored it. She ignored it so long that she nearly reached a point of passing out and had to step out. If her father and I weren't already there, it would have been a situation to call 911. That's how severe it was. She ignored it because she wanted to impress the instructor, Savannah. At the front desk, Karen, who I found out is the director just now, told us that our daughter could redo the assessment tomorrow night, when she's able to breathe properly. Today, I got an email. They're placing her in level 3 instead of reassessing, which is two full years away from pointe, and, no, they don't do midyear advancements. No, they don't skip levels. Karen said Savannah can tell "within the first couple exercises," which was before ny daughter couldn't breathe. You means when they're warning up?! No combinations, no floor work, nothing. Based on "the first couple exercises," they can tell a dancer's full ability? That's absolutely BULLSHIT. There's a reason assessments are an entire class rather than coming in for the first 15 minutes. Karen said this is an absolute, that she has to take at least two more years before pointe there, which is so wildly inappropriate I'm still in disbelief to some extent. So...are they REALLY trying to effectively say that other dance schools, with professional company, and Paris Opera Ballet instructors themselves, were all wrong in their assessments? Really? REALLY?!! REALLY!!! We could understand a few weeks of 3 to warm her up to this school, then 4 for a few weeks, then 5, which is the first pointe level. We could maybe accept a full term of 3 and then a term of 4 with 5 next year, or 4, which is a year before pointe, this year. But no. Even that's not considerable. They want her in a class level with 10-12-year-olds who are two years, minimum, away from pointe, with no exceptions at all, ever, whatsoever. There's no way their instruction is so much better that a pointe dancer with my child's experience would only be at a level 3. If the dancers there were that much better, this school would be world-famous. But since they're not, there's got to be another reason they don't want her in pointe, or even in a pre-pointe level. I suspect, strongly, that, since this school also has competition teams (which is optional and NOT something my daughter has interest in doing), they don't want her in pointe with their pointe dancers who are all the stereotypical twigs. It's the ONLY thing that makes sense. Knocking her down two levels from pointe would age her out of competition, which, again, she had no interest in doing. So basically this would mean she's too fat for pointe. Since my child is absolutely a pointe-level dancer, this is the only thing that makes sense. There's literally no way two schools with professional companies AND Paris Opera Ballet instructors are the wrong ones. None. All that's left is there much be another reason, and what else is left other than my daughter isn't emaciated? That's actually part of what makes her so beautiful to watch on stage, and it's not just me saying that, but people who didn't know which one is mine. Look at the pics from Paris below and tell me if you think that. Tell me if she looks like she needs two more years, minimum, before pointe. read more

See all

So grateful we found this studio. Our daughter has been begging to take Hip Hop dance classes. We took her to another studio and were immediately concerned about their lack of awareness/acknowledgement that we are in the midst of a pandemic- wearing no masks indoors with the omicron variant wreaking havoc. This studio is clean, the staff and dance teachers are extremely friendly and everyone is wearing a mask. We feel like our daughter can enjoy learning and having fun while we feel safe in an environment and business that is doing it's job to prevent spread of COVID. The hip hop class she is in is for 6-8 year olds. The teacher is super energetic, the studios are lit up with colorful lights, and the music and routines are on point! Thanks DanceWorks! read more

Living over 25 minutes away from the dance studio, but it is worth it every time I see the smiles of pure joy on my daughters faces. Karen Cannon - the owner - is top notch! She is organized and always prepared. After experiencing other dance studios - that my be less - you definitely get what you pay for at DanceWorks! Organized, clean and full of gentle teachers! read more

This is the 3rd year my daughter has been going here and it has been a wonderful experience. She started in the Angelina Ballerina class when she was 3 and this year will be her first year in the Nutcracker performance. Wonderful staff and opportunities to be in performances. read more

Danceworks has been our dance home for 7.5 years and we couldn't be more grateful! We started as recreational students and moved onto company when we saw our son and daughter's love for dance grow. We have been so happy with the way the teachers and staff have fostered the kids' passion and have guided us along the way with any questions we may have. They will be there for you whether you want to take a class or few or you want to join company and maybe go on to dance in college or for a career. Miss Karen knows her stuff and ensures the students are trained at the perfect pace for each individual. read more

We came in for a free ballet class. First of all, the building did look a little dingy. The moms of other little girls looked snobby and indignant. The staff was friendly at first, but after my DD and her younger sibling observed about half of the class session, it was obvious that we have annoyed them. We left, without anyone saying goodbye. read more

My son and daughter just joined this studio from moving out of town after looking at a couple other studios. Although a little bit of a drive from where we live, this studio felt like home. Very clean and big space. They make their billing easy and have great communication so far. My daughter says class is way harder then back where we used to live. Very happy! read more

You would be crazy to take your child anywhere else! The facility is brand new with 6 dance studios, the teachers are the best in town, and the environment is nothing but positive and welcoming! We love Miss Karen and the team at DW and Vancouver City Ballet! read more

We love Danceworks. We have been dancing there for three years now and will keep dancing with them as long as we can. The staff are amazing the quality of dance instructors outstanding. From the Nutcracker in the winter to the June showcase and May ballet recital the creativity and attention to dancer development and skill is all there. We are proud to be part of this studio and so happy to see our emerging dancer have fun and develop a passion for dance. read more

Overall, this is a decent dance studio. My daughter loved going there and the teachers were great with the kids. The facility is clean and professional. We have, however, decided to switch schools for a number of reasons. First, this school closes for every major holiday and all of winter break. When I asked if this was accounted for in the monthly price, no one could give me a definite answer. Second, the costs associated with the performances are exorbitant. They wanted me to pay hundreds of dollars to watch my 3 year old participate in the recital. Third, they recently sent home a memo stating that students will be required to sit out if they weren't dressed according to their specific standards. I understand that there are some safety requirements, but not letting a toddler dance if she isn't wearing an Angelina Ballerina tutu and doesn't have her hair in a ballet bun is a bit anal. The final complaint I have is that when we went to give notice of our leaving, they claimed we never paid for the outfit. This was 5 months after we joined. Fortunately, I still had my credit card records to prove that I paid or I would have been forced to pay another $50. Overall, if you are willing to put up with some headaches, this studio will work. If not, however, I would look elsewhere. read more

The teachers are wonderful indeed, HOWEVER once you decide to leave the DANCE WORKS the receptionist and Karen Cannon, Director are becoming very rude. If you decide to give a 30 days notice in the middle of the month, they will not accept it for no reason, and you have to wait till the next billing cycle to give a 30 day cancellation notice. If you decide to quit, they submit your file to a collection agency, add numerous fees to the bill and continue to harass you. In addition, their teacher/parent communication is awful and they bill you numerous fees without first notifying you and if you decline to participate in the show they will submit you to a collection agency. Take your kids some place where the director is not as nasty as Karen Cannon. I am sure I am not the first one to feel this way. read more

My girls have danced here for years. Their ballet company is the best in town. They compete at a national level. Many boys take here too. We've been to them all in town and the girls here are the best, but most importantly welcoming. They also have a huge parking lot and wifi. read more

The ballet company is the best training in town. They bring teachers in from all over the world. Vancouver City Ballet is run thru DanceWorks and in there new HUGE building. They have a nice big parking lot. My youngest is in their performance company and they do shows all over town during christmas. They compete at a national level. Best dance studio around, maybe even in portland too. read more