It saddens me to write this review, as over the years we have collected many great memories in our…read morerelationship with this studio. I also have friends who helped make this studio a success over the years- I hope they can understand the spirit behind this review and what compels me to speak out. My first commitment is to my child- who I will fiercely advocate for, to the neurodivergent community as a whole, and raising awareness. Nine straight years with Applause with a neurodivergent child. My child grew up at this studio. I wasn't always the perfect dance mom due to my own ADHD struggles with time management, but I contributed a lot to this studio over the years. In the end, we had to move on from this studio due to the rigid management style of their current director, Amanda. While as studio manager she has provided a much-needed organizational structure, in addition to a creative spirit. It's the mistreatment and disregard with regard to the needs of the neurodiverse that compels me to write a less than favorable review. I asked her to incorporate diversity and equity inclusion policy into the studio's mission. That was not done. While there are a couple older kids who may identify as neurodivergent that attend Applause- and management likes to tout inclusivity and kindness- there are no official protocols and considerations to serve as a guide for teaching staff. When you add a rigid management style to that, the end result is a child who exits with a literal broken heart. I am deeply disappointed Amanda did not take my suggestion with official DEI incorporation, as I feel she would have learned valuable skills and insight I feel she is lacking as a young studio manager. She was a child when I first met her, and I spent years rooting her on. So it really is especially disappointing. I have had several conversations with Amanda regarding my child's struggles there- which include shunning, and a bullying incident that occurred in their theater group at the age of 9 that we sought therapy for. She is aware there are multiple other exceptionally talented children who were pushed out from the studio with the same struggles. We hung on. I think she feels she has done right by us, and fulfilled her role as studio manager. I have hit a brick wall. We would just continue the rounds of what she feels she's done, and me trying to convey and help her understand how the studio could improve with examples. In recent months, I could see her attitude toward me change. So there really is nowhere else to go with the relationship, except to encourage a DEI policy and follow it. It's their responsibility. I would also recommend working better with the kids they promote to teach classes. It's one thing to say "sorry that didn't work for you". But does that identify and fix problems that arise with inexperienced kids promoted to teach classes without proper direction? You've got to walk the walk- and having a mission statement, plus policy and procedures surrounding equity and inclusion is a great start. I wish this studio the best.

Such an amazing wide range of classes with excellent and engaging instructors!! From drama to…read moreacting to guitar!! We LOVE Applause Studio!!" --Heather R

Our family has loved dancing at TDS this year. My daughter delights in her teacher and friends, and…read moreis enjoying practicing dancing at home. She's learned so much from watching the other classes, too. The variety of classes available for children and adults at TDS cannot be beat for the cost of tuition.

I haven't danced in many years, and I felt welcomed and able to participate at my own pace. This…read moreschool is great!

My daughter had her first dance class here. She came in full of nervous energy and left with her…read moreheart soaring. We watched the class through the window. There was a ratio of 7:1 which was really nice because it allowed each child to have some one on one instruction with the teacher. My daughter's teacher was really sweet and it was very obvious that she is experienced and enjoys working with children. I am so glad that we chose this school!

My daughter has been enrolled in Dance Elite for 4 years now and we absolutely love it. After the…read moreownership switched hands, life was brought back into the studio and every single bench and classroom has been filled with people ever since. Amy and her staff have a huge love for Dance and for everyone of their little dancers as well. Our favorite time of year with the Dance Elite is not only the amazing recital but the awesome spooktacular Halloween event they put on for everyone at the studio! We look forward to many more years at Dance Elite and we will continue referring all our friends and family because this is the best dance studio around!!

I came here with my friend to try their silks class! It was a trial class for $5, which was an…read moreamazing deal. The class was held in a downstairs room with a separate entrance. The instructor was friendly and provided a great warm-up. There were two stands with beautiful red silks. I enjoyed the height of the room and the welcoming atmosphere. It was also refreshing to see some teens in the class and how quickly they learned and progressed. The facility was overall clean, and parking was easy with a convenient lot.

My daughters, now teenagers, have danced with Pac West since they were three. I have seen…read moreinstructors and students come and go and I can honestly say that one of the best qualities of this studio is the consistency and level of professionalism of the Studio Director and staff. There are classes for all disciplines and all levels and the director remains sensitive to the needs of the students. They have great classes for the little itty-bitties, kick-ass tap for all ages, hip hop for teens, plus cheer workshops and even awesome belly dancing for adults! The instructors really care about the students, too. More importantly, they make it fun - which, after all, is what it's all about.

I just recently learned about UMF and went through a "Vagaband" session with them which culminated…read moreafter 6 rehearsals in playing some of my favorite rock songs live at a local music venue. The whole experience was quite awesome. Our facilitator, Tom E. was great at giving us feedback to make us sound better, individually and together. The other musicians in the group were very focused and committed to practicing between sessions and being prepared for the next session. Everyone who represented UMF was super professional and welcoming throughout the initial registration to the final performance. Not only are they getting musicians together to play music, but they're creating an authentic community that I've felt welcomed into since day one! This was exactly what I needed to get my butt out and playing with other musicians and having fun at the same time. Oh, and two words for the guy who wrote a bad review saying the sound in the rehearsal room was too loud: "ear" and "plugs."

I relocated to Seattle about 18 months ago, and was once a upon a time an aspiring musician in my…read moreearly 20's. As a singer, finding a band was always exceptionally challenging, and eventually life gave way to a husband, kids, and a day job. I found UMF on craigslist when we first moved here, and stalked their website for nearly a year. I was interested in joint a Vagaband series, but my travel schedule is hectic, and makes it difficult to commit to anything- even 3-6 weeks. Just before Christmas, a series opened up that I HAD TO JOIN, and I happened to have the 6 weeks to commit to it. You are plunked into a group of people you have never met. You all have the same goal, and a setlist already assigned. The first rehearsal everyone came prepared, and the first song kind of takes your breath away. You just formed a band (albeit short term). The chemistry in my first Vagaband series was amazing, our show was packed, and I formed real friendships beyond the performance. Instant rock and roll fantasy. I'm now in my second series, and to say this is a business would be a gross inaccuracy. This is a community. I have been welcomed into it warmly, made to feel my talent is validated, and definitely see this community as a family of musicians I couldn't be happier to be a part of. What Tom and Matt created and nurture is so much more than a music lesson.

We tried a trial class at Tutu school and probably won't be back. The studio is very cute- pink and…read moregirly with fun costumes displayed on the walls but the bathroom wasn't clean nor were the cubbies. The class itself had some fun elements like the parachute and bubbles but a lot of moments that felt not age appropriate (asking them to walk across the floor and point toes multiple times) where most kids in the class had a hard time staying engaged. The storytime too with lots of words on the page, no pictures and the kids were asked to stay behind a line far from the book. This is a hard ask for young toddlers. I think it takes a very calm toddler for this class to be successful or the instructors to use louder/more engaging language (sound effects, singing, etc)

Amazing experience at the Tutu School in Mill Creek! The location is convenient, lots of parking…read moreand nearby shops. There's a good amount of structure in each class and they make it so fun for my 3 year old. There's no pressure if newer students are still getting used to the curriculum. Teacher Lily is kind and patient with the class.

Y'all like theater? Y'all live north of Seattle (or east? They have one in Issaquah as well!)?…read more Check out Village Theater. We've seen, at this point, 6 productions here. Always high quality. Always immense talent. Always extremely nice and helpful box office and house staff. The theater is set up so that there is not a bad seat in the house. Supporting the arts, now more than ever, is important. Do it here. 10/10 will return. Again and again

My daughter takes classes there. She has so much fun and loves it! We saw the High School Musical…read morethere and it was an awesome show. Everyone did a great job!

When I was in second grade and rehearsing for a class recital, the music teacher pulled me aside…read moreafterward and said, "Marissa maybe you should just move your lips. . ." Ever since then I've had an understandable fear of singing in front of people; A fear that I wanted to conquer. I needed a voice instructor who I could trust, who was easygoing, who had an open mind and a forgiving ear. I found what I needed in Kristin Chambers. Kristin is a talented, multi-faceted performer in her own right, and she put me completely at ease and made it clear that I'd be working at my own pace. She helped me set some realistic goals and then systematically helped me achieve them. I was a beginner and starting out at ground zero; but Kristin pushed me when I needed pushing, and didn't allow me to beat myself up when I was struggling. She was an A+ cheerleader. Because my fear of singing was boarder-line phobia, it's impossible to overstate how awesome it was to find someone willing to take me on, on my own terms and who tailored the instruction specifically to my needs. My brother asked me to sing a song at his wedding this fall. He's my brother and I couldn't refuse, but I first had to face the haunting legacy of that teacher's words. Thank Jeebus for Kristin Chambers because I sang in front of a big crowd in a small church this November and I felt strong, solid, confident, and prepared!

My daughter went to see Kristin for voice lessons a couple of years ago and, though my daughter…read moredecided not to pursue singing as a major hobby, we loved Kristin. She did a great job of helping my girl explore what her voice could do. She was professional, talented, and all around wonderful.