This review is for the Parent & Me dance class for ages 18 months to 3 years old. I was initially excited to enroll my 2-year-old daughter, who loves to dance. Unfortunately, the class quickly became a disappointment. The instructor, Janelle, offered minimal instruction and mostly ran through routines without engaging the children--only occasionally praising the same few students while ignoring the others. While I understand parents are there to support their child, other Parent & Me classes we've attended had instructors who were far more hands-on and encouraging. My daughter was also going through a phase of learning boundaries and keeping hands to herself. Instead of addressing the concerns with me directly, the teacher reported the issue to the front desk, and I received a text stating that my daughter's behavior was a problem. I offered to withdraw her from class as I didn't want her to be a problem or distraction for others, but was told I would not receive a refund for the class or recital. The receptionist Ms. Sophie said she would speak to the teacher, but essentially offered no real solution or options on how we could work together to address the issue. Recital picture day was also poorly organized. Multiple groups were assigned the same time slot, and everyone was crowded into a hot classroom with limited seating. Our group--despite having the youngest and most restless children--was scheduled second to last. As I was heavily pregnant, I alternated between sitting on the floor and standing for over an hour. When I went to the lobby to look for a seat, Ms. Sophie, immediately told us to return to the classroom. I calmly explained I was pregnant and needed a seat, but she showed no concern or professionalism and rudely dismissed me (she was generally always rude and curt with me for whatever reason, and it seemed like she seized this opportunity to be even more rude). She escalated tensions by raising her voice at my husband. Eventually, another teacher who was present reluctantly found me a chair. My daughter then came running out of the picture room (parents were not allowed in) stating that she was scared and that her teacher had yelled at her. Overall, the staff came across as young, unprofessional, and lacking in basic customer service. The teachers do not seem prepared or have the experience to run a classroom with toddlers. The only positive thing I could say was that my daughter was allowed to perform on recital day despite having a rough morning which caused her to arrive late and upset. Aside from that, our experience was overwhelmingly negative. I would not recommend this studio for Parent & Me classes; you're better off with city-run tot classes that offer a better value without the stress or high cost, and more importantly, treat families with more care and respect. read more

My granddaughter is just completing her first year as a part of Elite Dance Academy. We love the welcoming atmosphere, kind teachers and age appropriate classes. Today was her first recital and I was very impressed with the organization, commitment and again the kindness and caring of the entire staff. We are really looking forward to our summer dance camp and then being Season 13. read more

Elite Dance Academy - Teachers leading the little ones back stage before their dance. - Performing Arts Near Me - Visalia, California

My daughter has been taking classes here for 4 years and LOVES IT. The teachers are not only great at teaching their students but being patient and gentle with them as they learn and grow. If you are thinking about enrolling your child or children at elite their is only one right answer YES!!!! I definitely recommend this studio and it is the studio for YOU!!!! read more

This is a great dance studio! They had recital this past Friday and Saturday. The recital went off with a bang and looked great! I would recommend the studio and going to see their end of the year recital! Elite dance academy ROCKS! Both of my daughters danced for this studio for years. They were not only recreational dancers but were part of the awesome dance team! My youngest daughter who is 18 yrs old, preformed at this years recital and has continued to be part of the studio everyday! Go Elite!! read more

I never gave a bad review before but this is too much. Worest dance school. Don't go there they only care for the money, kids lean nothing. Save your money and your time read more

Love this place! My daughter started here a year ago and we love it! The instructors are so good with the kids. My daughter was 1 1/2 when she started. She did her first recital and it was so cute. She absolutely loved it! We have already signed up for summer and fall classes. I highly recommend this dance academy. Update. We are currently signing my daughter up for her 3rd year here! Still the best dance studio in town! read more

Elite Dance Academy - Performing Arts Near Me - Visalia, California

Both of my daughters have been on the competition team at Elite for several years in addition to taking classes 4 days a week. It's been such a positive experience on so many levels, teaching them self confidence and discipline. The dance studio is like a second home to them, they've met many new friends over the years. During this last year through covid the studio owners and teachers went above and beyond to keep the students fully engaged. They did online zoom classes and meetings making it fun for them by having fun themed dress up days such as Disney etc. The positive experiences my girls have had at Elite Dance Academy have been absolutely PRICELESS!!! I have also made some new friends over the years and have had lots of fun experiences being a team parent, going to competition's, conventions, volunteering at recitals and fundraisers. Quality time with my girls creating memories to last a lifetime read more

My daughter has been dancing at Elite for 9 years. We have always been happy with the teachers and directors. My daughter enjoys her time spent there and looks forward to going every day. I would highly recommend this studio. read more

This place is so unprofessional. We pay good money & get mediocre dance recitals. No offense to the children who try their hardest to put on a good show. It is the overall structure, poor planning and lack of organization, that disappoints me. The second we express our concerns we are accused of not being grateful & that if it continues we will not be able to sign our children up any longer. Instead of owning up to their shortcomings, they place blame on other factors & continue to disappoint. My child will NOT be returning to this dance studio. Do better please! read more

This place is AWFUL!!!! Such a waste of time and money. The owner is beyond rude. So unprofessional. If you want your kids to enjoy dance then DO NOT take them here. Complete joke. read more

Stay away....unless you want your little dancer you hate dancing. My littlest was scared of them and my oldest was bored cause she spent more time standing around and stretching than actually dancing. My girls were crying that they didn't want to go, so we finished out the month we had paid for and didn't go back. Now they're threatening to send us to collections if we don't pay for classes we never even attended. And even if I paid for those, they want me to come in and give written notice of withdrawal and pay for another whole month. For dance classes for kids under the age of 6, this is ridiculous. Stay away. Stay far, far away. read more

Honestly one of the worst studios to go to. I have 3 daughters who love to dance so we started them off with last years Moana summer camp. They loved it and wanted to stay in dance so we signed them up for fall. Everything was fine until the dance recital stuff started to come up. First was the costume fee which I expected but why make parents pay another $6 for earrings that should've been in the costume fee since the company is the one that wants everyone uniform and paying $85 per costume that was cheaply made really?! My youngest daughters costume ripped when I was taking her out of her car seat and her bow came off the clip. Which we found out was hot glued to the bow not very well. My oldest daughters overall strap came completely off at the end of the recital I had to sew it back on for her. And backstage for the recital is a complete mess. One of the dance moms was fixing my oldest daughters lipgloss and because they couldn't find my kid and were running a bit behind they told her you don't have time for that and YANKED my kids arm to pull her to the stage area. Umm that is so inappropriate on so many levels! I had to count to 10 to calm myself down and not make a scene. I don't know who that girl was but you don't ever lay your hand on a child like that! There was another teacher that was rude to 3 of the girls I was watching since I was a volunteer backstage they were kind of blocking the bathroom and instead of saying excuse me or something nice like that she said can you move?! You need to move! Omg these or 6 & 7 year olds are you freaking kidding me you do not talk to them like that just because you are all flustered and don't know what they hell you are doing backstage. You as one of the dance teachers are suppose to be a role model. You should not be giving children attitude. Two of the teachers left this awful place and we followed one of them to a different studio. I would not recommend this studio to anyone! read more

We love Miss. Holly! My daughter looks forward to "ballerina" every week! She is fabulous with children and very engaging! Miss. Holly specializes in technique and is devoted to each and every one of her students! I highly recommend her! read more