Pros:
-Very talented and knowledgeable instructors. Gracious and friendly, they put you at ease and are patient and give clear explanations and demonstrations.
-Great variety of group classes (unlimited after you finish the intro package)
-Very upbeat, social, welcoming atmosphere and group of students. This isn't just a place to take lessons; it's a community.
-Admin is very flexible and willing to work with you on payment plan, groupings of lessons that you purchase after the intro package. Refund and lesson usage policy is fair and reasonable.
Cons (with rationalizations):
-Location IS difficult to spot (just arrive early the first couple times and afterwards you'll know where you're going! )
-Parking is very limited and is in the back, not where you'd expect out front near the business sign. Don't accidentally park in the TSA lot next door! The neighbors might have you towed. Even at night when they're not using their lot.
-Classes are crazy expensive, but after you finish the less expensive intro classes and start paying through the nose, you can go to as many of the group lessons as you want (multiple lessons focusing on myriad styles and techniques offered daily, 6 days a week, not Sunday) so if you go to 1 individual lesson and two group classes each week, that's only $33 per lesson/class (4 classes a week= $25 a pop, etc). Considering I've wished I could dance my entire life but have always felt like a hopeless idiot on the dance floor, I'll pay that price to fulfill a dream and to have fun while staying fit! Besides, if you take lessons as a couple and only use one instructor, the price doesn't increase!
-You do have to put up with the erratic music... but the instructors work it out so that every couple songs or so they play music that you need to practice to. In between, you practice dance steps without the apropriate music, which is challenging training in and of itself.
-At times the instructors are more focused on putting you at ease and making you feel welcomed than on making the most of the very expensive lesson time... a few times I wished we would stop chatting in between songs because I was paying more than a dollar a minute, and not for small talk! But at the same time I progressed quickly in initial lessons and I also think it's good to exchange a bit of personal information to connect with your dance partner. Considering what I've learned this far, I'm very pleased with the instruction. And as the lessons progress, there is less in-between chatter, now that my instructor knows my concerns, weak points, and learning style. I really can't complain, even though this is under the "cons" heading.
Overall, be prepared to pay, but also be prepared for a wonderful experience! read more
