Stage Door IS THE PINNACLE of dance in Sarasota. The word that comes to mind is "EXCELLENCE." My…read morechildren attend hip hop and mini flip hop classes at Stage Door. Their teachers are kind and patient. The staff in the front office is very helpful l, courteous and welcoming. The staff's professionalism is unparalleled. Upon spending any time at the facility, it will be evident that Stage Door Studios is a well-oiled machine. The viewing area is perfect for parents & families wanting to spectate. It is ample space with comfortable seating and screens for viewing dancers working hard and having fun in each studio. There is also a thoughtful children's area with child-friendly furniture and a tv showing children's programs. Every aspect of our experience thus far seems to have been carefully curated to cater to the comfort and enhance the enjoyment of the entire family. We LOVE Stage Door!

My children danced at Stage Door for 6 years (first recreationally and then competitively) and…read moreloved it for a long time. But 3 years into dancing for one of their competitive teams, my children were kicked out of the studio with just a month left to go in the season. They were unable to perform at recital, or at their final competition, and 3 months later the studio has still not refunded the money I paid for services unrendered (summer classes, a convention, unused recital costumes etc) and they will not respond to my emails. The reason for dismissing my 1st and 4th graders? I took them to a private lesson at another studio for additional training and the owner didn't like that. Dancers as young as 5-6 years old are made to sign a contract if they want to dance at competitions with the team. Initially I didn't think much of this but by the third year (and as my second daughter was entering the youngest competition team) I started to have concerns about the stifling nature of it. Essentially, I walked into Stage Door with a 4 year old child in 2016, and before I knew it I was locked into some kind of situation where they would be penalized for even looking at other studios . (By the way, I didn't sign the contract last year but they held me to it anyway.) We stayed a couple years longer than we should have because the kids made friends and didn't want to leave them. If it weren't for that we would have left sooner. As things often do, it all worked out for the best. My girls and some of their previous teammates have found a new studio which they absolutely love and I'm confident that this new studio has their best interests at heart. I'm so excited for their future in dance and it's a relief to know they're training with adults who care about them. Stage Door is a large studio that shows well. It's big, offers a lot of class times for young kids and when you aren't yet enmeshed in the dance world you don't see the red flags. I certainly didn't. My advice, if you're looking for a dance studio, is to sit down with the studio owner and really find out what they're all about. Ask questions. Talk to parents of older kids. Talk to the studio owner at length. I probably talked to the studio owner at Stage Door for less than 20 minutes combined in 6 years. At our new studio, I've talked to the studio owner for hours on end and we've only been there a few months. It's night and day. Just do your homework.

Karen and her dance crew (instructors) are top notch! They all emphasize proper body form and…read morealignment while providing enjoyable choreography. Love this team of dance instructors!- JHD

Want to have fun, feel energized, meet people, move to the music and get fit all at the same time?…read more Then you have to do what I did, and get over to Jazzercise at Woodmere Park! (Or a location near you) I used to be a dyed-in-the-wool "gym rat", at the gym at 5:30am when they opened, doing the same thing 5 days every week for years (yawn). No wonder I got bored! But with Karen (the owner/instructor) and the other instructors at Jazzercise, it's always fresh, because everyone's personalty is different. So each one has something unique to bring to each class, keeping it upbeat and fun. We work out, we sweat, we laugh, and we leave feeling energized. When's the last time YOU laughed when you were working out???

Why, my 5-star rating? Well, the list is long...and very focused on the quality of teachers. These…read moretalented professional dancers are kind, relateable and patient. When you meet up they immediately sense where your dance journey should begin. I personally love seeing the growth, which others, and I, have achieved over time. My hours at Dynasty are some of my happiest...

Last week we explored Dynasty with 2 other couples. What a fabulous place to go and learn or brush…read moreup on a dance with talented instructors and accommodating schedules. We are looking forward to coming back again this week to work off some calories while having the time of our lives! Highly recommend it!

My wife always sign up at the Venice, FL YMCA when we come down for the season each year. The…read morefacility has very good equipment and it is very well maintained. The staff is very friendly and always willing to help if you have questions.

New to area, 2 kids attend Sky. I'm very excited that both kids enjoy school. My 8th grader stated…read morethat she feels "heard" when she asks for help with work or asks a question in class, by ALL the teachers... that's something she didn't get at her old school.

Dance with Janis is by far the best dance studio in the area. Teachers are great and welcoming to…read moreall students. My daughter has been dancing here since she was 4 and we wouldn't go anywhere else.

terrible place for toddlers . yanking kids by their arm and pushing toddlers is mental behavior ,…read moreparents beware

The best things happen when you dance at Arthur Murray Dance Center Sarasota. Studio owners,…read moreJessica and Bryan have built something truly special here. Their passion and expertise create a safe and encouraging environment allowing dancers of all levels to let go, express themselves and feel truly alive on the floor. Their team of highly professional and incredibly talented instructors have nurtured my personal growth not only in technique but in confidence. It's the ultimate place to leave your stress at the door, find your rhythm, and join an amazing community of students and professionals.

What a beautiful studio! It's big and bright with a beautiful view in the back of the space. The…read moreteachers were exceptional at helping me learn the salsa. I was expecting not much from myself with two left feet but within my first lesson I was able to dance to an entire song with a few different moves. I signed up for their 10 lesson package. Easily worth every cent because of the quality of instruction and their professionalism. You can feel the love for dancing here. Thank you!