This school is a class act…read more I learned more here in a year than they taught my friend with a "Masters" degree in art from her fancy pants art college (diploma mill) she was at for several years. Post graduation (and six figure student load debt) she still can't draw hands. But this place had me off and running in the first two weeks. The teachers were divine. Especially Tim. Not just as artists who truly believed in the methods they learned here and taught, but as human beings who appeared to take individual interest in every student, young or old. Years later, I still look back on these classes with fondness and am considering taking them again along with a new friend who wants to learn basic drawing skills, and maybe even progress to painting. If you stick with the curriculum, you will learn. Practice, and you might be shocked at how quickly you progress. Our class was a short walk from a coffee shop, and quickly became a little group who all looked forward to every class. I miss that enough I am thinking of going back. I felt like I was "getting" the material taught here after about two weeks, but I recommend the Free Class to see if it's for you, and if you like it, at least 4 weeks after that to really have a feel for it. At least that's what it took for me. But after that, I was all in. Like any skill worth having, it takes patience and practice over time. But it's totally worth it! People who can manage to respect class schedules, practice self-discipline and are eager to learn will enjoy this stimulating environment, the teaching methods, the skilled staff, and most likely take joy in their progress over time. Maybe even make new friends here. Maybe even fall in love with it. But entitled parents or choosing beggars who want refunds on FREE classes will probably not enjoy the full benefits or learning experience as they appear to have difficulty getting along with just about everyone based their other reviews. Consider the source before you let it dampen your own enthusiasm for the chance to take pride in your art or that of your child.

My child has been studying art at the Studio City location for more than 3 years and it's been a…read moreterrific overall experience. We have worked with Ms. Bryce and under her marvelous instruction my child is now painting masterpieces in advanced oils. My child enjoys the supportive instruction and the ability to chat with new friends who share a common interest in art. The studio is flexible in offering make up classes and different days and times to fit into my child's schedule. The individual attention my kid gets really helps her improve her skills and knowledge. It's always been rewarding to see my child progress from basic drawings to watercolors and now oils. My child attended the art camp for two summers and she loved it. The students always have fun at the art show at the end of class. My child is very proud of her art work, and I am so happy that we found Mission Renaissance!

21/100 I didn't know…read morewhat to expect when walking into the Animation Academy, but after a half hour lesson in how to draw a Disney character, I walked out with a pretty good rendition of Tigger drawn by my own, two little hands. I'm not an artist, but the instructor made drawing so easy that anyone can do it. They take you through step by step, using basic shapes and strokes like triangles and circles, and make it all so easy. I can't wait to go back again to see who I get to draw next.

I wish I knew about the Animation Academy earlier! It is literally a hidden gem for all the…read morewannabe artists out there like me. I came across this place on my most recent visit to Disneyland/California Adventure over Thanksgiving break. Since the lines for all the rides were horrendous, my boyfriend and I tried some new things in the parks that were not rides. The Animation Academy was the highlight of the trip. There are "shows" every half hour where you sit inside a mini lecture hall and learn to draw Disney characters. There is a Disney animator who walks you through each step so that you come out with a picture that actually looks pretty good! Things move pretty fast so make sure you keep up with the animator and pay attention. Things can go from simple circles to eyelashes really quickly so here are a few things to keep in mind so that you don't seem so flustered during your first visit to the Academy. 1. Get there at least 10 minutes early so that you are guaranteed a seat. People start to line up. 2. When you choose your row, move down all the way to the end of the row and don't leave spaces between you and the next party. They don't have cooties. But most of all, don't be annoying and stop in the middle so that people have to climb over you. You can see everything from the right or left sides, trust me. 3. Follow along with the animator and don't freak if you make a mistake. Erasers are not allowed. If you come to the Animation Academy and follow along, you will honestly surprise yourself with what you can create! We went three times and drew Tigger, Mickey, and Dale. You can ask the guy at the front to see which characters are coming up so that you can plan your visits around their lesson plans! It is basically a free drawing lesson that can be just as fun for adults as it is for the kids. Actually maybe even more fun for adults.

My Daughter loved attending their week long fashion camp. Summer & Shane run a fantastic program…read more The designers were absolutely amazing. The attention to detail & patience it must have taken to help each child design their own outfit was beautiful. Each girl had a distinct style that I was so impressed to see. The finished product have all been beautiful & have been worn with such pride by my daughter. I loved that they had plenty of designers to really give them the attention they needed to each child. I was impressed at how complete of an experience they have created. The thoughtfulness behind designing, pattern creation, sewing, embellishment & then the runway show! She is on her 3rd year (8, 9 & 10 years old). We can't wait to go back!

I signed my 16-year-old son up for a summer fashion design program on the West Side of Los Angeles…read more The course was advertised as: **2026 FASHION DESIGN CAMP - WEST LA** **JUNE 29TH-JULY 2ND** **CAMP TYPE: TEEN CAMP (AGES 13-18)** Four days before the camp started, I noticed that it was being held at an elementary school, so I contacted the company specifically to confirm that this was in fact a camp for teenagers. I was assured that it was. On the first morning, my son arrived to find himself in a class with elementary-aged girls. There were no other teenagers there, not even a 13-year-old. When I called to clarify what had happened, I was told that unfortunately no other teenagers had signed up. This is where I have the biggest problem. The company presumably knew who was enrolled before the camp began. I think parents should have been informed that there were no other teenagers attending the advertised teen camp and given the opportunity to decide whether they still wanted their child to attend. The way you teach and structure a class for elementary-aged children is also very different from the way you would approach a group of teenagers. And summer camps are not only about what children learn. They are also about being with peers and potentially making friends. A 16-year-old arriving to find himself with no teenage peer group at all is a very different experience from the one we believed we had booked. I contacted Unincorporated Life and spoke to a member of staff who told me that sometimes this happens when no other teenagers sign up. He offered my son a place at their Hollywood location, where he said there were perhaps "one or two" other teenagers attending. I explained that my husband was traveling, I do not drive, and I had specifically chosen the West LA location because I could get my son there. I was also concerned by that vague assurance, of one or two other teenagers, given what had happened at the existing location. Hollywood was therefore not a workable alternative for us. I requested a refund and received no further communication. What also bothered me was the way the situation was characterized in writing. In an email, the company described the issue as Isaac wanting "a larger group of teens" and said that the "size of the teen group" had not met his expectations. That is not an accurate description of what happened. I had been told on the phone that no other teenagers had signed up for the West LA camp. There was no teen peer group at all. That distinction matters. I subsequently disputed the $800 charge through my credit-card company. The company responded that its terms and conditions state that bookings are non-refundable and that, because it had offered me an alternative location, it considered that it had fulfilled its obligations. My credit-card company therefore ultimately allowed the $800 charge to stand. So I paid $800 for an advertised teen camp that my son did not attend beyond arriving on the first morning and discovering that there were no other teenagers there. Had I simply changed my mind about the camp, I would understand a non-refundable policy. That is not what happened here. I specifically checked beforehand that this was a teen program, and nobody told me that my 16-year-old would actually be attending alongside elementary-aged children with no teenage peer group at all. What I found perhaps most disappointing was that there was no real acknowledgment that the experience my son arrived to was not what we reasonably believed we had booked. It left me with the impression that enforcing the non-refundable policy mattered more than whether the educational experience itself had actually met its stated purpose, whether we were satisfied, or whether we would ever consider using the company again. No prizes for guessing the answer to the latter. That is my experience of dealing with the administrative side of this company. I cannot comment on the quality of the teaching itself because my son did not stay for the program.

I took Carolyne's commercial workshop class which is a phenomenal tool for anyone going on…read morecommercial auditions. She and Jonathan Klein are wonderful teachers who give you the straightforward advice you need to be successful. They truly care and want you to be the best you can be. I highly recommend this class to anyone interested in pursuing this field. I had an incredible audition for a national commercial and callback during the class. It has helped me tremendously. Catharine C

I took her class many years ago and i found that while she certainly knows a lot about the subject…read moreshe is blithely ignorant of the fact that eroding someone's confidence in their commercial appeal is not helpful to their commercial career. I just think she isn't for everyone, and no one is. I disliked her style personally and i can identify with the negative reviews that she has here. But obviously some people feel she has a lot to offer so i guess it's about personal style.

Calstone is a wonderful school to learn everything you need to know about jewelry design and…read morefabrication and one of LA's best kept secrets. The teachers are caring and knowledgeable and helpful at every step. The studio can get hot in the summer so I recommend taking classes in the fall or winter if possible.

I'm currently enrolled and just finished the Wax Techniques class. The instructors are warm and…read moreknowledgeable about the ins and outs of jewelry making and design. Strongly recommend if you're interested in silversmithing.

Today was my daughter's trial class, she is 4 and my goal is to teach her read, white & count. I…read morewas skeptical about this business for the quantity of reviews they have, and just decided to trust my inner voice and give it a chance. First, when we had arrived to the address, i was not sure if it was the right place; for it being the house not a commercial building. During Mrs.Linda's demo class i was sitting in the same room, as minutes went by i was falling in love with her, her method and her teaching style. "Wow what a gem i found"!!! I thought.... Dear parent, don't be mislead by the number of reviews they have, this little kingdom of knowledge is such a gem, your child will benefit from learning here in so many ways. I'm excited and my baby is willing to come back to visit Mrs. Linda. I trust my daughter, if she liked the person and the energy of the house, we're in the right place!

Trust, compassion, acceptance, kindness, support... these are just a few words that describe the…read morequalities that Linda, Bob and staff nurture at The Neilson Academy. What is most important is that they accept each student as an individual and develop a curriculum that carefully strengthen core levels of learning. This in turn develops a more self confident child. Elliott had a very challenging time in the public school system before finding The Neilson Academy. With in six months Elliott has developed consistent work habits, he has learned an inner responsibility toward him self and a greater respect for others. The Neilson Academy creates a safe nurturing environment for this type of development. Elliott has a stronger sense of himself and understanding on how to realize his dreams of being an actor. The Neilson Academy embraces each child and their unique individual potential. As a parent I felt completely safe about dropping him off everyday, I as a parent felt supported knowing that Elliott was loved and honored, with compassionate direction. Elliott is a more confident and determined child, which has much to do with the stewarding of this special school and staff. With Gratitude, Elizabeth Moore

As a homeschooling mom, I am incredibly intentional about my daughter's education. I want her to…read moregenuinely enjoy learning, receive an elevated education, and be taught in a way that honors her individual learning style. Because of that, I am extremely selective about who I invite into her educational experience. A+ Tutoring has truly become part of my team, and I could not be more grateful. From the very beginning, they have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional support and customer service. What has impressed me most is how thoughtfully they match each child with a tutor. They genuinely take the time to understand your child's learning style, personality, needs, and goals rather than simply assigning a tutor. And if something ever needs to be adjusted, they address it immediately. In my experience, they don't just solve the issue, they somehow manage to outdo themselves in the process. Mandy and Janelle, their incredible tutor matchmakers, are exceptional. They are attentive, responsive, intuitive, and truly invested in finding the right fit for your child. I have felt incredibly supported throughout the process. And then there is our tutor, Sonya Karl, who is EXTRAORDINARY. Sonya is deeply child-centered, incredibly intelligent, emotionally intelligent, patient, warm, and genuinely gifted at connecting with children. She has such a beautiful heart, and it is evident in the way she teaches. The most meaningful measure for me is this: my daughter is not only excelling academically, she genuinely looks forward to her tutoring sessions with Sonya. That says everything. Finding the right people to support your child's education is such an important decision, especially when you are homeschooling and creating an educational experience around your child rather than asking your child to fit into a system. A+ Tutoring understands that. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found them, and even more fortunate that they connected us with Sonya. They have earned my trust, my gratitude, and my highest recommendation.

My daughter has been using A+ Tutoring for three months now. She absolutely loves her instructor…read moreand I have seen great improvement in her math skills. She has also gained more confidence, her instructor is very positive and encouraging. They are extremely flexible with hours/scheduling. I can always text them for a quick and easy communication rather than calling and playing phone tag. After every session I get an e-mail with notes from her instructor sharing what they covered in the lesson and how it went with a list of things she did well and things she can continue to practice. Also, the sessions are easy to use and set up, it's just a link to click in an e-mail instead of downloading or installing Zoom or any other platform on the device. If I want them to cover any specific homework assignment, workbook, skill or even state testing practice they incorporate that into the session for us. I would highly recommend them!

Our two children have attended St. Francis since preschool and absolutely love it. There is such an…read moreemphasis on community and fostering a love of learning at a young age. The teachers are all attentive and very skilled educators. The school provides wonderful enrichment such as chess, tennis, and science - this is on top of the weekly school curriculum which includes Spanish, art and music classes. I also have to mention Principal Goethals - who is just the crème de la crème! She goes above and beyond to ensure the students feel safe and nurtured while also cultivating a great atmosphere for learning. We are very grateful for this terrific school and community!

I normally don't post reviews but I felt the need to review the school my kids go to because it's…read moreso hard to find a good private school that's big enough to have many friends in the class but small enough to foster a strong community. Saint Francis de Sales is committed to fostering a sense of community that you don't find in many places around Los Angeles. They organize various events and initiatives that bring together students, parents, and teachers, creating a supportive network that extends beyond the classroom. SFDS encourages students to explore their imaginations, fostering a love for innovation and problem-solving. SFDS students are given the freedom to express themselves and develop their unique talents through art, music, sports, drama, science and many other ways.