My niece attends Gotta Dance and time and time again I am amazed at all she has learned. She started as a toddler and since has blossomed into a dedicated dancer. I have met the owner Joy and her husband Ben many times, plus the other members Suzanne, Jen and Eileen. These women deserve a metal of honor with what and whom they have in their faces on a daily. Then the teaching staff is so nice and some of their past teachers are now in jobs from high profile backup dancers for singers, broadway stars and even professional cheerleaders for NFL, NBA, and College. I'm so happy my niece found this studio. read more

We love our GDA family!! My daughter has been dancing here since she was 18 months old! She wants to do nothing else but dance! She loves her teachers and staff!! We love being apart of the competition team and just all around loves being apart of the GDA family! Hands down to Jen, Joy Suzanna and Eileen for all they do and dealing with everything that goes on at the studio! We love you guys! read more

We were disappointed with the staff and owners and management team as they are rude and not welcoming upon entering and the facility isn't tidy or clean enough and the environment as posted prior yelps isn't Comfortable. We attended for only a few weeks and left. Read prior yelps. read more

I am the grandmother of a 10 year old. She loves this dance studio. She has grown and become an incredible dancer. I took her to a dress rehearsal today and everyone, including the dance studio owners, were so helpful. The dancers are all tremendously talented and the routines very creative. They are getting terrific instruction from their coaches. Thank you Gotta Dance for doing an amazing job! read more

mean teachers, Jen Horn praises the loud and ruins the confidence of all others. her rude and entitled attitude causes severe anxiety among those she doesn't deem favorite. many including me have left her classes feeling worse about ourself. the definition of a highschool mean girl getting a platform read more

If you want to live the mean girls movie in real life, this is the place for you. Terrible service from the form desk, they treat you poorly and never greet you when you come in for class. This place is for competition, and you can tell, even in the non competitive classes. They demean the kids, talk down to them and are down right disrespectful. There was even a incident where the instructor yelled at the kids over a tiny slip while they were having fun, then went on a rant about how they care about each and every one like their own child, bull. My own daughter used to absolutely love dance class, but it got to the point that she not longer wanted to go because the instructor was so mean. So if you want your kid to have lower self esteem, be belittled by a young instructor who is only there for their own self interest, go here. read more

We love this dance studio! From the moment we started, we were welcomed with open arms. The other girls quickly took my daughter in and made her feel at home. My daughter has made a ton of new friends and has received top notch training. In just one full year of training, the level of growth has been remarkable. To the dance instructors to the front staff to the owners - I am impressed. You can just tell they love these kids and what they do! They are very organized and convey excellent communication to the parents. We love that they are also involved in various town functions and events like the the Christmas tree Lighting and Easter Egg Hunt etc... read more

Took our daughter for a trial class. Front desk ladies are lazy and rude. Act like you are bothering them by asking questions. No one at all was welcoming, not even other parents who heard or was our first time. Overall vibe is pretty snobby. read more

This place used to be great, but ever since covid they've done a terrible job of following guidelines and don't sanitize as needed. I even had a mother inform me that they had a positive case and didn't let anyone know for weeks! read more

My daughter just started at Gotta Dance and so far she's having a lot of fun. The facility is in the Simi Valley Town Center Mall (bit strange) and is brand new, clean and fairly spacious. There are some couches for moms and dads to sit and watch the dance classes if they choose to stick around (or they can roam the mall). I will update this review as we have more time and experience with the instructors, staff, etc. So far, so good! read more

Gotta Dance Academy - Performing Arts Near Me - Simi Valley, California

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We have been attending classes here going on our third year now. We tried other places to get a comparison, but no other dance studios compared to the quality, great music & trained teachers at GDA. The dance teachers have always been professional & kind to the kids. My daughter has a blast at her class and loves being in their yearly recital. They also have a separate waiting area where kids can do their homework & grabs bite to eat, including a microwave and a vending machine, which is great for when I have to have my other kids tag along to wait. The staff has always been courteous and helpful also. We will continue to come here! read more

I am so impressed by not only the professionalism at Gotta Dance Academy, but also how positive the teachers, staff, and other parents are with all the dancers. This is a studio where the kids learn what team is all about-- working together, nurturing, working hard, and smiling. Thanks everyone. read more

Gotta Dance Academy - Performing Arts Near Me - Simi Valley, California

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I have three daughters and have been in competition dance with them for fifteen years. My youngest daughter is very involved in her high school and could not balance the time commitment with competition dance, cheer, and leadership at our past studio. At our last studio, my daughter's danced over 20 hours per week, causing it to be enveloping of all their extra time. My daughter chose Gotta Dance since they were willing to work with her schedule, she also missed competing since she took a two year break. She has been able to continue with her high school involvement and was welcomed into their dance family. Having the ability to have additional interests outside of competition dance was a welcome bonus. I know what it's like to be committed to one studio for my children's young life. It's difficult to make a change and start as a newbie. Gotta Dance studio is a welcoming place with lots of nice families. As a new family, you must be open and put yourself out there. In regards to the competition dance lifestyle, it's a busy one. I'm very glad that we chose that path. It has taught my daughters many solid values including the following: time management, hard work ethic, teamwork, passion for the arts, confidence, social skills, good posture, and gave them an overall happy childhood. We met many wonderful families along the way that shared our values. Our children stayed out of mischief since their schedule was full. My daughters have always excelled in school and are attending or have graduated from respected universities. I have a lot of experience regarding dance studios, I would definitely recommend Gotta Dance. The staff and owners have been very supportive to our family and I am extremely pleased to be a part of their dance family. On a side note... I read some other responses from moms. There are other studios that are extremely competitive, the teachers can be harsh regarding expectations. This is definitely not the case here, there is more balance. We are accustomed to a much stricter atmosphere but this has been a nice change. read more

On my daughter's very first day, in the pre-ballet class.....I thought it was gonna be a wonderful experience. BUT I was very wrong......I have nothing good to day about this place. Here are all the CONS I experienced: CLASS SIZE: The Pre-Ballet class was too full, and my daughter got very little attention/help. She is 5 years old and at first she was having a hard time doing it the proper way. The teacher nor her assistant corrected her, just let her continue to do it wrong. PARENT WAITING: I love the idea of having an area to watch your child perform. But the waiting room can sit maybe 8 parents total, which was not enough room. They ask you not to stand in front of the window, but once all the seats are taken you are forced to not be able to watch your child. THE one day I couldn't get a seat, I went and sat in my car and was not happy about it. Five min before class was over walked in and saw that they let all the parents into the dance studio so the kids could show off what they learned. The look on my daughter's face to not see me there, broke my heart. To make it worse, since my daughter had only been to 4 classes, she still didn't know how to do things properly and a one of the Mother's had the nerve to make a face when it was my daughter's turn to do it alone.....she obviously had no clue I was there to watching from the other side of the mirror....I was so upset. How DARE she make a face at any young child! KEEPING RECORDS: When that night happened we never went back and were paid in full. But three months later I get a notice I owe money cause my daughter had "been" to two classes that month (3 months after we left). I informed them that she had not been to any classes for 3 months. Shows they don't really care for your child...just the money. Very crappy place. If you wanna go to a high quality dance studio choose Studio 13!! All my friends use that place and class sizes are much better and parent waiting area has alot more seats! read more

My daughter has been there for 3 years & she loves Ms. Jen!! Great studio, great atmosphere, great friends!! Director runs a respectable business & shows her love & concern for all the kids with an age appropriate environment. So happy to be a part of this dance family!! read more

My daughter danced at this studio 3 years ago. She loved every thing about the studio. She loved the girls that went there and the teachers. She felt that the director was very friendly and caring. So when my nephew expressed interest in dance she immidiately told him to go to this studio. He is so happy. He loves the Hip Hop class. He loves that the studio provides a homework area for them to do their homework in between classes. I attended my nephews first recital last year. I thought that the recital was beautifully done when my daughter was there but it has gotten even better! My daughter would love to teach there one day after she finishes college. read more

NEVER would I EVER allow my child to go here after my experience with my nieces. The owner is more concerned about money then she is for the dancers, not to mention she is simply a snob. Her husband on the other hand is usually pretty friendly. I realize like any group or club, there will be "clicks", but I haven't ever seen it like it is here. Moms flashing their diamonds & name brand attire while driving their SUV's & expensive cars. I am not here to be in a "click" or go back to high school. There are a couple teachers that are very nice, but overall, this place is a joke. A one star review is one star too many stars for Gotta Dance. Save your money & take your child somewhere else. read more

My daughter is 4 and takes the tap/ballet combo class, and she loves it. I don't have a problem with the teacher or her class. The waiting room that parents can sit in and watch their child is waaaay too small. I pretty much gave up trying to watch her. What really bothered me though was what the "older" (6-8 years old ) girls were dancing to and wearing. "booty poppin" to Beyonce's "If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it" song, and wearing bra tops and booty shorts. The owner and the lady behind the desk aren't friendly and the whole place seems kinda "click-ish" . Fees for the class are reasonable, but you will go broke paying recital fees. Not a warm and friendly place, and not what I consider a "professional dance" studio. No class. read more

My 4 year old daughter started here a year ago. She loves it. The staff and facility are top notch. We've met a lot of new friends here and my daughter is having a blast 2 days a week! read more

My daughter has been going here for months and she loves it! All the teachers are great! We love Devin! Thanks GDA

Its a shame my daughter wanted to go here but the politics are discouraging at best. thumbs down..... The mothers are HORRIBLE! last time I checked this was about the kids not the catty wanna be dance moms. read more

My daughter has been going here for 4 years. Half of the staff is rude an yet I continue to bring my daughter because she didn't want to move an leave her friends. About 3 months ago I enroll two of my older daughters an even refer my niece thinking things will get better at there new location at the mall with the service. During a dance class my daughter complain to her dance instructor that her legs were hurting when trying to do splits and the instructor instead of taking the necessary precautions she force my daughter by pushing her down to try to force her legs to the splits. When I complain about it the owner response was rude an questioning why my daughter is in dance if she has pain when doing splits an that I should of inform the staff which I reminded her that I did let them know initially an I also told her my daughter is old enough to express her self an be respected . Unfortunately the owner kept making excuses an trying to find ways to make it seem the studio did not do nothing wrong . The next day in school my daughter classmate told my daughter that the owner of the studio had said out loud in the front desk and express her self to the staff in front of other dancers my daughters name an made a comment (I don't know why it she even dancing if she has pain during splits) Like excuse me where's the children's privacy, I pay about $200 a month for 1 hr dance classes an I also refer my family to this studio I think my child deserves respect . At the yearly recital the owners speech mention were here for the kids not the parents an I thought well that's odd you would think they would be more polite since its parents paying for classes an we only request demands for our kids well being. I would never recommend no one's child to be part of this place. They are selfish , rude and the customer service is hell. read more

My daughter started ballet/tap combo classes when she was 4 and she has been going for about a year now. She has FUN and that's the point right? She looks forward to attending class. The studio is friendly and the kids all seem to love being there. The mall location is great! Parents can watch their kids, have a Starbucks, shop have dinner. It seems like the heart of the mall. Don't listen to the reviews complaining about parent clicks, etc. Dance class is all about the kids, not the moms. I'm an older mom and I can say that there are all types of parents and grandparents there and 99% are just moms like me enjoying watching their children have fun. read more

The last review must be an employee or someone thats getting a lil kick back ($) FOR SURE!!! I have 3 girls been going here for 4-5 years. MOST of the staff is rude (the owner doesnt even say a word, and BOTH receptionist NEVER smile and they make you feel as if you are bothering them when asking anything... and yet I continue to bring two of my 3 daughters because they enjoy 1 of her instructors. But I had to pull them ALL OUT...enough was enough. I'm gonna keep it short and sweet....if you arent in the "competition team" and they aren't squeezing money out of you?....forget it...go somewhere else. ONe of my daughters wanted to try out for the "Team" but we missed the try-out due to a death in the family, I asked if she could try out the next day but the owner (JOY) declined...later that week, i learned that she was allowing others from studio 13 try out (Studio13 closed down)..so, she didnt allowed a dancer that has been there for 5 years, but allowed others ? thast right..because they were in the compettition team for their previous dance studio, so she saw an opportunity to squeeze more money out of another family....I also learned that I wasnt the only existing customer that was turned out to try out the next day. This is NOT a dance FAMILY at all....if anyone is considering this studio, just simply walk in and see if anyone acknowledges you or say anything at all... I also referred 4 families and not even a "thank you" or discount.... Let me add that when my oldest was about 5 i visited the studio at the old location to watch and check out the place, and received the same treatment, i was ignored and nobody even acknowledged us. I didnt enrolled her at that time, but did a few years later...what was I thinking. read more

My daughter has danced at this studio for almost 7 years. It is a consistent place. They have kept the same teachers which has provided a stable, healthy environment. There is a great variety of classes and every year she has improved. Each year they expand the classes to keep the class sizes down. I would recommend this studio to students in every level. read more