Family oriented caring environment. Coaches that actually care for your dancers wellbeing. Gotta dance believes in creating and supporting well rounded fed dancers. This is what you want for your dancer. read more

I'm so surprised there isn't a review for Gotta Dance judging how packed the children's dance classes are here on weekends. I found out about Gotta Dance from a parents board at work with many fellow mums recommending this for children's dance classes. We've had our daughter in a tap/ballet class for the last three months and are so impressed! Our five year old loves it with a warm teacher and sweet classmates. She used to dread the ballet classes we had her in Portland before we moved (unfortunately the teacher there didn't like kids) but eagerly gets ready on Saturday mornings for class! They offer summer camps as well (which she is looking forward to this summer). read more

I have very very strong mixed feelings about this place I had initially gotten a scholarship because I'm poor and I was reminded about it every single time of how poor I was because I was basically looked at in a different way when I couldn't afford the $80 costume dress at the time and then on top of that just got in an argument with the person on the phone about whether or not I received emails from the director when they were trying to let us know that the class is going till June I didn't know the classes go until June after the performance, that they had and then when I told her that she literally just got in an argument with me over the phone about how I have opened all the emails I have been sent, when I'm specifically telling her over the phone that I didn't get them.... . The fact that that was a five minute argument was absurd!! so customer service goes a long way if you don't care about that then this is probably your place. it's very cute,and I loved everything about it except for the people that run it and that is the god honest truth. also don't go here if you don't want to feel bad about being 'poor' (less than 100k per year) .... not being able to afford a class when they're offering a scholarship to you but you're made to feel guilty and bad about it everyday. (the little backstory behind that is also we are exposed to start paying after this semester when we got back on our feet after moving here and spending all our money moving out here!) Our daughter would've loved to go back. And now I feel like she can't because of these people. Just really poorly mannered. Aside from that the classes were great. read more

My daughter has taken several classes here the last few years and has enjoyed them all -- Jazz, hip hop and lyrical. She has fun with her friends and enjoys going to class weekly and loves the recitals. Staff are very responsive to emails. read more

Terrible place!! I spent my money on nothing. My little son went into a few classes and the teacher never help him to get incorporate to the group.He is shy but this teacher Amanda never even tried to get closer to him and try to make him feel more comfortable. She just ignored him. Front desk without anybody to give information or help with anything. No refunds if you kid doesn't want to go to the classes. Please go to NW Aerials in Kirkland, the place is not nice but there is a wonderful teacher that all kids love she "Kathi" just fantastic !! She loves her job and specially, she loves kids!! read more

It is an amazing studio I haven't gone for long but I have loved every minute of it. In like other dance studios in this area, gotta dance people are a true family they help each other with their dreams and goals and help them improve. They are all about dance all the staff & teachers their love what they do and it is amazing to be there. You feel refreshed coming in and never want to leave. You wish you had no work/ school so you could just dance all day there read more

The Gotta Dance team has done great work with the online and in-studio scheduling during the quarantine. Emails and communication are clear and timely. The regulations are appropriate and the best part is that my daughter has been able to be in the studio with fellow dancers and be in the company of the pros! Thank you being so amazing and always kind! read more

I have danced at Gotta Dance for 10 years and the studio became my second home. Everyone there is very welcoming and willing to help with any questions or concerns. There is a large variety of recreational classes and levels to choose from. Within the building there are 5 spacious studios with nice flooring and viewing windows. As for the performing team; I have been on the performing team for about seven years. I would highly encourage it! My team is like a family! All 9 performing team groups are inclusive of each other regardless of level and age. The teachers teach us that we should dance because we love it, and not just to win a plastic trophy. That being said, they also teach us proper warm ups/stretches, technique, and skills needed to be a great dancer. The two highest teams have the honor of taking a monthly masterclass from a guest teacher, which exposes us to different teaching styles and dance styles such as Tahitian and ballroom. The teams also get to work with choreographers such as Alex Little and Eddie Strachan for their dances that they perform all year. I highly recommend this studio! The teachers/staff thoroughly enjoy what they do which makes for a very inviting, positive, and friendly environment! read more

I do not write a lot of reviews, but after reading one of the negative reviews below I felt compelled to comment. I have been dancing at Gotta Dance for 13 years and it was one of the most positive experiences I have ever been apart of. The studio was a second home to me! I loved going to dance because I knew that all my troubles and stresses would disappear; Gotta Dance put me in such a happy state of mind. Everyone there is so positive and compelling. The teachers really work hard in making sure their dancers are happy and healthy. Not only do our teachers want us to be clean with our dances, and work with us to improve our technique, but they want us to be good people as well. Gotta Dance has taught be to be happy with myself, and embrace my differences as a dancer and person. If you or your child is interested in joining team, I would highly recommend it. I was on the performing team for over 5 years, and I loved it! My team is my second family! I would strongly suggest talking to the front desk or any teachers if you have questions. They are very friendly and ready to help with any questions you may have. Gotta Dance is such an amazing studio. Their dancers are very talented and well rounded people. The teachers are extremely qualified. You will love it there! read more

Gotta Dance is our Second Family. All three of my kids started dance there in their loving and caring recreation classes and camps at 2 years old. They are now 13, 11 and 9 and a part of their Performing Artists Competition Team. The faculty, parents and teammates are amazing friends and family for LIFE. The confidence my kids have gained performing, seeking feedback and striving to grow in their art is incredible and translates into their school success too. read more

Excellent variety of classes! My girls have taken ballet, tap and lyrical...they enjoy the classes and recitals. Very competent teachers...monthly tuition is reasonable and you also get a discount when siblings take classes. read more

My 2 daughters take classes at gotta dance and I really wish there was a closer and better dance studio in redmond, but gotta dance is the only studio here. Like the other reviewers posted, the front staff is unfriendly and no one ever greets you or knows who you are even though you're giving them business. They will charge you a late fee if you're late on the monthly payment (it would've been nice if they reminded you that you're late or even waive it just to be nice). They expect you to pay online and highly encourage automatic payments which I didn't want to do because it's always a hassle if you want to stop the automatic payments. The teachers are nice, but they are not truly teaching them. This is evident at their dance recitals when the dance routines look like a hot mess which is understandable for the younger ages, but the older girls can't dance in unison either. Those recitals are painful to sit through. I am hoping my girls lose interest in dance so I can stop coming here. If they become serious about dance, I would look into a different studio that truly teaches them. Gotta dance feels like a dance mill. read more

I've been at this studio for 15 years and have been impressed time and again with the quality of the programs and the instructors.

Terrible school - teachers are decent but the management is money hungry. Impersonal, large warehouse feel - like the dancers are cattle, herded from cheesy recital to cheesy recital. The method here is to teach to show(twice a year) instead of teaching actual skill. After 3 different classes with this school, my daughter could perform 3 dances...if the music was on. But ask her to do an impromptu plie....well, that's not what they do. We pulled my daughter out - and would advise people who actually want their kids to have fun in class and to maybe learn a move or two to consider a better school, one that actually sees the kids - not the dollar signs. read more

They have great hands on instructors who are more than capable of dealing with a class of 4-6 year old! Very happy!!!

My kids like going to dance classes here!

I've been a "dance parent" for many years to several serious dancers and have experienced many studios on two coasts and this studio is the most awful in every possible way. Instruction is a joke - nobody is going to learn proper form of any kind here. More importantly, management and staff just really aren't very nice people and aren't particularly suited/qualified for work with youth. The studio has no mission beyond taking your money and there is no interest or commitment to young dancers, form, technique, body image, self confidence, etc- nothing. Their competitive team program is run by miserable, vindictive and petty women who are clearly resentful that their dance talent/ability only qualifies them to work in a studio with kids instead of on a stage. I witnessed the team head choreographer/ lead person (a truly awful person) intentionally torment and abuse some young teen dancers to the point of actual mental health crisis and I also witnessed that same person treat a number of very nice parents with absolutely shocking disrespect and nastiness. Their competition program, like the studio, also has no redeeming qualities and I found it eerily similar to the Dance Moms reality show in its generous use of trashy costumes and gimmicks over real dance. And their competition season goes on for many weekends at beauty pageant type competitions (against other area studios) and the whole thing will make you cringe and want to take your child and run. Serious dance doesn't include these beauty pageant-like competitions which are essentially money making scams that no serious dance student from PNB, etc would ever consider. Even more, there's also a lot of unhealthy dynamics between parents/dancers and the coaches who are frankly almost all just really shallow and classless people - with lots of sordid "personal issues". This studio is not professionally run by any stretch and is not a healthy environment for anyone. I'm sorry my daughters spent the little time there that they did and I feel badly for all the great kids who are so mistreated there and have been led to think that this nonsense is the real dance world. This studio is nothing more than a glorified after school/daycare program and was a complete waste of time and money read more

Horrible place. Enrolled my child in special needs class & after 2nd class was asked by instructor Britney not to return. She suggested one on one because too child was special needs. Class was listed for special needs kids but all participants there were out of high school, my daughter was 12. I called to set up one on one and owner was to schedule that however she never called me back or returned my prepaid money for the classes. read more

This is a mixed review because while our experience this year has not been the best and is admittedly skewed by the most recent treatment of our special needs child by one of the owner's daughters that is also an instructor; the experience last year was *very* positive and at that time we believed they meant that they would like to continue working with children like ours and communication would be tantamount etc. They run a very good program with something for (almost) everyone in terms of skills, interests and ability to pay. For neuro-typical developing kids; this is a fantastic studio tucked in an industrial park behind Marymoor Park that has given way to less 'industry" and more specialized tenants- a popular gymnastics school and club basketball training academy amongst the list. As others have said, there is a plethora of classes available in all genres of dance. Additionally, as many dance studios have grown over the last 10-15 years, Gotta Dance also offers a competitive dance team across the board. They are clearly people that are passionate about the arts and dance and have instructors of all ages. When we first approached Gotta Dance about a class, it was at the suggestion of another family with a child with special needs very similar to ours that thought the small class size for their particular genre would work and was confident that the school would work with us in the best ways to work with our kids, how to approach discipline and motivation and when to just let a child sit quietly in a corner. A few of us were happy to hear all of this and signed our kids up in the Fall of 2012. The school was true to their word, added a support "staff" to be with the instructor and off we went. It wasn't perfect but the instructors for the fall session were mature, calm and remarkably good with young kids, special needs or not, and very eager and open to working with parents on strategies to get the kids involved and setting ground rules around personal space etc. In the end, the kids pulled together and were part of the winter shows and LOVED it. So much the other special needs kids and ours wanted to complete the year. Spring was a bit tougher as there was a transition from one teacher to another but again, the school was very good about working with us parents and having one instructor and an assistant in the class (more like an older student to remind the kids where there spot in line is/was etc.) and again, the instructors themselves while young, were open, kind and amenable to working on strategies for making it a successful year. This school year, while the three other families decided not to enroll again, our child enjoys the genre and the music and wanted to sign up for two different sessions per week. We re-enrolled, spoke with the school and was assured that they would work with us and that while the instructors had changed over again (off to college or teaching an older set of kids at a different day/time) the instructors were just as mature and eager to try and build an inclusive dance community for all. Sadly this hasn't been the case. It isn't for lack of trying, and in fact the mom of the instructors, yes the mom and the instructors of the two different classes are sisters, very good dancers and with stereo typical kids they rock. Unfortunately, the temperament and experience of working with kids that are on the spectrum or with severe adhd isn't there; tics and outbursts (similar to Tourette's syndrome) can be startling, shocking (especially when an outburst can be obscenities) and disruptive and they are ill equipped to handle it. When they have a few kids with similar needs in the same class, it can be confusing since not all kids on the spectrum or adhd etc. present in the same way. The co-owner (mom of said instructors) was convinced that my child went to the same school as others in the dance class that she wasn't sure why they were all so different in arrival time or attitude. Even after I explained that each kid has unique behaviors. I also reiterated that they don't know one another from anywhere other than Gotta Dance & maybe some of their interactions is fueled due to unfamiliarity. We continued to work with the co-owner and while there were some rough spots, the fall session happened & the winter shows went as planned except the final performance on the last day. In agreement with the co-owner we reduced our child's attendance to just the weekend which other children that are also special needs with different manifestations of how they react. It had been going ok but the young instructor (Hannah) while mature in many aspects, doesn't have empathy or compassion towards kids that aren't like others. The disdain on her face when talking to her is apparent and she can barely disguise her contempt when speaking. I'm sure she's a lovely girl otherwise. Good for most but definitely not inclusive. read more

I was lucky to get to see the year end Dance Recital by all classes at Gotta Dance. I came to see only my granddaughter and wound up being completely captivated by all the performances. The Grand Finale was a professional as it gets. The coordination in having all students involved was first class and the final number had me on my feet! Kudos for a brilliant performance - the care and discipline is very obvious as is the comradery of all the students. Very impressive. A great - safe and positive environment for children. (Nice to see all the young men as well) read more

My 3 children, 2 nieces and 1 nephew have danced at Gotta Dance since for over a decade. Words cannot express my gratitude for the quality of instruction and sense of community Gotta Dance creates. Gotta Dance staff inspire our children to push their technique, become artists and even tasks them to become better people by serving the underserved in our community. Whether you have a child who is serious about dance, or one who simply wants to take a introductory class, you cannot go wrong at Gotta Dance. read more

Maybe I'm spoiled coming from such a fantastic dance studio in Seattle but here's what my daughter and I experienced: 1) The building and space is large but the studios lack the niceties. They have the old linoleum floors which don't protect feet and bones. The lobby and waiting areas are dirty. 2) The teacher seemed nice but not invested in children's dance. She just didn't connect with them or be personable to any of the children... or the parents at drop off/pick-up. I had to walk into the studio to introduce myself and daughter. She acknowledged but didn't provide a "welcome" or anything. She did help each child as they did the exercises across the floor so I'm sure they would have learned dance properly. 3) FRONT DESK IS NOT HELPFUL - I told them up front that my daughter is turning 3 yrs old in October - apparently there is a cut off date of Sept 4th for the 3-4yr old beginning dance for the entire YEAR (meaning that we'd have to wait until she's almost 4yrs old to join the class for 3-4 yr olds). We've done tons of Mommy and Me classes and several trial classes at studios on her own in which she's done great. They suggested that we do a trial class today to see if she likes it and they would talk to the owner about accepting her into the class. We came directly out of class back to the front office and I left my name and number with a different lady, who told me right away that I shouldn't bother because they NEVER make exceptions. So, why did I just waist my time and break my daughter's excited little heart to find that out? They should be very clear about this both on their website, when I phoned in, as well as when I showed up instead of sending us into the class! I should mention that the class was not full - there were only two other girls in the class, one of which turned 3 yrs old the last week of August! I wouldn't be so upset about the policy IF they were just up front about it. I guess when you add all of this up, it won't be difficult to find a better studio on the Eastside to attend! read more

As a recent alumna of Gotta Dance, I cannot emphasize how much the Gotta Dance community has shaped my life. The inclusive, caring, dedicated, and encouraging environment made my 15 years at the studio nothing less than a blessing. The instructors' passion and dedication to the art form allowed me to not only receive some of the best training in Washington, but also prepared me to succeed at dance competitions, conventions, and auditions. The instructors dedicate their time to technique as well as the well-being of the dancer. They are not only interested in how much a dancer grows technically, but also how the dancer grows to become more confident in themselves. The entire studio emphasizes the importance of self-esteem not only in dance, but in life beyond the studio. I am eternally grateful for my years as a member of the Gotta Dance Performing Team. Each year, I was exposed to new and fantastic choreography from both guest and resident choreographers. I was able to work with renowned choreographers, some of which repeatedly, and was able to broaden my technique and exposure to different styles. In addition to competing several team routines each year, several students like myself were given the opportunity to compete specialty routines, such as small groups, duos, and solos. As a team member I always admired how much work ethic and dedication was recognized at the studio. As dancers became more dedicated and passionate about the art form, so did other team members. At Gotta Dance, dancers are encouraged to dance to express, and not to impress. Too often in the competition world dancers are encouraged to rely solely on their "tricks" in order to impress the judges. At Gotta Dance, dancers are encouraged to dance from their souls. It may sound cliché, but our instructors are just as invested in our personal growth as they are in our technical growth. Overall, an education at Gotta Dance is not just a fantastic education for dance but a fantastic education for life itself. read more

With the number of students in the school, you would think this is a high quality and great environment for children, but it is really not. The teachers are not qualified and are cold and not encouraging for toddlers that need that extra help to get more involved. If your child is outgoing and is just born to dance then perhaps this is the place for you because they just go through the motions. None of the teachers show passion for what they do and not even close for showing that they care about or even want to teach children. I would not waste your time here. read more

I don't recommend. My daughter went for seven years and I was told by Mrs. Cindi that dance is about technique and that was the reason my daughter got the worst part for three years in Junior Company. My daughter started with her at age three and is so disappointed that she quit this year after she announce her role. What a terrible teacher as she should have been able to improve my daughter's technique as she had her in a class of three for a year. But instead the lead roles went to new students not girls who she has instructed for 7 years. read more

This place does not deserve even one star. My daughter is enrolled In a class there and the 16 year old assistant constantly makes disparaging remarks and comments about the girls. Last week my daughter overheard her saying that she had forgotten to take her 10 patience pills. Why is someone like this allowed to assist the classes. The girls should be leaving the class feeling strong and empowered, not in tears because of some thoughtless and hurtful comments made by someone who has no business being around young girls. These girls are 10-14 and in a crucial stage of their development. Words and comments like these scar. I would never recommend this studio. Additionally, the choreography, music, performance venue is mediocre at best. read more

Clearly the dancers who have a visible place and longevity in the studio and on the center of the team love GD. smh

Very very bad experience, called several times for making a trial class, and every time the answer was different. Asked me to register even a trial, finally I got a trial class. However, when I go their place, they want to cancel my trial class with kinds of reasons. DON'T wast time, and go to find a other better place. read more

Where do I even begin? Gotta dance is an unwelcoming, unreliable, and unhelpful mess. One of the worst things about this studio is the front desk. I would of loved to be welcomed in to the studio with a smile. Instead, I got a scowl every time I entered their doors. There are technically two owners and the both act like they are the Grinch. They are self absorbed and only care about money. If one of their students is unhappy, they don't care. Another problem is that their technique sucks. BALLET IS A JOKE! The main ballet teacher that they have acts like she has never taken a ballet class. Kids can turn their feet in and bend their legs and that is okay with her. Another ballet teacher that they have is hard to understand and teaches a different type of ballet then what is normal. All she does is confuses her students! She is also very cold hearted. When a kid starts crying in her class, she does absolutely nothing about it. Jazz and lyrical are just as bad. The jazz teacher can't even teach so she mainly uses guest choreographers and assistants. The lyrical dances they do are extremely boring because they are slow, way to easy and you see the same steps over and over again. The tap and hip hop is okay, but the tap teacher doesn't keep her promises and underestimates her students. The hip hop teacher doesn't try his best while choreographing and doesn't give his students a fair chance. If you are thinking about team, don't bother! Team members only clean their dances and never work on technique. Even though they spend so much time cleaning their dances, they still normally loose at competition. GOTTA DANCE TOTALLY HAS FAVORITES!!!!!!!! If you are not a favorite then don't waste a second of your time there. All of the "non favorites" get kicked to the side and never get any help. The teachers also make it very obvious who their favorites are. Also, Gotta dance has said so many times to me that they NEVER MAKE EXCEPTIONS, yet when a favorite asks to do something special, they are allowed to. At this studio, you can't even pick what style of dance you want to do. If you are on team and you want to tap, then you have to do ballet, jazz and lyrical first. Lower levels aren't even offered a technique class and the one they do for the older kids is horrendous. Work ethic is not appreciated, teachers are constantly changing their mind, and kids leave the studio fighting back tears. The bottom line is NEVER EVER GO TO THIS STUDIO!!!!! If you are considering it just remember that you were warned. There are even kids that are snobby and mean. If you go to this studio, be prepared to be ignored, lonely, sad, frustrated, angry, stressed out, and a bad dancer. read more