Registration was super annoying. If you stopped for like 10 seconds, a pop up would come up saying…read moreif you had questions registering that you could text them. Lukewarm registration experience overall. When I asked a question in response to an Instagram post (because initially I was unable to reach someone via phone, though eventually I got a call back), the response was that if I had further questions I should DM them. So I DM'd them a question and though I thought I may not get a response for a day or two, it was three before they got back to me. So I'm not sure why they'd suggest I send a DM if they're not inclined to respond to them, instead of just suggesting I call.
The class itself was fun. There were four or five children total, and the instructor is a dancer herself. She was very kind, energetic, and excited to work and play with our kids. I learned that for children this young, the class wasn't about them becoming ballerinas; rather it was a place for them to learn movement(s), which totally makes sense. My kiddo only started walking in earnest (as opposed to a couple tentative steps here and there) fewer than two weeks before we came here, so it was really nice for her to have a large, unobstructed space to practice in instead of our home with toys and stuff strewn about the place. One of the things that continues to be a source of amazement for me over the last 18 months since my daughter was born is how they learn and acquire knowledge, and the realization of all the (seemingly small) learned skills that we mastered when we were too young to recall, but are really a big deal that we take for granted now. For example, jumping. My little one loves to dance but doesn't know how to jump--but she's making the motion for it and just missing the part where her feet leave the ground. She also doesn't know how to spin yet, but these were both skills that were introduced as part of the class. The teacher also read a story to the kids that was a dance-related children's story, a nice touch since many kids are familiar with books and being read to by this time. There were balls and ribbons and stuff for the kids to learn to use and play with as well.
The room was lovely too. There's a small reception-type area to come in, get your coats and shoes off, and with some merchandise for purchase. Then there's a pony wall that separates dance floor from the reception area, and the dance area takes up about 3/4 of the public-facing space. The decor is elegant and inviting with mirrors, tutus representing different ballets, chandeliers, and curtains to inspire every dancer to learn and have fun.
They offer a free intro class, which is great because I wasn't sure about committing to the full term. And I truly do appreciate that they provide that free trial, because I ended up not sticking with it. The main reason I considered the class here at Tutu School is because they have classes on the weekend--and, possibly even more rare, on Sunday. Every other dance place that I've found (all of which are closer) either doesn't do classes for children as young as mine, or classes take place during the weekday. (Heck, almost every sort of class/story time/activity for small children is during banker's hours, so the Tutu School class is a bit of a unicorn). It's a super early weekend class, though, and to be sure we get there on time I'd need to leave by 7:40 a.m. Although I'm not sure how I feel about waking up at 6-something on my day off, more importantly my little one will generally sleep until 7 or later and I'm not yet willing to wake her up early to make this.
I can't say I won't be back to Tutu School. Though the park district and whatnot do offer classes, there's still that weekday daytime issue. And honestly the Tutu School space is so cute, it's more inspired than I'd imagine a class at a field house would be. I also think that the class size may be smaller here, and I like that aspect a lot. So I'm still deciding if it's for us, and may check in a month or so and see if there are classes for which she's eligible in a slightly older age bracket/time.
This is right in the heart of Lincoln Park where there's all kinds of shops, cafes, etc. so the one thing the early class had going for it is that parking would be a cinch at 8 a.m. on Sunday but I'm not sure how it would be along this stretch of Armitage at another time. I sometimes struggle to find a space near my salon, which is only a couple blocks away, so I'm going to assume it's not super easy during class times. But it's not too far from the Armitage stop on the Brown line, either, and of course if you live in the neighborhood like one of the families do it would be an easy location for you. I enjoyed meeting the other parents and I think my baby would have had fun playing with new friends--it's unfortunate we aren't morning people!
