YOU MUST READ THIS IF YOU'RE A SERIOUS DANCER. THERE ARE UNSPOKEN RULES IN THE STUDIO. This is a review of FADS -Arcadia location in Los Angeles California. I started at the end of March which was more than enough time to learn any routines and be a strong competitor. I decided to go to Fred Astaire in Arcadia. I filled out the form on their website and the next day I received a call from the manager. I shared my desire to compete in the upcoming Pro Am and to work with the owner Oleg Astakhov. I was told that I would be working with multiple instructors including Oleg. At this point I scheduled an appointment to visit the studio.
On the following Wednesday I arrived at the studio for my assessment. During my assessment I was coached by Oleg for about 10 of the 30 minutes. Afterwards I purchased my first package of ten lessons. At this point I was led to believe that I would be assigned an instructor but would also be able to book private lessons with Oleg.
My first lesson I was assigned an instructor and Oleg did spend some time coaching during this lesson, so I felt I was getting value for my money. Then came lessons two, three, four, five and six and I had not had any opportunity to work with Oleg or had even been coached by him further. During my sixth lesson I saw Oleg teaching another student a private lesson and I thought I would then like to book my next private lesson with Oleg. I called the studio the next day and I spoke with Alicia, this is where things go downhill.
I was treated poorly, was told incorrect information, and was lied to. I asked to book my next future private lesson with Oleg and was told Oleg does not teach private lessons. I then pointed out that I saw him giving a private lesson during my last session. She then told me that it was a V.I.P. lesson and that it was only available to certain students. Now I was transferred to Christina Androsenko, the co-owner, who told me Oleg does not give private lessons to anyone, but I could pay an additional $219 to get coaching from Oleg, this is for just one session.
At this point I knew I had been misled and signed up as a cash cow and not a serious student. I have been dancing for years, did the research and truly thought they were genuine in helping people reach their goals but unfortunately this is not the case. I felt so very disappointed as I was led to believe that Oleg would be available for at least a couple of the ten lessons that I purchased. I was told that I was a beginner and did not have the skill to work with Oleg by someone who had never seen me dance and only based on the time I had attended the studio.
I shared my experience with my instructor, and I was told that I was more than qualified to work with Oleg and far from a beginner. It took me only one month to learn two full routines.
Next I received a text directly from Oleg informing me that he would be able to meet me at my next private lesson. To my dismay, Oleg was not there. I had my private lesson with my regular instructor and when I was ready to leave, I was told that Oleg would arrive in another hour. I simply could not wait, nor did I believe them at this point. I feel I was misled to entice me to purchase an expensive package. I do not believe they truly planned on working with me to compete in the upcoming competition and achieve my goals. I will continue my dancing, but it will not be at this studio. They have only destroyed any chance I had of competing this year, they were rude to me when asking about private lessons with Oleg and overall, wasted my time and money. They are dishonest and will feed you misinformation to get you to purchase a package then will not deliver. Dance elsewhere if you are a serious dancer.
I completed ten lessons I purchased and decided not to continue, I left, I am not a student here anymore, a week after, I got a notice they want to charge me "no call no show"!? Now I still keep receiving their lesson reminders.
I then shared my experiences with other FADS owners. After I spoke to several franchise locations, they felt sorry for what I suffered from this studio and all these unspoken rules, they all agreed with me that I deserve a compensation. read more