My daughter was in the part-time competitive program at Dancelete Academy for a year, and unfortunately, we had a very negative experience.
There is a strong family dynamic within the studio -- the majority of the competitive team consists of the owners' and instructors' relatives, which created a noticeable sense of favoritism. My daughter was often singled out for mistakes during team dances, while others were not held to the same standard.
She was also excluded from group activities at away competitions (like being left out of group trips to the pool) and even a birthday party where all her teammates were invited -- the parent went so far as to hide decorations and cake until we had left the studio. These kinds of exclusions made her feel isolated and unwelcome.
Other concerns: I was offered old clothing from instructors, told not to "dress up" to attend, and felt uncomfortable with the environment -- it would go silent when we entered. Change rooms were locked to families, and my daughter was told to change in a public washroom. We also paid $100 for competitive merch that turned out to be from Walmart and ended up ruining her costumes.
After switching studios and speaking with others in the dance community, we've learned that Dancelete has a reputation for not being equally supportive to all students. If you're part of the family circle, you may have a better experience. If not, your child may feel left out and undervalued. read more