My daughter and I love this place! After 4 years at a studio on the far NW side, we were no longer…read moreable to make the commute from our home near 23rd Street. I looked around at several studios and this was the place for us!
Dance Instruction: There are several styles of dance offered here, including classical ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, lyrical, Mexican folkloric, and Flamenco. They also have classes for fitness, acrobatics, and other techniques. We were really impressed with the selections and variety of class times. The classes are broken down into levels more than ages so beginners can pick up at any time. They allow adults to take classes, so you and your child could take a class together if desired. Most classes are one hour long.
Culture: This isn't your typical snobby, keep up with the Joneses studio. It's perfectly acceptable to drop your kid off, hang out the whole time, show up in sweats and a stained shirt, or show up dressed to the nines...whatever works for you. There's no judgment here and you don't have to be rich to fit in. Don't know how to do your kid's hair? No problem. Someone here does, and they'll be happy to help. I'm a typically frazzled, running late, working single mom and I have never felt judged or out of place here. Only certain classes have a hard uniform requirement (ballet, possibly some others). For many classes, the students can wear their dance shoes and whatever clothing they are comfortable dancing in. Everything runs on time. The teachers are very positive and give constructive critiques for improvement in a way that is appropriate for the dancers' ages. The students are very encouraging and supportive of each other.
Location: I thought being in the Plaza was going to be horrible, but it's not. There's a private parking lot with attendants so there is always a place to park if you want to hang out in the area or at the studio. If you're a drop-and-run parent (like me), it's really easy to pull up behind the cars in front of the studio, let your child out, and watch them enter the studio before leaving without blocking traffic. It is also really nice to have all the great places to sit, work, or eat within the same block.
Company: The company team is broken into several different groups, with some based on genre and some based on age. There are several competitions and local community performances each year, with most of the schedule being finalized around the first of the school year. For company dancers, there are robust fundraising efforts so all students can afford to participate. If it is difficult to volunteer time for fundraising, you can participate and benefit by providing items to sell (water, candy, etc). Some of the older students have even raised enough to cover costs of attending out of state conventions and workshops.
Cost: WOW! The prices here are very reasonable. For $142 per month, your child can take unlimited classes. At some studios, it's as high as $80-$90 per month for just one class. The costumes are very reasonably priced. If you are on a tight budget, you can buy or sell used shoes and gear from the front desk. They are very up front with the pricing and allow bigger costs to be paid in installments. One major financial benefit here is how not having strict uniform requirements eases the financial burden since we're not constantly having to buy new tights or items in specific colors for every class. Payments are done manually in the office via check, cash or credit due at the first of the month. We really like that they make a conscious effort to ensure things are affordable.
If you're looking for a studio that has plenty of opportunities for all students without the high pressure of perfection or extra frills, this is the place for you.
