westbrook dance academy is the best place to dance on the shoreline! Julie Reed Russo, the owner and teacher of westbrook dance academy, is one of the most talented dance teachers i know. she has danced since the age of three years old. julie has worked with many famous and also talented dancers such as, Frank Hatchett and Bob Rizzo. Julie as been all over the country doing competitions and fundraisers. This coming June, westbrook dance academy is going to Florida and preforming in the magic kingdom annual parade. the students have been working very hard and coming into the studio for extra days just to learn the choreography. The studio has raised over 300 dollars from car washes and bake sales. Last year the competition team won high platinum on tap, "Coffee in a Cardboard Cup," and placed overall. There were also several platinums including 5 solos and 4 group dances. Winning with these scores could not have been possible without their dance instructor Julie Reed Russo. Westbrook Dance academy's yearly dance recital is always a huge accomplishment! With everyone working together, the show lasts about 2 hours with over 50 dance routines. During the summers, Westbrook Dance Academy stays open for 2 weeks, once in july and once in august. Classes may be taken to improve your dancing! Classes include, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and acro. Westbrook Dance Academy has gained 20 students within the past year. Hopefully more and more will register with the upcoming years! Sharon Reed, Julie Reed Russo's mother, is the first person to greet you when you walk through the studio doors. she is always very welcoming and answers any questions you may have. Please visit the website, http://westbrookdanceacademy.com/index.html and veiw what this studio has to offer!!! you wont be dispointed with this studio i promise you this. read more

This studio is just fantastic!!. Staying was and still is the best decision that our family has made. The main teacher (and owner-director) is very knowledgeable. Her students dance and perform at a very high level because much of class time is spent on technique. The receptionist-mom is dedicated to the studio and the students who attend it. IF she ever smoked in the dressing room (which didn't happen) 90 percent of the children would have told there parents. There is nothing more PC than smoking around kids. Get real!! The past recital was a joy and not 4 hours long. As for shooting themselves, some audience members (mostly dads) can't last a 2 1/2 minute routine before wanting to end it. The choreography is amazing. Don't ask me ask the judges at 2 of the competitions where Ms. Reed-Russo won choreography awards. These are the coveted prizes by choreographers. Well done, Julie. This is the best studio in the area. Your children are welcome whether they just want to dance hip-hop to the latest pop sensation, are hoping to improve their core through ballet technique class or are pursuing larger dreams of a bigger stage. Westbrook Dance Academy has been an extended part of our family for years and has been a vital reason for our daughters' successes both on and off the stage. Don't let one review convince you either way. Stop by and talk to Julie. And remember, the recital is in June at Valley Regional High School. I think it is on June 9, 2012. Come and see how "funny" the choreography is. read more

We switched to Westbrook Dance Academy when it opened approximately 5 years ago. This place is wonderful. The teacher, although her experience and accomplishments are impressive, is a role model and friend to each of her students. The only thing bigger than her talent and drive is her love of her students. She cares about her students both inside and outside of the studio. She takes the time to cut out articles, including honor rolls, about her students and posts them on the bulletin board. It is not surprising to find her at a school function supporting her dancers in their various interests. Not only does she support Relay For Life, she sleeps out with her students and helps the relay team raise funds. She encourages each student to do their best and have fun. The technique and choreography that she teaches is award winning. The competition team has earned many honors and titles. This growing studio definitely has a bright future. There is always something going on from fundraisers, to workshops, to competitions. The studio is very active and very organized. Monthly newsletters keep you informed of upcoming events as do the bulletin boards in the studio. This is not just a dance studio, it is a family of tight knit dancers and their parents. I know that the friends that my daughter has made at Westbrook Dance Academy will be in her life for many years to come. In short, this is the place to dance on the shoreline. . read more

I have said it many times before, this studio is my second home! Even after leaving for college I am still a part of the family! Westbrook Dance Academy has been my second home for the past 10 years of my life. Not to mention, Julie-Reed-Russo, the studio owner, has taught me since I was 5 years old and I could not ask for a better teacher. Every choreographer and staff member of WDA just helps to make my dance experience all the more enjoyable. I myself have been an assistant for many years now and I always make sure the kids are enjoying themselves, but also push them to work their hardest. As a matter a fact, WDA and every person within it have helped my decision to continue to dance in college. I consider myself extremely honored to have been a part of this studio for as long as i could and frankly am having an extremely difficult time parting with it. Being a part of this studio has helped me not only to grow as a team member, but also as an individual. I love my second family and home and am very thankful to have lived out my early dance career by all their sides! If i could give even more stars, I would! read more

This studio is the BEST! The teacher/owner is AMAZING! She has trained and learned from the best, and it shows. As a former dancer I have taken many classes and been taught a lot of technique and choreography. The technique and choreography that my daughter has been taught over the past 4 years is so advanced. I wish I had that kind of teaching when I was younger. And the teaching is complete, from the terminology to the mastering of the steps. The recital was 2 hours and 50 minutes and left me wanting MORE. I could not believe how advanced my daughter and the rest of the dancers were. I was jealous. It is no wonder that the studio has won so many awards at competitions for their choreography, costumes, and performances. And this past summer a National Championship. The competition team is only a small part of the studio - my daughter does not compete. The awards they won are indicative of the complete dance education that everyone recieves and why the studio continues to grow. The studio is family friendly and the staff answers any questions we may have - We always feel welcome here. read more

Our daughter is going into her 13th year with this studio owner, not only being proud to be one of her original students, but her friend and to have her as a mentor as well! The studio is known for award winning choreography and studio spirit but more importantly, the forming of family relationships with the students to last a lifetime. We have watched the studio successfully grow over the years, making time to welcome new members into the WDA family! Developing the individual students both as dancers and bringing the best out of each of them as human beings is their main focus before any kind of achievements are won, all being met with grace, dignity, top notch sportsmanship and studio spirit!! Can't say enough about Westbrook Dance Academy other than hoping that every little girl or boy can grow with them like ours has! read more

This studio is the BEST. We are so glad to be and have been a part for the past 4 years. The main teacher is great. She has learned from the best and it shows. The students dance at a high level - all students. The competition team - which is a small part of the studio even won a national championship. These students have the best technique. And the studio even garnered choreography awards - these are coveted awards, that are awarded by judges at competitions. It is no wonder the studio keeps growing and growing. The 2 hour and 45 minute recital was amazing. The studio is inviting and welcoming, the staff is available to answer any question. We always feel welcome here. We LOVE IT and want believe everyone should dance here. read more

My Daughter switched to this studio two years ago after being with another studio for 10 years. She has learned more at Westbrook Dance Academy in two years than she did at her old studio for 10. I could not believe the difference in her dancing within one year. She has learned so much and her love of dance continues to grow everyday. The teachers are wonderful and they are so in tune with their students. The owner gives all of her students many performance opportunities with recitals,dance conventions,competitions, and pageants. We are very happy with our decision to switch to Westbrook Dance Academy! We love this family! read more

Westbrook Dance Academy has been a true blessing for our family. It was the best decision that we ever made. The dancing,costumes,and the staff were an A+. The staff cares about each child and how they are learning. The students are such possitive role models to the younger children. My child has learned so much in the past year and we can not wait until next season. She has improved so much within a short period of time. I highly reccommend this studio to anyone that loves to dance. One big family :) read more

My daughter is getting ready for some private lessons today. She just can't get enough! This is our 4th year here. All of the instructors are wonderful. My daughter loves the studio and all of her teachers as do all of her friends. She has met so made so many friends. She is also now a member of the Competition team and loves that too. Next year a solo. The studio has so much to offer and gives everyone a great dance education. I can't say enough great things about this place. read more

My Daughter started dancing here last season. we were so impressed with the recital and performance opportunities that are given. She has developed into a stronger dancer and we wish we would have come to WDA sooner. The staff is so caring and we can see that they love each child the walks through the doors. We are so excited for the summer classes and next season. Hope to participate in the Disney performance in a few years as I heard that it was an amazing experience read more

We are so impressed with the studio. The season, the recital, the choreography. Everything was amazing. The dancers are all so talented. I only wish my daughter came here sooner. She has developed and grown so much. Its no wonder the studio was voted best kids ballet and best kids dance studio for the past five years and has won so many choreography awards, titles and national championships. The dance education everyone receives is second to none. read more

We love WDA! We are so impressed with the studio. The season, the recital, the choreography. Everything was amazing. The dancers are all so talented. I only wish my daughter came here sooner. She has developed and grown so much. Its no wonder the studio was voted best kids ballet and best kids dance studio for the past five years and has won so many awards. Can't wait till next year. read more

The recital and the year was AMAZING. It blew us away! Congrats on another great show and great year! Always amazed by what you do and how easy you make it look! No wonder WDA and its students have won numerous choreography awards, dance titles, overall awards, Studio of Excellence awards and for the past five years been voted Best Ballet Studio and Best Kids Dance Studio. read more

My son is entering his 11th year with WDA and I could not be happier with the level of service and commitment that the entire WDA staff shows to each and every student as well as the parents. If you want your child to experience a great dance education with a staff that truly cares about the well being of the students then send them to Westbrook Dance Academy. read more

This is the best studio. The teachers are amazing. The class schedules are convenient. The recital was second to none. And the costumes and choreography are top notch. I can't believe I had not enrolled my daughter sooner. I highly recommend this studio to everyone, there is no comparison. read more

This is THE BEST STUDIO. It has THE BEST OWNER/TEACHER. Award winning routines - see their website. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The recital is top notch. We have been here 4 years and this growing studio just keeps getting better and better. Come see for yourself why. read more

My daughter has been dancing here for years. We have recommended this studio to everyone. We just love it and everyone we have recommended does too. She has grown so much as a danver and continues to do so. This studio is second to none. read more

Awesome dance school, great teachers and students who support each other! My daughter is starting her sixth year there! She is extremely proud of being part of WDA! read more