Supportive dance studios

[Anonymous]

Cross posting from another thread:

We’re looking for a dance program/studio for my 8 yo DD. She used to do competitive gymnastics 16 hours a week so we’re looking for a program that offers some rigor so she’s not bored. Our main goal is to find a fun and challenging school BUT ALSO one that is supportive of her emotional/physical needs too. Gymnastics was great in building her work ethic and strength but it also led to us putting her in therapy with anxiety from her coaches. Any suggestions for strong programs that are also loving environments in the MoCo would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is happy at CityDance. It can be as rigorous as you want it to be and most of the teachers are great.

[Anonymous]

CityDance is a disorganized disaster and anything but supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CityDance is a disorganized disaster and anything but supportive.

Wow, that has not been our experience at all.

[Anonymous]

Would not touch that place. Way too competitive.

[Anonymous]

NP. 20:05 and 20:54. Please elaborate, our family is mew to the studio.

[Anonymous]

I have noticed that the threads about CityDance are dominated by a few people who were turned off by the audition/enrollment process with very few people with actual experience with the program. Since we’ve already made it through the enrollment phase, I’m interested in hearing more from the latter. What is unsupportive about the program? I’ve heard the opposite. Is your dancer in the school or conservatory?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have noticed that the threads about CityDance are dominated by a few people who were turned off by the audition/enrollment process with very few people with actual experience with the program. Since we’ve already made it through the enrollment phase, I’m interested in hearing more from the latter. What is unsupportive about the program? I’ve heard the opposite. Is your dancer in the school or conservatory?

There’s one poster in particular who makes sweeping negative statements every time CityDance is mentioned, but never backs up those statements with any details about actual experience. DD spent several years at CityDance. Communication was sometimes an issue, but overall it was a very good experience. They offer so much, that every dancer can find his or her own path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have noticed that the threads about CityDance are dominated by a few people who were turned off by the audition/enrollment process with very few people with actual experience with the program. Since we’ve already made it through the enrollment phase, I’m interested in hearing more from the latter. What is unsupportive about the program? I’ve heard the opposite. Is your dancer in the school or conservatory?

There’s one poster in particular who makes sweeping negative statements every time CityDance is mentioned, but never backs up those statements with any details about actual experience. DD spent several years at CityDance. Communication was sometimes an issue, but overall it was a very good experience. They offer so much, that every dancer can find his or her own path.

NP here. We have experience with CityDance. It is true that they are disorganized, especially in the beginning of the year, and communication is an issue. Lots of complaints about this. It is also true that dancers can dance at all different levels there. As your child progresses, there is more pressure to take a lot of classes and make a large time commitment. I have heard of studios that are more intense, but I have heard of some that are more supportive and less intense. I think Citydance is somewhere in the middle. We have liked most teachers, and they have mostly been kind and supportive. The schedule, however, can be a lot depending on the level your child is at, and they do expect you to make dance your child's priority.

[Anonymous]

CityDance is disorganized and endowed. Customer service is not their thing. They have a couple excellent teachers but most are far from adequate. They also seem to drill students about other studios. Some weird complex of theirs. Would not call it supportive. Found it to be hostile and impersonal.

[Anonymous]

Maryland School of Dance in Rockville. Supportive teachers, lovely group of girls who all want the best for each other. Positive body image is nurtured and everyone gets a moment to shine in shows. Really really happy we changed studios and found this place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland School of Dance in Rockville. Supportive teachers, lovely group of girls who all want the best for each other. Positive body image is nurtured and everyone gets a moment to shine in shows. Really really happy we changed studios and found this place.

No, no, no. Not my experience at all. I think this is and ad by the company. Nobody. Not to mention that the parking lots and really the area is not very safe. No. Don't fall for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland School of Dance in Rockville. Supportive teachers, lovely group of girls who all want the best for each other. Positive body image is nurtured and everyone gets a moment to shine in shows. Really really happy we changed studios and found this place.

Yeah right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland School of Dance in Rockville. Supportive teachers, lovely group of girls who all want the best for each other. Positive body image is nurtured and everyone gets a moment to shine in shows. Really really happy we changed studios and found this place.

Many of their students jumped ship this season due to the culture. No way snd I saying where they went. Don't want the mean girls that are encouraged to follow.

[Anonymous]

Poster who said Maryland School of Dance. I guess it is all relative but child was pretty much depressed and suicidal at prior dance studio. MSD has been complete 360 for her. She is older so perhaps the younger levels are where you've experienced issues. She has received good instruction and lots of extra time to correct a lot of mistaken information she was taught at prior studio. She has improved as a dancer enormously since joining this studio. Agree the parking lot isn't ideal but I always find parking easily. The shows have been, in my opinion, impressive even when they were forced to do last year's spring show online. Not sure what your experience has been but my daughter loves it!