Dance studio that focuses on technique

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has been dancing for 8 years (competing for 5). Her current studio has become a toxic place that only focuses on their “favorites” and helping them advance. Plus they seem to only care about who’s flexible and can do acrobatic tricks. DD is starting to lose her passion for dance because of this. I would like to find her a studio that focuses more on technique instead of tricks and flexibility. I’m in Montgomery county.

Can I ask where you are leaving? We are also looking to change studios and I want to see who to avoid!

Elite Dance Studio

Did you talk to Melissa or are you just huffing off in a fit?

I’ve talked to her multiple times. She’s very dismissive and condescending.

Have you asked her for a recommendation? Given how well she knows your child, she is likely to know which school would be a good fit. She is also likely to have a sense of which schools are sticking around.

Have you looked at D'amour in Damascus? That studio is very likely to take your enrollment mid-season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has been dancing for 8 years (competing for 5). Her current studio has become a toxic place that only focuses on their “favorites” and helping them advance. Plus they seem to only care about who’s flexible and can do acrobatic tricks. DD is starting to lose her passion for dance because of this. I would like to find her a studio that focuses more on technique instead of tricks and flexibility. I’m in Montgomery county.

Can I ask where you are leaving? We are also looking to change studios and I want to see who to avoid!

Elite Dance Studio

Did you talk to Melissa or are you just huffing off in a fit?

I’ve talked to her multiple times. She’s very dismissive and condescending.

Have you asked her for a recommendation? Given how well she knows your child, she is likely to know which school would be a good fit. She is also likely to have a sense of which schools are sticking around.

Have you looked at D'amour in Damascus? That studio is very likely to take your enrollment mid-season.

I haven’t, but I guess I could give that a try.

I’ll look into them.

[Anonymous]

Try Urbana way out in nowhere too. That is a comp studio with well regarded owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other question you should be asking OP, is which of the studios you are looking at will be around in 12-18 months? Many of the these places are under dire financial stress and several are going to be bankrupt.

Which studios are you looking at and we can give you a candid evalutation?

This is good advice.

[Anonymous]

My daughter loves Ovations!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t recommend Bethesda conservatory of dance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter loves Ovations!

Ovations is nice but not technically strong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter loves Ovations!

Ovations is nice but not technically strong.

Its a solid recreational studio

[Anonymous]

I'm a dance teacher and former professional dancer. In your situation OP, I would say that most studios are unlikely to want you. They will hear your story and assume that you are full of drama. If you are close in you really only have 3 viable options that anyone educted in dance would recommend, assuming they accept you:
1. BCOD
2. CityDance
3. Ovations

If you are upcouty you have a little more flexibilty:
1. Metro Ballet. Their founder was amazing and the legacy is strong.
2. D'Amour They are just building and have strong teachers and advisors.
3. District Dance
4. Olney School of Dance
5. Wheaton School of Dance

The schools to avoid are:
1. C-Unit
2. Unity
3. Dawn Crofton (although I really like the school and it's staff, I am hearing that their main teacher is building out a new space)

There are alot of schools out there; but these are the extremely well respected and extremely not respected. There will always be stories from people who where a great or not so great fit at any business recommending or not recommending something. I would not pay much attention to it unless there is a pattern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dance teacher and former professional dancer. In your situation OP, I would say that most studios are unlikely to want you. They will hear your story and assume that you are full of drama. If you are close in you really only have 3 viable options that anyone educted in dance would recommend, assuming they accept you:
1. BCOD
2. CityDance
3. Ovations

If you are upcouty you have a little more flexibilty:
1. Metro Ballet. Their founder was amazing and the legacy is strong.
2. D'Amour They are just building and have strong teachers and advisors.
3. District Dance
4. Olney School of Dance
5. Wheaton School of Dance

The schools to avoid are:
1. C-Unit
2. Unity
3. Dawn Crofton (although I really like the school and it's staff, I am hearing that their main teacher is building out a new space)

There are alot of schools out there; but these are the extremely well respected and extremely not respected. There will always be stories from people who where a great or not so great fit at any business recommending or not recommending something. I would not pay much attention to it unless there is a pattern.

How is a child being unhappy in a studio and wanting to leave high drama?
DD is pretty unhappy this year and we are considering leaving just to get a breath of fresh air somewhere else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dance teacher and former professional dancer. In your situation OP, I would say that most studios are unlikely to want you. They will hear your story and assume that you are full of drama. If you are close in you really only have 3 viable options that anyone educted in dance would recommend, assuming they accept you:
1. BCOD
2. CityDance
3. Ovations

If you are upcouty you have a little more flexibilty:
1. Metro Ballet. Their founder was amazing and the legacy is strong.
2. D'Amour They are just building and have strong teachers and advisors.
3. District Dance
4. Olney School of Dance
5. Wheaton School of Dance

The schools to avoid are:
1. C-Unit
2. Unity
3. Dawn Crofton (although I really like the school and it's staff, I am hearing that their main teacher is building out a new space)

There are alot of schools out there; but these are the extremely well respected and extremely not respected. There will always be stories from people who where a great or not so great fit at any business recommending or not recommending something. I would not pay much attention to it unless there is a pattern.

How is a child being unhappy in a studio and wanting to leave high drama?
DD is pretty unhappy this year and we are considering leaving just to get a breath of fresh air somewhere else

Well, because unless you are at a studio that has a horrible reputation, and to be clear, there are a few in the area, they will assume it is you being upset with level placement and your preception of favortism rather than reality. Studios are heading into their busy season and not interested in taking on a challenging client. They are also likely to call the former studio to get an idea of the dancers skill set and a heads up about the cultural fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dance teacher and former professional dancer. In your situation OP, I would say that most studios are unlikely to want you. They will hear your story and assume that you are full of drama. If you are close in you really only have 3 viable options that anyone educted in dance would recommend, assuming they accept you:
1. BCOD
2. CityDance
3. Ovations

If you are upcouty you have a little more flexibilty:
1. Metro Ballet. Their founder was amazing and the legacy is strong.
2. D'Amour They are just building and have strong teachers and advisors.
3. District Dance
4. Olney School of Dance
5. Wheaton School of Dance

The schools to avoid are:
1. C-Unit
2. Unity
3. Dawn Crofton (although I really like the school and it's staff, I am hearing that their main teacher is building out a new space)

There are alot of schools out there; but these are the extremely well respected and extremely not respected. There will always be stories from people who where a great or not so great fit at any business recommending or not recommending something. I would not pay much attention to it unless there is a pattern.

Goodness, maybe I should tell DD to pick another activity if this will be the perception!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dance teacher and former professional dancer. In your situation OP, I would say that most studios are unlikely to want you. They will hear your story and assume that you are full of drama. If you are close in you really only have 3 viable options that anyone educted in dance would recommend, assuming they accept you:
1. BCOD
2. CityDance
3. Ovations

If you are upcouty you have a little more flexibilty:
1. Metro Ballet. Their founder was amazing and the legacy is strong.
2. D'Amour They are just building and have strong teachers and advisors.
3. District Dance
4. Olney School of Dance
5. Wheaton School of Dance

The schools to avoid are:
1. C-Unit
2. Unity
3. Dawn Crofton (although I really like the school and it's staff, I am hearing that their main teacher is building out a new space)

There are alot of schools out there; but these are the extremely well respected and extremely not respected. There will always be stories from people who where a great or not so great fit at any business recommending or not recommending something. I would not pay much attention to it unless there is a pattern.

How is a child being unhappy in a studio and wanting to leave high drama?
DD is pretty unhappy this year and we are considering leaving just to get a breath of fresh air somewhere else

Well, because unless you are at a studio that has a horrible reputation, and to be clear, there are a few in the area, they will assume it is you being upset with level placement and your preception of favortism rather than reality. Studios are heading into their busy season and not interested in taking on a challenging client. They are also likely to call the former studio to get an idea of the dancers skill set and a heads up about the cultural fit.

Seems so silly, sometimes it's just time for a change of scenery, if you start at a studio when a kid is 3, but they are not happy there at 12, why not move on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dance teacher and former professional dancer. In your situation OP, I would say that most studios are unlikely to want you. They will hear your story and assume that you are full of drama. If you are close in you really only have 3 viable options that anyone educted in dance would recommend, assuming they accept you:
1. BCOD
2. CityDance
3. Ovations

If you are upcouty you have a little more flexibilty:
1. Metro Ballet. Their founder was amazing and the legacy is strong.
2. D'Amour They are just building and have strong teachers and advisors.
3. District Dance
4. Olney School of Dance
5. Wheaton School of Dance

The schools to avoid are:
1. C-Unit
2. Unity
3. Dawn Crofton (although I really like the school and it's staff, I am hearing that their main teacher is building out a new space)

There are alot of schools out there; but these are the extremely well respected and extremely not respected. There will always be stories from people who were a great or not so great fit at any business recommending or not recommending something. I would not pay much attention to it unless there is a pattern.

Thanks for your input, dance teacher! Curious to know what the reputation is for the various ballet schools in the area? Is TWSB still considered the best?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a dance teacher and former professional dancer. In your situation OP, I would say that most studios are unlikely to want you. They will hear your story and assume that you are full of drama. If you are close in you really only have 3 viable options that anyone educted in dance would recommend, assuming they accept you:
1. BCOD
2. CityDance
3. Ovations

If you are upcouty you have a little more flexibilty:
1. Metro Ballet. Their founder was amazing and the legacy is strong.
2. D'Amour They are just building and have strong teachers and advisors.
3. District Dance
4. Olney School of Dance
5. Wheaton School of Dance

The schools to avoid are:
1. C-Unit
2. Unity
3. Dawn Crofton (although I really like the school and it's staff, I am hearing that their main teacher is building out a new space)

There are alot of schools out there; but these are the extremely well respected and extremely not respected. There will always be stories from people who were a great or not so great fit at any business recommending or not recommending something. I would not pay much attention to it unless there is a pattern.

Thanks for your input, dance teacher! Curious to know what the reputation is for the various ballet schools in the area? Is TWSB still considered the best?

Yes, by miles.