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Anna Victoria Martinezvia Google

about 2 years ago

I'm so happy to have found this studio. I was looking for ballet classes for my daughter and have been thrilled with DSBPA. She had class with Tania and now with Henley. Both are wonderful. I also started taking the int/adv adult classes with Boleyn and Tania and feel I have improved so much. Not only are the classes excellent, but the performance opportunities are amazing. This spring I'll get to share the stage with my daughter and we are both so excited!

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IAMJessvia Google

about 2 years ago

First let me start off by saying both Henley and the Abby were both amazing and this is why im giving 2 stars. My issue is with the director of the school Boleyn. My daughter is 9 years old and has ADHD and a learning disability. She learns alot slower than most children. Now when it comes to payment options they worked with me as I am a single mother but still wanted to give my daughter an opportunity to try ballet as a hobby. At first things were great and Boleyn seemed really down to earth and understanding. My daughter is 9, tall and thicker for her age and they have a show coming up with professional performers. I was told Aléyah (my daughter) had to be casted with a group of adults and some teenagers because of her height. Now this is her first time ever doing ballet and she's only been doing it once a week for two months. I've sat in on her regular ballet classes with Henley and Aléyah absolutely loved her and her class. Now when it came to the rehearsals for this play they have coming up I've sat outside and witnessed how not only did Boleyn talk down to my 9 year old and speak to her as if shes 19 years old and has been dancing for years --but my daughter also told me she would repeatedly say "Aléyah FOCUS!" . My daughter would leave even more shamed than when she walked in. During the break during rehearsal, I asked my daughter if she still wanted to perform because she looked SO sad. Then Boleyn came out with a picture of two professional dancers and said the reason why she was being hard (talking down) to my daughter was because those dancers in the photo were going to have big wings on in the show and she didn't want her to get hit on stage. Now I'm not a professional dance teacher, but why wouldn't she just have a talk with me and explain that my daughter is struggling and maybe she can try out next year for a big performance? Why not work with her with patience and understanding? Why shame and bash a child with disabilities who already gets bullied every where else? Absolutely unacceptable. I'm not even going to mention the way I was spoken too. I'm absolutely praying this review changes things there because NO child should be treated that way and the other two teachers I've experienced and watched interact with my child were amazing. Big "performance" coming up or not, save the bullying for adults who will tolerate that especially as the director of the school.

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A Svia Google

over 3 years ago

Mrs.Boleyn, Tania and the entire Ballet Team are outstanding in their lessons,talent and care. We highly recommend this school for all types of learners and experts! Our experience has been Beyond perfect and everyone including teammates are always so pleasant to learn with. We Love you All! And thank you for everything you do for us! P & C

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Devon Cholonvia Google

almost 5 years ago

I have been going to this dance school since I was 3. I started with ballet, switched to modern, and then back to ballet. My sister also has been taking class, since she was 6, as an aerialist. For both of us, this studio has truly become a home away from home. All of the teachers really know their stuff and how to teach, and as a student, you quickly become part of a talented and very collaborative community. For a couple of years, I tried other studios, and they don’t hold a candle to DSBPA. The curriculum is tough enough that you improve faster than anywhere else, without ever going overboard to the point that it’s no longer fun. These classes get me through my week. As for shows, they are done like professional shows and you learn so much about the dance and theatre industries through them. Also they’re just insanely fun. I’m so grateful to have wound up at this studio.

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Tiffany Clarkvia Google

over 6 years ago

The only studio in the Durham area (and those surrounding, let's be real) that not only offers rigorous, professional-quality training but also like....aren't jerks about it? No cliques, no snide teachers, no berating the students for anything whatsoever, simply encouraging and pushing everyone to do their very best every day. I'm 26, and just started my dance training about a year and a half ago in the recreational adult ballet classes, but have since been allowed to move to the student division classes and study along with the pre-teens I'm in class with. I love it more than literally anything I've ever done, and I'm so grateful to be taken so seriously as an adult -- even though I'll never be able to go professional, even though I'm "old", even though I've still got a bit of catching up to do. This place is magic, and I can't say thank you enough!!