Academe Of Dance Linda Larma & Daughters

After having my daughter attend a full season (September until the recital in June) I feel confident leaving a full review. I signed my daughter up for ballet, tap, and tumbling classes last summer as a beginner having no experience at all. I like that you can call, sign up, pay over the phone and fill out the paperwork at the first lesson. Be prepared to not go into the actual classroom during lessons. I believe this is a good thing as the kids tend to pay attention better when mom or dad isn't sitting right there watching. They do have closed circuit TVs for you to watch them from the waiting area. This dance studio is great for beginners and isn't a stickler on dance attire although most little girls love the leotard and tutu. They recommend at least coming in comfortable athletic clothes and only require the proper shoes (both taps and ballet). All of the instructors are super sweet and great with kids. My daughter had Miss Kim at the beginning and as the class size grew and split into two classes she ended up with Miss Jenny. She was a wonderful teacher and always had patience with the kids. They did a small and cute winter holiday performance next door at the Melodrama and then ended the season with a big recital at The Fox Theater. You can tell they have been doing this for years as the flow of the recital was smooth considering there were 20 or dances performed. I can see why they have been one of the dance studio staples in town for so long. We were so pleased with our experience and my daughter loved dance so much that we have already signed her up for next season and look forward to it.

A great place for young and old to learn to dance and socialize. The staff is so friendly and knowledgable. Feels like family!

Linda and her daughters and staff are all so great with the kids. My 2 year old was so shy and nervous when she started in Sept, but now she is showing us her moves after each class. The teachers are very consistent with their rules, something I greatly appreciate. And the price is very affordable!! I can't wait for the recital coming up in May/June!

This is the biggest waste of money. After weeks of practice, overly priced costumes and incompetent staff at the Dancing Through The Magical Kingdom performance, I would never recommend this company to anyone. Completely unorganized and appeared to be thrown together at the last minute.

Don't take your kids here!Waste of money!We signed our daughter up for their summer hip-hop dance class and it was a joke! The young instructor girl wasn't even into it and never smiled! They were only taught a few JAZZ type moves (even though it's supposed to be hip-hop) and are expected to do a show the beginning of next month. I don't know why they would want a group of young kids up on stage embarrassed not knowing what to do. I called to let the company know that I would no longer be bringing her and the lady proceeded to tell me that I did not have to formally call and take her out because it is the summer class.She also didn't even offer to give me my money back. She wasn't nice about it at all!I told her I will be spreading the news of this company and how unorganized and rude they truly are. I would never recommend this place!

I am extremely disappointed with the way my daughter was treated by Jennifer. She is now scared to be around her or come to the studio. My 4 year old made the mistake of saying saying boys don't do dance the first time she seen a boy in her class. Jennifer scolded her and put her in the corner and let her cry the remainder of the class. In the future, a young girl may be confused the first time she sees a boy in a dance class. She is 4, she may have reacted badly but she was genuinely and innocently confused. We have watched dance movies and read countless balet books, none of which have had a boy. Furthermore, she was in the class for 6 weeks without the boy ever attending her class. The problem wasn't her, it was Jennifer's reaction to the situation. She should've handled the matter professionally and on a level a 4 year old could understand. It would have taken maybe 30 seconds to pull her aside and explain it to her. Instead Jennifer chose to be cruel and speak down to her and shove her to the corner and watch her cry. Jennifer has no business being around kids. She clearly has no patience or compassion for children.I made sure not to bring my daughter back while Mrs. Diane was out but the next class, Jennifer came in to help. Ava was scared as soon as she seen her. She flashed back to how Jennifer treated her and got scared and wanted to leave. Jennifer then told her to go cry in the corner. Again, no compassion for a small child or communication on a child's level. After the class neither Jennifer nor Mrs. Diane made an effort to speak to me to try to remedy the situation and make my daughter feel more comfortable at the studio for future classes. Which shows how much they care about their students and families. It's disgusting.

They're so unorganized. The staff is rude. I'm not sure why they're having an "informal performance" after the 4 weeks of summer class when they haven't even been practicing a dance until the week before. I will not bring my daughter back here. There's other dance studios much better. Don't waste your time here!

We enrolled my oldest daughter this September. She turns 4yrs in a few weeks (November) and she was placed in the 4yr old class. Her teacher, Miss Jenn, is amazing!!! My daughter loves, LOVES, going to dance class!! Her class is an hour long with the majority of that hour learning tap, followed by ballet, and gym. One of the things I love about this studio is they do not have a dress code (not sure if they do in the older classes). Another love is they have us parents wait outside of the studio. We are able to watch from the waiting room on a tv. I know my daughter does much better because of this. We are only a few months in. I'll update once the season is over. Ü***update***We are nearing the completion of our 2nd season. My three children now attend (5.5yrs, 5yrs, and 3.5yrs). Their summer session is a great way to check them out. We have enjoyed dancing there so much. The recital is coming up. They split the studio up into 3 days so that the recital is about an hour which is so so nice. The recital is held at The Fox. Costumes are thoughtfully chosen and age appropriate. We will continue to dance here as long as my kiddos wish.