NorthPointe Dance Academy

We attended 1 combo 2 class here and were beyond disappointed. The whole experience was bad. First off the parking situation is a nightmare. Once we got inside it was so crowded with parents and kids bunched in together, you couldn't even get through without bumping into 5 other people. Got to where we needed to be and imagine my surprise that there is no viewing window! I specifically asked about this before signing up and was told we could see the kiddos- well yeah you can see them if you stand up, go to the class door, and look through like a small window on the door (picture a very small rectangle). So you'd have to walk in front of other parents and block this little window in order to see your kid. 100% was misled and I wasn't ok with it- who doesn't want to actually watch their 4 year old take their first dance lesson?! Not to mention the vibe of the whole place was off IMO. Decided we wouldn't be going back, so we called today to cancel and let them know why- was told they'd need a 30 day notice and I'd be charged for an additional week.So I was misled by your staff, wasn't satisfied with the experience, paid for a month (attended 1 class) and the deposit, and that's your response. Get out of here! I wouldn't recommend this place to anybody.

I am a self-admitted helicopter parent and NorthPointe has been a saving grace for both myself and my daughter. The staff is incredibly kind and patient with me, yet by gently encouraging me to step back and trust them with my daughter's growth I have watched my daughter blossom into a strong spirit, whereas she would barely let me leave her alone in the classroom two years ago. Not only has she developed technique and skill, but also friendships, confidence and passion about the art of dance! My daughter also has true connections with her teachers, so even when frustrated by the challenges of something new she wants to go right back to class the following week. The front desk staff always greets us by name which makes us feel like family; even the fellow parents are friendly and welcoming. Two things I like about NorthPointe:1)that they can meet your child where he or she is, and take them as far as he or she would like to go, from just-for-fun-and-exercise all the way to Juilliard (a recent past student is now studying there under scholarship!). And 2) it's not just about DANCE-- it's also about building character and confidence, developing the person as a whole. So even if my child doesn't want to go to Juilliard, she is still developing skills that are essential in so many other areas of her life. There was an earlier negative reviewer on here mentioning her daughter having an issue with a class she tried out, and I am so glad she contacted the studio owner about her concerns. The reviewer mentioned that the owner said the instructor was in tears over the parent's complaint, and that is an excellent example of how seriously NorthPointe takes their standards. That the owner herself called the parent speaks volumes alone, that the teacher was so upset about the misunderstanding, and that the studio offered multiple solutions to this parent-- you can see the level of service NorthPointe provides, even when the parent has an alternate viewpoint of an experience. It seems to me that very few businesses operate this way these days, so for me, it's encouraging to hear that these concerns were addressed so appropriately.

Both my 6yr old and 4yr old go here. This is our third year. Each year my oldest daughter cried the first few classes because she's emotional and it takes time for her to deal with change(new teacher, new kids). Each and every time the teachers were so nice to her, giving her the space and time she needed to work through her emotions. It didn't take long for her to join in and start having fun. Thank you Lisa, Tricia and Rachel!My youngest on the other hand knows no strangers. She can actually be a quite the handful for the teachers, but again, her teachers have been patient and understanding. Thank you Stephanie and Rachel!Both my girls love coming here. My 6 yr old is on the company tiny star/star team for the second year and the ballet company tiny star/star. She loves going on stage. It has been so much fun here! Management and the the staff have been nothing but friendly. I highly recommend them! We used two other places before them and Northpointe is far better!

It only takes one bad experience to discourage a child forever. I am so upset with the treatment of my daughter that I feel guilty for taking her to NorthPointe Dance Academy without doing more research. She was assigned to a particular class level by two different NorthPointe staff members -one when I called in to learn about the facility and one when she came in to try a class. She attended a trial class and was made to feel totally inadequate by the instructor, Tiffany, and other classmates. I introduced my daughter to Tiffany when coming into the class and shared her experience level. I looked into the class 4-5 times to see my daughter off by herself but attempting moves. I wondered if Tiffany, as the instructor, was interacting with her. I did not see the instructor near her at any point. I did not go into the class because I felt it was important for my daughter to work through being new. She is a very strong child and has a lot of experience in new situations without encountering issues. After the class my daughter came out and was ready to burst into tears, asking to "just go home." I asked if the instructor had even talked to her and she said "no." When we got outside she burst into tears saying she "felt so stupid." 1) Other girls were whispering when she tried moves alone and Tiffany noticed but didn't say anything to my daughter OR the other students. 2) The instructor didn't approach her AT ANY POINT. I called the office on our drive home, and the staff was polite and offered to have the Owner return a call. The Owner called about an hour later and said that this has never happened before and that the instructor was in tears over the matter. She also said that my daughter was not at the right skill level and the instructors should not force a relationship with a new student. I am in the teaching field myself and when one of the adults in my class struggles, regardless of level of expertise or the difficulty of the subject matter, I reach out to TEACH and attempt to engage the student. This can be a learning experience for all. Any instructor working with children should be encouraged to do the same. This may have never happened before at NorthPointe, but it happened to my daughter. The instruction and management response were both VERY inappropriate for a facility that teaches children.

If Not For by LORIGRUTSCH on 09/12/2013My daughter attended Northpointe Dance Academy for 13 years from 5 years of age. If not for Northpointe she wouldn't be dancing at a prestigious performing arts university on scholarship. If not for NDA she wouldn't be pursuing her dream and living her passion. If not for NDA she wouldn't be a leader and fearless in all that she does. If it weren't for NDA she wouldn't be the caring, compassionate, confident, loving human being that she has become. If not for NDA she wouldnt be striving for excellence in every area of her life. From the time she walked into the doors of Northpointe Dance Academy she was surrounded by people who cared about her. She was never made to feel like just a number, but as part of a family. She was nurtured not only in dance but in being the best person that she could be. If not for Northpointe my daughter would not be the extraordinary dancer that she is today, but more importantly she would not be the light in this dark world because NDA not only trains beautiful dancers, they help develop beautiful human beings and for that I am forever grateful. read less