Rosalie Woodson Dance Academy

I danced here from age 7 to 18 and had a wonderful experience as a child/teenager. This studio has taught me dance, persistence, independence and perseverance. I have gained life-long friendships and my love for dance remains.Now, as a parent, I send my five year old daughter to dance ballet, tap and hip-hop. The teachers at RWDA are amazing. My daughter went to another studio previously, and while I loved the studio and teachers, the classes were chaotic and the teacher to student ratio was 1:10. At RWDA, I believe the ratio (for her 5 year old class) is more like 1:3. My daughter thoroughly enjoys dancing at RWDA and I attribute this love for dance and performing to the teachers. The school keeps all parents up to date with policies/procedures and are very attentive to parent's suggestions/questions. All teachers are courteous, professional and genuinely care about the kids.RWDA usually holds about three to four performances per year. One large performance in June, one Christmas performance in December and another here and there after their performance sometime in July or August.RWDA's rates are very reasonable. They do not "nickel and dime" you and try to "take your money." They attempt to fit your child into larger shoes (ballet/tap/jazz) so that your child can grow into it. Their costume prices, leotards, tights and shoes are also reasonably priced. It is apparent that RWDA is committed to ensure that cost does not deter parents from enrolling their children in dance.Parking is tight... however if your child attends a Sunday or weekday class, this is not an issue.All in all, I highly recommend this studio because of the teacher's ability to capture a child's attention, inspire them and make them feel comfortable. I hope that my child will have the same experiences I did at RWDA. I believe that RWDA is the best studio to cultivate my child's love for dance.

I took classes here. The teachers are really mean especially that teacher Charlene. It's not very culturally diverse. They favor Japanese and White dancers more. The other teacher, I don't know if she still teaches here but her name was Stacey. She used to tell dancers to close their mouths when we span in circles. The only teacher I really had respect for and liked was Ms. Katherine. She was super nice. Go to NIX or the other studio in Waipahu if your child isn't Japanese or White because the Japanese (Oriental) teachers here are racist. Your basically paying for these racist mean teachers to treat your children like dirt and it's not the first time this dance studio has had issues. They also had a sex scandal with one of the hip hop teachers.

RWDA = my dance homeEvery Saturday from age 4-17+ I'd be at Rosalie Woodson Dance Academy ALL DAY LONG. It was my second home. My weekend home. I absolutely loved it there. :) I started with ballet and tap early on and added on gymnastics and jazz throughout the years. You make LIFELONG FRIENDS at this studio. Students are encouraged to learn ballet, which establishes a solid foundation as a dancer. It's a piece of cake learning other styles once you've practiced years of ballet. They surely teach you discipline and how to be a fine, classy lady (or gentleman!). This is a great studio to send your kids to (or yourself! They have adult classes, too!) if you want good, classic, WHOLESOME ballet, tap, jazz and broadway styles. They also offer hip hop and salsa.Taking dance lessons at RWDA and performing at the Blaisdell Concert Hall (now annual performances are at Hawaii Theatre) really help build my self-confidence as a child and improved my posture. I learned how to be organized and punctual from attending scheduled rehearsals and having various costume changes throughout the show (my Caboodles box full of bobby pins and accessories had to be in order or I'd miss my number!). I also learned how to put on stage makeup (that it needs to be a lot bolder than what you'd normally wear because the lights wash out the color). Again, the friendships that I have developed throughout the years are priceless. I still hang out with my RWDA dance buddies til this day!The studio is conveniently located next to Aiea Library, where I have studied a bunch before, after, and in-between dance classes as a kid. There are also many restaurants and convenience stores around the area that are safe and fun to check out when you need a snack in-between classes or to hang out with your dance buddies. (Or for you parents that are waiting for your keiki!)The teachers are all excellent and caring. I remember Miss Woodson herself used to help fit me in my tap and pointe shoes. She'd even show me how to screw on my taps to my tap shoes! I love how students that have grown up here eventually come back to teach to carry on the tradition.If you're interested in taking lessons, you should watch the annual Showstoppers show at Hawaii Theatre usually held the last week of June. Not to miss! However, that is only once a year, so if you've missed this year's one, you can always call the studio and check out the next mall show or try out a class!If I ever decide to have kids, I'd for sure send them here!P.S. Yelp, it's Rosalie Woodson Dance Academy. The business listing's all backwards. ;)

I danced here from age 5-18, and returned to volunteer after college! I danced ballet, tap, and jazz all the way through, and gymnastics (floor) for 7 years. I'd say a ton of my most important life lessons were here. I have no idea why everyone else is rating 4 stars.I danced in college, and comparing RWDA with some of my college dance experience, here's why RWDA is 5 stars:1. The teachers pay attention to every single student. I mean every single student - they don't play favorites. You don't have to have the tall & slender, perfect dancer body.which brings me to 2. If the effort and drive is in you, the teachers notice. From a young age, students have the chance for a little spotlight in special group numbers or solos.3. The teachers care about class atmosphere and being humble. They encourage competitiveness, but not to an unhealthy point. They're quick to knock cockiness down. 4. They emphasize technique & creative growth. In advanced jazz, every year the students have to choreograph their own short number to show the class, and then receive comments from their classmates and the teacher. 5. The variety of dance styles allows the students to find their strength. The students respect each other and recognize their own strong and weak points. 6. Each teacher has slightly different styles, like correct arm placement, correct frappe, correct way to pique turn, which forces the students to be flexible in dance style, and prepares them for the variety of the dance world outside of RWDA. 7. They give students responsibility roles. They encourage upper level students to be teacher assistants in lower levels. This also helps students to connect across levels. There was week-long sore muscles, (poring) sweat, (held-back) tears, and blood (from toe shoe blisters)! With that said, it wasn't all pain. There was a lot of gain! Friends, memories, and accomplishments. RWDA definitely emphasizes family and character growth.

I've always past and seen this dance academy everytime I pass the Aiea Shopping plaza area. I've always wondered how and what it was like until recently taking a Salsa class from the Salsaman Greg on a Sunday late afternoon. They have separate mini studios on the bottom ground level. The doors are marked with several different styles of dance ranging from Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, etc. Growing up I thought this place only taught Ballet and only girls take Ballet. i would see them all the time especially during the weekends when I visit the Library. However, it's good knowing that they offer other dance styles and classes. It's conveniently located within the Aiea Shopping Plaza area next to Aiea Public Library and Aiea Manapua and M&M bbq. I can't really review the staff and pricing for classes since I've only been there a couple times but the vibe and atmosphere is really nice and homey for a good a dance school/studio.Yelp 365 Challenge #337/365

R.I.P. Rosalie Woodson.I can't write an actual thorough review as I stopped dancing about 25+ years (that makes me sound really old.) I just wanted to thank you for giving me an opportunity and making me appreciate how much I love dancing. Today I still dance almost on a daily basis; I may not perform like I did nor am I a great dancer, I just love how it makes me feel. I can also say this: because of your classes, I will always know how to land properly on my feet after propelling myself in the air by landing softly on the balls of my feet...and of course, while pointing my feet to make them "beautiful". Believe it or not, I still remember some of my tap lesson dances. I will not tap dance for anyone but once in a great while, I will silently start doing my tap dances. Thank you for making me fall in love with dancing.

They offer the free trial class if kids are interested it. Also the staffs here are really friendly.