Garri Dance Studio

My kids think they have died and gone to heaven. We just moved out here last year from out of state and thought we were leaving the best studio behind, until we found this place. We felt the same warmth from the staff at GDS as we were used to back home. My son and daughter are both in love with their dance teachers and my wife and I have had the greatest experience with every single person we've dealt with so far at Garri. The whole family is counting down the months until the recital in June. If you are looking for a great dance environment for your young kids to learn dance- look no further.

Pros: Awesome teachers, great variety, prime location!

Cons: Wish we had time to do more...

Posted 09/26/09

Teachers don't pay attention to proper form, the classes are crowded so you only dance 3/4 of the time. Not worth the time and the money.

Cons: Poor teaching , crowded classes

Posted 05/31/09

While the faculty is upbeat and friendly, this dance studio will take every opportunity to weasel extra money from you once you agree to register. First there is the registration fee ($20) to even begin attending classes on a regular basis (This basically pays for the "free" trial session permitted per new customer). Then there is their make-up class policy (please note that the only excusable absence is illness. Therefore, if you injure yourself in or outside of a class, that is no excuse for missing the next class. Try tap dancing on a sprained ankle!! Garri Dance encourages you!!!). Of course you can always make-up a class - but only within 30 days of the missed class and ONLY IF YOU ARE AN ACTIVE STUDENT. So theoretically, Garri Dance can easily make money off of classes you do not attend. It's like a gift card that expires. You pay $100 for a gift card, but if the person does not use it within 30 days, that money is good as gone. Except this is worse. Because at Garri Dance, the expiration date may not apply. YOU MUST BE AN ACTIVE STUDENT within the next 30 days in order to make-up that class. So if you get sick and must miss the last class in February and you have your account on hold for the month of March, you can never technically make-up that class. **Also important to note, if you plan to cancel your class, you must give the studio THIRTY (30) days notice as they charge for the classes automatically through your debit card/checking account at the beginning of each month.** The issue that really made me lose respect for this company however, was the hidden fee associated with the annual dance recital. The dance recital is $125 and includes the costume, alterations, and two complimentary tickets (yeah, the tickets not so free, huh?). However, they tack on this hidden fee for the mandatory dress rehearsal. They charge this as an extra class (because you know, the staff has to be there), but nowhere in the recital packet does it mention this extra fee. The packet denotes the mandatory dress rehearsal, but they do not mention the cost and they do not include this in the recital fee. And they won't charge you until the month of the recital - and at this point, any recital refunds are out of the question. Their shady business practices have turned me off to this studio. Highly NOT recommended!!!

Pros: Friendly staff

Cons: Hidden fees, poor class policies

Posted 03/11/09

We have had our little boy in the studio for just over a year. We are very happy with his progress and he has grown to have a true love of dancing . Sophie is AMAZING! She has an ability to make him believe he can do anything with enough practice. Amanda has been a strict but fun ballet teacher and has pushed him to progress I did not know he had in him. The girls at the front desk ROCK! They are friendly and open to questions.

Pros: staff

Cons: no discount for multiple classes

Posted 03/11/09

This is our first year at Garri and my daughter loves going to her ballet and tap class. We will be continuing again next term. I'm looking forward to the end of the year dance recital. And better than that - my daughter is excited about it too!

The staff there are very thoughtful towards the kids. They send holiday cards to them in December, birthday cards during their birthday month. My daughter was excited that her dance teacher remembered her birthday! Its the little things like that that make the difference.

One thing I would mention - on Monday classes, you get a break on the prices due to all the holidays throughout the year that fall on Mondays. We tried that this year, but I think we'll switch to another day next year so that its more consistent for my daughter. But I've never heard of another place that gives you a break because of holidays!

Pros: Staff attention to kids, teacher enthusiasm

Cons: Only one tv to view two classes

Posted 03/09/09

My daughter has been taking ballet lessons at Garri Dance for two years now and she is loving every minute of it. The teachers and staff are very nice but most important kid friendly. I have tried other dance studios and Garri Dance is the best. I would recommend anyone who is looking for a dance class for their children to check out Garri Dance.

Posted 03/08/09

I take the adult tap class with Rochelle on Thursday nights, and not only is it fun, but I'm becoming quite the tapper! I never thought I could coordinate my feet to tap dance, but Rochelle makes it easy and fun and I'm so excited to be in the Garri Rectial come June. Watch out, world, here comes the next tap star!

Pros: Friendly staff, easy parking, lots of fun

Cons: I always crave Chinese food after class with the restaurant next door!

Posted 03/08/09

HI EVERYONE. I WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT GARRI DANCE STUDIO IS A GREAT DANCE SCHOOL AND THE STAFF IS GREAT TOO. MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN WITH THEM FOR 4 YEAR AND MORE TO COME SHE LOVES IT...

Posted 03/08/09

Hello everyone. I wanted to start by saying how much my daughter and I enjoy Garri Dance Studio. The instructors there interface with the children in a friendly and caring manner. I have changed schedules several times and therefore have had 3 different instructors, all of which are great. My daughter is really excelling in her dancing and looks forward to her lessons each week. They know each by name and have alot of fun activities like Student appreciation day. this is a free picnic for the family's to enjoy. I highly recommend this school if you are considering any type of dancing.

Pros: great staff, location, diversified lessons and schedules

Posted 03/08/09