Dance HQ

Such a fun class! I have been attending beginner ballet for months and have learnt so much and have really enjoyed every class.

I saw the high reviews here and had hopes the intermediate ballet class would be good enough for a decent workout. Unfortunately, it was not only bad, it was downright dangerous. For background, I am an ABT L5 certified ballet instructor and a Pilates instructor. The lady teaching was a substitute teacher. Issues were as follows: 1) Critical components of the barre were missed. No dégagés, no frappés, no rond de jambes à terre. These are standard exercises that should be done in ballet training. 2) Cues were not helpful. For example “use all the muscles in your legs” is a horrible cue. Which muscles and where you should feel the work is important to developing proper technique. 3) Combinations and dance moves were taught that students were not ready for. For example, there were students who could not do a basic pirouette and were told to try fouettés en tournant. Some people stopped to ask how! No progressions to get there. Any teacher with a clue knows to start students with multiple pirouettes from 5th and fouettés at the barre before coming center. Two ladies fell down trying. 4) Teacher was not prepared for class and spent too much time figuring out the combinations she wanted to teach on the spot. This takes time and can’t happen in a short class. There was too much time standing around and waiting instead of dancing. 5) Very few specific corrections given. 6) It is important teachers Do Not mark arms in order to demo proper form to newer dancers. While teachers aren’t expected to demonstrate full out, the technique of the teachers port de bras was horrendous and not a good example to follow. The only reason this isn’t a one star review is because there are other styles taught here that could very well be quality. Furthermore, the regular teacher is possibly better. That said, for someone new to ballet this is a dangerous and potentially injury prone class as the progression of moves based on required skills were not followed. I should have just done a class from Danceworks in London online in my hotel instead of attending this mess.

I've attended Beginner Ballet class at this studio for over 2 years and on and off Barre & Stretch. Having had no previous ballet experience all I know and all I can do (work in progress) is thanks to them. I am both a foreigner and a not so slim student, I've always felt very welcomed and if anyone has any doubts about starting ballet for adults - just do, it's for eveyone who wants to dive in, irregardless of age and size, fintess level and background in dance. Classes are fun and sweat, and something I really look forward to every week. The teacher is so approachable and lovely, and genuine and atmosphere is great! I highly recommend, my experience with this place has been nothing but wonderful.

Highly Recommend! We really enjoyed our 4 week course. Susan fit us in last minute and taught us our first dance for our wedding. It made our first dance so much easier having a routine and our wedding guests loved it.