Heart & Sole Dance

Been taking classes for a few months. Started out just taking one class, loved it so much, started taking packages, and now my husband and I are taking private lessons in addition to several group classes each week. I love the positive attitude of everyone, the fun and family atmosphere. I didn’t feel pressured to buy more more more, either, which turned me off of another dance studio I attended for a short while.

I have been dancing now for 17 years and competed in many styles of dance. When it came time to prepare a routine for West Coast Swing, I looked for a coach who competed at the national level I would like to achieve, excellent coaching abilities, experience in many styles of dance that I do — all this and more. Maren and her staff understood my needs and my partners needs. They were able to draw from our various dance backgrounds and incorporate them into our choreography. We challenged them to incorporate influences from our background in Lindy, Salsa, Tango, Samba, Hustle, Chicago Style Stepping and even a little of gymnastics into our West Coast Swing routine. What came to fruition was truly unique to us!
On an individual competition dance level, the leap in skill and technique was beyond my expectation in such a short time… two private lessons! I went from barely qualifying for finals at a prior event to placing 2^nd at my level at the very next one! Maren’s experience to draw out my potential even shocked me! I have been through many coaches in other styles of dance and Maren is one of the tops in the styles she teaches. Her staff is also well versed and very great to dance with.
You get what you put into your dance. The studio has a very professional atmosphere and can prepare you for the «next» level. Unlike other «social» or «competitive» studios that cost an arm and a leg, this studio focuses on improving you as a dancer the most effective way possible and worth every penny. Their pricing is competitive. Some studios or instructors may be slightly cheaper but you get more than your monies worth here.

I read the review from the person who’s daughter was in Angelina Ballerina. I think the only thing I can agree with is that the instructor is certainly a bright spot; however, when you say the only bright spot we part ways.
My family has been attending classes here since September. My son is in Angelia Ballerina (he is the only boy which concerned me but they have a young man who is very accomplished for his age (actually any age) and he assists in teaching the class and has been a great role model and mentor for my son). Each week I see him improve and gain confidence.
Interesting that you would say the lessons are overpriced (not being critical, when I was first exposed to ballroom I could not believe what it costs). The price is what it is and it is very comparable to other studios in the area. However, what I find interesting is that, with students and their parents paying this much for lessons, you would think that it is in anyway OK to let your other daughter be a distraction. You were mortified that you were called out on it? Really? So much more I could say but this is a review of the studio, not your parenting.
I find the instructors here very welcoming. This is a family friendly environment; it does not mean you can let your children run wild and disturb the other students but that the instructors, all that I have seen, seem to really love the children. The pride they feel is obvious when the kids make it over a hurdle they were having problems with. I was there once when there was a little girl that became ill, I saw one of the instructors go in the back and get her own coat, wrap the girl up in it and hold and comfort her — I knew them I was in a place that really loved children.
I have been taking dance lessons for a little over a year at different places in the city and have nothing bad to say about any of them. However, the group lessons I have taken at H&S have challenged me much more than I have been challenged previously. Maren, the owner, is a nationally rated competitor and judge and her experience is exemplified through her staff of instructors. If you are on the South Side and want to learn to dance I recommend Heart and Sole Dance — you will learn to dance here (and the group lessons are very reasonably priced and a lot of fun) if you are looking for Day Care give this place a pass and try Tutor Time.

My daughter was enrolled in the Angelina Ballerina youth classes. I thought the classes were horribly overpriced for the nature of the classes and the age of the girls. There is really nowhere for siblings to go during class and I found the owner/​manager person to be rude (criticizing me in front of all the other parents when she thought my younger daughter was a «distraction). I was mortified. They make you pay the first and last month’s fee up front and apparently it’s nonrefundable if your child drops out. The only bright spot was the instructor herself — I thought she was great. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this program to other parents.

As part of pre-​wedding bonding, my dad and I took 3 dance lessons at Heart & Sole. Our instructor, Lindsey, was great and didn’t pressure us into buying a large/​expensive lesson package. We knew we wouldn’t get perfect in 3 classes, but were happy to have some fun while there and get some results on the dance floor. We really enjoyed our time practicing and learned a couple basis steps (box and fox trot) with turns. Lindsey also choreographed a simple dance for us. On my wedding day, my dance with my dad was great — probably far from being technically perfect, but we floated around the dance floor with smiles on our faces the entire time.