Carousel Dance Studio

Hi, I’m a current student at Carousel and I think that at times it can be a good studio. I don’t tell anyone but people make fun of me when we change in the dressing room and my dance classmates, make fun of me in class to and the teachers just don’t care. One teacher Rebecca isn’t the nicest teacher in the world she yells at us all the time and sometimes makes me feel really bad. So if ur looking to take an occasional class here and there this is the place to do it, but not a permanent place.

this is my daughter’s fifth year at carousel. we keep coming back because it is a very professional, serious dance studio with great teachers and staff. my child only takes ballet; she has never been pressured into taking more classes and has always been treated with respect there. other families choose to take more classes or join the dance company, which is more of a time/​money commitment. either way, carousel gives quality instruction at a fair price and their end of the year show is always wonderful.

I have been both a student (for 8 years) as well as a staff member (for 11 years now). I loved and cherished my experience as a student so much that I then began working at the studio. The staff is nothing but loving and nurturing with every single student, not just those on dance company, as stated in a previous review. Dance company is a very small part of the studio (30 kids out of 300). The teachers, students and their families almost become like a second family and I have stayed in contact with many of my «dance friends» from over 20 years ago. Carousels teachers want nothing but the best for all of their students and work with every student to reach their full potential, while providing a safe environment for each child to grow. The fact that we have had many of the the same staff members for over 20 years I believe speaks to the fact that this must be a great place! There is no need to «get a life and move on» when you’re in a happy place with your career and most of the teachers have danced professionally and have had extremely successful careers dancing in TV, movies, Broadway, etc. for over 30 years now. Carousel is a great place to grow up and I wish that every child was lucky enough to get to experience it!

My daughter has been dancing at Carasoul since she was three. If you are looking for a professional caring studio that has a strong ballet base you’ve found it! These instructors truly care about the children, and are wonderful mentors! This is no a play gym! It’s a serious studio! My daughter is not on company and is treated the same as all the other girls. Sounds like there have been some bitter dancers making bad reviews. We have never had that experience, and we’ve been here for 9 years.

We have just finished up our 2^nd year at Carousel. My 6 year old loves it and dances all over the place. She has 2 ballet classes and also takes one of the «drop in» classes that are more like pay as you go and don’t require a commitment. Instructors provide just the right amount of challenge to promote forward growth while building confidence. The recitals are way over the top! Very impressive. Looking forward to more.

Seriously… Just say no! Unless you’re a very sad mother trying to live through your child for your failed childhood dreams don’t have your kid go here. Many MANY MANY years ago Carousel was a great studio if you wanted to learn how to dance and they won first in almost every competition they did. However, the competition team became more about who had the best leotard rather than who had the best feet a long time ago. Here’s a helpful tip kids: if you want to be on their competition team then just make sure your mom is the ruler of butt kissing. Being on the competition team is not about being a good dancer anymore for Carousel it’s about who’s mom can kiss the most a** to Karen, the owner.
Also, the teachers, at least when I was there were so rude to the kids especially the teachers who were friends with the owners daughter. I see some of them are still there… Seriously, get a life, move on. Does it make you feel good to yell at young children!!!
I’m not speaking from a bitter place, I was a good dancer (especially in ballet) although I wasn’t on the competition team I was asked to audition several times but never did. The owners daughter even asked my mom herself if she would let me audition but I never wanted to be apart of that stuck up crowd, just wasn’t my thing. I was always treated fairly I feel as far as moving forward in levels but I still feel this studio is no place for a child. Plus Carousel isn’t nearly as good as they use to be and they are all about money and who can be the best buddy buddy with Karen, it’s so pathetic. Go somewhere else, unless you’re a desperate mother trying to live through your kid.

I danced at this studio for 13 years. It teaches you great discipline and wonderful technique. My favorite time of year was the month leading up to the recital in June. All the teachers have great experience and can teach multiple genres of dance. I took ballet, tap, and jazz. They are very talented in ballet so it ended up being my favorite.

Very very happy for my 6 year old. They are professional and they still discipline and commitment to the dancers. The teachers are warm and caring. We feel fortunate that our daughter can be part if this studio.

My daughter has been here for two years and I’m so impressed by her focus and commitment to dance. They do a good job instilling confidence, grace and poise. This is a top-​notch studio.

My daughter has attended the school since 3 or 4 years old, and thanks to great teacher like Ms. Michelle, Ms. Susan, Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Natalie and Ms. Karen, she continues to love and enjoy dance of all different categories. Ms. Chelsea who looks after the students (and parents) is not only a great organizer and communicator, but also a knowledgeable dancer herself! Many of the older students serve as role models for the younger girls and the experience has been nothing but positive in the 10 or so years. Teachers here are not only teaching dance but also enforce discipline and ethics, and this may take some adjusting to for those that are not, but it is with love and care for the students as far as I can tell.

I went here for 12 years along with my siblings. There is no doubt that this is the place to learn how to dance. Carousel is very serious about dancing and some of the greatest choreography has been created at this studio. However, the attitude of the teachers and the company girls was down right unacceptable. My siblings and I experienced unfair treatment because we never joined the competition team. It was not «good enough» that we took six classes a week and attended for 12 years. The owner of the studio would never say hello after we left the studio. I would not recommend sending your child here unless you are a parent with lots of extra time on your hands to kiss butt to the owner and staff and have LOTS of money so your child will be able to keep up with the rest of the spoiled and mean children that attend. Carousel is a self esteem destroyer. I’m now almost 30 years old and I can still remember how bad I’d feel attending class at Carousel. I now teach dance on my own and I could not be happier.

I am just shocked and appalled that the dance instructor Rebecca speaks to her students like she does. I understand the need for strict rule enforcement but this behavior is borderline abusive.
She yells and makes them feel horrible for not knowing the steps.
Worse than that, Karen Willis the owner allows it and is always yelling at the kids herself. Karen is constantly telling the students to watch their weight and that they can’t gain weight or they won’t be able to dance. It’s just ridiculous.
Not sure how much longer we will stay when there are so many other dance school choices that actually care about the students like people instead of just a $ sign.
Save your child from a bad situation. Going here would be a HUGE mistake!!!
Maybe if enough of us speak up things might change or they could be well on their way to loosing the business.

My 4 year old daughter is in her second year here. Last year she did ballet, this year it’s tap dance. We’ve tried other studios in the area and we think that this is the best. I like the organization and strict rules that are enforced. All the girls are identically uniformed. Doors are closed once class starts — no late comers allowed. The older girls have won numerous awards at national competitions.