Chicago Dance

309 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Address:	309 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Phone:	+1 312-337-9503
Site:	chicagodance.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM Closed

Location

Photos 53

Reviews 5

Deborah Perry

Let me start by saying the dance instructor Miguel Torres, was and is an excellent instructor, I would recommend Miguel whole heartedly to any potential student. As for the Chicago Dance venue and ownership I cannot be as kind. The studio is not as it appears on the website or in the advertisement. It is old and in need of repair, the floors are in need of serious repair, nails sticking out, no varnish on the floors and sagging areas. The music is not piped in the instructors are using computers or Pandora for the music. I enrolled at Chicago Dance, signed up for “ELITE PRIVATE LESSONS” to enhance my salsa skills only, as I had already learned salsa from another instructor along with had taken “lady styling lessons from yet another instructor. After my evaluation with Miguel, we agreed that I was indeed a salsa dancer but only needed “coaching lessons” So, I initially signed up for the introductory lessons at a reduced price for one time only (five 45 minute lessons) for $325.00 or so. After my first lesson I was approached about participating in a “show case” of which I was asked to pay I believe $95.00 and told that family and friends would be required to purchase $20 a ticket to attend, I declined the offer to participate. On my fifth lesson after driving to the studio and paying the city of Chicago’s absorbent parking fees Miguel had to cancel our lesson for the day as we had been moved to a room that had no air conditioning ( it appeared to be the storage area) and they could not get the computer to play thus we had no music. After returning for the fifth and final lesson Miguel and I agreed that I would take four more 45 minute lessons at the sum of roughly $400.00. When I arrived for my lesson I was informed that Miguel was running behind schedule of which I understood and was willing to wait. At that point i was approached by the “owner” she overheard the receptionist and I talking about signing up for my next lessons and she decided that she needed to involve herself. Keeping in mind that she had never uttered a word to me in my five to six visits not even "hello". At this point she announced to me that the order of business was for me to give them my credit card and sign up for 4 45 minutes lessons at roughly $400.00 and at the fourth lesson they (Chicago Dance” would “ROLL OVER THE COST FOR ANOTHER FOUR LESSONS EACH MONTH UNTIL SUCH TIME I INFORM THEM TO STOP THE ROLL OVER PROCESS”). I informed her that I would wait for Miguel to arrive before making a decision of my next steps, at this point she appeared to become anode and felt compelled to inform me that she was the owner that there was no other option for me. Again I declined her offer and said that I would wait for Miguel, she started a dialog with her employee to the degree that she decided that I did not have the money to pay the requested amount, she started informing him that I could pay for group lessons if I wanted. At this point I decided it was be best that I leave the premises. That all being said, whereas I think Miguel is a great instructor I could never recommend lessons at or from Chicago Dance, as my experience with management was horrific the management skills are in serious disrepair. Not friendly, curt, short with customers no customer service what so every by management.

Gillian Quian

Studio is very spacious and comfortable. The staff are very friendly. I took a private lesson with Greg and he really helped me understand how to listen and to count beats in salsa. My only complaint were my private lessons with Miguel. I took 5 salsa privates with him to prepare for their dance showcase. One time he cancelled last minute and the other classes he showed up 15 min late each time. He was not prepared for our lessons. He would tell me he would have the song picked out or the choreography ready for the next session but it wouldnt be and we would spend half the lesson picking songs or choreography non-salsa moves. We finally picked "ojos chinos." There is about a 1:30 intro where it was not salsa and Miguel said he would choreograph at home and have it ready for our next session. It was not ready and we spent an entire lesson choreographing what he said he would choreograph at home. Im a beginner dancer so I should not be expected to choreograph a routine. In the end, Gracie, who teaches bachata, ended up choreographing the intro for us. I tried to tell Miguel that not enough emphasis was being placed on the salsa part of the show but he seemed to think we could wing it and just go with the flow. Well, we werent able to go with the flow. In fact another instructor had to decide how we were going to finish the show. That being said, Miguel is very friendly and animated. I also took tango with Paula and Bachata with Gracie. I really enjoyed both these classes and would definitely try them again. They are both really great, attentive instructors. The privates are pretty pricey but the group classes are really affordable.

Kristen Herrin

This place is great. I was interested in swing lessons for my husband and myself and found Chicago Dance through a google search. Their class schedule fit with my calendar and they had a great rate for a 4 week session (I think it was $55 a person when you registered during the early bird period). The staff is great - all friendly and accommodating if you have any questions. They have water bottles available for free, in addition to a coffee/tea station. The facility is really cool - an old loft and the group sessions take place in the front behind a glass garage door. Our instructor was Sasha - shes fabulous. She is beautiful dancer, a great teacher, and very patient. We learned an insane amount for a beginner class that is only 4 weeks in duration. Im currently convincing my husband to sign up for the intermediate level :) Our schedule is super packed for April and so we are looking into May. My husband misses the classes and wants to continue, but we just want to make sure we have the time to commit to it. I would recommend Chicago Dance to anyone looking for social dance classes!

Andrea Tamillo

My fiancé and I began taking dance lessons about a month ago to choreograph our first dance for our wedding. We meet with Sasha once a week, and shes excellent! Shes so talented and kind, and understands how to coach people without being pushy or demeaning. Shes very patient and demonstrates the moves with another instructor when were not quite getting it. She laughs along with us, makes us feel comfortable, and seems to enjoy her job. We also had pleasant interactions with the staff- theyve scheduled all our lessons 2 months out, called me back when I had questions, and they were even accommodating when we had to miss a session due to a family emergency. I highly recommend working with Sasha, or Chicago Dance, to choreograph your first dance...or just to have fun with your partner or friends!

Mallory Gebbie

My now husband and I took private lessons with Gregory for our first dance at our wedding, and we shocked everyone with our amazing moves! Though I love my husband, he has two left feet when it comes to dancing and Gregory had an innate way of making him feel comfortable and proud of his progress. When we walked out onto that dance floor we were confident and ready because of Gregory. He and his team at Chicago Dance were amazing, and I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who wants to learn to partner dance. They were patient, accommodating and their studio is gorgeous. THANK YOU CHICAGO DANCE and GREGORY for making us look like pros on our big day!