Fred Astaire Dance Studio - Carmel, IN

Reviews 4

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S A Martin

I’ve been in love with dancing since I was a little girl, and, at FADS Carmel, I’ve been able to be a part of a world that values creativity, learning, fun, and, most importantly, becoming the best dancer you can be. I’ve been with this studio for almost three years, making a 45-minute commute (total would be 90 minutes both ways) at least once a week and sometimes as many as three, depending on the activities going on at the studio. I’ve taken lessons at other studios and from other instructors, but I’ve gotten so much more from my time at FADS Carmel. There are a number of reasons I wouldn’t go anywhere else… 1. Whatever your dancing goals are, FADS has a program for you. The entire staff’s focus is helping you get the most out of your experiences while there and to reach your goals. 2. I’ve never been anywhere where people love their jobs as much as they do at FADS, and, after working in an environment for years where many people are praying for early retirement, this is an unimaginably refreshing place to be. It’s more than customer service to them; they genuinely like their students and each other, and that makes for a wonderful atmosphere in which to learn. 3. FADS is a dance school with high standards and a model designed to support student success. I’m a high school teacher by trade, and it fascinates me that the instructors at FADS regularly do the kinds of things that some of my colleagues struggle to do consistently, if at all, such as differentiating instruction, checking the progress of students and re-teaching if necessary, and acting as professionals. It’s is standard operating procedure for FADS to provide quality instruction, and they do so superbly. They are highly trained and are held to high expectations in maintaining and updating their skills, and they can teach as well as they dance. It is rare to find someone who is good at something who can also teach that something; however, all FADS Carmel instructors are beautiful dancers and talented teachers. 4. The facility is awesome. I adore the floor, and the sound and light systems are great. 5. At FADS, I have access to world-class choreography and coaching, along with group lessons and dance parties if I want to take part in them. These are all activities that are designed to help students not only have fun, but to get different kinds of dance experience and to learn more about dancing. This studio is all about learning to dance and continually tries to come up with new and engaging opportunities for its students to do so. Their creativity makes for some truly memorable experiences. 6. My instructor, Jonah, is incredible. He is patient, beyond tolerant, and a truly nice person. He is also one of the most gifted dancers I’ve ever seen, and it’s a privilege to dance with him. In short, I love learning about dance, and FADS Carmel gives me that chance with a wonderful support network of staff members and fellow student dancers. If you’ve wanted to try dance lessons or are a dancer looking for a studio, I highly recommend this one. Hope to see you there!

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Vicki Barbera

I have been a student for 7 years now. I feel passionately about this studio and its staff for many reasons: * great instruction from past World Rhythm Pro Champions Dan Rutherford & Nicole Carroll (who happen to own and run the studio, and btw have the credentials to judge world pro championships), Jonah Schneider and Lindsey Rutherford (past finalists among the most prestigious studios in the US) and several other extremely talented and fun instructors * lovely new studio with beautiful competition-sized floating ballroom floor in accessible, pretty setting * frequent access to world-class coaching from outside pros, including DWTS pros like Tony Dovolani and Jonathan Roberts, and 5-time World Pro Latin Champions Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko, among many others * unlimited free group classes if taking regularly-scheduled private lessons * frequent free Friday night studio dance parties * family-run business, friendly atmosphere (yes, even the grandmother works here...) * best place in town whether you want to win competitions or just look like you do when youre dancing socially I have tried several dance studios in town, and there is no other even remotely comparable in quality. If youre going to spend the money, you might as well get the best. And my understanding talking to other folks outside the studio is that this studio is actually less expensive than some other well-known studios... Not all dancers come in with the same goals. This studio cares about what you are trying to accomplish - yes, they will ask you perhaps pointed questions to determine exactly what that is - and then they will patiently and constructively do their utmost to help you reach those goals. I am a case in point. Within my first 6 years, they took me from rank ballroom beginner to Fred Astaire National and World Champion in my age category in two different styles, Rhythm and Latin (thats 10 different competitive dances!), and even 5th in the world overall (all studios including Arthur Murray and independents) in Rhythm. And I had a blast in the process. This studio delivers excellent quality, and with heart. I couldnt possibly recommend them more highly. I would give them 10 stars if that was an option...

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Amreen Vora

I purchased a $30 groupon for two 30 minute lessons at this studio as a fun date for my husband and I. The instructor was friendly enough, however, about every 7 minutes, she would stop the lesson to try to sell us more dance classes at the studio. She spent about 7 minutes of the first 30 minute lesson trying to sell us into buying 5 (40 minute) group dance classes for a whopping $400. At the second lesson the next day, she spent another 7-8 minutes of the supposed 30 minute lesson trying to convince us to buy the $400 group dance lessons, and then ended the class 8 minutes early when we made it clear we werent interested in such an expensive package. Owners--it doesnt make sense to lure people in with a $30 for 2 half lesson package and then try to bully us into buying a $400 group dance lesson package. That is wildly expensive and not what I was expecting. My husband and I actually enjoyed learning to dance and might have continued had you guys not tried to bully us and had the price been more reasonable. $30 a lesson is much more reasonable and something we might have invested in rather than your wildly expensive package. The lesson was enjoyable aside from the sales bullying. The instructor was nice when she wasnt spending our lesson time on sales. Next time consider doing the sales pitch at the end of the two lessons, rather than wasting our lesson time. Try genuinely investing your time in the lesson--we didnt pay for a sales pitch.

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NicoleandJorey Luse

We bought a package of 5 private 30 min lessons to get ready for our wedding. The first visit, they told us we had to come for an hour and it counted as 2 lessons, but we only learned for half an hour and they spent the rest of the time prying for information to try to sell us more lessons. The instructor was actually very friendly and did make it fun, but the owner made us so uncomfortable with his sales pitch that it negated the small amount of fun. The next 2 lessons, we didnt learn a thing, we just practiced what we already learned the first day and didnt get any corrections or new information and again, they tried to get $1000 more from us. Only in our last lesson did we learn anything else and that was only because we insisted they teach us more. On several occasions we asked to learn more and she told us that wasnt included in the package we bought. They wouldnt even show us where to put our arms! So overall, we were taught the most basic steps of 5 dances in 5 half hour private lessons. I would never recommend this studio to anyone that doesnt have a trust fund to blow on useless lessons from a slimy business.

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