Address: | 167 E 121st St, New York, NY 10035, USA |
Phone: | +1 212-987-5030 |
Site: | uptowndanceacademy.com |
Rating: | 3.2 |
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Tommica Ellis
My daughter cried for the first month but then began to love the kids and teachers. I had to learn that the student teachers there are trained students of the program, in college, studying dance and still dancing with the company. How better to get your experience than to teach at your own school. I cant speak for the older kids but I can speak for the new babies starting dance. Its fun, they meet new friends and when they can come home and show me all five ballet positions, point and flex, tap moves, the bridge and various exercises ALL AT THREE YEARS OLD then I know they are learning something. So even if you think the school is not "professional" enough for you, how "professional" can your beginner three year old be ? How professional can any beginner be. It takes years to be properly trained. However, instead of judging the staff - I watch my child - and the day she woke up on Saturday and said she "wanted" to go to dance school was the day I knew this was the place for her - it may be for this period in her life but regardless its her family until its not ! And seeing the other kids grow up with this company tells me they wont let them go unless they want to go -and from what I see ms. robin will always welcome the kids with open arms. We adults should get out of our own way and let the children lead... We could learn a thing or two . Just sit back and watch- be involved - but be involved in progression and inspiration. Help and volunteer wherever your children are and it will improve your thoughts and expectation in anything your child is involved in. At the end of the day EVERYONE there is a parent - even the staff- so your concern is felt but change is not made from one person and Rome wasnt built in a day ! It takes a village and Im praying and taking note from Job (biblical tense) in patience. Thank you uptown dance academy for giving my daughter an activity she loves and new friends and family we have embraced. Congrats to you on the new Parents Association committee and consistent PA meetings. Congrats on the communication - even if everybody doesnt agree - you cant say theres no communication. Congrats on the continued pushing. For all that dont know the story behind this space that they are in now - you might want to "just ask". My heart broke in half when finding out what happened to ms robin and why she is in this space and still looking for a new building. I commend her for not giving up - doing what she could to keep her school opened even after adversity and obstacles. Continued prayers - good days are soon to come !
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Gina Parker
My Granddaughter Maalia has been attending Uptown Dance Academy for the past three years starting at the age 2 and a half till now. I enrolled her not to be a dancer per say, but to give her structure, balance and discipline as well as an outside activity. I am very pleased to say that all have been accompblished. My granddaughter has been in two major shows and will be in the third this coming June 3rd at Hostos College and I will say as well as all who attended, the show is excellent, professional and well received. Ms. Robins is a "one man show" taking on all the instructions from the very young to the adults as well as continuing to dance professionally. With the help of her students and excellent professional help of Tatiana and David in my opinion, the school is an excellent choice if you are looking for a dance school. UDA is right up there with Alvin Alley and the Dance School of Harlem. Ms.Robins is very much for the community taking part in all Harlem activities and assisting children financially who otherwise might not have the opportunity to attend such a school. Yes, it is a small school (in the process of obtaining a larger space) but the dance shows are still professional as if they were practing in large rooms. This year UDA will have a tribute to Prince who contributed a large check to the school. The show will be awsome so please try to make it (June 3rd at Hostos Community College at 7:30, you can purchase ticket there) you will not be disappointed.
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Monica Briscoe
My daughter has been apart of UDA for a year now. I first saw them perform for my husband job picnic. I was in awe watching the students dance. It was amazing. My daughter who was 5 at the time said to me she wanted to go to this dance school. I went down there with my husband and her the next Saturday to register her. They was having a fair and performing. My daughter was so excited. My husband paid for the first class to see how it would work. Yes I was not allowed to watch but I was never too far. I watch bring it so I understand why the parents couldnt stay..It was a distraction to the children. After her first class my daughter was so happy. She did the Nutcracker and she was so cute. Then the end of the year was a grand slam. My husband, father and whole family was in tears. She just started but she knew the steps and shined. Now going into her second year she can do amazing things. I personally love the school, Ms. Robin and Mrs Davis are very nice with me. I guess my patience is better then other. Yes its small and very busy. They are trying to raise money to complete the bigger school. Mrs. Davis is trying to handle everything while Ms. Robin and her older, experience, very talented, scholars teach, but my daughter is learning and I have a wonderful relationship with the staff. Everything thing aint for every body but for mine its a beautiful, experience that she is learning and enjoying.
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Anonymous User
I walked passed the place on Saturday to possibly register my child and didnt realize it was a little hole in the wall with no sign or awning. When I walked in, honestly I dont know what class was going on because there were so many kids. I think it was african. It looked fun. the students seem to be working very hard and the teacher seemed like he was happy to be teaching those kids. Besides that it looked like a place that didnt have there business together. I heard of uptown dance academy in my daughters first few years of training but it wasnt good. Since my daughter stopped dancing, we wanted to research other studios and I found out about uptown dance and that you guys were in a new space. So I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt being that I didnt hear good things several years ago. But my daughter has taken ballet for 8 years and hasnt danced in 2 years and when she saw the bars drastically coming out and off the wall, she said mommy the bars are not suppose to be loose. She didnt feel comfortable and it seemed unorganized. There was no one to greet me when I came in. In conclusion, the 10 minutes that I was there, it felt very uncomfortable for me and my daughter. They should think about being a better place, a cleaner place and a welcoming place. It was SCARY! AND its a week before Halloween.