South Riding Dance Academy

43083 Peacock Market Plaza #180, Chantilly, VA 20152, USA

Address:	43083 Peacock Market Plaza #180, Chantilly, VA 20152, USA
Phone:	+1 703-327-9627
Site:	southridingdance.com
Rating:	3.7
Working:	5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 5–9PM 9AM–2PM Closed

Location

Photos 12

Reviews 5

Jennifer Gambardella

If you are shopping dance studios, and want to know about South Riding Dance Academy, just ask any one of my children. My 11-year old daughter just started her ninth year there; my 10-year old son just started his third year; and my 8-year old daughter just started her sixth year. My daughters both began dancing in the recreational classes, and several years ago, moved onto the Company. My son dances in a recreational class, and will most likely always stay in rec, simply because of his sports commitments. Among the three of them, they have taken ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, production jazz, leaps and turns, production hip-hop and acro. During our time at South Riding Dance, we have watched the studio grow from "your hometown studio" (their tagline) to a force to be reckoned with in the local dance world. Even with its growth and success, it still maintains the family-friendly feel, for which it has always been known. On the Company side, there are numerous accolades, championship titles, honors and awards that I could point to. All you have to do is walk in the front door to get a glimpse of a few of the many trophies and plaques this studio has earned. There isnt space for every award that Heather Taylor, her talented staff and all of the hard-working dancers have won. On the recreational side, the dancers get a full and enjoyable instructional dance experience, albeit less intense, and with fewer commitments, both of time and finances. This studio is what your dancer makes if it. If s/he wants to dance in a class or two with a skilled and fun instructor each week--and then in a recital at the end of the year--SRDA is the right choice. If s/he wants to dance competitively, practicing two, three, or five nights a week, take master classes and workshops with professional dancers, audition for role(s) in the annual studio Nutcracker performance, dance at the Ritz Carlton Nutcracker Tea at Christmastime, perform at local festivals, compete at regional competitions in the spring, dance in the June recital, and then travel to Nationals to compete in July, then SRDA is also the right choice. The experience is your childs to design for himself or herself, based on their commitment and level of interest. Either way, your dancer will love this studio. Heather Taylor, the owner and director of South Riding Dance Academy, is one of the most loving and dedicated human beings I have ever met. She was born to teach and mentor children. She employs exceptional teachers who share her philosophy, and she imparts valuable lessons that the children carry with them, well outside the walls of the dance studio. The sheer number of students who return after high school and college to visit, substitute teach, or just to feel a part of the cohesive and supportive "family" that is SRDA, is a testament to the studio Heather has built. Your hometown studio is also the studio with integrity and heart. For the top-notch dance instruction my children have received, the lifelong friendships and bonds we have ALL formed, and the positive environment that contributes to my childrens growth and development, I would not go anywhere else.

Malinda Herrity

My daughter completed her 3rd Year at South Riding dance academy. This year was a horrible experience! Ordered shoes & had to follow- up 3 times to get a status update. Finally, weeks later they came in. Anytime you ask a question at the front desk, the people are annoyed & unsure of the answer. The communication overall is not good. Your best bet is to ask other parents to gain information. One day, I spoke with my daughters teacher about a situation I heard in the dressing room, girls saying other girls are not paying attention & they are trying to follow the rules. I told the teacher about how worried the girls were about doing their best. The teacher started the class by yelling at the girls, saying several folks approached her, about the girls talking bad about others & singled my daughter out. It was completely untrue and my daughter was extremely upset. When I called her later in the evening to explain the whole situation and how she made my daughter feel, she dismissed it and said she would talk to my daughter. I told my daughter what she promised. That weekend we had rehearsal & recital and the teacher ignored her & didnt say a word to her (as promised). She didnt even tell the girls to have a great performance to give positive encouragement. She used submission tactics to teach and scold the students. Many of the children are scared to death to return to class! Two positives, my daughter improved her dance skills but at the cost of being scared to disappoint her teacher. The owner is sweet, caring & follows-up quickly which I appreciated.

Caroline Cogan

I danced with SRDA for 14 years and could write a novel on the incredible experiences I have had with this studio. I started out with Heather Taylor teaching class in a rented out facility with only a couple of other kids and watched her grow her business into a flourishing studio that is still constantly expanding. I could write for hours about the excellent staff that trained me in technique that allowed for me to succeed in the competition world, however I will forever recommend this studio for the family it provided me with. Heather was truly a second Mom to me, always loving and pushing each of her students to be the best person they could be, inside and outside of the dance world. When my team wasnt getting along, she dropped everything to organize a sleepover until we had solved all of our problems and grew stronger as a team, no matter the cost to her. She always urged that school and grades came before dance class. She provided students with jobs and scholarships to students who would not be able to continue dancing without. She understood that kids needed to have a life outside of dance, and should not spend every hour of their weekend practicing. She provided a listening ear whenever I was having trouble at home or with friends. She cared. I spent every moment I could at SRDA because it was truly a 2nd home for me, and for that I will forever be grateful. In my opinion, you could not choose a better dance studio for your child.

C E

I can not say enough good things about South Riding Dance. This place is FANTASTIC! Lets start with the owner, she is absolutely amazing! She is great to deal with and the kids who are fortunate enough to be taught by her seem to really love her, I know my daughter does. There is a real family atmosphere in the studio. The owners daughters teach there as well and they are incredible dancers and instructors. All of the instructors there are really good with the kids. One of the instructors is consistently voted as one of the best in Loudoun County and it is obvious why that is, my daughter took classes with her this summer and increased her skills tremendously and enjoyed it too. Because of this studio, both my daughter and son have developed a love for dancing! I highly recommend South Riding Dance.

Jen G

This studio is full of cliques families. My children were excluded and penalized when we spoke up about all the unprofessional things that have happened this year. We agreed to pay a fee for competition year but then were asked to make up the difference when the owner came up short at nationals time. Also agree with the other reviews about high schoolers teaching classes (texting and hanging out with friends is more like it) and unprofessional staff. Staff kids rule the roost at this joke of a place. We stuck the year out, our 6th year, but will be looking for another hometown studio for next year.