Monique's School Of Dance

Bad Studio. It is now August 2013, and I agree with the bad reviews from 2008 and 2009. I guess the owners decided not to take the criticism into consideration. I don't care how great of dance you are or were. This is a bad place for children due to the poor customer service and lack of ambition for younger students. The business is too old and lacks customer service, communication, technology and good ambitious dance teachers. I don't care if you think you earned your dues by dancing for years. Older people may not have to ambition to teach little children. I don't think the studio will be around much longer. For goodness sake, you can't send an email because the owners don't know how to use a computer. more

I'm an actual student at Monique's School of Dance. There's TONS to like about it. a First of all, the teachers are professional and some of the main teachers like Miss Cindy have even been doing dancing parts in movies! so they have REAL experience, along with having their own ideas of what to do for dances. They are also kind and funny. Students who graduate from Monique's have made real dancing careers and even opened their own studios! you can GUARANTEE you can leave Monique's with real dancing experience, no matter what other dance instructors say. Second of all, Monique's offers all kinds of dancing from ballet to hip hop. They have dance classes for all ages. Third of all, they have great dancing opportunities. Monique's has gone to New York every 3 or 4 years to be in the annual thanksgiving day parade, with their A and B companies, and they have great fundraisers for that too! Not many other dance studios do that, do they? Monique's also has Junior Lines 1 & 2, and A & B company (as i mentioned before) for extra dancing instruction. And lastly, for the ballet classes that is, the main ballet instructor Miss Monique, (the Monique in Monique's School of Dance) was like, the youngest prima ballerina in Europe and is very careful and precise for certain ballet positions and tests the girls well before putting them on pointe, unlike some other studios that put girls immediately on pointe with little or no testing of crucial pointe development skills. She is also precise in the dancing of ballet, having done so much of it herself. She is also very nice, like any teacher at Monique's. Monique's also offers dance camps, and welcomes any dancer from other studios or new dancers altogether. Monique's is not a competition studio either, but has equal opportunities. I'm not saying Monique's is perfect because it has some flaws and COULD have better conditions, but I personally think Monique's School of Dance is the best place to go if you want to improve or start dancing skills. more

Usually I don't respond to reviews like this site offers. However, there were several statements made in some of them that are outright lies and misinterpretations. \r When I first associated with Monique School of Dance I had come off the road doing ten years of national Broadway tours. I looked around the cities for months trying to find classes that would provide quality technique. I had trained as a dancer since age 9 and worked professionally in the theatre since age 3. I happened to overhear some dancers at Zenon talk about a wonderful ballet teacher in Apple Valley named Monique. I sought her out and stayed as her student and even became one of her faculty for more than 2 decades. Aside from her many fine personal qualities, she and her daughter Cynthia were very well grounded in technique and very well conected professionally. Over the years of my association, the students were presented with opportunities to study in workshops with some of the top dance professionals in this country...including Tony Award winning choreographers, the dance captain for Seigfried and Roy from Las Vegas, and Janet Jackson's dance captain to name but a few. As for the complaint about the cost of such opportunities...these people don't work cheap...THEY DON'T HAVE TO! There is no theft involved, it is a high cost affair to bring in this quality of professional. \r As far as costume costs for the recital...it is literally grueling work to amass the costumes for over 900 students. She gets the best quality for what is in reality a very resonable cost. There is NO markup from the studio except a small amount which simply covers the cost of shipping. Having spent 20+ years involved with this portion of the business, I know for a fact that the only ""upcharge"" is for shipping. Outsiders like the mal-contents in some of these reviews are simply ignorant of the facts. Monique spends from her own pocket to make sure that the recital has the best accomodations with the best professional lighting designers, sound engineers, and stage hands in the cities. What none of these malcontents bothered to write was that NO ONE is required to be in the spring concert. It is an option, not an obligation. If the client doesn't wish to spend the money on costumes, etc. they are NOT required in any way to do so.\r To the comment about the ""Dancing Dads""...this has become a beloved tradition among the families of the A and B Companies. No father is required to participate...they look forward to it! It is a fun opportunity that they can share with their son or daughter. \r And at NO TIME is there anything inappropriate in the music or choreography of such dances. Monique has for many years enforced a ""no play list"" with her faculty. She is ever watchful to assure that music and choreography are tasteful and age appropriate. Whoever wrote that cheap shot should be ashamed.\r Having been on the ""inside"" I understand the workings and complexities of running a business such as this. Everyone has an opinion. Feelings can be hurt. But no one can question the intergrity or honesty of the ownership of this studio. Those that do, have no grasp of the truth, or of what dance technique is. Pros: real training from real professionals Cons: too few to quibble about more

I used to be the same way as the people who have rated Monique's highly, when I was a student there. I thought that I was really training to be a dancer. Then I had to switch schools. There was no audition required, but I was placed in level 3 out of 6 levels of technique and all of the students (who were younger than me) were more advanced, stronger, able to execute more exciting dance moves....I could go on forever. They were better. period. My new teachers gave me clear corrections and better advice and hands on training as opposed to vague class comments like I recieved at Moniques. My new school informed me that I had hyper-extended knees, and gave me a sense of line so that I could move more comfortably and with confidence. Thank GOD I LEFT MONIQUE'S If you or your child truly loves dance, you will do the smart thing and leave too. In regards to the 4-5 star comments saying that people who don't love Moniques aren't good enough or were never wanted...that's OK. i used to be like you. I'm assuming that these comments are coming from people who think they're too good to have to make curfew or finish their homework ontime or brush their teeth, or from people who think it's cool to steal and cheat. I just wanted to post this, because I have attended this school for 9 years, I have attended other schools and found them better for myself as a dancer. I don't know if i would be in such good shape as I am now, and as happy, and as proud of myself if I had not switched when I did! Even at that time, I had set myself back by not making the switch sooner. Also, Dad's....you may want to get your kids out before they enter into the A and B Clubs, otherwise you'll find yourself in a dance costume, a stupid hat and sunglasses with stage lights in your eyes and your daughter/son dressed and dancing like a hooker, dancing innapropriately right up against you (she'll have to, because there will be 900 other dads an their daughters/sons on the same stage with you. As for the Mom's or adult women of the group.....totally stick with it if it's you taking adult ballet and tap. The tap program is awesome for adult women and any type of movement is better exercise than sitting on the couch and watching tv. But from the voice of a dancer/actress from the Twin Cities (currently working and very, very happy) get your kids out now. Or even just go to any other school and ask to watch a class or two to compare. I watched an old recital tape from Monique's and almost cried when I saw students go up on pointe with their legs not straightened and their backs swayed, and their legs not underneath their center and their shoulders hunched over at a dancer age where they don't have to be. It's not about being a physically different body type, it's about general common knowledge in teaching dance NOT translating to all types through Monique's. All body types can learn technique. This school is not fair to ANY body type!!!!! I even rember a girl who danced beautifully came to the school (gasp! with pointed feet that were turned out!) who Monique made a huge deal over during class.....who never came back becuase she had been trained well enough to know that she was wasting her time with this school and that she would not benefit from staying a second longer. In the end, if your child is having fun and is ""happy"" then I guess you should be too. Just know that you are paying for an after school activity, nothing more. We are all amazing in our own way, but get out anyway! Pros: You get to dance to pop music Cons: No technique, no discipline, non-professional results more

Whatever Thoang has written is lacking many facts. Her daughter did not have 3 different teachers. She had 2. The first one was married to a Marine in Service and chose to be with her husband. So sorry she didn't ask you first. Her second teacher was incredible and very experienced. You obviously did not take advantage of watching any of your daughter's classes when there was parent watch days. Monique's is very open to parents and children. The recital is a once a year performance. Kids take naps. I hope I never hear you keeping your child up past 8:00pm.!!! As for the building, why don't you voice your complaints to the owners?! The studio does not own the building. Good luck with another studio. more

Not good with younger kids, poor customer service\r We have a 5-year old and have been dissappointed by this studio's attitude toward parents and toward children. My daughter went through 3 teachers in 9 months.. Classes rarely start on time but aways finish on time or early. We paid for 60 minutes of class but the kids averaged only about 40--45 minutes of instruction. The recital went until 10:30 PM, which we feel is too late for children ages 3-6. Plus, they had to sit back stage for 3 hours between sets. Emphasis is in Monique's big recital rather than on teaching. Monique's is simply not very customer focused compared to other children's activities or other business experiences we have had. Facilities are old and not in the best of shape, particularly the restrooms.\r Cons: poor attitude toward parents and children Pros: Close to Home Cons: Very Poor Dance Instructors more

i went to moniqes and i still do ilove it there its awesome the teachers are the best and miss monique herself is awesome ilove her! Pros: its awesome Cons: none! more

I have been dancing at Monique's now for at least 10 years. In my 10 years of dancing so far Moniques is and always will be the number one studio to me. All the teachers that work there are the best!!!!!, you get to meet some wonderful people, you get to learn fun and spunky dances, they work you to your full potential,and don't forget that it's sooooo much FUNNNNN!!!!! Monique's has made me the dancer i am today!!!! Monique's feels like a 2nd home to me!!!! If you are looking for a GREAT dance studio this would be the one!!!!\r ?-abby\r Pros: best dance teachers in town more

I danced at Moniques from when I was three until I was 15. This studio becomes your home and life. I grew up here and the love I have for the teachers and studio itself will never change. Unfortunately I was unable to go back to that studio, but I highly recommend this studio to anyone looking for a great ballet and dance education. I hope that this helps anyone who looks for a great studio that you can dedicate your time too. Pros: great dance education, Cons: you can become to close to everyone there. more

i absolutely love monique's. the teachers are suuuuper amazing and in just the three years i've been dancing there i've learned so much and they have really helped me to become a much stronger dancer. all the girls and teachers at monique's are more than friends they make you feel like family. i love monique's so much. so to all of you people saying how much it stinks, i hope you have a nice life. i highly highly highly recommend this studio over all. \r \r \r -Tina Pros: every thing good about a dance studio more

people like ""DANCED4NCE"" are just mad because when sumone like that hands in a application to a studio and gets turned down they tend to hold a grudge because noone liked them at the studio. so im pretty sure i speak for everyone who reccomends this studio and the people that go the when i say ""shut the hell up and get a life"" Pros: everyone learns atleast sumthing Cons: people who were ignorant and left more

My daughter has danced at Monique's School of Dance for over four years now. She started when she was 6 years old. We moved her to Monique's after removing her from a program that just wasn't very good. My experience at Monique's has not been perfect. I challenge any person to find a 4 year long relationship that is. It is true that Monique's teachers make mistakes like everyone else. Classes do start late sometimes, however in my experience, it is usually because the students do not arrive on time. The recital is a bit long, but there are a lot of dancers who have worked very hard and deserve the opportunity to showcase their talents. For smaller children, this typically means they have to stay up late for one night during the year.\r \r In the final analysis, you must ask yourself why you are signing your child up for dance. Monique's teaches that dancers come in all shapes and sizes. They strive to give our children self esteem and a life long love of dance grounded in strong dance fundamentals. Monique's doesn't just teach dance, Monique's develops dancers. My daughter's teacher always has time to discuss her progress and development and bends over backwards to make sure she is getting the best dance education she can. Monique's has been a very good investment in my daughter's self esteem, as well as her love for dance. My daughter is a happier, more well rounded person because of Monique's. Pros: Good teaching staff Cons: older facilities more

I've had three girls take dance lessons at Monique's and all have had a great experience. This is a studio that cares about girls and teaches them self-respect, poise and character as well as dance. My daughters are really great dancers thanks to the instructors at Monique. They stand out on dance teams and other endeavors because their technique is polished. They know how to move with exceptional grace because Monique's studio doesn't take shortcuts on port de bras, turnout, and all the important foundations of ballet, tap and jazz. I recommend this studio! more

Whoever says Moniques is a bad studio, is probably just jealous because they got their registration sent back to there house because no one likes them. And that is not Moniques fault that would be there fault. Moniques is amazing :]] They are only mean to people like..... ***** (sorry i cant say the name) because they are stuck up and no one likes them. So to bad. k bye Pros: everything Cons: nothing more

My daughter has been dancing with this studio for 10 years and has had nothing but wonderful experiences. Un fortunately, you cannot please everyone and the poor reviews shown here display the experiences of a couple of people who obviously did not get thier way with something. We chose this studio initially because they were not a competition studio, and wanted our daughter to just have fun, and she has always had and continues to love dance. This studio has been in business for over 35 years- pretty successful run for a company as bad as indicated by a couple of digruntled past students!\r Wonderful environment for girls to learn dance, increase self esteem and learn grace and poise without the stress of competion- even girls who perhaps aren't the greatest dancers can still feel like a star on stage with the wonderful, very professional recital in June. A recital is the culmination of a year of hard work for these girls and should be a focus for a studio! Everyone that comes to my daughters recitals says how it is so well done and professional- at O' Shaughnessy Auditorium at The College of Saint Catherine- and they don;t have to sit on a folding chair in a school gym! Monique's recital is a ""show"" in the truest sense of the word! more

I LOVE lOVE LOVE MONIQUE'S! i have been at the studio for 11 years and i've learned so much more than dance! they teach you not only amazing dances, but life skills too! The staff is awesome and they're so understanding and helpful! I love them all! any ones who says Monique's is terrible is lying!!!!!! I live for dance, and i wouldn't dream of dancing at any other studio besides Monique's!!!!! Pros: EVERYTHING! Cons: NOTHING more

Monique's School of Dance lacks MANY things. I was a dancer there for 14 years, so I have a very good feel for what the studio is like. The owners (Kampa family) lacks professionalism. The teachers are absent the first half of class where the students stretch for longer than necessary to only go across the floor and learn one count of their dance. They steal money from their customers (overly price costumes, tuition, trips) and do not teach many skills. Their dances are jokes...3 counts of eight doing peel offs is not dance, and repeating the first half of the dance a second time does nothing for the students OR the audience. The family is rude and acts as if they are better than everyone. I do not recommend this studio. Cons: anything you can think of. more

the people there are amazingly nice and they are the best people that i have ever met before in my life. they are great at teaching ballet and the girls that dance there have been getting accepted into great ballet programs. anyone that thinks that it is in bad condition should know that it is probably because its an older studio. okay. so whoever said that before me doesnt know because theyve probably gone there for 1 year. so whatever. Pros: the best thing ever Cons: none. more

We have a 5-year old and have been dissappointed by this studio's attitude toward parents and toward children. Classes rarely start on time but aways finish on time or early. We paid for 60 minutes of class but the kids averaged only about 45--50 minutes of instruction. The recital last year went until 10:30 PM, which we feel is too late for children ages 3-6. Plus, they had to sit back stage for 3 hours between sets. Emphasis is in Monique's big recital rather than on teaching. Monique's is simply not very customer focused compared to other children's activities or other business experiences we have had. Facilities are old and not in the best of shape, particularly the restrooms. Cons: poor attitude toward parents and children more