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
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