My experience with BAPA was terrible. First, the main instructor, Lana, withheld me from going en pointe. I had been told by a different instructor that I was ready, so I went to ask her. She told me I wasn't ready, and when she finally allowed me to go en pointe, it was the same time as another girl from my class, three months later.
When she fit me for my pointe shoes, she fit me IMPROPERLY. When I wen't to get my second pair at a different shop, I had brought the pointe's Lana had fitted for me and the person who was fitting me for my new pointe's told me that those could have caused me to break an ankle; they were way too big.
Second, a month before a recital, one of the girls dropped out. We could have easily altered the dance, as our class was small. However, she replaced her with a girl from a girl from a higher class. The point of a recital is the show how each class has progressed.
A week after she was replaced, she threatened to replace ME in the recital because I wanted to skip ONE class for an audition.
The other instructors are nicer than her and more concerned for each individual. Lana, however, is, in my opinion, rude and cares more for obtaining more students and paychecks than the welfare for each student and bringing out the best in each dancer. She made dancing unenjoyable for me.
If you are serious about dancing or about your kid's dancing ballet, go to any other ballet studio.
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