Kathy's Studio of Dance

[Michell]

My 3.5 year old wants to take ballet classes. Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) with Kathy’s Studio of Dance? Would you recommend? Any other recommendations for dance classes in West Seattle?

Thanks!

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[Anonymous]

Michell – I went to Kathy’s to inquire about ballet classes for my daughter.

I was discouraged to find out that they seem to have a curriculum involving not only ballet, but jazz, tap, etc.. I was looking only for ballet classes. I did leave a note for the director asking if it would be possible for my daughter to take ballet only, but they were a long time in getting back to me.

In the meantime, I had contacted the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company and asked them for a suggestion. They recommended Arc School of Ballet in Ballard. They are extremely reasonable in price, very nice and and professional.

My daughter is attending their summer program. We couldn’t be happier.

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[guidosmom]

I second Pacific NW Ballet company. I took classes off and on with them when I was younger, and even did a few drop in classes as an adult. The instructors are wonderful!

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[SuitsarenotBoring]

I have met some great young performers at ArtsWest who trained at Kathy’s and spoke highly of it.

It might be a great place for one so little to start. When she is older and more focused, she may want to try more ballet, which would be a great time for her to try PNB or ARC. Or, she could discover other dance forms. I know lots of little ballerinas who later learned to love tap or modern.

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[changingtimes]

ewajo!! thats where my daughter goes!! it focuses on more then just ballet thought, but at 3.5 do you really want to just limit to one kind of dance? http://www.ewajocentre.com/

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[Bmore]

I take (Adult) ballet classes at Seattle Civic Dance Theater from the owner of the school – she is a delightful person. Some of the moms of the little ones are in my class and seem to be very pleased with the school (a couple of them took lessons there when they were kids!) The school is in that building across from Fauntleroy YMCA. They have a website too: http://www.seattlecivicdance.com

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[Flynnstone]

I will never recommend Kathy’s studio of Dance to anyone I know, nor will any of my children ever attend another class at the studio nor a function where miss Kathy is involved – the best interest of the young children is not their priority. My three year old attended ballet tap this last year: she did not want to attend weekly classes because she said they were not fun, at the end of the season she could not name a single classmate’s name, and on top of it all she could not share with is any of the dance moves she learned over the course of the season. It felt like the studio thought they were in down town New York City – very full of themselves.

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[goodgraces]

I’d love to hear more about your experiences, Flynnstone. I have my 4 y.o. daughter signed up for a summer session class and have been getting cold feet (pun intended).

Thanks!

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[Dunno]

Seattlecivicdance.com is the web site. My niece’s

have been going there for years and love it.

It’s a Ballet intensive school and also has jazz.

The studio’s are located in the old Fauntleroy school, same building as the Hall at Fauntleroy, across from the Fauntleroy YMCA and church. The Ballet school has been there for over 25 years and takes children that are out of diapers. Kathy’s is a good place for Jazz, Tap, Hip hop ect.

Much easier to get to from WS than PNB.

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[PDieter]

My daughter did 12 years @ Seattle Civic Dance great school.

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[rico]

I have had two children attend Kathy’s Studio of Dance. It is a very well run dance program and the kids were very happy with the program. They do a fantastic show for the recital, one that will leave very deep memories for both of my kids.

They do operate in a fairly disciplined manner, so a kid who can’t deal with instruction and a bit of discipline may struggle. It is not a babysitting/social service.

To the poster above who heavily criticized the program, they may want to consider that the program can only do so much for a kid who is unable to listen very well or is raised with the ever increasing no discipline parenting style. I am not suggesting that is the case with the children of the “criticizing” poster, but I am sure there are some kids out there who fall into that category. I have friends who raise their kids that way – no fun dining out with them I might add.

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[dgirl]

My daughters attended Kathy’s many years ago and after a year we elected to stop. My daughters were very well disciplined…but the rules around parents watching (not allowed), being 5 minutes late (no matter what…again, not allowed) were so restrictive for 5 year olds that we decided to find something a little more fun and relaxed.

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[r26]

I know after hearing both the good and bad from our peps group, our family decided not to participate.

Structure and discipline are great – not being able to watch is something that I don’t do after working in child welfare for years.

I am by no means suggesting anything ever has happened – in fact I think many kids do better without parents around – but one of my rules is that I am able to drop in and observe my child’s activities and teachers anytime.

Find a good fit for your family – your kid might love it.

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[WSMom]

I second dgirl’s experience. When my daughter was 3 (15 years ago) we put her in classes at Miss Kathy’s only to have my husband look at me after the recital (where the girls literally barely moved their feet) and ask if this was the best use of our families resources. On top of the monthly lesson fee was the $150 costume, pictures, $10 tickets (times 6 to include grandparents) to get into the performance etc etc. We figured we were in for around $1000. She liked going to classes, but didn’t even notice when I didn’t sign her back up in the fall. Later, when my daughter went into 5th grade she asked for dance lessons. I called Miss Kathy’s to see if there was a class for her there. They said she would have to sign up for Beginning Ballet & Jazz class with the 5 & 6 year olds (exactly not what any 11 year old girl would be delighted to do). I ended up taking her to Spectrum Dance Studio in Madrona where they said “try her out in Jazz 3, if she can keep up she’s in the class”. Dancing is the focus at Spectrum, not expensive costumes. She and I appreciated the reasonable and relaxed atmosphere.

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[TH]

Thumbs down for Kathy’s . My daughter participated when she was 5 or 6 , and was told she needed to watch what she eats (referring to her weight, which is NOT overweight). To me, that is unacceptable. They’re also very inflexible and expect all other activities to be subordinated. When rehearsals or classes conflicted with soccer, she was told she wouldn’t be in the recital. This has nothing to do with “structure” or “rules”, rather is rigidity at an age where children should be encouraged to be well rounded.

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[GAnative]

Both of my girls started dancing at 3 and were 8 and 5 when we moved here 4 years ago and they started going to Kathy’s. We have been happy with it but they are doing this for fun and exercise and I’m not expecting prima ballerinas. My oldest gave up dance last year for premier soccer but the youngest says “dance is my life” and can’t wait for summer classes to start.

Yes, they have rules but so does every other studio and while I may not agree with all of them I can live with them if my daughter is happy there. Plus it’s close and convenient.

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[wswestsider]

5, 6, 7, 8 people! Read the manual provided by Kathy’s when you sign up and it gives you all the information you need to help you understand the expectations, motivations, and what they’re all about!

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[hallie]

People, really, let’s stop and think a sec. First of all, a 3 yr old, what really do you think they are going to retain? Yes, they will learn the most important thing, working/learning in a group enviroment, regardless how many steps they do in a 3 min song. You should not expect them to come out and just amaze you with twirls and leaps. I am very proud to say that I know many families that have enjoyed the structure and discipline that Kathy’s Studio of Dance brings to their children. Not only have I seen it hands on but I have also been a student at one time. Now myself, I couldn’t keep up with it along with the other extra curricular activities that I had, but as my parents always have said to me, is that if you are going to start something then you always finish it and do it to your best ability. If you can not do that, then you should have never started. If parents show kids it’s ok to miss now and then, then your only showing the child that you can do anything half-A** but still finish. I have also been a student years ago at the Seattle Civic location and finished, but refused to sign up again. I was not at all pleased about how they down graded other dance studios. Now this was quite some time ago, and the teachers that I had may no longer be there. If it was my choice and at the time my parents, we would have gone directly back to Kathy’s. If I still lived in the Seattle Area I would have my daughter attend, no question about it. I know many of the teachers and I can’t say enough GOOD things about them. The fact that they don’t want you watching, think about it, we’ve all seen the kids that see their parents and are to worried about calling out to them or waving and doing other things because the parents are there. Now if they are too busy being concerned about Mommy & Daddy being there, then they are not paying attention, in turn not retaining anything to SHOW you when recital comes. It’s common sense. Now everyone is entitled to their own opionion and now you have mine. Kathy’s Studion of Dance is and always will be a great family to be a part of.

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[jbar]

My daughters have danced with Kathy’s for 8 years. My oldest started when she was 3. Kathy’s has been a fabulous place for my kids. My daughters have self-confidence, self-awareness, grace, poise, and more — they can even dance — largely due to the experience they’ve had at the studio.

Yes, there’s structure. Yes, there are rules. Imagine the chaos if every parent was 5 minutes late. Imagine the chaos if there weren’t rules (parents will do anything, try anything, say anything to get an exception.)

I echo Hallie above, it’s OK that parents don’t watch every time. There are several teachers and multiple assistants with every class. My kids have learned about responsibility — honoring commitments, being on time, taking care of their gear, respecting the financial commitment and more.

Having just gone through recital weekend before last, watching the amazing job all the kids do, how much they love it and enjoy performing has made it worth the time & financial commitment. One thing I know for sure, Miss Kathy is all about creating a love for dance…and she does it while doing her best to run a tight ship.

I highly recommend the studio – Miss Kathy has been teaching kids in West Seattle for 26 years — it’s a great local resource and very convenient. As your kids grow, it will become increasingly a pain to take them off the “island” for activities.

Watching the little kids start out at recital barely able to wiggle and shuffle (which is, btw, the HIT of the show) and seeing them progress and grow to confident, self-assured young women has been worth every rule, hassle and trip to the studio.

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[dancersmom]

Parents baffle me! TH you have got to be kinding Miss Kathy would never tell a child or a parent that their child needs to watch what they eat that is one of the wonderful things about this studio. Miss Kathy wants and supports children who want to dance no matter there size, unlike some other studios were weight is a focus it is not at this studio. My daughter has been dancing at Kathy’s Studio of Dance for 11 years, she started when she was 2 1/2. Yes there is rules and yes there is structure but it is not more then appropriate for the childs age. Now over the 11 yrs there have been things that I have not agreed with but my daughter loves this studio and does not want to dance anywhere else, she said to me years ago that she wanted to grow up in the studio and be like her teachers. She is she is one of the assistant teachers and I could not be more proud of her. She loves and respects each of her teachers who have all played a very important role in bein role models to my daughter. I have wanted to try other studios or add on additional classes but my daughter can not imagine going anywhere else. She has grown up at the studio and all her friends are there she has made some long lasting life time friends, this studio is a family, they are my family! Kathy’s Studio of Dance is not just about dance it’s about girls and boys growing confidently doing something they enjoy and to gain friends. I am very proud that now my 3 yr old son will be starting Tumbling this summer and when it comes to costumes, Miss Kathy does her best to keep costs down. I have never paid more then $50 for a costume and most of her costumes have been $40. Also, recital this is the most amazing production that moves very quickly and I know personally that the kids backstage are well cared for and very happy. Parents can be so judgemental and obnoxious. Why don’t you relax and let your child enjoy the expierence. and just so you know at 3 my daughter didn’t know the names of her classes mates either. And maybe dance isn’t for your child and thats ok but dont blame the studio. Dance is not for every child and THATS OK! at least you/they can try.

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[poohfan]

I have read all the above and decided to say something, which I usually don’t do. But, 23 years ago my daughter wanted to take dance because her friend was taking classes and they liked to do everything together. Over the years my daughter worked very hard because she really loved to dance, Ballet became her favorite so much Miss Kathy asked her to become a teacher. One of the things she had to do was take class at another studio also, we choose Cornish. Which is pretty strict dress code and all, but it was a great experience. My point is that over all these years she and I both have made some amazing friendships that started at the studio and we can’t imagine what our life’s would be like without all of them. Yes Miss Kathy has rules but there are rules in every sport, activity you get your kids involved in, the thing is if your kids enjoy it you handle the rules… Even though she no longer dances we STILL work the recitals every year. Once a family always a family.

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[jbar]

One more thing to add, junction merchants love to hire Kathy’s students — they know that they are getting a reliable, dependable, responsible employee who will show up on time.

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[Dunno]

I think West Seattle has two good dance schools that both offer a dance experience. I do know that the owner of Seattle Civic dance at Fauntleroy has been there for 10 years and owned the school the last 3 and would never bad mouth another dance school! Seems to be some sniping here and thats too bad because both schools have made West Seattle a better place to grow up.

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[dancersmom]

I get very defensive with these catty parents that seem to just want to bad mouth businesses that they don’t like. It is great that there are so many options out there for dance. There are tons of studios with in the general area. But why say nasty things about Kathy’s or any other place if you don’t like it then leave. You don’t need to cause a un-needed scene. There are plenty of other people that are happy. No studio is going to be the right studio for every child that is why its a choice. But when parents throw a fit and bad-mouth a business and or person what does that teach your child?

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[WSMom]

The original post read: “Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) with Kathy’s Studio of Dance? Would you recommend? Any other recommendations for dance classes in West Seattle?” There have been only 6 negative responses out of 23 replies to her inquiry. Apparently most people really like Miss Kathy’s Dance.

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