RI Ballet Arts Academy

"As the mother of twin toddlers, I absolutely understand that their attention span can be short. However, after the experience we had with Nancy at RI Ballet Arts, I would caution any parents with young toddlers before starting her pre-ballet class. After a recommendation from a friend with a daughter 9 months older, I asked Nancy if we could visit a class and allow my daughter (turned 3 end of August) to observe and determine her level of interest before we signed her up for class ($90 before apparel and shoes). Nancy was accommodating and also said she could participate if she wanted to. Her first class was 2 weeks ago with only one other student and she went in to participate. My daughter was a little hesitant but excited about class, the new environment, and new things. During the class, Nancy did remind her to listen a few times and although I thought she seemed a little abrasive for a toddler class with a new student, I assumed it was just an old school personality. We talked to her at home about using her listening ears before today's class. My daughter wasn't performing the skills perfectly, but hey, it was her first class, and she liked it, so we decided we'd come back to 2 weeks because we were away the following weekend. My daughter was so excited, told her grandparents "dance is her favorite" and couldn't wait to get into class today! There were 3 other students and 4 parents in the small waiting area this week. Nancy asked if my daughter was going to listen this week, which I didn't think was a super appropriate greeting for a 3 year old, but okay. Class started, and my daughter was happy and having fun but not exactly performing the best, again, she's still new. Within 10 minutes of the the class starting, I hear "get out then, go, go, go, go!" Another parent saw her walking out before I asked if she was alright as she came out of the dance room crying and upset. I consoled her, gave her a drink of water. While she was still upset, Nancy came out of the dance room and very rudely said "(Daughter's name) doesn't want to listen and she's disrupting the class so I told her she needs to get out." I honestly wasn't prepared for that type of interaction and just said ok, and started talking to my daughter again, who was still upset. She then said "Are you going to come back in and listen and not disrupt class?" and when my daughter didn't respond because she was upset, she then rudely said "Then you miss out!" and walked back into class. I did not respond. I asked my daughter if she wanted to participate again after she settled down, and she wanted to go home, so I changed her and we left. My husband called afterwards to politely ask what happened. Nancy immediately started yelling saying that our daughter didn't listen and we need to tell her to pay attention, said she was jumping when she wasn't supposed to be. My husband asked why she rudely asked her to leave the class because it was upsetting for a small child, and her response was "goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!" and she ended the call. I was stunned. We participate in a ton of things - swim, soccer, preschool, playdates, etc., and even though their skills are not on point at first, they're still pretty well-behaved, and at no time have we witnessed any teacher, coach, or instructor acted in this way to any child. Every child has moments where they don't want to participate and that's okay. They can take a little time and go back. How Nancy handled this was inappropriate and it seems like this age group might not be the best for her to teach, even though no child of any age or skill should have been treated that way. I respect and admire dance and the level of discipline it takes but at ages 3-4, this was shocking. I'd like to say my daughter had a great experience and this place welcomes little learners, but I can't. I truly hope others with young children have a better experience here but, I felt I needed to share for anyone looking to sign their child for beginner ballet. Thankfully, my daughter still wants to dance and I know she'll thrive elsewhere."

"The instructor is a terrible human. She was awful to my 3 yo niece in front of her entire class. If you value your child and their feelings, avoid this place. She truly deserves a negative review."

"I finally found a place where a real quality ballet is taught. Nancy is a great instructor with many years of experience. If my daughter chooses to become a professional ballerina this is the place to start."