Sweatshop Dance

"Last year I reached out to Brian, the owner of Sweatshop, about trying to get my post-covid anxiety ridden kiddo to try one of Sweatshop's weekly intensives. He was so kind, assuring, welcoming and provided his cell phone and we had a great chat. In fact, great doesn't even begin to describe it. I was so excited that I was able to get my daughter on board to start the intensive that very next day and paid $600 for the week. That first day she had so much apprehension that Brian had a discussion with her and again, was so kind. But my daughter had a full blown anxiety attack about going back the next day. She simply couldn't do it mentally so I reached out to Brian about just paying for the first day or at the very least some kind of refund since we literally chatted, paid and ended for the week within a 24 hourish period. Would have totally understood if Sweatshop had held a spot for her for a long period of time, but this was not the case. In any case, I kindly emailed a couple of times (all emails opened but never responded to) and called as well... and he ghosted me. Disappointing given the front-end was so amazing. Not kind and certainly put money before empathy. ***As the owner has responded and I appreciate the response, I want to make note of a few things... I am referring to an immense surge in anxiety among teens post the covid pandemic. Anxiety was definitely a part of the communication and I appreciate you trying to make her feel welcome. I checked my email thoroughly as well and the last email communication I am showing from you is dated Monday, 7/25 confirming you checked in on her after she called me saying she wanted to come home about half-way through that first day (her anxiety/nothing the studio did). Coincidentally this is the same day I booked her into the class, the same day I paid for the entire week and the same day my kiddo decided it was too much for her. This is the reason I reached out to you later that day stating "please LMK if there's any refund I may be able to get for the week" because it was the same day I paid for the class for the entire week. Anyway, the next communication I have in my email is from the general Sweatshop email telling me about the fall semester on 9/6. I don't see anything dated 8/5. And with all due respect, here's an additional reality: families, too can also operate on an extremely limited budget, especially after coming off a pandemic. And I understand deposits... again I booked, paid and my kiddo attended the same day for one day not an entire week and it would have been kind and thoughtful to hear back regardless of what your answer might be especially given the wonderful communication before I paid the invoice. I would have hoped you would have taken the entire situation into consideration ($600 for ONE day/as in perhaps I can do something about this $$$ as the owner) and/or let me know if there is anything you could do, but as I said, I never heard back and I felt the consideration for the situation went right out the window with the money. Perhaps your email never sent. Appreciate your hopes for her."

"We had a great experience at Sweatshop! My daughter started dancing at this location very young, and even when she stopped dancing for a couple years, she was welcomed back with open arms. She is now moving away to college, and with some extra classes and some amazing instruction from Sweatshop, she just made a college dance team. This is by far the best dance studio we have found in Colorado, and we can't recommend this location enough. Thank you for always supporting our daughter."

"My daughter has grown so much with her technique. We love our experience here with sweatshop."

"Best studio in Colorado! The only place to take your child if you want to get the best technique training to carry them through to adulthood and a dance career."

"My son started dancing at Sweatshop in August of 2012, in just a few months I have seen tremendous growth. The staff here is amazing and I love the fact that all the families work together to promote a healthy team environment. Brian is incredible in his instruction and encouragement. He has really focused on making this studio about true technique and not just competition. I would strongly recommend this studio for any dancer who wants to grow."