Studio 22 Dance Center 135C Boston Post Road, East Lyme, CT 06333

"I took my daughter who was reluctant here for the first time last year and then again this last summer for camp. She never wanted to actually dance because she was shy but she still participated whenever she wanted to. Miss Ali, Miss Nicole and all their helpers were so patient with my daughter, even though it was apparent she didn’t want to dance..at first. By the end of the camps she was dancing her heart out and probably would’ve received the most improvement award if there was one. Every day she came home with cute crafts and told me about how kindly her teachers treated her. We love this place and would recommend to all! I’ve even had a few of my friends look into it for when their kids are old enough."

"We are new to dance and have had nothing but a great experience! My son took a 4 day summer hip hop class and loved it, so we signed up for Ms. Deb’s fall class. She made everyone feel at ease and is so nice and fun! She always has positive things to say to each student even when she is correcting something. She manages to keep my lively son engaged and focused and he’s learning so much! The owner Miss Nicole has been so helpful in answering all our questions (and we have a lot) since this is such a new experience for us. I’m so thankful I found this dance studio! I highly recommend it!"

"I have four grandchildren who are taking or have taken classes at Studio 22 Dance Center. I come from a dance background and danced my whole childhood into adult life; so have seen many dance studios over the years, from many parts of CT and Massachusetts as well as NYC. So, I know a good dance studio as well as those that are not. Studio 22 is one of the best around! I have found the Studio 22 teachers to be very professional but also have a passion for what they do. I have seen them go out of their way to insure that the children are their first priority. They are very communicative regarding both the children in the classroom as well as dance school policies and calendar events. One of my grandchildren attended two of the dance camps this summer and loved it. She is not technically a dancer; but woke up every morning excited to go, and asks when the next camp will be! My other grandchildren are young and beginner dancers, taking regular classes at Studio 22. All three have shown me their moves and are very excited about taking classes regularly. They love their teachers. I have had the opportunity to observe all their classes and I was impressed with all the teachers and their patience and knowledge during class. I understand that a few of them have teaching experience outside of dance and that is evident in their classroom style. I always do my homework when using a new facility and found the resumes of the both the owners and the teachers to be fantastic. I would absolutely recommend Studio 22 Dance Center to anyone who is looking for a positive environment taught by multi-faceted and experienced teachers. This is just what the area needed!"

"From what I hear it's under relatively new ownership but our experience couldn't have been worse. My daughter has been taking movement/ballet classes since she was 18 months, she's 4 now. We moved so she has has 4 teachers now. She has enjoyed it which is why she continued with it but I'm not a "dance mom" - the moment she's not having fun, not just an off day but on repeated occasions she's out. She started in the summer after a day at camp, it was new, and let me say it again SHE'S 4! The classes were in the evening, which ok I can manage but my daughter was tired by 7. The teachers complained after her first day that she didn't listen very well which she usually does and I apologized explaining she was at camp, in the sun and she was tired. During the "parent showcase" where you would expect the teachers to be on their best behavior I felt uncomfortable watching them forcefully manipulate her through movements and wondered how they acted when parents weren't around. If she wants to take a break let her, again she's 4! I kept my mouth shut and still signed her up for the fall stupidly thinking if I make sure she has enough downtime, align the stars it will be ok. Well here's how that went. After her first fall class my daughter asked if we could go back to Ms Nikki's. I asked what she meant and eventually she told me the teacher (Ms Chelsea) made her cry. I asked what happened and she said Ms Chelsea said she didn't like her hair, clothes, or face?!?! I said "well was your hair in your face? Maybe that's what she meant, and she clearly but timidly stated that her hair wasn't in her face, her clothes didn't need to be adjusted etc. It was heartbreaking to know that I trusted this teacher to cultivate my daughters interest in dance and that not only did she give her a negative experience but she abused her "power." I spoke to the dance studio after and they said my daughter wasn't fit for their classes - any of them. That they have a rigorous structure that isn't fit for certain children etc, My daughter took multiple dance classes in Boston and attends gymnastics, swim, soccer, and 2 different preschools. I will admit that when she's tired her attention span is more limited - but tell me one parent of a 4 year old that says they listen all the time! Lastly for being so strict about their teaching methodology you would never guess that any of them were dancers, just saying! I'm writing this in the hopes that I can prevent some parent like myself from giving Studio 22 the benefit of doubt they don't deserve."

"My 8 year old daughter began taking ballet lessons at Studio 22 last fall, and she loves it. She eagerly anticipates her class each week, and devotedly practices her routine at home in between. She loves her teacher, who is also one of the owners of the studio, the lovely Velouria. Studio 22 boasts a perfect balance between a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and a dedicated approach to learning the appropriate skills and techniques necessary to dance well. We're so grateful to have found Jenn and Velouria at Studio 22!"