Stage Door IS THE PINNACLE of dance in Sarasota. The word that comes to mind is "EXCELLENCE." My…read morechildren attend hip hop and mini flip hop classes at Stage Door. Their teachers are kind and patient. The staff in the front office is very helpful l, courteous and welcoming. The staff's professionalism is unparalleled. Upon spending any time at the facility, it will be evident that Stage Door Studios is a well-oiled machine. The viewing area is perfect for parents & families wanting to spectate. It is ample space with comfortable seating and screens for viewing dancers working hard and having fun in each studio. There is also a thoughtful children's area with child-friendly furniture and a tv showing children's programs. Every aspect of our experience thus far seems to have been carefully curated to cater to the comfort and enhance the enjoyment of the entire family. We LOVE Stage Door!

My children danced at Stage Door for 6 years (first recreationally and then competitively) and…read moreloved it for a long time. But 3 years into dancing for one of their competitive teams, my children were kicked out of the studio with just a month left to go in the season. They were unable to perform at recital, or at their final competition, and 3 months later the studio has still not refunded the money I paid for services unrendered (summer classes, a convention, unused recital costumes etc) and they will not respond to my emails. The reason for dismissing my 1st and 4th graders? I took them to a private lesson at another studio for additional training and the owner didn't like that. Dancers as young as 5-6 years old are made to sign a contract if they want to dance at competitions with the team. Initially I didn't think much of this but by the third year (and as my second daughter was entering the youngest competition team) I started to have concerns about the stifling nature of it. Essentially, I walked into Stage Door with a 4 year old child in 2016, and before I knew it I was locked into some kind of situation where they would be penalized for even looking at other studios . (By the way, I didn't sign the contract last year but they held me to it anyway.) We stayed a couple years longer than we should have because the kids made friends and didn't want to leave them. If it weren't for that we would have left sooner. As things often do, it all worked out for the best. My girls and some of their previous teammates have found a new studio which they absolutely love and I'm confident that this new studio has their best interests at heart. I'm so excited for their future in dance and it's a relief to know they're training with adults who care about them. Stage Door is a large studio that shows well. It's big, offers a lot of class times for young kids and when you aren't yet enmeshed in the dance world you don't see the red flags. I certainly didn't. My advice, if you're looking for a dance studio, is to sit down with the studio owner and really find out what they're all about. Ask questions. Talk to parents of older kids. Talk to the studio owner at length. I probably talked to the studio owner at Stage Door for less than 20 minutes combined in 6 years. At our new studio, I've talked to the studio owner for hours on end and we've only been there a few months. It's night and day. Just do your homework.

I don't know where to start , my daughter had been on a team at a dance company where was feeling…read moreunhappy at that studio for a while,.....she wanted to dance where she would not be just a number in a very overcrowded environment, she wasn't getting trained to her full potential even with lots of classes, and the owner was never seen or heard. Even though daughter liked few teachers, she felt bored most of the time and they teach the dance, not so much skill of that dance, she didn't want to just memorize it ..she wanted to learn proper skills and to be good dancer, I just saw my child not learning any great skills she wanted so she could grow ...And..this summer we decided not to go back. But where to go? Not that many choices of good dance companies around here. So as I started researching to see what few of these dance places around our area had to offer, I was getting more discouraged...too many kids, too few, place to tiny, I felt like goldilocks...LOL, We tried one studio for less than 2 weeks, they changed schedules twice in short time, no place to sit...tiny, they hired high school teens as teachers, oh and worst ..when I saw one of the costumes considered for competition, and other issues that I noticed from start...I knew we had to run...to keep on looking. Then I heard about the Art and Soul. I found out some older amazing dancers we know left old studio and came here also, that got my attention.. so I had to see for my self.. why I chose it... A long phone conversation with a very pleasant ,unbelievably lively, friendly, sounding extremely expert in the dance business and a dancer herself ,and patient (with me,I ask a million questions)...LOL.. woman, whom I found out was the owner, I asked if we can come by to see it and,she was happy to meet. when I got there in an hour I was surprised see her pull up too. I thought she was at the studio at the time, she could have just said ...hey I m not here now but I can meet you tomorrow...oh no not this lady... Alana Turner on day off drove out just to meet my dance loving child..i was in shock, she is so energetic, she has bigger than life personality and is very warm but very firm and professional. The way she runs her studio was evident immediately very hands on, not like I ever saw before, after I was there second time and third when people with children were coming in and classes in session, she watches all is going on in her studio,my mouth dropped when I saw her offering animal crackers to little boys, brothers of a girl who was trying out, to keep them happy while she spoke to family but not in rushed ...fake way we are used to ...she really wanted to please the kids. i saw she really loves teaching dance and is amazing at dancing too..as you watch her in there with them that's all you can say is wow, it was something to see, and the energy she has, and she also hires grown ups teachers not teens. ...the plaza is safe to walk around while waiting, nail salon two doors down ...my favorite thing to do twice a month while she is at dance ....it is so clean and all new ...beautiful modern tiled entry and spacious lobby/waiting area ,with couch and lots of chairs .... tv for little ones with cable...and tv screens on each wall for both rooms to watch your kids dance practice without having to press your face against the door to get a peak of your precious child practicing dancing ...how awful that I had to do that all these years, I remembered leaving marks with my face on the little glass window of the door at the other place she danced , also the place before that when she was little...how thoughtful I thought... and best part , for especially a bit older girls who dance a whole lotta hours which.... mine is getting there already....she had designed it so there's lots of study areas in the back for dancers to study with so many outlets and seating, a microwave on counter top just for dancers to heat up snacks, and my daughter also loved the two dressing rooms with actual doors not a curtain.....lol , no more changing in a bathroom ...or dying to potty and having to hold it in while late to go back to class , because someone is changing in there, my daughter has hated that the most , and now her dream I think came true she is a in real professional dance studio, with real beautiful professionally installed wood floating dancing floors that are installed with the dancers feet in mind to keep them from getting injured., not just any cheap flooring like I have seen many times before... my daughter said..mom, I didn't know tap could be so great and fun...she is so energized by this studio and teachers, and I never saw her working this hard even with double the hours at other place. she is learning to dance now...she is happy now and I m too. I finally found this amazing "Gem" of a dance studio hiding out at I 75 and University parkway.... dream come true for my girl.. right about 3 minutes from UTC mall.

We had a disastrous experience with Art and Soul Dance over the last year…read more Coming from a great studio to Art and Soul, we had the following observations. The owners are not open to feedback. If you provide feedback, your child is likely to be cut from dances or have their role limited. The owners of this studio focus more on emotionally traumatizing their dancers than teaching them skills. It was not uncommon for dances to change at the last second before competitions leading dancers to be unsure and nervous going onstage. Calling out dancers in front of their peers to do better was also not uncommon. The owners will tell you whatever you want to hear to sign up including what classes they offer. This will change once the season starts. Teacher turnover is high here. The one teacher we felt was strong, the ballet teacher, has moved on. We have had to ask the studio multiple times for pins earned and judge feedback from competitions. They refused to provide them. We question the accounting at this studio. All payments are made out personally to the owner. This seems odd for a business and we were never quite sure of the accounting. If you are looking for a studio that builds up your child's confidence and love of dance, this is not it. If you are looking for a studio where the owners are approachable and open to feedback, this is not it. If you are looking for a studio that is chaotic, mismanaged and where your child comes home questioning if they want to dance anymore, this is probably the studio for you. I would caution anyone looking to put their child in dance at Art and Soul to do lots of research and look past the positive reviews that will be fabricated to bury this one.

I'm a pro/am dancer from Los Angeles looking for a local coach to train with for my frequent…read morevisits. This studio blew me away. Just open the door.. gorgeous studio, a dance floor you just want to dance on, smiling students and friendly instructors. Maks was exactly what I was searching for MORE! Everything you need is right here. Social dancing, exercise, shoes, attire, technique, joy and much more. Do yourself a favor and just stop by. I'm so thrilled to continue my dance journey here + can't wait for my next trip to come back + dance!

I started dating a wonderful woman that has a successful early career in ballet. Facing my fears, I…read moresigned both of my left feet and my girl for lessons. I come from the other side of the tracks so it was intimidating for sure. Getting there is the worst part. We were greeted by Evie, an expert in all respects, including teacher & professionalism. It's work and expands the neural pathways in the mind (synapses). Looking back and hopefully forward, it's been the best thing I did for the past few years. Thanks, Evie!

This Dance Studio is an awsome place to look at .They're amazing ,I never really got to meet the…read moredancers though. I live in Sarasota FL and discovered them a while back.I hope everything is alright with them

Save your money, steer away from this place. Wasted 8 month on training in this studio. Right…read morebefore the competition which I have paid $1500 for I was told that they have a new policy (which was never introduced to me) where I have to pay for 2 male partners/instructors. When asked if I could have a female as a second instructor the answer was NO, you can have a female, but there MUST BE 2 MALES. Refused to pay for 2 males, they have canceled my bronze program agreement with them (which violated my Student Agreement). Asked for refund of paid $1500 for the competition which they have canceled the entry to. As result, they have come up with bunch of paperwork excuses (also have been told that they will pay it over 90 days in 3 different checks). Received the paperwork for the refund which forces you to give up all of your rights holding them responsible for anything. If you value your time and money you will not get involved with this studio. Management are bullies, they do not respect Fred Astaire agreement they are signing with you, rude and unprofessional with questionable morals. The owner making remarks to me about using a cocaine infused tea on the trip to Peru (where another "competition" was to be held).

Buyer beware! My wife and I attended this location in 2018 to prepare for our wedding. The dance…read moreinstruction was solid, no complaints there. Unfortunately, they hard-sold us a package deal that included far more lessons than required. It was incredibly emotionally manipulative - either I ruined my bride-to-be's excitement or we overpaid significantly. It was so obvious and slimy, but you can guess which option I went with. Life ended up taking us out of Florida and nowhere near any Fred Astaire studios, so I called to discuss a refund for our unused lessons. Would you believe that it's not in their policy to refund unused lessons? Shocking, I know! The whole thing is so unethical and, sadly, predictable. If you're going to go, pay by the lesson! Don't let these crooks steal your money too.

Best studio in the area for master level guidance! Not to mention their amazing hearts. If you're…read morelooking to develop a new skill or revisit an old one, Tesci and Souhad are the answer!

Souhad and Tess are the nicest people. Souhad is an excellent teacher, my husband and I came in not…read moreknowing anything and now after a couple months we 5 dance types u dear our belt and have a great time dancing

I have been with AM dance studio for a year and I feel that not only have I been learning to dance…read morewell but it's such a great social environment that I feel like a part of a dance family. The instructors are fantastic. They have fun parties and events and there is always something exciting coming up.

A little over a year ago, I was a little hesitant to walk through the Arthur Murray Dance Studio…read moredoors. I was looking for a connection. Today, I'm glad I did. During my time here at ARMDS of Sarasota, I've seen a lot of advancements not only in myself, but with my peers as well. The ARMDS learning progression, allows for a strong foundation to be gained while moving up the various levels. A recipe for success. The ARMDS of Sarasota, allows for a conducive learning environment by providing a very warm and uplifting atmosphere for learning the various dances. A feeling of unity and family can be felt during before and after each session. Their set of instructors (Haley, Jose, Jasmyn, Darrell and Natalia) all elicit the best talents from each student working with. Their strong support for the students has been seen throughout our weekly events and sessions, specials events held throughout the year and with the higher seeking competitive students. In all, I think the Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Sarasota is a good find. A gem. Best, Robert