Classes start out great for your little ones; instructors are attentive, and we see our little dancers come alive. For my child, dance and musical theater are her oxygen; it is what feeds her soul. So seeing someone teach her the methods and how to's was wonderful. The recital is major work for you ...the mother as men are not allowed to assist with little kids due to costume changes. You have to run back and forth from the band/choir room and the auditorium. You are not allowed into the auditorium during dances; so it is truly a hustle to get back to your seat in time to see your little peanuts performance. You have to purchase a seat for your little one if she/he wants to sit in the PAC with you before or after their performance. You are not guaranteed tickets; in fact, people tailgate and are in line at 5 am to get tickets. Some make it a drinking tailgate...that was always a joy*. Recital at DWP- is like a sporting event with all the yelling from the audience. There is something unprofessional about the entire experience. It was a daunting chore for mom's, especially when your child is too young to manage costumes changes/hair/time. I had volunteered early on to assist in the back or provide snacks for kids as well as do a fundraiser to offset costume costs but was ignored. I had suggested a brat fry during the tailgating of tickets to help offset costume/ticket costs; again I was ignored. I was not in favor with the owner or her clique...and trust me it is very cliquey. If you continue at DWP thru the preteen and young teen years, you will see a shift in the experience for your young dancer(s) and yourself. Recital song and costume choices are left with little or no guidance as the instructors leave it to the kids. My daughter not being a "popular" was not only dismissed for her opinions but laughed at or ridiculed. I found this to be a missed opportunity for the instructors to step up and teach sisterhood, teamwork, and guidance. Maybe they should pick out three or four outfits and songs; put them on a ballad and have a blind vote. That would be a democracy and no opportunity for bullish behavior. On numerous occasions, my daughter & others left class extremely frustrated because they were ignored or the fact that there was zero dancing because of arguing over songs/costumes, sometimes this lasted three weeks. The lack of leadership is evident throughout this organization from instructors participating in gossip to not communicating with students on their progress. Dance season/classes begin in September; the recital is in June. Then you are left waiting for the summer to find out via a letter if your child has moved up to the next level. At NO TIME is your child critiqued or given any feedback on what they, as an individual dancer, need to work on to move up. On numerous occasions, I requested additional sessions with my child only to be ignored. They acknowledged my child's stage presence but never discussed technique. Opted to hold her back for trivial reasons; they mentioned attendance one year- my child did not drive, and we faced a family crisis that year, and it was difficult to get her there- yet my daughter performed very well. Then there were comments on attitude; nothing specific when I asked about it. Something about talking in class....yet "popular" students left to go to the gas station next store for snacks, interrupted the class with off dance topic issues. Discipline is inconsistent and maybe if the instructors didn't spend the first ten minutes or longer gossiping or discussing their weddings and baby showers; the students would be poised to learn. DWP have rules in writing, but nothing is enforced. Numerous years they required leotards be worn in ballet; so we would purchase one and my daughter would be one of maybe four in class wearing one. Then it was back to bootie shorts and tank tops. Not every senior gets a solo; the instructors pick and choose. Unlike the other studio which allows them to audition. My daughter's instructor at DWP showed no interest in her. Her instructor is also not formally trained in dance, does not hold a degree in dance or dance teaching. When and if your little ballerina opts to go into point- around 12- and if she does not display a skill set after the second season...she won't have a sit down with the instructor- you as the parent won't get a call...nope you will receive an email tell YOU to tell your child they cannot go into pointe next year. My daughter had such issues with her toes and ankles that I pulled her from it...it was not worth it to me. Against my wishes, my daughter stayed at DWP because of friends and hoped that it would change. She was told she could not do a senior solo because of time constraints yet her instructor/owner added four or five minutes to the recital for their own dance routine and one focused on her engagement. Now I am fully aware that while my child as many read more