For starters let me say that this place feels like home!
This is a non-competitive studio.
They base their teachings around developing self-esteem rather than pushing the children (because that's what they are after all, not video vixens as most studios these days prime their students to be!) to be what pop culture has labeled as cool!
My daughter looks forward to going to class each day. The teachers are all friendly and express a genuine concern for their all around development. They conciously choose which music to use - even for the older classes that I have stuck around to watch. The lyrics are 'clean' and non-suggestive.
This studio stresses ballet as a base - which is precisely how I was raised. It's comforting to know that I did not have to settle with the other studio options around here!!
At first when I began taking my daughter here I felt as though she was just jumping around and playing during class time. I kind of felt like it was a waste of my time and money - after all she could do this at home right? So, I spoke with the teachers and they assured me that there was a skill being taught with every 'activity' that they present to the children. They gave me a couple examples, and the next class I watched more closely, and sure enough I could see my daughter developing these specific skills right before my 'now knowing' eyes! I was shocked to say the least that they took this much time and effort to prime children as little as 2 and 3 years old to become honest to goodness ballerinas!!
The price for classes is right around what you would pay at any other studio, and even park districts for that matter. The benefit is that I am not hounded for fees throughout the year like all of the other places we have been.
It seemed like every class there was something else that I had to dish money out for. Sure, Mohler Dance has it's fundraisers throughout the year, but they are all optional, and you can see precisely where the money raised is going! They put on an AMAZING show at the end of every year.
Again, attention to detail is shown at the annual performance. The costumes are all age appropriate, and nothing is revealing.
They also offer a 'performing group' for the older girls that take ballet at least 2x's a week. My daughter is still very young, and even though she takes ballet twice a week, I believe the age for this group is 8?? I'm not certain on that one, but it is a lot better than other studios that force their little girls up on stage and exploit them with their tasteless costuming and raunchy lyrics! Disgusting...but that's over now
I'm just thankful that Mohler Dance is an option for us now!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.... read more