Post 1of 2 A dance moms review after 2.5 years on company. I'm writing this review as a warning to other parents. Our experience from the get go has been a nightmare. Let me first say- I did a fair amount of research prior to joining and making the investment to join Pivot. The studio was previously Gabrielle's Dynamics and the reviews from while Gabe was still present are phenomenal. If the dancer had the opportunity to obtain a foundation of dance while Gabe was running the show or somewhere else they will likely do great. However if you are coming into the studio as a new dancer good luck. Anyone who was part of the studio prior to the past 3 years- likely had a wonderful experience. Sadly the studio has since run a different course. The studio was sold to a new owner and unfortunately as Gabe's girls are aging out of the studio and moving on- things are changing... Pros: The staff is nice. Rec classes are likely fine if your looking to get out of the house- you're child will absolutely have "fun". If you're on company your dancer will still have fun and make friends but unfortunately at the parents expense (why? see below). Cons: 1. COMMUNICATION- to say communication is lacking is being generous. The owner, Cara has no respect or regard for other people's time, energy or resources. Pivot brings a whole new meaning to the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Prepare to never be heard or listened to. It takes chasing the owner down and being "that mom" to get anything addressed. If you're not okay with confrontation this is not the studio for you. Worse, 9/10 its a matter of essential need to know information, that you won't receive until the last minute. 2. ORGANIZATION & PLANNING -non existent. The owner's lack of preparation and communication will leave you hanging by the edge of your seat the entire year. The class schedule will likely be provided no earlier than one week before school & extracurriculars start, leaving scheduling nightmares for families with more than one child or sport. If you're a single paren, working parent or have a spouse thats not available in the evenings or weekends good luck. The important dates, times & locations you will need for your child's events will not be provided until it's near impossible to make proper arrangements. 3. DANCE EDUCATION: The services you pay for will not be delivered. After 2 years, basic skills will not be mastered and should you choose to be on a competitive team: be prepared to compete at a high level without proper training. Due to the poor choice of team placement, the money you spend on tuition will go towards time spent redirecting kids who didn't practice, or who are not ready to learn a dance at the level being taught. Never learning how to dance but rather learning a constantly revised dance. A skill-set list has been promised to coaches and parents yet has never been provided. Theres no progress report or end of year list of mastered skills. To determine how your child is progressing you can simply watch practice videos online, try out at another studio or watch other teams at competition come more prepared and equipped than yours. 4. CHOREOGRAPHY: Be prepared for your child to learn a dance routine but not necessarily how to dance. The owner will spend your child's class time making up the dance rather than just teaching it. Once your child has learned the dance over the course of the 6 months it takes the owner to make it up and teach it -be prepared for the owner to change the music and many parts of the routine days before competition.The choreography will likely have skills that have not been taught or mastered. 5.EXPENSES: be prepared to shell out top dollar for gear and costumes because the owner prides herself on at least being able to look the part. However also be prepared for your gear to not be provided for utilization for the entire season, just be glad you got it. Oh, and don't ask questions. Be prepared to not see pictures that you've paid for until the end of the season Your costumes may not be done in time either- so be prepared for you child to hit the stage with an unfinished or ill-fitting costume. 6. COMMUNITY. Forget it- not allowed. If your expectation is to go in and make friends with fellow parents know that communication is shamed and discouraged. To the extent of being outlined in the contract -all so that the owner can maintain and uphold her image as a successful dance coach/owner. 7.STAFF. The turnover is unbelievable, be glad if your instructor is there for longer than 6 months. Anyone who tries to improve things, or give constructive criticism disappears. Also be prepared for your dancer to be taught by a student of the studio or an individual who may have no education or training in teaching dance outside of being a dancer themselves. continued to post 2/2 https://www.yelp.com/biz/pivot-performance-arts-gabrielles-dynamics-plus-temple?hrid=uukTubmXaWLStWwvxSoADw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup read more

This is THE best studio in Central Texas! I am saddened that the previous reviewer had a different experience than me. Unfortunately, it also seems they were misinformed. To be clear, the owner of Pivot is not "just an entrepreneur ". She IS a dancer, growing up and being trained at the same studio she now owns. She also danced professionally and has her college degree in dance, leading the Temple Kittens to a National Title while the director there in 2013. Being trained in classical ballet myself, I can tell you that Pivot is the real deal. The training my daughters receive there is exceptional. They are not only taught the movement but also the technique, the vocabulary, proper placement, and the explanation of how the body works and how to prevent injury during dance and acrobatics. Further, this is the only dance studio in the area (in fact MANY miles) that participates in the U.S. All-Star Federation, competing at the highest level! As participants of this program, the dancers are registered athletes, and given the opportunity to compete for bids to the Dance Worlds and Dance Summit. Cara (the owner), has led her girls to victory two years in a row (this was only our second year in all stars as Cara took over the studio at that time) as they received bids to compete at Disney world against the other top dance teams in the WORLD. Bids are required to compete at Worlds and they are not just given out, they must be earned. Pivot has earned bids for each dance they have competed so far. What's more is that college recruiters attend these events and the girls could be scouted. Scholarships are another opportunity afforded because of this program. Also, the owner leads all the competition teams herself and knows all of the girls and their families personally. It really is like family at the studio and the dancers feel at home with their coach. All in all, I can honestly tell you that there is NO other studio I would rather be a part of ANYWHERE! There have been some growing pains as is to be expected as much needed changes are being made. But the level of training my daughters receive at Pivot is phenomenal and the girls are being exposed to new things in the dance world, new places, and great experiences. The "other dance studio in town", as the previous reviewer called it, is fine if your kid wants to take an after school class (although Pivots recreational classes are awesome too!) or compete at the beginner level at competitions where everyone gets something for trying. But if your child has a passion for dance, wants to learn the proper technique, and eventually have the opportunity to compete against the best dancers in the WORLD, then Pivot is where you want to be. But you don't have to take my word for it, I've attached pictures. :) read more

My daughter started at Pivot in a basic rec class. After only one season, she decided she wanted to try her hand at competitive dance. As someone with a dance background that has coached dance both recreationally and at the high school level, I was pleasantly surprised with the All-Star Competitive Dance Program at PIVOT. Cara's background and love for dance is evident in everything she does. She gives her entire self to the students and pushes them to be the best versions of themselves, not only in dance but in their everyday lives. She instills strength, courage, responsibility, resilience, and the importance of being a team. Cara also encourages the girls to participate in outside activities and does her best to work around schedules. The communication between staff and parents has been rather seamless, and considering the effect COVID has had on EVERYTHING, Cara has managed to keep moving forward. She has always been upfront and honest. If you are not accustomed the competitive dance world, you must be patient. Directors do not control scheduling when it comes to competition performance times and are at the mercy of said programs. That normally means you do not get times until the week of competition. It's the nature of the beast. During our time at PIVOT, my daughter has had 2 major injuries that medically kept her from from performing. She was adamant that regardless of her limitations, she wanted to go to class and support her team. The staff found ways to include, support and encourage her throughout that time. That is the kind of environment Cara has built. Pivot is a community, a family, and we could not be happier with our decision. read more

I grew up dancing at this studio and was fortunate enough to be a teacher here for 6 years as well. It's one of the most incredible studios I have ever danced at and worked for. Mrs Cara goes above and beyond to make sure her students are thriving and learning something new every week and she does so much to make her studio the absolute best it can be. She is absolutely wonderful at making sure no child gets left behind and is one the greatest teachers and mentors I've had. If you want the absolute best experience for your child and family, then you definitely want Pivot! It is a fantastic studio. You will be amazed how much your child learns and thrives at this place. It will become so much more than just a dance studio, it will become your second home. Anyone would be lucky to have Mrs Cara as a teacher. She does everything she can for her students and her staff. I've never met a more positive, uplifting, honest, and caring person than Mrs. Cara. If you want the best for your child, then Pivot is the place for you! read more

My daughter has danced at this studio for eight and a half years, and we have loved our experience there!! While we initially enrolled her there to take dance classes, we also hoped that she would gain self-esteem, confidence, and new friendships. She has gained that and more! Pivot has become a second home to her, and the coaches and staff treat her like family. She started dancing as part of a competitive team after a couple of years and has loved it! The girls on her team have become some of her closest friends, and I know the other moms on the team will step in and help my child out in a heartbeat. Pivot fosters this kind of community and support. The owner, Cara, loves these kids and wants them to succeed in ALL that they do. We are so very thankful for the positive impact Pivot Performance Arts and Cara have had and will continue to have on our daughter. read more

My daughter has attended Pivot for 13 years, and it's an extraordinary place to dance! My daughter has had excellent dance instruction from Cara and her staff and has learned essential life lessons like being part of a team, that anything worth having takes hard work and a lot of practice. Dance is about so much more than just technique. It's about life lessons that will carry her throughout her life. Selecting a dance studio for your child is an easy choice in Temple- it's Pivot. read more