I usually try to write good reviews because I like to support local businesses but when I write a negative one, it means a lot. I can no longer recommend SCC as an elite dance studio. If you are a parent of a competitive child, please take them elsewhere. There are so many great studios in OC, this one is not the one you want to sign your kid to.
My daughter started at SCC with academy dance classes when she was 3 yo. She is now 11. She was on the aerial competitive team for 3 years. She had such a bad experience with the team coach, as well as other older students, that after 8 years at SCC, I had to pull her out. The team coach and some other older students were rude to my daughter and the coach sometimes ignored her. She clearly didn't like my daughter. My daughter was pretending to be sick, not to go to class and was coming home crying. After 8 YEARS!!! and supporting the studio during the pandemic, taking a lot of privates ($$$), you would think SCC cared. Well, not so much.
The team coach acted very unprofessionally. Among other issues, she had scheduled another student during my daughter's private lesson without informing me, and the coach thought I should be grateful because I was not charged (which is not the point obviously!!!!!). The coach also recommended the use of supplements for students in the competitive team. Here is an excerpt of the email sent by the aerial competitive coach on 1/11/2022 that all competitive parents received about the supplements (I don't think it's okay for a coach to make these recommendations as they are unlikely to be qualified to make such determination):
"Supplements
Now that the students are competitively training on top of having a full day of school, it makes it difficult for them to focus during class, or complain about being tired while training so I would like all students on BCAAs and glutamine to help them with training during classes.
All competitive athletes take BCAAs to help their muscle fibers react properly while they are training (and focus) so they can build muscles and Glutamine is taken for the recovery process so their body can recover faster. This allows your children to train multiple hours over continuous days. These supplements are powder-based that go in water while they are taking classes and training at the studio.
I have worked out a deal with Nutrishop in Lake Forest so parents can receive a 15% discount off all of the products for SCC students. The supplements that I would like the students taking are FDA approved and safe for ALL age groups much included our younger students. The owner of Nutrishop has a background in nutrition and has been in the body building industry for over a decade and understands the amount of overtraining our Aerial Students are currently doing to prepare for competition and showcases and will make sure to guide parents with the correct supplement purchases. You are all welcome to purchase outside of Nutrishop If you like, they do offer supplements at places like Amazon, Costco, CVS, and other sites, but please make sure that you purchase the correct supplements."
I don't think this is appropriate for a coach to recommend supplements to young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend supplements for children, and says eating a well-balanced diet is best for young athletes. Nutrients need to be consumed together to be most effective. Supplements may also interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications, causing unwanted side effects. Prescription amino acid supplements may be safer but still cause severe stomach pain, fatigue and upset stomach.
***Soon after I posted this review, SCC posted a story on Instagram stating "Leave us a review on Yelp for 10% OFF at @dsu.scc * Must show a screenshot of review to front desk to apply promo"
Be cautious about reviews posted around 4/26/2022 or soon after as they might be from well-intentioned parents who fell for a marketing ploy to bury negative comments with or without their knowledge!!!!! read more