Fifth Avenue Dance Studio

05/03/2008 Posted by amazingeagle

Tried Fifth Avenue - it's close to home so why not? I'm having a great time and learning a lot. I love coming here, everyone is very helpful and nice. Pleasant learning atmosphere and very encouraging for a beginner like me. Good choice. Especially flexible schedules.

Pros: Patient teachers, lots of laughter

Cons: Crowded on Fridays

03/01/2008 Posted by aldewro

I was a bit skeptical about my ability to learn dancing, I've always considered myself a bit awkward and in over my head on a dance floor - (I'm not a thin, graceful person by nature), but I am glad a friend recommended I try Fifth Avenue dance Studio. I have been there several months and am thrilled ( and slightly amazed - LOL - ) at my ability to retain and use what my teacher shows me. I may not be the flashiest dancer out there, but I'm confident enough now that I now look forward to dancing. The instructors (and other students) are patient and make the lessons fun and enjoyable. Who knew I could chachacha? I like my private lessons best, but also enjoy the group sessions, I get to dance with other students learning at my level and just enjoy socializing while I learn. I eagerly look forward to each and every visit. All the teachers seem very knowledgeable - not just about the dances, but also how best to help me learn quickly. I have to admit I did try another school briefly because it was closer to my home but the teachers at Fifth Avenue were so much more friendly and helpful that I stopped going to the other place. I'm glad I took my friend's advice and plan on being there a long time!

Pros: Teachers are experienced pros and staff & students alike are welcoming and encouraging.

Cons: Can't think of anything negative

11/18/2007 Posted by gingerrogers

I was a teacher here briefly a few years back and because of their dishonest payroll policies at the time I don't feel bad about exposing their slimy practices. If you sign up for the intro special, you are signing up for a very well scripted sales pitch. As they recruit new teachers (few last very long there) their training is more focused on having them memorize the scripts then on their dancing skills. The scripts involve saying things to students like, "oops I ran five minutes over!" "I'm not supposed to show you this move but I will." and other total BS things to make you feel special. It's all about getting you to buy big expensive packages of lessons that will probably get you no further than a $40 group class at the local experimental college.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

09/24/2007 Posted by kentoakes

After years of procrastination, I finally decided to try to learn to dance. I live in close by and thought all right, bite the bullet, just do it. The teachers at Fifth Avenue Dance make my lessons fun and easy, even when I've had a bad day at work!!! I never thought I could learn to dance, but with patience and the skill of my talented instructor I'm well on my way to reaching a dance goal I only dreamed about. Vive la dance.

Pros: Great atmosphere and dedicated staff, they really know their stuff

Cons: Friday night parking can be a challenge

03/14/2007 Posted by cmclin

Fifth Avenue Dance Studios is where I was first introduced to Ballroom dancing. I used to drive by the Studio after work and noticed the people dancing – it looked like fun. I was inspired by what I saw and enrolled in a program. The staff there is friendly, professional and helpful. I liked that my lessons not only taught me how to dance – I also had a new hobby that expanded my social life. I have taken lessons at other dance studios – it's only natural to want to see what else is available out there – I found that I received excellent training at Fifth Avenue. I have recently returned to Fifth Avenue because I find the atmosphere very comfortable, the staff is great, and I like how I am trained (Ballroom dance is typically taught by syllabus - this builds a progression of steps and patterns. Learning to dance well takes time). I'd recommend Fifth Avenue Dance Studios - it offers excellent training, civility and fun!

Pros: Correct technique is emphasized

Cons: Studio located in Downtown Seattle - parking can be difficult

10/25/2006 Posted by tangocat5

My wife and I have a wonderful new hobby in dancing together. I have to say I was skeptical but the teachers are real professionals and have been patient and encouraging, which kept me coming back. It's been a few months now and already we've gone to social events and had a great time with our new found skills (and dance friends) on the dance floor. The flexible scheduling helped with arranging for babysitters...Wish I'd done it sooner

Pros: Professional, fun teachers make it easy - friendly student body

Cons: sometimes parking-give yourself a little extra time

08/22/2006 Posted by banana_split

I danced at this studio for over a year after their high pressure sales techniques trapped me and my money. I had no control over my dances. After several thousand dollars, the staff refused to call me by my preferred name or take my concerns seriously. I was also unable to follow a student that was supposedly the same level as I was after we had both been there a year. The manager of the studio was cold and abrupt and the male instructors made me feel uncomfortable time and again. I recieved inappropriate phone messages at an alarming frequency and my requests to be left alone while I needed time off for major life events were not respected. Staff members develop intimate relationships with students making an ackward situation for all those involved. Every time I went to the studio I recieved dirty looks and personal questions. THe staff is socially ackward and the students do not gain a compentency to take with them into social dancing.

Cons: rude teachers, no real instruction, unprofessional

05/09/2006 Posted by seattlegirl8

This dance studio is small and old fashioned. Much of the clientelle is retired, so if you have a problem with scheduling, its your fault. The women who run the studio are both cold and unapproachable. Lessons progress painfully slow, and don't even think about asking for help that doesn't follow their strict lesson plans. Friday night "practice parties" remind me of senior's bingo, where the old and older get together in the dark to fumble through dance moves as the owner and her primary male "student" swirl around through the crowd. The emphasis here is on them: they teach, you watch diligently and repeat. They do not encourage fun or laughter, or progression at a pace that is comfortable for the student. We attempted to get refund for lessons that we would be unable to complete and they refused. All in all, I would highly recommend going somewhere else.

Pros: 2 of the teachers

Cons: management, pressure sales, quality

11/15/2005 Posted by tonjabrown

This company gives tons of pressure to buy lessons from them. If you decide you no longer want lessons they will not refund your money. Really bad business practices. Prepare for the run around with them. I do not recommen them at all.