Darlene's School Of Dance (Reported Closed)

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jiaomaine

Joined 2 years ago

Memories for a Lifetime. My daughter attended Darlene's School of Dance from Kindergarten until she was entered high school. The training she received got her accepted in the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville. From the many who audition, this program accepts less than a dozen freshmen students per year. She is now auditioning for colleges such as Boston Conservatory.

Most importantly, during the time she danced at Darlene's, she made lifelong friendships. Even though she is not in town, her dance friends are still her best friends.

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CSMobileUser2

Joined 5 years ago

Love Darlene's School of Dance!. I started st Darlene's school of dance when I was 2 yrs old (I am 29 now). The highlight of my school year growing up was getting to attend dance class. Mrs. Darlene taught me much more than dance she taught me patience, self respect and more importantly for a young girl, self esteem and confidence. Darlene has been teaching dance for many, many years and is the best teacher I have ever seen. I left her school when I was 14 only because the military transferred my Dad to Virginia. I have a daughter who is 2 now and wish that I lived in S.C. so that Mrs. Darlene could make a lasting impression on my daughter as she did for me.

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Templar09

Joined 5 years ago

Highly Impressed!. My children have not been asoociated with BCSPA as long as some of the reviewers but I have found BCSPA and Charleston Flyers Gymnastics to be a wonderful place. My children are learning something that will last them a lifetime. They can't wait to get there in the afternoons. The staff at BCSPAs is absolutely professional - especially Ms. Darlene. Her resume alone would be reason to allow my children to train under her but she employs a staff with noteworthy credentials in their own right. Darlene is professional and courteous to me and my children. She is firm in her teaching but it is obvious that her interest is in making her students the best dancers and gymnists they can be. She added a highly qualified gymnastics coach last summer to add to her already qualified staff. The best part about Darlene, for us anyway, has been her willingness to work with us on our tuition payments and even recital/costume fees. We faced some difficult circumstances and discussed the situation privately with Darlene. She worked with us allowing us to get our feet back on the ground and my children did not miss one lesson or event because of our delinquency. She was understanding and professional until we caught up our account. As for the recital, I am not sure what some of the parents saw that wrote earlier reviews. I thought that both of the recitals I've been to were just very well run. Rehearsal was hectic trying to bring together two studios (Darlene owns a second studio - WASPA). There must be more than a hundred students from both of her studios from baby's to teenagers coming together to perform probably thirty different numbers. Some stress is to be expected but Darlene manages the chaos and brings together a wonderful event the following evening at the recital. Coincidently, Darlene also puts on a super Christmas recital "The Christmas Toy Box." Darlene is a highly qualified professional and her studios reflect that! I highly recommend her and her studios!!

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waterlilly000

Joined 5 years ago

A Studio For The DEDICATED. well, well, well...

after reading the first two reviews, i just had to laugh. clearly those commenters are parents of younger children. i suppose you can't blame them for downing the studio, for they have not had nearly enough experience. my child has studied at darlene's for many, many years and she loved it when she started and SHE STILL LOVES IT NOW. mrs. darlene has helped her over come difficulties and has turned her into a beautiful dancer. the enviroment is loving and warm and all the dancers and gymnasts are fun. my daughter considers the studio to be her second family. and i couldn't agree with her more. as for the recital, it ALWAYS follows the theme and if it doesn't it is not darlene's fault, for it is the teacher's fault. the teachers are in charge of selecting the music and costumes. also, i can assure you that EVERY DANCER gets their fair share in the spotlight. those students who have continuously shown progress recieve solos and "special parts". as for her children, the are NOT treated any differently from the other students and they DO NOT recieve "many solos". i can tell you that her son and daughter are both AMAZING dancers and have learned everything they know from her. we love them and show them respect just as we do every other dancer in the studio. knowing darlene for as long as i have, i realize that she tends to get stressed around performance time. she may seem short with your children, but you must understand that it is only to make the whole show that much more amazing. parents, if your child can't take a little criticism, WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE OLDER. mrs. darlene has trained dancers that now perform in disney and on broadway. she's trained level 10 and elite gymnasts. trust me, she is amazing. check her out. you won't be sorry.

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petite2

Joined 5 years ago

We Love the School. The first two reviews are insulting to the 250 + students who LOVE the school. Including my child that has learned everything she knows from Ms. Darlene and Staff.

1st.- the Recital was June 7th, not June 6th. when the reviews were submitted. After a rehearsal - come on - have you ever been to a perfect REHEARSAL> That is where you iron out all the small problems. Recitals cost money -{Perhaps the other reviews wanted it all FREE} It is the ONLY recital to use projected imaging as the back-drop. which does cost including a professional staff & stage hands to run the show.

My chld has had a solo and No she is not the owners child. Students devoting much time and effort to their dance discipline, receive solos. Mrs. Darlene's children are talented and have studied dance under their Mother's direction since their ability to walk and talk. They should be great. We all love them .

The staff at Darlene's school of Dance is superb. There are several teachers within the school. The directors and teachers select the music and costumes as well as decisions of the cost of classes and recital performances. It is not up to us, the Parents.

I have alway found the prices to be fair. Ages 2-6 pay $75.00 per month for TWO CLASSES PER WEEK. This averages out to be $37.50 per month per class. Better Prices than the Community Center. The other review inflated the prices. Just pick up a brochure to see the prices in writing. A recital package was offered to the parents. The package included 1 - 2 in 1 costume, the recital fee, the trophy and year end awards for each student, a keepsake program book and 2 recital tickets . All Mothers and /or Dad's volunteering a little time to help... DID NOT PAY.

I just want to say - parents wanting a great school of character and excellent reputation of 30 years, you need to visit the school 1st hand and not listen to young parents that think we live in a perfect world.

Wait until their children get to 1st grade.....

Doesn't Recommend

ashlee11

Joined 5 years ago

Worst Dance School in the Charleston Area. Moved to West Ashley from Mt Pleasant. Had 2 girls in dance for 5 years. This dance company is over priced and poorly run. Do not give this woman a penny. The recital is a joke. I can not even believe I gave these people a year of my time and money. Over $2000 for 2 kids to dance one hour a week for one year. Ridiculous!!! Find some one else and let me know if they are better.

Doesn't Recommend

lovemysweeties

Joined 5 years ago

Don't spend your time or money until the kids are older.... Our family moved to the area 3 years ago. My daughter had 2 years of dance experience with a great dance company in our home state. We spent $40/month for one hour a week of tap and ballet compared to $75/month for 45 minutes a week at Darlene's. The recital/costume fee was $120 for 2 gorgeous costumes and included 4 tickets. The recital was properly themed each year (last year it was winter wonderland) and was held in a new theater much nicer than a high school auditorium. If family and friends wanted to attend, ticket prices were a mere $5 for adults and $3 for children. Much more affordable than the $15 per ticket for ages 5 and over. At Darlene's you can expect a $210 recital/costume fee that includes 3 costumes (2 homemade by the room mother and one professionally made from a dance design company) and 2 entry tickets. The recital at Darlene's is worse than bad. There is supposed to be some type of theme for the recital but you wouldn't know it just watching. There are all types of music and genres of dance that it's hard to follow along. She showcases her own children, who are actually very good by giving several solos to each of them. Darlene's children must take lessons elsewhere because they are so talented and it is evident that those same lessons are not available through her own dance company. Behind the scenes is her oldest son who controls the music/lights while she yells at him from the stage. Luckily there are a few good teachers to keep a decent retention of students year after year. Don't even get me started on the shabby shack she calls her studio. The building is practically falling down. For the amount of money she charges, one would think she might update her facilities every now and then. After 3 years, I will be moving my baby girl to a nicer dance studio. I only wish I could take her dance teacher with us. She's the only reason we came back this year. I've had enough of the high fees and the minimal benefits. A BIG THUMBS DOWN!!!