Alisa’s Dance Academy

It is our first year. I have been satisfied with the communication, level of organization, ease of payment, teachers and studio. Can’t wait for the first recital

My daughter has been taking ballet at Alisa’s since she was three years old (almost 5 years now). She has always enjoyed the classes and likes her teachers there. She also loves participating in the Nutcracker Spectacular performance, which she has done for the past two years. The performance is high-​quality, with amazing effects and music from the Westlake High School musicians and technical crew.
My daughter has also always had good recital prep — plenty of time spent in advance on the routine. I do find it irritating that they charge for tickets to attend the dance recital as it really is not a professional performance worth paying for. When we invite family to the recital, I feel ridiculous asking them to pay for tickets, so I just pay for them. We already pay a performance fee and a costume fee. It seems inappropriate to also charge for tickets to a kids’ dance recital.
I also wish there were more guidance from the studio in terms of opportunities. I feel a little lost about all the different performance groups they have, although I think it’s great that they do have so many without pressuring kids to join them.

i would go somewhere else if at all possible.
Problem is that Alisa is not around and there is no supervision of the teachers at this place We did not find it out our daughter had not learned anything until the recital. Our daughter went there for a couple of years and most were good. When she got a bad teacher and we thought it was just a fluke. The next year before her recital we were surprised to hear that once again she did not know what to do for the recital. Her teacher apparently just started teaching them their routine the week before.
So if you want to avoid tears and find an environment for your child that is uplifting and puts them in a position where they can succeed, then find somewhere else.
I also found out something strange about this place in talking to some of the other parents. I thought that we were the only ones who had a problem as I had relied on all the 5 star ratings they had achieved on here. But then one of the other parents told me you had to look at the «filtered comments». I had never heard of this! But sure enough, if you click on the link and go through all the security screens, there you wil find all the 1 star ratings!
So I am sure that is where this one will end up. What an unethical way to hide bad reviews!

I am going to give Alisa’s Dance Academy (ADA) a mixed review.
My daughter has been going here for two years now. In two years, I have seen some amazing dances from ADA students. ADA has a team of dancers called the ADA Elites that competes in dance competitions. These ADA Elites girls are amazingly talented and dedicated.
Every year, ADA has Nutcracker performance at the Westlake Performing Art Center. My daughter was a part of this event for one year. It was an incredible experience for both her and me. The whole show was also accompanied by Westlake high school live orchestra. It was Alisa’s intention to promote art, dance and music amongst young kids. Hats off, Alisa. It’s truly an admirable effort and production.
Now the not so good… The first year my daughter went to ADA, she went to her first ballet class and afterwards she told me she hated it. She almost gave up and refused to go back the next week. This was coming from a girl who had been going to dance classes 3+ years before ADA. She kept her dance classes on my urging and things did get better. I talked to one of the mom of a girl in her class. It turned out, this girl had the same problem. Apparently, the teacher was speaking nasty stuff to the girls during the first class. I was quite appalled. I never had this happened to my daughter before. Her previous dance places had been all nice people. Thankfully, I had not seen this teacher the next year.
The second year was better, my daughter took two classes: ballet and jazz. Compared to last year, the ballet teacher this year was super nice. She’s kind and compassionate. But my daughter recital piece was way too simple. Because of this, she did not like ballet as much as jazz. The jazz teacher was young but talented. She had choreographed quite a nice piece for the 12 girls in her class. My daughter loved going to the jazz class.
My daughter would be coming back for her 3^rd year in ADA next Fall. She would also be going there for summer camp. She also said she would want to participate in Nutcracker again. Hopefully we have a great experience again.

I am so thrilled that Alisa opened a studio in Lakeway! Both of my daughters are beginning their 2^nd years of dance at Alisa’s. My older daughter learned more at Alisa’s after one year than she did the 3 years prior at another studio. I have met Alisa and she is very personable and professional. She promptly deals with any problems or issues and is quick to address any concerns. Amanda, at the front desk, is very polite and helpful. I feel that Alisa really tries to ensure that the studio meets the students’ and parents’ needs. Plus, the dance instructors have been wonderful. We are looking forward to many more years of dance at Alisa’s! PS… as far as I can tell, the prices are the same as at any other dance studio…

Wonderful dance studio! My daughter is on her third year at Alisa’s and at a young age shows great technique… Thanks to her teachers. We have been happy with all of the dance instructors. You won’t find a better dance academy.

My daughter dances here and I *love* it. She used to dance at another studio and there is no comparison. Here are the reasons for the love:
1. They are incredibly organized. They have a website that is full of information and always up to date. They email me everything I could possibly need to know regarding deadlines, performances, costs, etc. The shows they put on are almost professional — wonderful stuff! They allow you to have a credit card on file so you aren’t always worrying about tuition or whatever else you need to pay for (and there’s a lot).
2. My daughter gets great dance instruction from qualified teachers and has fun in the process.
3. I don’t know Alisa personally, but I respect the sh*t out of her as a businesswoman. She runs the dance studio, and then provides tons of services that a) make it easier on the parents and b) make her money. I like that. She owns Dancer’s Closet right next door and yup, they always have what we need. You can order professional pictures, you can order flowers through the studio to give your little dancer after shows, you can buy a dvd of the various performances, on and on.
I am thrilled to have found this place and think my daughter will be dancing here for many years to come.

I have been dancing here for over 9 years now. The styles of dance vary from tap to ballet to hip hop! And the best part, you mom’s and dad’s out there, ADULT CLASSES. You can finally learn to salsa dance (which you’ve been meaning to do for awhile now) while your little angel is in her first ballet class! Pros: Great teachers, you really learn to dance! Cons: sometimes the prices aren’t so low…