Ballet Arts

I found this studio after searching for a studio that would offer more advanced study for my youngest daughter. I was worried about the studio being brand new and so small, but I was given numerous promises. So, I enrolled my youngest daughter into the serious study program and my oldest daughter in once a week jazz. Ms. Bev encouraged my oldest daughter to join the serious study as well, and after many reviews of an extremely tight budget we decided to enroll my oldest daughter in the serious study program as well. They also auditioned for the Nutcracker and were given numerous roles. Almost immediately, Ms. Bev began saying vicious things to my oldest daughter. She told her she wasn’t a ballet dancer… but didn’t she encourage my daughter to do ballet?! And didn’t she promise my child that she could «pull strings» to get my daughter into the dance program at Brenau University with a dance scholarship?! But now that she has my money Ms. Bev tells my child she’ll never do anything as a dancer! Ms. Bev accused my child of being half naked when she was in fact fully dressed and outside with my permission. She began making nasty comments about my kids — which wasn’t shocking since she gossiped about every student and parent that walked through her door. She even told a child to lose weight — in front of a room full of kids! Ms. Bev then told my child to find another place to dance. I wasn’t watching at that time, but two other parents saw what was happening and told me to go to my daughter. A dance teacher was also with my daughter and apologized profusely for Ms. Bev’s horrendous behavior and told my daughter she was proud of how respectful my daughter remained while being browbeat unnecessarily in front of a room full of students. I collected their things, and I put my crying child in the car. I asked Ms. Bev if I could talk to her privately (as she was always in the lobby gossiping anyway), and Ms. Bev completely ignored me and sat uselessly in the studio. After I had waited for nearly two hours, Ms. Bev finally came out, and I asked again (quietly!) if I could speak to her privately for a few minutes. She got very aggressive and loud so that the children could hear her and said she didn’t do her business on dark sidewalks. I only wanted to talk quietly away from the children in a lighted area as there was no other place to talk. She refused! She continued being loud and aggressive and said many terrible things to me and about my children and me. This from a «Christian» woman who claims her purpose in life is to teach dance. I tried to get reimbursed for the months of classes that my children would not study at the studio — she refused to return a penny. I told her that my children wouldn’t be able to continue dancing as I had put every penny into her studio — she didn’t care. I feel the need to mention that I either bought or paid for Ms. Bev’s dinner on numerous occasions, ran errands for her, bought her toe pads for broken toes, rosin for the entire studio, a box to put the rosin in, tape for the floor, folders for her paperwork, and my husband had fixed both the barre and her front door FREE OF CHARGE!!! All of this for someone who cares nothing about my children except the money she could extort from them and me. Ms. Bev loved to boast about her past, but I never saw anything current or substantial to prove her claims. I could go on and on in more gruesome detail, but this should be enough to encourage you to run quickly and run far from this studio. She doesn’t care about your child. She cares about the money in your purse and that’s it. She is a reprehensible human being, but as my lawyer says, being a jerk isn’t illegal. Immoral, unethical, and unprofessional but not illegal. Unfortunately, my youngest has had her heart broken my the lies and drama that surround and come from Ms. Bev and has decided she’s done with dance. Ms. Bev cost my family more than money, and it’ll take a long time to recover from the damage she’s done.
AND, I only gave this place ONE star because I couldn’t post without giving at least one star. She deserves NO stars.

Ms. Bev is an amazing instructor and has an amazing studio. My daughter is extremely happy going to the studio and wants to go seven days a week!!! Ms. Bev has taken my daughter to the next level. She encourages each of her students to reach their true potential in a safe and loving environment. I love the fact that she spends time teaching her students techniques that will help them become a better dancer. It is a studio for serious dancers; however, the studio offers opportunities for those that want to explore the world of ballet as well. I highly recommend Ballet Arts.

Rest in Peace Ms Bev… it was a privilege for my daughter to have danced with you for the year we were in Georgia! I could have NEVER asked for a better teacher! You will be missed!
A+ dance education! So excited to have found this wonderful studio! I walked in and spoke with Ms Beverly and knew we had found our new «dance home». Beverly is a true professional who has opened this studio for all the right reasons and I can’t wait for my daughter to be under her tutelage. If you are looking for a studio for your child in the McDonough area look no further than Ballet Arts!

Very poor experience at this local studio from a woman who may have 60 years of experience, but gives false promises. I enrolled my daughters
here for beginning dance classes with a clear understanding of just desiring classes only, without having to pay for any extra recitals or productions. I got pressured into doing The Nutcracker from my girls anyway because they were told they could be in it from the owner. Then I was harassed for Nutcracker fees and tuition for the next month in front of other parents. The approach for fees and tuition is very unprofessional and unfortunately the owner will blame everyone except herself for her approach. I should have left when I had the chance, but I don’t believe in quitting what you start. However, that philosophy has changed after this experience. Though many parents volunteered their time and extra money to make The Nutcracker happen, there was very little scenery, no backdrops brought in from New Jersey as promised, no costumes for some major characters, and no music for the main dress rehearsal! No music for a ballet? Very disorganized. Everyone questioned where their Nutcracker fees went since half the costumes were made, and others were without costumes. Parents, please do not drop your children off here and leave. Observe your investment if you choose to take the chance, but more importantly observe how your babies are treated by the owner. There were at least two cases of parents leaving this studio because of how their children were treated or talked to during class.

My daughter is enrolled here studying under Beverly Williamson. She’s taught for over 60 years with students in both the Harlem and Atlanta ballets. Quality instruction with the best teacher on this side of town