Dance City & The Arts

Dear Ms***,
" background-">I wanted to respond to the complaints filed by *** and *** *** and address them head onAs a small business owner and a parent myself, I understand and appreciate their frustration and I am saddened that we will not be able to continue with their daughter dance education As the owner and director of Dance City and the Arts, I cherish the position we have in the community and take my responsibility to help students grow as dancers and as people very seriouslyAt DCA, we stress the core values of respect and responsibility to all of our students and their familiesI went back through their daughter ***'s file so that I could address this matter fullyWhen Mrs*** enrolled *** for ballet and hip-hop classes at DCA, she signed a contract which provided that in addition to dance instruction, that *** would also receive a free dance outfit, a free car magnet and free transportation to class after schoolThe contract also clearly stated that there was a dress code, including hair, for all students which was strictly enforced and Mrs*** was given instruction on how to put ***'s hair into a proper bunFinally, the contract clearly stated that there was a registration fee and a monthly tuition to be paid for classes and that the registration fee and initial deposit paid at registration were non-refundable

Review: I registered my 6 year old daughter with the Dance City of the Arts after school dance program. I was told she would be picked up at her school and brought to the dance school where she would be supervised, have snack time and take two dance classes (hip hop then ballet) which ended at 5:45 when parents pick up. Upon arriving on the first day I couldn't find my daughter in the ballet class. I went to the next studio and saw her in the hip hop class in the back row behind some older boys. When the class ended I met my upset daughter at the door and she said she never went to ballet. I questioned the owner and was told that it was an oversight and they forgot to tell her to go to the second dance studio for ballet therefore she stayed and did the class twice. I was upset but the instructor assured me it would not happen again and I told her that my 6 year old requires an adult to make sure that she transitions appropriately between classes as we had discussed would happen upon our visit to the studio when I purchased all her necessary clothes/shoes/shorts/dance bag etc.and paid the deposit. Now the following week when I arrived at pick up my daughter was in the right class and I thought it was going to be good until I see her snack bag was untouched. My daughter told me there was no time for snack. I asked the instructor what had happened and she apologized that no one had told [redacted] that it was snack time. She assured me that she would make sure [redacted] was told when she could have snack and help her if she needed it since I had also given her money in her bag for their vending machine in the studio. I was now hesitant to send her to dance anymore but she had really liked the ballet class so she went the following week and everything worked out fine. The teacher reminded all of the parents at the end of class that the girls needed their hair in a bun for ballet. I made sure to say to the teacher that [redacted] would have her hair up for school but if she took it down or it fell out during the day that I had plenty of extra hair accessories in her Dance City bag since she is only 6 and I am not there after school to see her off to class. The instructor said she understood and would take care of the after school students since they were not being brought to class by their parents. The following week the Owner was sick and her van would not be able to pick the after school kids up. I understood but could not leave work in time for hip hop however I got her there in time for ballet. The decision to withdraw from the studio was made at the last class I allowed her to go to in October when I arrived at 5:30 with my mother to watch [redacted] in her ballet class. The waiting room has video monitors so parents can see without standing at the door. What we saw was my daughter sitting upset on the floor not dancing for everyone to see. I looked in the window and the instructor told me that [redacted] was told to sit out of class because her hair was not in a bun. My daughter was crying and embarrassed and I was completely at a loss of words. I did ask the instructor why they didn't call me then before the class or even when she was picked up from school. I said I would have asked my mother to come down and put her hair up if I had known she would be punished and not dance for approx. 45 minutes. I was told that I must have them confused for a daycare and that they do not have time for that. I said that I was told that they would be picking my daughter up from school, having snack,getting ready for dance and taking two dance classes until parents pick up after the second class, how is that not a form of child care? I knew for sure now that this is an unsafe environment for my young child and proceeded with calls and emails regarding my refund, initially although obnoxious, the owner said she would credit me but since has said she would not and referenced the dance contract for her reasons. I feel that asking for my money back for a service that was much less than adequate is more than fair. I actually am contemplating if this should be pursued further in order to keep this same situation from happening to other young kids. I was also told to come pick up my car seat which I had to leave for the owner's van for the transportation, I am not comfortable even getting it considering the way we have been treated by them. The thought that I allowed her to be driven around and left alone in this studio still gives me chills especially as the owner reminds me she is "not in this for child care services".Desired Settlement: I would like my October tuition reimbursed and the amount of the pre paid deposit refunded also. I was told in person by the instructor when she was apologizing that I would get my money back however the story keeps changing and nothing about this studio is customer friendly. I don't want to continue with emails I just want them to make it right. My daughter still gets upset about what happened and it was a lot of money for us to spend considering how poorly the program was run.

Business

Response:

Dear Ms. [redacted],