Reviews of Westbrook Dance Academy (Dance School)

Brandi Andrade

Westbrook Dance Academy has been my second home for the past 10 years of my life. Not to mention, Julie-Reed-Russo, the studio owner, has taught me since I was 5 years old and I could not ask for a better teacher. Every coreographer and staff member of WDA just helps to make my dance experience all the more enjoyable. I myself have been an assistant for many years now and I always make sure the kids are enjoying themselves, but also push them to work their hardest. As a matter a fact, WDA and every person within it have helped my decision to continue to dance in college. I consider myself extremely honored to have been a part of this studio for as long as i could and frankly am having an extremely difficult time parting with it. Being a part of this studio has helped me not only to grow as a team member, but also as an individual. I love my second family and home and am very thankful to have lived out my early dance career by all their sides! If i could give even more stars, I would!

Nancy Bowe

Horrible company. Owners are unsupportive of children they teach, rude and unfriendly to parents, and have favorites, both with parents and children. They created so much drama and made it a very unpleasant experience for years. One of the owners teaches and she degrades and puts down children. The owner's mother who is the receptionist, gets into everyone's business, creating more drama and says degrading, awful things to the children. She also smokes outside the door and the whole studio reaks of smoke. They have said some pretty awful things to my daughter over the years and were never willing to work things out. I'm so glad my daughter and her friend finally quit and are doing soooo much better in a place where they can strive and be the amazing dancers they are. Do not step foot in this place.

Don Jacobs

We were so impressed with your show. We have been to many recitals and this was the best. The dancers are all talented, and enjoyable to watch. Our daughter developed so much this year and our only wish is she had come to WDA sooner. We can also see how much you and everyone care for the students. She is very much looking forward to intensive camp and next year.

john murphy

The recital and the year was AMAZING. It blew us away! Congrats on another great show and great year! No wonder WDA and its students have won numerous choreography awards, dance titles, overall awards, Studio of Excellence awards and for the past five years been voted Best Ballet Studio and Best Kids Dance Studio.

Tammy Lepisto

My daughter has been dancing at Westbrook Dance Academy since she was five. The students and the staff are one big family. Julie Reed-Russo is an amazing dancer and choreographer. Her talent and originality help her stand out above the rest. The studio waiting room seems a bit hectic at times when classes are changing...but don't let that stop you!! The staff is always welcome to feedback. I highly recommend this studio to all my friends and family. As a past studio owner/choreographer/director, I know how crazy the first day of classes are...and they always seem to handle it with grace!

Ashley Greenbacker

I brought my daughter to the toddler summer camp. We are new to the studio and new to town. No one introduced themselves, no one helped my daughter feel better when I tried to leave, and it was just chaos. I've never come across such rude women, especially those who work with children. We left before the program began. I would not recommend this studio for those little girls who are just hoping for a fun, friendly and warm "toddler summer camp."

S Moore

My daughter just started dancing at westbrook dance academy this year after spending years at another studio. WOW! My daughter has improved so much in such a short period of time. She loves it here. The staff and students are one big family. The recital was top notch (costumes, chor, dancing) It went so smooth compared to other shows that my daughter has been in.Every student shined on stage and you can tell that the kids love it from their faces. We are so blessed to have found this studio and can not wait until next year!

Wizard Woman

This studio is a disaster. From what I hear, everyone that leaves agrees that it is the best decision they’ve ever made. The owners have no idea how to run a studio and most teenagers are more mature than them. Please know, that if you’re signing your child up, they won’t actually be learning how to dance because most of the class is spent gossiping about other parents and kids in the studio. The receptionist, who is also the teachers mother, can be held accountable for the loss of most of their students. As someone who has witnessed the mother degrading children left and right, I strongly reccommed you keep your kids away from her. The mother also smokes and the whole studio smells like smoke. I would guess the children have second hand smoke lung cancer by this point! So, unless you and your child enjoy the smell of cigs I recommend you go to a different studio that smells more bearable. The choreography at the studio is one of the funniest parts of all. It’s the exact same choreography used in every dance only switched around. The teacher gets most of her dance ideas off of the internet and other studios. The teacher and the staff also play favorites and even invite their favorites to come sleepover at their house. If that doesn’t scream inappropriate, then I don’t know what does! This is one of the worst studios on the shoreline. I beg you, trust this review and don’t send your kid to these dance classes. There are many other studios that are more qualified and have caring teachers to all students.

Untouchable Plush

love the studio, my daughter loves the instructors and has learned so much.

Laura S

We love this studio. We will be going into our third year. Not only I am I impressed with my daughters growth as a dancer - but all of the other dancers as well. The classes are fun and challenging, and the opportunities here are endless. I am so impressed. Year after year the kids and the studio just get better and better. So glad to be a part of the WDA dance family.

Lexa Lee

My second home.

Cherie Kelley

Our daughter is going into her 13th year with this studio owner, not only being proud to be one of her original students, but her friend and to have her as a mentor as well! The studio is known for award winning choreography and studio spirit but more importantly, the forming of family relationships with the students to last a lifetime. We have watched the studio successfully grow over the years, making time to welcome new members into the WDA family! Developing the individual students both as dancers and bringing the best out of each of them as human beings is their main focus before any kind of achievements are won, all being met with grace, dignity, top notch sportsmanship and studio spirit!! Can't say enough about Westbrook Dance Academy other than hoping that every little girl or boy can grow with them like ours has!