Reviews of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts (Dance School)

Madison Schrama

GAD is the most wonderful experience any aspiring dance can have! Having grown up and trained at this studio, I owe everything I am as a person and dancer to this studio and the people who trained me. GAD challenged, inspired and prepared me to pursue my passion as a dancer but most importantly created an atmosphere in which I will always consider a second home. This studio encompasses a perfect balance of discipline and fun for any and all ages and is beyond compare in this community!

Nichole Martin

I am so blessed and grateful to work for a company whose mission and vision of inspiring students in the arts has been accomplished every year for the past 28 years!! My entire life, career, and the woman I am today is a direct result of the passionate, inspiring, and exceptional quality dance education that I received at GAD & the Performing Arts, under the direction of Mrs. Sherri Davis. My journey started as a student of GAD & the Performing Arts - At age 9, I became a scholarship student with Georgia Dance Theatre and was a company member for 9 consecutive seasons. After graduating high school, I furthered my career in the arts by becoming a GAD Educator and Professional Company Member of Georgia Dance Theatre, while attending Emory University in Atlanta, GA. While in college, I danced professionally, taught all genres of dance at GAD, and graduated with honors and a double major. After a rewarding 10-year career as a professional dancer, I chose to keep my career at GAD & the Performing Arts as a GAD Educator and was offered the opportunity to be the Marketing Representative for GAD & the Performing Arts. In addition to the many years of performing arts and dance education, GAD has taught me SO many life lessons and skills that have shaped me into the woman I am today - Perseverance, Determination, Discipline, Integrity, and Courage, to name a few! I am so grateful for GAD, Director - Sherri Davis, and the many educators who inspired me to pursue a career in the arts! It is because of their mentor ship and guidance that I have been able to accomplish such incredible dreams at a young age and continue to pass on the love for the arts as a teacher and mentor myself!

Danielle Satterfield

My daughter looks forward to her ballet class every week. The teachers are very professional and great with kids of all ages. Love their approach to teaching and how fun they make it for the kids. Highly recommend this dance studio!

Sone

I have 2 daughters who are in their 5th year at GAD, and we have taken classes at both the Newnan and Peachtree City studios. When we first started here, we were a little intimidated by the size of the dance school, but we're so glad that we chose this place over other dance studios. The owner, the instructors, and the Georgia Dance Theatre company members here are all incredible role models to my daughters. They provide my children with a top notch quality of dance instruction, support, and inspiration. My daughters have grown so much over the years in their dance technique, but what they have gained here is more than just dance skills. They learned the importance of commitment, goal-setting, teamwork, time management, healthy eating, taking care of their mind and body, self-expression, self-confidence. They provide a progression track here that is built from a solid foundation and is very age appropriate. To be a part of the very professional performances at GAD is truly an honor.

Jessica Knox

A wonderful dance studio! Great people and knows dance! Also has a great dance boutique.

Addison Ricca

I have been with this studio for as long as I can remember and they have made my dancing experience so much fun!

Crystal Dorr

My daughters have attended Georgia Academy of Dance and the Performing Arts for 10 years. One has graduated and started college while the other is currently enrolled. Not only have my daughters excelled at dance due to the wonderful and incredible teachers and staff here but they have learned invaluable life lessons and skills they would not have received anywhere else. They are not just teachers and directors but mentors to my girls. The experience here goes beyond just a dance education. I am so pleased that I chose this dance school 10 years ago for the quality of excellence they produce and expect. The end of year productions are like nothing else around, very professional and so much fun to watch! Whether you just want to take one class for fun or if you want to make a career, this is the place to be! Highly recommended!!!

Sadie Nash

Georgia Academy of Dance helped mold me into the person I am today. They taught me to be disciplined and to work hard for my goals and dreams. Without them, I wouldn't have had the opportunities to dance at Atlanta Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Richmond Ballet, the Rock School of Ballet, or Kaatsbaan International Ballet. I am forever grateful for what Georgia Academy of Dance has done for me. Since I was three, this place has been my second home, and these people have been second family. Such an incredible and prestigious dance studio!

Andrew Higle

Moving into the metro-Atlanta area, we wanted to find the right place for our daughter to continue dancing and further develop those skills. From experience, we knew a few things that we wanted and didn’t want: we wanted professional instructors and not just nice teachers with degrees. We also wanted quality programs instead of the “everyone is a star” kinds of stuff. Truthfully, we wanted our daughter to be pushed and to strive for success (even while experiencing occasional defeat) rather than to be rewarded unrealistically; this better prepares her for the real world. Of course when she was little, we wanted her to have fun and be happy. As she’s gotten older we believe that if it’s worth doing - it’s worth her best efforts. For us, Georgia Academy of Dance (GAD) was the perfect blend of professionalism and youth instruction. We are so happy that we found them - they bring out the best in our daughter. When we looked online at the biography of the director and teachers we knew that this academy was the real thing, but we have since discovered the wonderful GAD community and its leadership which is both kindhearted and approachable. At every age, every level, kids are affirmed and challenged. Our high school daughter is growing and developing beautifully - GAD has been instrumental in her success. GAD will bring out the best in your child in more ways than just excellent dancing.

Cheyenne Galindo

I have been going here since I was three and it has been the best experience of my life. They improve your technique and help you to become a better dancer.

Jherine W.

***update*** It goes without saying, but this review reflects my experience with this business, and as such is my opinion. I would give negative stars if I could. The business owner still has not refunded my daughter’s tuition for December. This is truly a terrible model for business. In addition to this, she has my information. Her attempts to frighten me with her lawyer are noted and I eagerly await his contact. Run far away from this studio. *This is a long one* So I received an email reprimand for my daughter missing the dress rehearsal from Kym. There were about four other people copied on the email. It was essentially a dressing down, explaining that I had opened the email with the schedule and that they allowed my daughter to dance in the nutcracker as a courtesy. It is strange that I would receive this so long after the rehearsal, but the simplest explanation is that they were offended by my review. Completely affronted by the email I responded explaining that I was confused by the rehearsal schedule email and that my daughter would be at a different studio in the fall. I reiterated my dissatisfaction with the lack of diversity; in my experience, the staff does not reflect the world. Sherri responded by removing my daughter from the class and calling me prejudice(sp). She stated that I would be hearing from her lawyer, presumably because she didn't like my Facebook review. One of her henchwomen asked how I came to this conclusion as a teacher. Of course this is a) creepy, and b) irrelevant, but if she must know--and I know she's reading this, so she must know--try Occam's Razor. The simplest explanation here is that you lack diversity because you don't desire it. Diversity of thought, diversity of ethnicity, etc. It is not illegal for me to state this. Indeed, you must prove that it is *not* true. My intentions are not malicious, as that is not the purpose for Facebook or Google reviews. This is my experience, which merits my review. As this meets no legal precedent, I hope you aren't paying him hourly, but I digress. Armed with a legal background I am prepared to meet the studio wherever they wish. It is a shame that, rather than address concerns, they removed my child and proceeded to bully me. Based on the fact that I cannot comment on my own review (they have claimed that they gave me their lawyer's information), I believe that what has happened is an issue of ego. Sherri removed my daughter from the studio last year because I questioned her carte blanche ability to charge a card for a costume fee. She swoops in when she doesn't like a comment or concern, as though she is the only ditty in town. She was very rude in her response, but by daughter enjoyed the teacher so we stayed. Ultimately, Sherri and her company do not want to look in the mirror. Their studio lacks diversity. Their studio lacks warmth. Overall they lack professionalism. As a parent I should have moved my child earlier. But I have enrolled her in another studio at the recommendation of a friend, so all's well that ends well.

Sofia Isett

This is the place were all of my dreams come true. I love all of the teachers and they really inspire me.

Caroline_ dance

GAD has helped me grow into a better dancer and I have had the best experience there!