University Center For the Performing Arts

This place made me lose allot of passion in dance. The ballet/​jazz teacher was always putting me down every single day. She told me quote «your not a strong dancer and you’ll never be a good one.» this place was definitely not the place for me. The director is fake, lies, and definitely has favorites. I’ll never return.

My rating is based on the shadiness of the director as of a year and a half ago. I initially gave my resume for an open teaching position for ballet, and having familiarity with the dance facility. The director was very pleased with my resume. She and I spoke for awhile. It became more apparent that she would be offering me the job. She asked if I could teach a ballet class (hour and a half, at $ 35 per hour, so = approx $ 52) just so I had some merit as to be hired. Of course I said yes as this is mostly the norm for dance teachers. She told me she would be there to observe and then pay me in cash afterwards. I was very happy and we both looked forward to it. I let her know that I would be going out of town the morning after the day she asked me to come in and teach, and that I’d be gone no more than 2 weeks before classes began. She seemed totally fine with it, we had a pleasant rest of the conversation and went forward.
I came in to teach my class as planned, for an hour and a half. But I did not see the director anywhere. I asked a few of the students if they knew where she was but no one did. So I proceeded and taught the class, and the students and I had a great time. One of them actually remembered me from years ago at another place we danced at together and told me she was so excited I would be teaching here. It felt so good and welcoming to hear that, naturally. However, despite having had a successful class, I was disappointed that the director didn’t even show up as she said she would. I got no notice, and also now obviously would not be receiving any payment (in cash) she said I’d have at the end of class. So I left disgruntled since I called her cellular several times, left a message, as I could not get ahold of her. It wasn’t until later on, that I heard back from her. She apologized for not being there with some excuse. But then she mentioned I would need to fill out tax forms now, just in order to even receive payment for the ONE class that I taught (??). Thanks for not even showing up and paying me the money you promised, was what I wanted to say. Now I was going out of town briefly and would not be able to do anything until after I returned. Very disappointing…
As I was out of town, I called the director several times to keep in touch and let her know the situation, to let her know I was driving back, just out of common courtesy. It’s too long of a story to go into detail explaining at this point why I had to drive back instead of getting a flight back. I left several voicemails, through the WEEK, since she was seemingly now avoiding me. I knew something was up. After I had already been on the road several days, calling and calling, I finally got in touch with someone at the front desk (after calling a WEEK straight) with no return call. Ever. Smh. The woman at the desk was nice and tried to help figure this out, but when I asked if I could speak to the director, the lady said the director said she was busy and could not talk to me. I was quite irritated now. I called the director’s cellular again, the next day, leaving yet another message, to no avail. The next day I called the front desk, and a young man answered the phone. I proceeded to tell him a little bit about what was going on (that I was newly hired, on the road, that the director was not returning ANY of my phone calls/​voicemail, etc). He put me on hold for a quick minute and came back on saying I was already REPLACED. I paused, and calmly asked for an explanation, as this lousy director never bothered to even inform me. The guy just snapped at me, copping a snotty attitude, telling me he had to get off the phone and hung up. UNBELIEVABLE! I was furious. I was going through hell just trying to get answers, as I was also driving back into town.
When I arrived, I composed myself and prepared for whatever I was going to be presented with, and walked in and met the woman at the desk. Unfortunately she couldn’t do much and seemed to have no idea what happened with me being replaced like this. She felt bad not knowing how else to help. I saw the director through the office door, and she must have known I was there since it was quiet and it was only the 3 of us in the building, aside from the dance class going on. I simply asked the woman if I could please just have the cash payment I was initially promised by the director since I was no longer going to be teaching there. She said the director would not do anything until I fill out tax forms. I could not believe this. I calmly did so, and asked about how long it would take to receive my payment. She said a couple weeks. I left and just waited for the check. When I received it, the check was for $ 30! I was shortchanged by 50% in what she promised me, which was supposed to be $ 52 CASH. Thanks a lot for CHEATING ME. I will NEVER recommend this place thanks to this director. Ironically, a friend told me she had experienced something similar here a few years back. Too much shade.

I’ll be the first to say that I’m indecisive about hobbies. I pick a new one every week, get deep into it, and then let it slowly disappear from my life. Naturally, I was expecting to take a tap class or two (Adult Beginners Tap) and quit due to impatience with my skill or the class itself. I was pleasantly surprised to meet an encouraging, positive teacher and lessons that were just challenging enough to keep me practicing at home. If you’re beginning performing arts, definitely check out University Center.
Happy tapping!

A great studio that teaches technique and not just a dance. It’s a positive environment that builds on each child individually. The owner is compassionate and sees the talent in every child. There are no favorites here.

Love this place! All great classes with dancers who truly inspire to learn. My favorite class is contemporary/​jazz with jodi. What an amazing feeling you get leaving a class filled with a passionate teacher and dancers.

A great place for my kids! They love the dance and vocal classes. The instructors are phenomenal.

If you have a child or are an adult who wants to excel in dance, theatre, voice etc. this is the place to go. They have excellent professional teachers with vast experience. They are family oriented and friendly. In addition, they have class everyday of the week all day for all levels. The adult ballet class with Isabelle Bienvenu is amazing.