Carolina Lugo’s & Carolé Acuña’s Dance Center

Now I wanna start this off by saying Im 23 years old student, Id rather be doing anything else than submitting a Unilocal review however I care for my nine year old sister and I wouldnt want any other young children being treated poorly by an eighty year old woman. My sister took a class from Lugo and was talked down to… I believe by the time you reach eighty five you should be treating young children with respect. My mother just informed me that when Lugo was actually instructing my sister she decided it was appropriate to position her body in a way that made her stomach jut out… And then pointed at her own stomach and told her she was fat and to suck her stomach in… I dont really care if it makes the dance look better or what thinking went behind that. When you disrespect my baby sisters body image and possibly damage how she may view herself [or others] youve stepped into dark waters. Lugo youre ninety years old YOU shouldnt be talkin about anybodys body. [*Sixteen year old me enters room*] Because really you look like dumbledore [in the very last book], look in the mirror before you talk down to anyone because sweet heart you are not a looker and you are well past your prime. Have fun at bingo. Do not filter Unilocal,this is truth and I will repost if this is taken down. No child should have there feelings hurt by an antique.
#nope

Carolina Lugo is a talented dancer, but would not recommend for children’s classes. Almost always 10 — 15 minutes late over a period of five months, which I tolerated. But after she canceled at the last minute two weeks in row, I decided I was not willing to drive 30 minutes and re-​arrange our weekend schedules around this class. Asked for a refund for the classes she did not deliver, which she is not willing to do.
There were several other reschedule requests/​sudden illnesses on her part, to the point where I wanted to pull my daughter since it seemed she did not have the time/​inclination to do the class. However, she assured me my daughter should continue. In addition, because she could not get other students for the class, she raised my rate (the increase was reasonable, so I agreed to that).
One of her «policies» is that students can do a make-​up class during the same month if they cannot attend their regular class. I did a couple of make-​up classes, for which I gave plenty of advance notice. She used that as rationalization for her last minute cancelations. She misses the point that even if a student does not attend a class, the instructor has been paid for it regardless since we have to pay in advance for the month. But if an instructor does not show up and is not willing to refund the student’s money, well… that’s just taking people’s money.
Sign up for her sessions if you want to endure chronic lateness, no-​shows and no accountability on her part.

My daughter has been taking dance classes with Carolina for almost 10 years. She has taken group classes, semi private classes, and private classes. She has participated in all the student shows in Concord, Danville, and San Jose. All have been very positive experiences for her. Not only has Caronina taught her the art of Spanish and Flaminco dancing, she has taught her to have confidence in herself, to be disciplined, and have a good work ethic.
Carolina has put her heart and soul into her dance company. And she also puts her heart and soul into each one of her students.

Carolina agreed to teach my two year old twins flamenco (and my nanny/​myself). Having lived in Spain, I thought it would be really fun. Knowing my girls were young, I thought they could still dance around and have a good time. I paid $ 409 for 8 one-​hour classes and bought four pairs of flamenco shoes (and $ 30 per pair to «flamenco-​ize them»).
I should have tested a free class (which she didn’t offer, although ALL dance studios do offer this!). The first class was a disaster. Carolina arrived 10 minutes late (her norm for «on-​time») and my girls were immediately frightened of her. She ran around saying «don’t touch» (her Buddha offering on the floor, for example). The studio floor was FILTHY (we actually brought a mop to clean it the second time!). She made them cry every time and although she’s a mother, she had no skills with children (she kept telling me how strange they couldn’t talk and compared them to her younger nephew who could say 150+ words).
Once she didn’t even show up at all!!! She made me leave the room for the first half and when I arrived my girls were hysterical and in the nanny’s arms. The studio is located close to a busy street and under a tattoo parlor (very ghetto) and is very small!
COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!
One star, zero OLEs!

I just began taking classes from Carolina for about 1.5 years ago. It really is the highlight of my week! She is very sweet and funny, and spunky. She will take the time to show you the moves and always makes sure your posture is correct. She is very adamant in you not acquiring bad habits. She will also give you some history of the dance and what certain movements mean. She really wants to awaken that passionate flamenco dancer in you. I have been wanting to take lessons since I was a young lass but never was able too. I’m now 29 years old and its never to late to start. I have done 2 student shows thus far and it has been an fantastic experience. I love, love, love my classes.