- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
ARCC Ballet & Dance
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Education Specialty Schools Dance Schools Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Performing Arts, Dance Schools, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
2220 N Elston AveChicago, IL 60618
Neighborhood: Bucktown
(773) 384-2722
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
12 reviews for ARCC Ballet & Dance
12 reviews in English
-
Review from Bonnie L.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2012
I attended a dance review that my niece performed in. The kids were so cute and did such an awesome job. Plus, I really liked this space. We were able to use a parking lot across the street which was a big plus since parking can be so hard to find in that area. The space itself is all brand spanking new! So much fun to see all the kids having such a great time during their performance. And while I was there I was able to get a few fun ballet items that they were selling as a gift for my niece.
I was speaking with one of the instructors and she told me that this space can be rented out. I am going to keep that in mind for events in the future. Plus, what a fun idea to have a kids birthday party there, ballet or dance themed. FUN! -
Review from Mary Z.
Chicago, IL
7/22/2011
My daughter took classes for a whole school year at her school, after school and never once got to see her perform and at the end of the year they had a show and to my shock, it was horrible! She had not learnt anything new. The performance was not good and absolutely no discipline. I was very disappointed so were a lot of parents.
Maybe they have better instructors at the site and not the ones they send to the school. but either way I was not happy to have spend money on these classes -
Review from Alicia F.
Chicago, IL
1/3/2011 14 Check-ins Here
My daughter has been taking Ballet Basics here for the past year and we have been really impressed. She has previously danced at another studio and I feel she has learned more real dance here. Miss Jennifer and Miss Antoinette are both kind and wonderful with the girls, but they do expect them to learn and respect ballet whichb as a parent I totally appreciate. We will be continuing there as well as trying out the hip hop or tap!
-
Review from Molly F.
Chicago, IL
8/27/2010
I enrolled my daughter here a few months shy of her second birthday. They allowed her to begin a little young which I liked because I knew she could do it and would warm up fairly quickly. They do not offer a free trial class which disappointed me a little because my daughter did sit most of the first class because she was a bit shy.
The teacher we had, and continued to sign up for over the next few seasons, was Ms. Carly. She was always professional and loving towards the children. The only time I saw her gets frustrated in a year and a half was when they would overload her with students because too many moms would drop in unannounced for their child to do a make-up session which they tell you needs to be pre-arranged. I agree with ARCC that overcrowding a class was unfair to the staff and students and therefore appreciated this policy. Having said that I also loved the option of signing up for a make-up class because with toddlers you never know when you might have to miss a class last minute.
I loved the ability to see my daughter dance through the window while still being outside of the studio so the children were not distracted by being viewed. This was important to me because since they are still so young I cannot talk about or practice with her what she is learning when we get home if I don't see and hear it myself.
The children earned stickers at the end of class for good listening and following directions which I liked a lot. And Ms. Carly was loving and supportive and always gave feedback to me on how my daughter was improving and when she would be ready to move up a level, etc.
The only downfall is that the main space where you walk in is very cramped and makes it very difficult for moms and students to get shoes changed, pay class fees, take off coats..... and this was especially difficult because many families had younger brothers or sisters hanging around as well and there really wasn't enough seats or places to stand without being in someones way.
Most of the moms or nannies I met there were friendly and had known eachother from sessions past. Seemed there were lots of repeat customers. I liked this. If the same families keep coming back, it must be for a reason. And the coffee-shop feel of the place made for a nice environment while the kids dance.
Overall, I like like ARCC a lot. My daughter only had classes with one main teacher, but I met a few other staff members when they filled in for her for illness or time off. But even the others were kind and seemed to handle children well. I encourage you to give ARCC a try, I do not think you will be disappointed.
As far as the review by Robert P in January, I have no idea what kind of black plastic sheet he was talking about on the floor. I NEVER saw anything like that and I have been taking my daughter here for weekly classes for almost 2 years. -
Review from kevin M.
Chicago, IL
8/28/2009
This is a nice school for any one who has a budding dancer in the family.
I have taken my two girls here for two years( on and off) and you can see how much the kids get out of it. The teachers have always taken extra care with my youngest, now 6. She was very shy at first and now she dances before the other kids even get their ballet shoes on!
Also you can always chat with another dad or two while your waiting in the watching area. -
Review from Robert P.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2010
I enrolled my daughter for a ballet class here and was disappointed by the teachers teaching ability and with the facility. The ballet floor was covered with a black plastic sheet that was torn and not laying flat. The teacher was very unprofessional and clearly not dressed for ballet. The few minutes before class in the tiny space was always hectic and unpleasant. ARCC needs to invest in their facility and hire a more skilled teacher.
-
Review from Siobhan C.
Chicago, IL
8/6/2011
When I called to sign up for a trial class the woman who answered was not very friendly or helpful. Still, I decided that we would give it a shot. Ms. Molly was the pre-ballet 2 teacher and she was wonderful with the children. My daughter had so much fun and I wanted to sign her up for a series of classes. The studio told me that they would call me and they never did. When I called them back they were inconvenienced by my call and dismissive of my request. The class seemed wonderful. It's too bad that the people who are running the business lack basic customer service skills.
-
Review from m k.
Chicago, IL
7/12/2011
Three of my daughters take multiple classes at ARCC. My 4 year old has attended dancing creatures for two years and it is the highlight of her week not to mention she knows 1st -5th position. My other two take hip hop and multiple ballet classes all of which have been extremely professional. My oldest has also done the academy for the last two years with guest choreographers which has made her even more passionate about ballet. Finally, Jennifer who is the owner is really fantastic about scheduling, getting great teachers and having the girls involved in performances around the city. This is one local, small business which I am proud to support especially because it has really enriched my children's lives!
-
Review from Jennifer K.
Chicago, IL
4/14/2009
The instructor on Sundays (PreBallet 2) was sloppy and seemed to have no patience for the girls. She looked as if we'd roused her from sleeping off a hangover. I'd rather pay for an instructor that looks as if she might have some knowledge of ballet and dresses that way for class.
-
Review from Natatia O.
Chicago, IL
11/26/2008
I love this studio. My daughter attends classes on Saturdays, and I have nothing but praises for the staff there, especially her instructor Ms Alicia. She's so patient with the little ones, she must have been a saint in her past life. And the girls are actually learning dance, instead of "creative movement", which is just BS in my eyes. ARCC understands that little ones can learn too, which is beautiful and refreshing.
-
Review from angie b.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2009
Love it, my daughter attended last year for pre-ballet 2 and the teachers were wonderful. Very patient and encouraging, i love the way they use stickers to motivate the girls after each class. My daughter is very shy and doesn't like big crowds but they made her feel so comfortable she performed in the recital in a packed Lane Tech auditorium. Great place for beginner Prima Ballerinas.
-
Review from Susan I.
Wilmette, IL
10/6/2009
Both of my daughters took several classes (ballet and tap) and we all loved it - one of the few things of the city that I actually miss. I was so happy to see that they weren't super strict on the age for the children (the owner let my 2 year old take classes since she was more concerned about whether the children can listen and follow directions rather than a silly number) and I also loved how they actually teach them real ballet moves. We had several teachers and I don't have a bad thing to say about any of them. The all seemed so patient with the children, while still allowing them to be children.
