Gotta Dance Atlanta

I must still like it here if I'm still going every week! I was still doing Explore Hip Hop until two weeks ago when I switched to Art of Seduction and I think I will stick with that one. It's super fun and a good workout, too. It's not stripper dancing - it's how you'd dance if you were working someone in a club (not that I'd know; at least I wouldn't know how you kids do it these days).

Also, the staff has been very nice so I think my one issue with the girl who didn't like me might have just been her having a bad day. Everyone else since then has been really nice.

First class is $5!
I also decided to get the groupon deal because I knew I found a dance studio that was nearby my home and super legit to practice at.

I grew up dancing but it's been so long and I knew I needed to find a studio where I felt like I would be not only challenged, but uplifted. There's something about being a new environment where no one knows you that kind of encourages you to step out of the box - because no body knows you anyway :)

I decided to take Cassondra's Explore Lyrical class and she was AMAZING. Although the class is an hour and a half, she went a little longer so that she can really connect with us on her intentions of her choreography and help us better get acclimated to the work.

I also took an intermediate hip hop class with Khalil. HE is a sweetheart and makes everyone in the room feel comfortable. You can tell all of our levels were different but he didn't seem to look down on anyone and truly wanted everyone to succeed. My moves personally weren't clean, but his choreography was fun and he made everything look easy lol.

The studios are super clean and you can tell that to some people this is their second home. There's also lockers and showers available. The community seems tight and everyone comes here because they love to dance.

Can't wait for my next class!

I love GDA! I am not the best dancer by far, but I do like to groove to the beat. I've only been to the FIT classes, so I can't speak for the rest of the classes. The FIT classes focus more on making sure you get a work out than it does choreography. But they still make it fun with cool dance moves. The teachers are skilled and trust me, they know their stuff.

An area of improvement for GDA will definitely be customer service. The first time walking in can be a little intimidating, because it is so hard getting helped. Most of the attendees are regulars, so it's like everyone is frinds hanging out. You don't even know who to ask! Overall, this place is definitely worth trying out. If you do, they usually have Groupn specials, so check there first before paying full price.

Almost 3 years to the day, I returned to GDA. I was looking for a studio a little more convenient to get my dance fix. I was diagnosed with epilepsy late last summer and the driving restrictions that came right along with it. With a hair over a month left restricted, I felt bad about asking my boyfriend to drive me to Dance 101 for class. GDA is literally a 5 minute drive from his apartment.

I got a 3 class pass to check it out again. This is a studio for the serious student. I took beginner / intermediate ballet & beginner contemporary with Stephan. Be aware that levels are fast and loose. If you don't have a basic knowledge of ballet terminology and technique walking in, you'll be totally lost. During ballet, Stephan came around the room, giving corrections and adjustments as needed. If you aren't comfortable being touched, also avoid these classes. All that said, you will definitely get a workout. I was sweating after the first 15 minutes of both classes. Contemporary was also heavy on the ballet. Most of the warm up was ballet based. I really liked Stephan. If he's a good benchmark for the rest of the teachers, I'll walk out a better dancer than I walked in after every visit.

I originally signed up online for ballet and the turns & leaps technique class after it. Having severely overestimated my stamina combined with the difficulty of the class, I asked if I could bow out of the second class. The desk staff was happy to do it and didn't even charge me the class. My next venture will be a leaps and turns technique class on Friday. I highly recommend it for someone looking for a challenge with their technique and moving up through the ranks.

I bought a five class voucher from amazon local for $25. I have no dance experience at all.

First, I went to the most basic lyrical class and jazz class, turned out to be big mistake. I cannot follow the routine at all. Too difficult to remember.

Then, I tried out the most basic ballet class, turned out to be much better, there is at least no routine to follow. Actually I really like Rachel's Explore Ballet class, but she is no longer teaching that class. I kind of do not like Rikki's class, because it is not for "absolute beginners" like me.

I still go back sometimes to GDA after i finished using my voucher to take ballet classes, I felt my muscle are leaner.

Tip: to not pay the original price, check their website or facebook page, they offer deals on classes often.

Dance bug hit me too! It's been way too long and just needs to teach my brain to learn again and move my body like I used to.

Walked in and lots of socializing and warm friendly people to welcome me. First class is $5?! Great tactic to get people in.

Took East Coast Grooves with Gary, Weds 6:30pm. Nice R&B, street jazz, sharp and smooth movement mix. He taught with counts which is always nice but a little fast for an "intermediate" class- or maybe just Bc I haven't danced for so long! Overall though choreography was sick and class was challenging- I would definitely take class with Gary again and check out others here. Kid friendly too

I am new to dance and took the Explore Jazz Tech class about a month ago. They have a special rate for first time students, $5!, which was great for me.

The sub instructor was Ras Mike.
The class was cool.
It lasted one and a half hours.

The facilty is nice. They have a locker room, 2 showers, four studios(i think), a water cooler(another studio that I attend charges for their water).
Parking lot is pretty big and seems well lit.

I will be returning to take the class again and also the Leaps and turns class.

I realized that I have a few classes left on my account at Gotta Dance (major plus-- classes don't expire), so decided to use them and update my review.

Classes starting on time is still an issue. Not a twenty minute issue, like before, but they still always run between five and ten minutes behind. I do like the variety of classes, though, and think the space is really nice.

One thing that's been disappointing to me is how much variation there is in what's considered a beginner class. I danced heavily in high school, took regular dance classes in college, and still take the occasional class as an adult. I also work out and coach a colorguard, so I'm pretty in shape and have some experience with choreography. But...whoa. The beginner class I took tonight was WAY out of my league. I actually thought the class would be easy and fun-- after all, the Gotta Dance describes the beginner levels classes as ideal for those with little or no dance experience! But it actually was just frustrating as I-- and most of the other students-- tried to find workarounds for choreography we couldn't handle. The teacher didn't use a count structure, or even words to help explain the choreography (just lots of "bum-bum-bum-pa!-bum-pa-and-pa!"), which made it even more difficult. That irked me, but I was even more bothered when, despite seeing that the vast majority of his class was struggling, he didn't appear to water down the remaining choreography to make it more accessible.

All that said-- I've taken a beginner class here before that was so easy I was bored to tears. I know it's hard to define things like "beginner" and "intermediate", but I still wish Gotta Dance would make some attempt to standardize the levels a bit more.

If you're a pro or wannabe pro, Gotta Dance is probably a great place for you. If you're an adult with or without dance experience who just wants to have a good time, you might be better off with Dance 101 over in North Druid Hills.

I don't dance often or well, but when I do, I come here. The encouragement and the friendly atmosphere keep me coming. The actual dancers inspire me and it's a great workout.

There comes a time in everybody's life when you reflect. You remember the tap, ballet, and gymnastics classes your mom dragged you to as a kid and you can't remember why you stopped going. The passion of dance never left you. Michael Jackson was hot on the scene and there you were with your gold (didn't have a silver one) glitter glove popping moves trying to break dance in your parents living room. At parties, your dad even encouraged you when a dance floor was put in place. Again, no classes no formal training- nada! Just that passsion that after (insert amount of years here) never left you. And now here you are, trying to perfect moves from SYTYCD and you kinda gotta it. However, something is missing. Can you take a guess as to what that is? It's the dance classes needed to perfect your form!!!! You ask yourself, Self: Aren't those for people that want a professional dance career, aren't those for people that want to get really good? What about novice folks like myself that have never been to a dance class, have never been enrolled in dance classes since elementary school, or those that only took one class that they were offering at the gym the day they went to work out for the first time ever??? Will it work? Will I catch on quick? Can I afford it? Do they have classes that I can go to that work with my schedule? Will the teachers support me and encourage me?? What if I only just want to do it as a hobby? The answer is YES!!!! to all of those questions!!!! Now what are you waiting for? Why are you still sitting here reading this review? Throw on some sweats, jeans, shorts, or whatever makes you feel comfortable and GO!!!!!!! Trust me, you'll be glad you did.