Chris Collins Dance Studio

We spent a number of years at this studio, several of which were part of the dance company. We eventually left for a number of reasons: -the studio director consistently yells at parents and children in an unreasonable manner -the studio director demeans the children and the parents at every opportunity -fees and markups are not done across the board and the studio has no problem charging well over $100 for a "costume" that could be purchased on the internet for less than $25 -the studio attempts to portray a "family" atmosphere. While nepotism runs rampant, the favorites game is played and behind the scenes it's actually all about how much money they can squeeze out of you -the quality of dance education is definitely sub par. I say this as having gone to a different studio now and seeing the improvement in my child's technique grow exponentially in a very short amount of time -seems as though if they do employ a (non-relative) teacher with actual skills, education, and experience, they are eventually forced to leave These thoughts are all based on my personal experience with this studio. I recommend if you're searching for a quality dance education in a healthy environment for your child and yourself, you search elsewhere. more

We were at the studio for 2years before we had to move. Our daughter tried a new studio for a year and began not wanting to dance at all. She hated it said she was bored so we went back to CCDS. It is an amazing studio and family. Not sure which dances people said are distasteful because I have only ever loved that they don't conform to the more graphic dances. more

I traveled 10 hours to watch my niece perform in Virginia and I could not believe how inappropriate some of the dances and music were. Stereotyping children in lyrics plus statements such as getting to look up girls skirts and the girls having bigger balls then the boys team was shocking . Many of the dance moves looked as though a pole should have been involved.! I went last year as well and was nothing but impressed. I don't know what changed but I hope someone puts the dance back in this company and leaves the inappropriate ness behind. more

Let me just say that there are tons of other dance studios in the area that are way better. Dancers on the company team have potential but choreography can get repetitive and boring. Not as innovative as other choreography by teachers at other studios in the area. Costumes are just as boring. Also, I feel as though all the love and attention is given to the company kids and not enough to the recreational kids, especially during recital. I don't like how teachers just think up random bits of choreography for recital dances for recreational kids in only a short amount of time. It should be thought of beforehand. Recreational kids pay a good amount of money for these dance classes too. Not the best studio out there, and, like another reviewer said, this studio made my passion for dance diminish. more

We have been with Chris Collins dance studio for 6 years now and we absolutely love this studio! Family run, talented and professional teaching staff, awesome parents and students! Our kids look forward to their classes each and every week! We would 100% recommend this studio to each and every family with children of every age and ability - adults too! more

I am taking Adult classes at CCDS for 6 years. Just love it. The teacher is the best. She offers different levels in the same class appropriate for adults. Classes are challenging enough and fun at the same time. At the recital dance she will never make us look bad. She chooses routine that make us look great. more

I LOVE dancing at Chris Collins Dance Studio! I want to keep dancing there forever! It's so much fun, and Ive learned alot from my amaaaaazing teachers :) If you want to learn to dance and have fun doing it, this is the place to dance!!!! more

I used to dance at ccds and I only recall that he and the staff would yell I used to hate having to go and finally begged my mom to let me quit.. I believe my experience their ruined my enjoyment for dance and choose others sports.. after reading the other reviews it reminded me why I don't want to bring my daughters to ccds. more

I have been dancing at Chris Collins for almost 10 years and never once have we been treated unfair or poorly. The main purpose of the dance studio is to bring success and smiles and to have fun. Ever since I started, I've become a better dancer and less self-conscious about myself. I am free to express my feelings in dancing and the teachers are amazingly talented choreographers. They help each and every student understand and learn the material. They NEVER sit around and gossip. Over the years, Chris Collins Dance Studio has become better and better. The tution and costumes are much cheaper than other studios in the area. The times of classes are fair to students and family. The company group doesn't compete because they're competitive, they compete to learn their mistakes and meet other amazing dancers. Each and every student that graduates, leaves the studio an accomplished dancer. The director of the studio, Chris Collins, not only directs, but teaches as well. We consider every student and their family a part of the Chris Collins family. My mom and I support this studio all the way and are glad to be part of this studio. I hope you will consider my review and come join this amazing dance studio! more

My kids and I have had a great experience at CCDS. We have been involved with the studio for a few years now, and love it. Chris Collins offers a professional ballet program, Cecchetti, along with recreational and company classes in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, and hip hop. My kids takes from a few different teachers, and really like all of them. The teachers are always professional, and keep classes fun. My girls not only look up to the company dancers, but also to their teachers! more

This studio maintains a toxic environment. The owner screams at the children, has had physical confrontations with parents and heads a teaching staff of underqualified family members whose specialty is gossip. more

My daughter has been dancing at Chris Collins Dance Studio for 2 years, and we are extremely happy. My daughter is 7, and looks up to the big girls at the studio so much! They are always so nice to her, and she's hoping to one day be in the dance company. The teachers and director love what they do - it's obvious in the way they share their love of dance with their students. The best part about the studio is that everyone is treated fairly! If you get the chance - try the studio's Princess Camp over the summer....my daughter loved it! more

I have been dancing at Chris Collins Dance Studio for about 9 years now and I love it there. I would never ever quit its awesome there! We do lots of fundrasiers not just to raise money for the dance company but to raise money for the non company too! Well, right now we are about 3 weeks away from recital and im pretty used to this recital stuff because im not 14 and have been doing it sence I was three but everything is looking great! Everyone is always calm and nice its my favorite time of the whole dance year! Lots of studios have favorits that do everything but our teachers show resepect to everyone exactly the same. They give everyone a chance to show a step or move. They also kid around and act like where all one huge happy family its great! This part I love, our teachers love taking the time to actually help you with the steps and learning everymove. If you dont get it the first time they help you nicely until you do. Never once have I seen one of our teachers yell and scream and someone for not getting a step. We even have teacher assistants and helpers there to help everyone if someone is having trouble! =] I love chris collins dance studio and I think it is one of the best studios in the Alexandria and even in all of Northern Virgina, and im not just saying that. At every competition we love to cheer on the other studios and we always say good job and congrats to whoever wins. We are just a nice studio all around. I would never quit I love CCSD so much!! more

My friend danced for this dance studio for several years and all it brought her was frustration. Her mother was not as involved with the other parents and their Dance-Parent organization, and she was definitely treated differently than the other students because of it. Favoritism occurred frequently. The entire organization was very gossipy and competitive, despite being touted as fun for people of all ages and skill levels. The teachers are not very professional, and very few of them have any real dance experience, but rather are somehow related to the owner. Her lessons were placed at very inopportune times, and sometimes she had to miss school to attend them. When she later switched to a different studio, she was told that she had been doing several techniques wrong. She mentioned that in one class, when they could not do a move, the teacher simply yelled at them to repeat the same technique again and again, rather than evaluating each student and telling them what they were doing wrong. Everything was focused on them making more money. There were very few fundraisers and other drives to reduce the cost to the students. Costumes were outrageously priced, even before the accessories and add-ons. Around recital time, everyone was stressed out, and my friend frequently felt that they seemed to forget about the "fun" aspect that they claimed to value. The rehearsals were long, sometimes going as late as 11 pm on school nights. I went to a few of her recitals and they were very unprofessional. The sound system was so poor it was painful, and the entire event was generally disorganized. Seating was "first come, first serve," which often resulted in mayhem and people pushing, shoving and running to get to the front of the auditorium. "Preferred parents" were sometimes let in early to get seats. One time her mom and I got seats in the front row and we got yelled at by one of the staff members for sitting in her seat. We pointed out nicely that there was no indication that it was reserved. She continued to get angrier and informed me that her friend/family member was supposed to have saved her a seat and threatened to get the studio director. Later, we saw her sitting in another part of the front row with some people she obviously know, so it must have been a mistake, but there was no reason for her to be so rude. I was appalled at being treated this way after paying $10, especially when there was no indication ANYWHERE that the seat I was sitting in was reserved. All in all, the experience was bad for my friend, her mom, and me, especially considering the price. What I've mentioned here only scratches the surface of the favoritism, nepotism, and utter lack of professionalism she saw. As my friend discovered, there are many better quality studios in the area. more