La Luna Dance Studio

I have been dancing at La Luna Dance Studio since 2007. My dancing has improved dramatically in these four years and continues to be a work in progress as I learn from some of the most creative, energetic and enthusiastic instructors in the area. The people I have met thru La Luna are of all ages and ethnicities and have become my salsa family. I spend 5 hours at La Luna every Sunday in performance and advanced dance classes and Sunday has become my favorite day of the week. I am very happy to be a part of this organization and am grateful to the instructors and other members that have helped me to enhance my joy of dancing. more

Dear Mr. Waternut77, I am very sorry you had to write this negative review and especially mention names of La Luna's employees. It's unfortunate that you are not responsible enough as a consumer to understand our company's policies: 1. You are NOT required to sign up for a monthly membership, you can absolutely pay-as-you go. Monthly membership offers a discount to our pay-as-you go rate but it's your choice. We do not force anyone to take lesson at La Luna or sign up for a membership. Everything is up to the consumer and as our records indicate you did sign our agreement and received a copy of it. Maybe you should have read it and fully understood or asked us questions before signing it? 2. You CAN absolutely cancel your membership at any time. Although we do bill automatically on the 1st of every month to your credit card (which you provided and AUTHORIZED us to use), you can cancel or suspend your account with a simple 7 day written notice before the first of every month. This can be done at any time, we don't require you to honor your membership agreement for any length of time before canceling. 3. We offer over 25 weekly Salsa classes, so there are tons of opportunities to make up a missed class if your schedule does not allow you to attend for a week or even a month. Furthermore, all unused classes roll over from month to month. We have been in business for 8 years and have hundreds of students who have absolutely no problem with billing and call La Luna Dance Studio their home and second family. It appears that you were not able to fit in and we wish you absolute best learning Salsa and finding your Salsa family at other dance studios (by the way, it's ESTILO Dance Studio and they are indeed a great dance studio indeed, we wouldn't have it's owner, Mike Andino, teaching at La Luna). Regards, Sonya Elmore Owner La Luna Dance Studio more

If you join their studio you are mandated to accept their auto-billing (credit card) policy. Its equivalent to playing in a Casino and the house never ever loses. Their refund policy consists of canceling the membership 3 days after you sign the original (1rst Month) contract. After that it’s like talking to a brick wall and they will refer everything to the fine print of the contract. In a dispute they may offer you credits, but I have never heard of anyone getting their money refunded.\r If your schedule is challenging, I doubt if you will be able to utilize a sufficient amount of classes to let you feel the costs were justified. I tried to waive the CC auto-billing policy and offered to pay cash 5 wks in advance and they wouldn't let me join. Like a jerk, I blinked and they got me for $450. Goods and services were never rendered and they could care less. I was hurt and my knee may never heel. What good is the 47 hours of credit they offered me if I can't use them?\r The owners name is Sonya Elmore and she wouldn't even see me to discuss the disputed billings. She has complete faith in her billing manager (Sharon Anderson) and she supported the questionable manner in which the studio charged my credit card for two months when I was hurt and unable to use my premium membership. The main office, the group instructor, the students and a private lessons instructor were well aware I was hurt. \r Beginners should seek alternate choices: Top Hat, AIM (Art in Motion) Latin Dancers, Atrium and Estilio's. They are all ""Pay-as-you-Go"" and you don't have to have your credit card subject to their selfish interpretation of your contract. \r If you are a beginner who is challenged by Salsa’s quick beat, I recommend you pick up Stephen Tirpak's timing CD ... Deep in Salsa. You’re learning curve will dramatically improve; you will need less class time, and it will help you participate in the Philadelphia area Salsa parties much sooner.\r It’s a shame, their instructors are pretty good and your class mates are very nice, but the billing practice is very greedy! They won’t let you join without signing the auto-billing policy and it should send up a red flag. Don't let the fun social setting confuse you with Studio Value. Shop and compare. They all offer parties at a cheap price. more

\r I've been a member at La Luna Dance Studio for 2 years and have had the best time of my life! I found La Luna on the web, stopped by to observe classes, obtained information, signed up and have not had a single regret. The staff and instructors and proprietor are all extremely friendly and professional. The many classes offered are geared for all levels, and there is no pressure, learn at your own pace! There is no age barrier, we're a mixed bunch and feel very comfortable about that. The social dances every other Friday, as well as so many other events sponsored by La Luna year-round, are very well organized, the music is always on point, and the atmosphere is the best! I've met so many wonderful, happy and respectful people there. You can't get that in city club! Kudos to ALL the instructors, staff and especially to Sonya!!!\r more

I have been a member of La Luna for 3 years and have loved every minute. The staff of pros is friendly and knowledgeable. There is a class for every level of dancer - beginner to advanced. If you love to perform, you can take advantage of the many performance classes the studio has to offer. If you just like to social dance, La Luna has parties every other Friday. What a great way to meet new people and have fun. The parking lot is safe, the facility is clean, the people are friendly. The owner, Sonya goes to a lot of trouble to learn your name and get to know you. She is friendly and outgoing and makes your feel welcome. La Luna, a great place to meet people and learn to dance. more

My wife and I have been involved in dancing for some 25 years. We have been members of many clubs and studios. We have spent the last 5 years as members of La Luna and consider it our second home. The instructors are all professional, and friendly. The studio is clean, bright and well maintained\r The group lesson program is run on a syllabis system and has continuity. Students are moved to new levels as they improve. The student base varies in age and ethnicity and there is a feeling of mutual enjoymeny of dancing.\r The parties on Friday nights are well organized and fun for all. great DJ's and hours of good dancing. more

LA LUNA HAS IT ALL!! I LOVE BEING ABLE TO LEARN SO MUCH UNDER ONE ROOF...BALLROOM, LATIN, RUMBA, CHA-CHA, PARTNERING, ZUMBA, AND SO MUCH MORE! EVERY TEACHER IS FRIENDLY AND PATIENT IN THEIR TEACHINGS, AND I ADORE LEARNING THEIR STYLE AND TECHNIQUES!! LA LUNA HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE TO ENJOY DANCING, AND AN ARRAY OF FRIENDS THAT HAVE MY SAME INTEREST! OH BY THE WAY, THE PARKING LOT IS BIG AND SAFE! LA LUNA IS IMPRESSIVELY FUN!! I CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT OF WORK TO GO DANCE AT LA LUNA!! Pros: WONDERFUL, CREATIVE, DANCE TEACHERS, BEAUTIFUL FACILITY! Cons: WISH I HAD TIME TO DANCE 24/7 AT LA LUNA!! more

If you just want company, and are willing to pay for it, more power to you. Dance instruction is only good on Sundays at 1:30pm with whoever the short spanish guy is. Watch your back if you sign any contracts with them, expect unpleasant surprises. You need a lawyer to look at the contract, they will not fill in the blanks for you, nor cut you any slack whatever. Go to dance clubs and pay instructors on the side, much better off. This is only a very temporary solution. Pros: lots of new people all the time Cons: Instruction is designed to keep you there forever more

Beware of paying ahead for anything, or being part of their 'memberships' . They will drain your checking account for whatever is in the fine print of their contracts. Nothing is refundable, or transferrable. They are nowhere near worth the headaches they will cause you. Cash only if at all. Better off going to a different club, or paying one of their instructors privately, for dance lessons. Keep your credit cards away from these people. Cons: Mike Andino only decent instructor more

My boyfriend and I just started taking Salsa lessons at La Luna after shopping around. We have decided this was the best place and it was, indeed, beautiful with a very warm atmosphere. The staff is very friendly and our instructor, Noel, is incredibly patient. They have tons of classes to choose from so it fits our schedules great. The lessons don't cost that much more then other places and are well worth every penny. We would rather take classes at a beautiful professional place rather then some hole in the wall dance studio. I think they even have weddings there. Highly recommended, we are now hooked on Salsa and can't wait to get better so we can start going dancing. Pros: Beautiful, spacious, friendly staff, knowledgable dance instructors more

Place was much better when it was smaller and more intimate. Now it's a monster...and they'll squeeze you for all of the money they can get! more

Just started taking classes in ballroom and salsa dancing w/ my girlfriend. I took her honestly to win some points, but honestly really love it. Met some great people, love their parties, and the place is incredible. Hi Sonya (my instructor). Pros: Easy to learn, Lots of choices, Easy to meet people more