My daughter danced with Harrison's for years and when we decided to try another school, ""The Rock School"" we were told that after 8 years of dancing with Harrison's she basically needed to be RETRAINED. Harrison's ""professional"" staff are Harrison's GRADUATES. Hardly the definition of ""professional"". My daughter was not even aware of the proper terms of BASIC ballet positions let alone the proper positions themselves.\r
The studio ALONE (which is the lower level of the owners house) seems extremely ""amateur"" compared to the professional studios, elsewhere with things simple as ""working air conditioning"", sprung floors, waiting rooms, locker rooms and an office staff. None of these are present at Harrison's.\r
Their spring recitals are BRUTAL at over 4 hours sometimes, while your child is on stage for 5 minutes while the ""senior"" company showcases THEMSELVES for most of the time, and it seems that $$ charges for ""this & that"" are continuous and unexpected.\r
Yes, the teachers are friendly and nice, however, for the same price of tuition/costumes & other unseen costs, you can get QUALITY instruction at a PROFESSIONAL studio such as The Rock School for Dance Education or the Brandywine Ballet Company. Do NOT be fooled by all their ""awards"" as certain students (like the owner's daughter) are focused on & receive ""special treatment"". Instead, research their staff! You will quickly learn that they are FAR from ""professional"".\r
I wasted YEARS and thousands of dollars with Harrison's and ended up with an extremely disappointed daughter who though she knew how to ""dance"". After 3 years with The Rock School, she has finally ""caught up"" to dancers her age and even improving beyond that, thanks to the attention of the awesome staff who knew she came from ""Harrison's"" and needed extra correction.\r
This is NOT a school for any dancer serious about dancing, or for anyone who values the dance education their child receives.. Do NOT waste your money.
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