I get so tired of people saying ""Oh the teachers are So hard"" or ""Oh the competition starts so late"" At LIAD they ACTUALLY teach you to dance, and NO they aren't mean! Yes they are strict, but they want to teach the students how to dance. If you don't want that, go to Marchand's where they will sit and talk for an hour and not learn how to dance in the slightest. Their BEST dancers are at par with LIAD mediocre dancers. As for starting competition late, I have been to many competitions, and cute as it may be, seeing a 6 year old on stage doing a solo makes you want to pull your hair out. They are cute, yes, but if you just want to pay to give your son or daughter a chance in the spot light with no training, then LIAD isn't for you! At LIAD they actually TRAIN you, I know it is a crazy concept for all those parents out there who just want their kids to sit around in front of the TV and talk, then dance isn't for you! LIAD is hard, but worth while, they don't have girls on pointe who don't know ballet, you can get seriously hurt! So watch the 'good' dancers from whatever school you chose, and make sure that they are learning technique, or they will get hurt when the teachers rush them on to pointe with out the training.\r
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If you just want to have fun, join a hip hop class, but if you want to learn dance and get in shape, then check Long Island Academy of Dance out. It is worth the trip.
Pros: Great experience: learn a lot
Cons: Tough! Takes effort and practice
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