Strictly Rhythm Dance Academy - Guelph, Ontario

Brooklynn McLean

We are so happy we chose SRDA. The teachers are phenomenal and my daughters always look forward to going. The owner Michelle is very present in the studio which is so nice to see and makes it really feel like one big family.

Gabrielle Prothmann

SRDA has been my second home since I started dancing here at 2 years old. I learned so many valuable life lessons, much beyond dancing. Everyone at this studio is a family. I was an assistant for 4 years and an instructor for 1, and I can attest that it is ran very professionally. I have always had positive experiences at this studio and have formed lifelong friendships throughout my years here. Michelle and all of the other staff members have created an amazing environment for learning and growing.

B

From an instructor perspective, this studio is amazing. All the other teachers are so friendly and are lovely to work alongside. The students success and happiness comes first for each instructor and they are very personable, reliable and dedicated. I have absolutely loved and adored teaching here for the last 6 years and couldn’t ask for a better second family.

alicia artiga

We chose this dance school for my daughter after talking with and meeting Marie, the office manager. She is lovely and cares about the kids. Her first year of dance here with a young instructor, Devon I think, was good. My daughter was very happy and loved dancing.

Second year of dancing her instructor was Michelle the owner. My daughter is 4 years old. She is generally happy and goes along with instructions and loves dancing. But all kids can have a bad moments or a bad day with big feelings that they are learning how to regulate. This isn't about kids being upset and hard to manage because they were told "no" or didn't get the sticker they wanted - all kids tend to get upset by these things sometimes and its annoying I get it, but the problem is how the instructor "responded".

She proceeded to completely ignore my child. Like completely closed body language. Do not talk to, do not look at, keep the body upright and turned away from her. Allowing my 4 year old's emotions to boil and grow bigger until she was very upset and unable to participate at all. Eventually during the last maybe 5-10 minutes of the class my daughter took an interest in the moves they were doing and while crying, started participating again. I was literally about to pull her from the class right before she did this. I didn't want to squash her resilience as I was proud that, on her own, she decided to try again. And then they handed out stickers at the end. My daughter loves princess stickers and they had her favourite princess. She was asking for that sticker - I know its annoying and we 'get what we get' but after a very emotionally challenging class when she was finally doing well, the student instructor gave her a different sticker instead; intentionally setting off all those big emotions that she has just barely managed to regulate. Completely distraught and crying after such a class, the instructor (and owner of the company) watched her crying with a smile. Smiled and watched as the student instructor struggle to get away from my daughter who is following her asking for the other sticker instead. Smiled and watched as I came in the room to collect my daughter - not addressing me at all except for a "have a nice day" as I walked out the door.

This instructor failed to manage a child emotionally struggling in her class. Yes that may not be her area of expertise, but anyone who is responsible for children must know how to take care of them. Young children get emotional sometimes and anyone can have a frustrating moment - which can become a bad day when you don't support through those feelings. When her 'ignore the crying' strategy wasn't working she didn't do anything else to improve the situation - like getting me, the parent, just outside the classroom. She taught her student teacher to ignore students who are struggling with emotions. She failed to inform the parent of any problems or concerns. She showed no care or empathy at any point. She quite obviously did not care if my daughter was happy or having fun or would want to return to class. At no point did the instructor offer support or encouragement to my daughter to get her to participate again, or even after my daughter started participating again on her own for the last portion of the lesson. But most disturbingly, she smiled and seemed to enjoy that my child was hurting.

I cannot recommend supporting this dance school because it wasn't just a bad instructor, she is the owner of the facility.

Incredibly disappointed because this should have been just a not good day. Where my daughter didn't dance much and had some big feelings, but still felt wanted and had enough fun that she would try again next week and this would just be brushed off as one bad day. Now my dance loving daughter doesn't want to dance anymore.

Trina McGhie

My daughter is going into her 7th year at SRDA. Not only does she love this studio and her instructors, we love our dance family that has become a big part of both of our lives. Thank you, Michelle and team for giving our girls the opportunity to dance, stay active and healthy, and be a part of a supportive and caring team!

Alexandra Antonini

My daughter has been dancing at SRDA for 12 years. During her time at the studio, she has developed her skill, creative expression, confidence and has made beautiful friendships. She has learned how to be part of a team and feels like she belongs to a dance family.

Daniella DC

Strictly Rhythm is the best dance school in the area! The instructors are amazing and professional and care so much for their students. I danced here for 15 years and have learned and have grown so much. I can't say a single bad thing about it. I would recommend Strictly Rhythm to anyone starting dance or looking for a new studio 🙂

Stacey Douglas

My two girls have been dancing at Strictly Rhythm Dance Academy for 11 years. They love all the different types of dance they provide. The staff is very knowledgeable, creative, and caring. Great prices and a comfortable environment.