Three days after the recital, Backstage Dance Center returned my registration fee. I was told that because I took my 6-yr-old daughter out of the recital after she performed her dance she can't enroll in the 2008/2009 season.
We took her out early because she was sick (we didn't let Ms. Michelle & Ms. Stacy co-owners know prior because we didn't think it would be an issue – that was our fault). It seems extreme that my daughter is now being the one who's punished. Michelle and Stacy stand up on that stage at the end of the recital and express their love for these kids. They say they do it all for the kids, but they can't put aside constructive criticism from the parents during the year and accept an apology from a parent who made one mistake. I will admit that we complained twice on how the class was taught. We felt that someone had to speak up. Other parents in the waiting room felt the same way. We just chose to be the ones to let them know. I felt it wasn't fair to the kids attending the class and the parents paying for it. I believe parents need to speak up when they have concerns. These are our children they are teaching. They are supposed to be making a little girls dream come true, not crushing them.
Michele told a parent if they couldn't make the Friday dress rehearsal not to bother bringing her daughter to the Sunday recital. Is this an appropriate attitude to give to a parent who is paying for lessons the whole season? The recital is nice but this is not a Broadway production. It should be more about having fun. Who are we trying to impress?
I wish I could say I wish the best to Back Stage Dance but the way they have no regard for my 6 year olds feelings I can't do that. My daughter has made friends at this center and enjoyed her classes. So because her parents spoke up twice about some concerns during the season and made a good parental decision to leave early from the recital she is getting kicked out. What did she do wrong? Is this really about us taking her out early or because I expressed my concerns? Is this a business that we should embrace in our community? No warnings -- just, don't come back!
Maybe they should change their slogan from: "Where It All Begins" to "Where It can end if a parent expresses concern".
Yours Truly
James Livingston