Reviews of Fred Astaire Dance Studio London (Dance School)

Kayla Jean

I walked in in January 2018 not knowing what to expect. I had never danced a day in my life and had 0 confidence. They paired me up with 2 amazing instructors (they're all phenomenal and they are all very friendly!) And after my first lesson, I was all in. I couldn't imagine working with anyone better than Kate and her team! :)

Thalia Ranjbar

I have been a student at Fred Astaire for nearly three years now and I couldn’t speak more highly about it if I tried. I came in with previous dance and performance experience, but the knowledge and skills I gained from Freds has redefined me as a dancer and artist. Their ability to nurture my desire to be a good dancer coupled with their genuine care for their students made this my favourite place in the world. The instructors are extremely hardworking people who are so passionate about what they do which makes it a perfect place to learn. Dancing can make people feel very vulnerable, but the instructors make you feel so safe and having you taking risks before you know it. Finally, Kate Whippey, the woman who runs the entire operation is EXTREMELY good at her job. Not only is she a champion for ballroom dancer, she is also incredibly understanding and patient. She wants to make every student feel loved, valued, and confident. There have been many times when Kate took time out of her day in order to help me whether it be regarding the fees, finding a competition dress, or to talk about my dance goals. I recommend taking dance at Fred Astaire 1000%! - Thalia Ranjbar

Federer Fanatic

I can vouch for the dedication of the new owner of the London studio as she was my initial instructor at the Kitchener Fred Astaire and she is a true student of the nuances of dance and of the human psyche. Congradulations on achieving your dream of owning your own studio Kate or as I knew you an eon ago, Catherine ;-) My photo depicts my favourite tennis player who sets an example of athletic beauty and passion that I think anyone who is commited to learning ballroom dancing would eventually realize.

Tatyana Austrie

In doing my introductory 3 lessons I learned the basic steps for multiple styles of dance while having the most incredible time. The teachers were so knowledgeable and truly loved their jobs. It is such an open and inviting environment that made me love ballroom dance.

Scott Macdonald

Echoing many of the comments, great staff but price is an issue... especially the service once staff realize that you aren't going to pay $500 per month for lessons. My wife and I loved our instructor but felt pressured to pay the high monthly costs. We were told that it wasn't worth it for us to come unless we paid a few hundred per month. Once staff realized that we weren't going to pay the price, service levels DRASTICALLY changed despite having lessons left to use. Beforehand, our instructor reached out constantly and with enthusiasm to schedule our next lesson. Now, it's been months that we've had outstanding lessons and no one has contacted us to book. We also felt that staff cared less about our progress during our most recent session once they found out that we weren't paying an addition few hundred. It didn't really encourage us to go back even to use up the lessons we had paid for... For potential clients, be prepared to pay a lot of money once your cheap trial is over. Also, anticipate a change in quality if you don't agree to pay hundreds more each month. For Fred Astaire, please change your service model and approach. We loved your lessons but not your sales tactics.

Nancy Michieli

My husband and I continue to take lessons at Fred Astaire for 12 years. We love the instructors, coaches, staff and students who help us with our dancing skills. As well as dance, a students becomes part of the Fred Astaire family not only in London but all the studios make us feel welcome and encourage us.

Mark Goddard

After seeing the review by Scott MacDonald I was compelled to share my experience. Sadly it is eerily similar. Started with one of the cheap teaser packages. My then fiancé and I really enjoyed it. We were also preparing for our wedding. The instructor we worked with was amazing, but as soon as it was clear that we were not interested in a $3,000+ program we were made to feel bad about the decision and the entire experience changed. There has to be a middle ground on this? Unless I am open to spending more than some college programs I become irrelevant?

Jessica Moodie

An absolutely fabulous team of instructors! It’s been three years since I walked through the doors, hopeful, but convinced I would never actually learn to dance properly. It has been a fantastic journey! Staff are welcoming and supportive, and always working to tailor lessons to your goals and to keep pushing you further than you’d ever imagined you’d be!! It’s a very friendly social environment, lots of parties and group lessons, and now I go out social dancing with friends I’ve met at the studio!

Doug Robinson

Best people ever!

Linc Simoni

I was a guest in London and took some introductory lessons. I'd never danced before and was welcomed with as much respect as a seasoned master. My instructor was well matched to not only my skill level, but my personality and learning style. After getting to know the owner and staff, I can say I've never before encountered such a group of professionals so clearly dedicated to teaching a lifelong love of dance.

carla matos

Love my dance experience here! Instructors pay detailed attention to my expressed goals and wishes. They regularly check in with me to ensure I am enjoying my lessons. My learning pace is just right for me! I very highly recommend this studio! Kate and staff take excellent care of me!

Julia Petrakis

I seriously love this place. Very therapeutic

Janeen

I was welcomed with friendly faces when starting my lessons at Fred Astaire. While learning new steps, I was able to build my confidence and have fun doing it. I was able to learn more about dance and I had great teachers to help me learn along the way. I would recommend dancing to anyone!

Colette Chapman

I have had a tremendous experience learning new dances with by partner Matt, from Fred Astaire Dance Studio. The staff is friendly, encouraging and supportive in general, but my Matt is my Matt.! You are always greeted with cheer and they don't give up on you if you miss a step! Great experience....great workout...and overall a fun place to be to forget your worries and dance some time away.....

Grow Tye

They advertise 5 dance lessons for 25 bucks but what they don't tell you is that 2 of those lessons are group lessons and you need to pay to take other lessons to be good enough to take the group lessons and then then the other lesson is a dance party with other people. So really you only get 2 lessons for $25- which is still alright, just a little misleading.

Josh Ellison

The staff are incredible. Everybody is so friendly and we always feel very comfortable when we're here. The lessons are well planned and the instructors are pros!

Tt

The Instructors are very welcoming and professional. My daughter and I had a great time learning new dances and enjoying such a great energy their. Would definitely recommend

Laura Jean McKellar McCann

This team offers a motivation and inspiration that is life enhancing. I continue to love every moment on the dance floor lead by such a professional and skilled team of trained ballroom dancers. Exceptional is the adjective to describe this ensemble.

asdf qwer

I will echo what Nicole D wrote. The staff are nice until you want to stop taking lessons then their attitude shifts. Came back 2 years later to read the reviews and nothing's changed. Shift in attitude as soon as clients aren't willing to pay 3k. Drop in quality of lessons too. Clients paid for their lessons even if they aren't going to continue, you have the responsibility to maintain quality of lessons until the end. For new clients I suggest you look elsewhere.

Linda Zoller

As a senior, I hesitated coming to a dance studio. I soon learned that you become part of the Fred's family. Age, weight, talent are irrelevant, it is about a love for movement and music, both students and teachers celebrating each other's successes at every level. You are put at ease as those talented, well trained instructors individualize your program, adjusting for bad knees, stiff necks etc. I have never before in my life felt GRACEFUL!! Expensive?..Perhaps...The Quality, both physical and mental, added to my life......PRICELESS!!

Sommer Bowser

Fred Astaire was amazing! They taught my husband and I the waltz for our first dance at our wedding it went so well! People said it looked like we were floating. I highly recommend them! Special thanks to Ilya and Greg for their time!

Sarah Rodger

I don't know why I didn't start earlier! This place has made such a positive impact on my life, personally and professionally. I am a much more confident and joyful individual because of it.

grace campbell

a lovely place! the teachers make you feel very welcome! it is a great atmosphere and everyone is very passionate

Kathryn Ivison

Always feel so welcome there and have learnt so much. Highly recommended.

Toni Mansilla

Great instructors, very friendly environment. No matter your level of experience they will build a lesson plan just for you!

Lamo Republic

I got the $400 for 5 private lessons package (5 x 40 min). I would say that the instructors are super friendly and helpful 10/10. But I would rate the value as 5 / 10. You could probably get better value for your money elsewhere since Fred Astaire is a franchise and they have to pay franchise fees and so on. This is why I'm giving a 3 / 5.

yiushin2

Excellent studio, amazing teachers and really friendly environment. We worked with Wes who was just excellent, very skilled at guiding us through the dances and alot of fun. Mistakes were very gently attended to and I felt very comfortable learning, would recommend 5/5!

Alannah Stone

Had a fantastic time! Loved our energetic instructor as he always made it fun and not awkward while we were learning the basics. We started with the 5 lessons for 25$ special, but we're definitely going to sign up for more private lessons after the wedding as we want this to be a new couples hobby. I read other reviews and want to say we didn't feel pressured to purchase more. On our last session this past Monday we were the ones who asked for pricing and options for continuing lessons.

Natalie Chevalier

I absolutely loved my experience with Fred Astaire, in 3 classes I learned the basic moves for multiple styles of dance, and managed to improve a lot in that short time! It also gave me an interest and a love for ballroom dance I didn’t know I had!!

Elke Haugen

I cannot say enough about Kate and the instructors at this studio. My daughter Thalia has been attending this studio for over 1 year and it has transformed her. The instructors are knowledgeable but, more importantly, patient and genuinely nurture a love of dance. I visited the studio and felt welcome at once. I also attended a competition and saw the result of their efforts and the enthusiasm they pass on to their students. I cannot wait to see my daughter compete again, every time I see her dance I am wowed. Kudos to Kate for running a fantastic studio and to Matt and all the instructors for helping my daughter follow her passion! You will not be disappointed if you decide to join this wonderful studio.

Justynegreg Harter

My husband and I went there when we first started dating, and we couldn't get enough, we continued on for our wedding routine. They are so supportive and want everyone to have fun and succeed!

Cassandra Taylor

I convinced my partner to join ballroom dance with me in the fall. We were finding it hard to find a dance studio that would work around his shift work. Many classes are set days of the week and he is on continental shifts. Fred Astaire was completely flexible with our times and have been able to accommodate for us to have one lesson a week in our busy schedules! I would recommend to anyone with a challenging schedule to go to Fred Astaire. They are absolutely incredible and will work with you to match your life.

Stephanie Leys

When I first walked in to the Fred Astaire Studio in February 2018 after receiving the Groupon for Christmas and years of driving by the studio hoping that someday I would go for lessons, I had no idea what to expect. Having had no dance experience whatsoever, I was both very excited and nervous. But immediately after I walked in the door, I felt welcome and comfortable, and after my first lesson I was totally hooked. The instructors are all incredible and very knowledgeable. They have helped me achieve more than I ever dreamed possible in dancing and in my self-confidence both inside and outside the studio. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, I know I will leave Fred Astaire feeling inspired, empowered, and with a smile! My experience here has been amazing and I can’t recommend lessons here enough. Thanks so much Kate and the Fred Astaire family! :)

Nicole D

Great environment and really great people... Until you tell them you can't afford to continue paying $100 per 40 minute lesson and having 2-3 lessons per week as they recommend. They don't give you any options for group lessons but try to sell you a package that is going to cost thousands of dollars. The instructors are great but obviously don't want you to learn too quickly as they want you to keep paying for more lessons. My husband and I first signed up with them on one of their specials. Our first two lessons with them on this special were great and we learned a lot. We then purchased 5 additional classes. The first three of these we progressed a lot in our dancing. After the third lesson we let them know that we would not be able to purchase another package at this time due to it being a large expense for us. After that, our last two lessons were a waste of our time. We were not taught anything new in our fourth lesson. We were told that we were just brushing up on what we already had learned. Then we were told that our regular instructor would not be teaching us in our last lesson. We were stuck switching instructors for our last lesson. This was challenging as it was a very different teaching style and they didn't know what we could already do. So it was another review class. Which is a shame as we paid good money to be there. What started out as a good experience is now a very bitter one. Don't ruin dance for yourself. There are MANY other affordable options in London for learning to dance ballroom.

Justyne Harter

I cannot say enough about Fred Astaire London. My husband and I have been going for years, both together and individually. The staff is like family (some days like therapists). Our lessons always fly by, we are always laughing and having such a good time, you dont realize how fast the time goes. The way the staff treats you is something amazing. Even when you make mistakes (and you will) you're never treated as though you should know better or talked down to, they work you through it and help you be the best you can be! They want to see you succeed and reach your goals, you can tell they really want the best for you and you never feel like they are doing it just for money. I see a lot of reviews about the price and yes it is a lot of money, but so is a nice dinner and a movie. This is active and social, it gives you a closer connection to your partner (if going as a couple) and it helps your self esteem by not only being physical but you see yourself doing things you never thought you would and also by the staff rooting you on and being in your corner. thank you Fred Astaire staff, I hope you realize how much you have helped me and I am sure so many others!

Richard Lyke

Fred Astaire is a fabulous place to learn to dance. I have been training here for over 12 years. The instructors are wonderful professionals who have gently and steadily improved my dancing. I enjoy the social environment they have created among the students. This is truly one of my happy places.

Mike Gordon

My car was STOLEN and parked in their parking lot, when I found it and tried to remove it I was BLOCKED by DAN the employee..... They REFUSED to let me move my car and told me I had to wait there until Dan wanted to move his black jeep. The customer service SUCKS and maybe this is why they have to HARASS people to join their STUPID dance classes...

Jeff B

Just had first lesson, enjoyed it very much. Instructor was pleasant to work with and seemed knowledgeable and was great to deal with. My wife was smiling under her mask the whole time.

Taylor Yeomans

Just did a 30 minute private lesson to practice dancing for our wedding dances and it was so much fun, really comfortable. The environment is amazing and the people are the nicest people I have ever met. Highly recommend! Cannot wait for our next lesson in a few days!

Andrea Benning

Fred Astaire in London is my favourite place to be - the instructors are amazing, the atmosphere is welcoming, and no matter what my day has been like I always leave with a smile! The team are some of the most talented, encouraging, dedicated and genuinely nice people you will ever meet - I can't recommend them highly enough!

Gregory Harter

I've been a student at Fred Astaire for 7 years, and can't speak highly enough of the team especially kristina, iliah, and kate! From my first teachers to the group there now, my experience has been fantastic! They truly work to make you feel like family... My wife and I took lessons to get ready for our wedding, and now I continue striving towards my own personal goals in dance. Thanks guys!

Brianna Duxbury

Amazing experience every lesson!

J

Tonight, I had the pleasure of having two lessons with Shai from the Fred Astaire studio in London. I am currently a student at the Hamilton location and had the opportunity to take a lesson. While I was a bit nervous after seeing Shai dance during the Fred Astaire competitions (he is VERY good!) I was quickly put at ease. Shai, and the entire team of Instructors, were welcoming and energetic as soon as I walked through the door. My lesson began by Shai not immediately getting into dancing, but actually wanting to know more about me and explaining more about him….when asked why he loved being an Instructor and why he loved dancing his response….”because it is like breathing” immediately calmed my nerves and allowed us to actually identify some commonalities which cemented his chosen learning style for me. It was amazing and allowed Shai to relate to my learning style and teach me techniques for steps that I was struggling with. It was a fantastic lesson, thank you Shai! Your enthusiasm, knowledge, true passion for dancing and the many laughs we had made for a productive and super fun lesson. Before I left, Kate also came over and asked how my lesson was which was a very nice touch, to see that she also cared. I’ve read the reviews for this studio and most of them are extremely favourable however there are a few that questioned the sales portion of these lessons and possibly some Instructor integrity. I cannot comment to the pressure sales……except to say that this is a business like anything else and through constructive commentary from students, Kate (who responds to each and every comment with respect and passion) is able to continue to improve the studio and its business acumen. However, I will say this……personal happiness, emotional and mental well -being as well as physical health has no price tag. Granted, the lessons are expensive…….so is personal training, yoga, boot camps etc. Of course, there are cheaper options and those may work better for some due to preference and finances. This is understandable…. what I can say is that I budgeted and was fortunate (and very grateful) to be able to partake in something that quite frankly saved me when I was in a point in my life where I was struggling. My Instructors have helped me grow, feel personal happiness and I was also able to lose 40 pounds in the process. I watched the Instructors prior to my lesson tonight walking through a group dance together……. they are not sales people that also dance……they LOVE dancing…. I watched Kate with a student after my dance and the joy of her student was evident. I watched Wes with his student who was glowing and smiling and these two students (as well as others during my lessons) loved dancing. That is why they are there. You don’t have to sign up for lessons…. find something that you love! And for those who had a poor experience, I have full confidence that Kate has taken that feedback to heart. Thank you, team London, I am hopeful that I can come back again!! - Jenni Malcolmson

Janet Marchant

Awesome as always! So much more than learning to dance. It's about being all you can be by getting outside your comfort zone and having a great time doing it.

Sam Broadhead

* despite the fact that the owner seems to feel I have not attended her Studio, I had to private lessons on the 28th and 29th of August, with Ilia because my boyfriend bought me a gift certificate for my birthday. I am not affiliated with Ballroom blitz, they just happen to offer far more reasonable rates with no pressure. Simply point out thise looking for ballroom instructing have other, affordable options * Fred Astaire seems like a fun place, but it is a high-pressure profit machine. there is a reason that their "dance instructors" (sales people) are so friendly and in-your-face; it's specifically designed to get money out of you, fast, and the prices that they charge for private lessons are absurd. They are nowhere near market value, and they nearly double their local competition in price. If I can get private acrobatic lessons that are an hour long from artists who have toured with Cirque du Soleil, whose expertise keeps me alive during high risk activity, for $30 less than what Fred Astaire wants for 40 minutes of ballroom dancing (from a sales person who they taught to dance) you're doing something wrong. The cost per lesson of their 10 lesson package is more than their 5 lesson package and, that's when you're paying upfront! they must be getting all their business from people who don't understand what private instruction for dance should cost. As a life-long dancer, and aerial artist, Fred Astaire is not fooling me. We'll be going with the vastly superior, appropriately priced Ballroom Blitz...

Thilini Gnanatissa

I cannot even begin to describe how great these instructors are. I used to be very reluctant to call people, socialize, much less dance with people around me. But they made me feel so comfortable and when I asked to learn to be more confident with myself and my body, they gave me a safe space to do that in. All my friends and family have noticed big chances in me and I actually like dancing now. It makes me proud to know that I have this skill that not only makes me feel great, but it also makes me proud to know that I am a student from this dance studio. Did I have to drop a lot of dough for it? Yeah, I did. But it was so worth it. My life will never be the same after this, and I'm so glad it won't. I will never be able to repay the kindness, compassion, and guidance they have given me in teaching me my techniques and how they apply to my everyday life. I only hope I can represent them to the same degree they have impacted me. You will not regret signing up here. I promise.

Brock Boys BBQ

Such a great time with my wife! Something safe and fun that gets us out of the house.

Marg Liessens

Walking into the Fred Astaire Studio has been one of the best things I have ever done in my life. My instructors are so knowledgeable, amazing and extremely patient. The growth in my confidence level and personally has been unbelievable. I absolutely love every minute of my lessons.

Anna Marie Apau

I started in October 2017 (knowing absolutely no ballroom steps!) and completed the SocialEase program in February 2018. TRUTH: you will not be a DWTS pro on the $25 intro deal! DARE: For those who do decide to enrol in the #FredAstaireLdnDanceSchool, there are no regrets! The teachers are fantastic and intuitive to their students' level of learning ... They picked up on when I was ready to learn more and give me more; or when I needed to slow down and we just rewind; or when I am so exhausted from my crazy work day that dancing in that moment just becomes... dancing...???? ... And my gas tank is filled up again... I was terrified when I was asked to do the Tango at the (my first) studio party after lesson #5. I nearly freaked out the first time they switched me out with a different teacher. ???? But... Now when I hear compliments on my dancing outside the studio/school, I am reminded that I am worth every penny I invested in myself! .... #BeBold #BeBrave #IAmPriceless