Reviews of Joy of Dance Centre (Dance School)

N'Danys

Love this place with my whole heart

Bellaré Amoré Fashions & Convertibles

I have been dancing for 13 years. I returned to Toronto almost a year ago. When I first arrived I was fortunate enough to run into a young lady who gave me a list of dance studios in Toronto but she was very clear, she told me that in her opinion the top of the list had to be the Joy of Dance. I came with letters of introductions from my coach back home for specific teachers and so I felt obliged to try not only their recommendations but all of the dance studios that were on the list. As time rolled on eventually I moved to Greektown and came into the joy of Dance Center and found Mark. I have now been a member on the unlimited program for going on two months now. I have to say in all of my experience and all of the dance studios that I've been connected with over the last 13 years that the Joy of Dance offers the best program and the best value for your money that I've ever come across. If you sign up for their unlimited classes You Can Dance a minimum of three classes every single day. The range of dances you can learn it's quite simply unbelievable. The members of staff and the volunteer members of this studio are phenomenal. Especially in the last five days over the Halloween celebrations.. I have watched all of them bend over backwards and work unbelievable hours to create a fun environment where we can learn and enjoy ourselves completely. Everyone has contributed and most especially I've noticed that Steven and Annie have worked harder than any two people I've ever come across in the dance world. They will tell you that they love it and I'm sure that they must but they have created an environment where we can love it too. There is Colin, Amanda, Charlotte, Lisa and the list just goes on and on... I'm positive I'm forgetting everybody because I'm so terrible with names. In summary, these people have become my second family and this studio has become my second home and I am in love with everything I'm learning. I can't imagine any other dance studio that could go further to give me more than I expected I've never met the owner of the studio but she sure can pick great staff. Thank you everyone and just so you know, you're stuck with me forever. :-)

slylie2

We shopped around to several dance studios in the city when looking for somewhere to enroll our 5 year old daughter, but after coming across this place we knew it was the one. The location, the studio, the teachers, the schedule - all top marks and we feel privileged to have our daughter start her journey with a studio like Joy of Dance. We had her take the Hip Hop class a few months before the last lockdown hit, and she absolutely loved the class and her instructor Kimberly who is amazing. Unfortunately we had to move to online classes which my daughter just couldn't get into, but now that things are reopened we are very excited to have her back for Ballet and Hip Hop. I'm surprised that people have negative things to say about this place, and can only guess they have unreal expectations or didn't feel the same magic that we do here. If you are looking for a dance studio in the city, you would be doing yourself a great disservice by not at least dropping in and taking a look before you decide.

Candid Reviewer

Before committing too much money into this place, sign up for few group lessons and get to know the place and who the best instructors are, because the price is high!. It's unlikely that you'll ever meet or find out who runs the place and the receptionists have quite a choosy, unwelcoming, unhelpful and unpleasant attitude. The washrooms are clean, but somewhat broken down and not well maintained. You'll pay a hefty fee for private lessons, its a little better for semi-private ones and group lessons are (in my opinion) reasonable. If you have kids or teens; you'll pay for their lessons, their costumes, tickets to see them perform (not cheap either!) and ...get this...tickets for your kids to perform, so that the school can make money from their performance!!!...Yeap! I am definitely looking for another place at this point, before throwing another $6.000 out the window in less than a year. Any suggestions?

Petar Todorov Makaveev

The worst company that provides children activities in my life! The CEO refused to refund any money, once the class has started. She chose to start a full-fledged war with a customer in order to keep the money, instead of simply refunding the money for unused services when requested! The customers are forced to pay first online and then after the fact to sign a form that looks like a medical release form, where Joy of Dance squeezed a small, easy to miss, section about money refunds.

Jennifer Edmunds

Absolutely love this studio! They offer high quality dance training for adults in all different styles. The ballet program here is fantastic and they offer adults the opportunity to do their RAD exams, which I haven't found at any other studio in Toronto. They also have their own app, which makes signing up for classes so easy. Highly recommend!

Erin Bell

No complaints with the quality of the instruction, but what management did to me was one of the worst things a business can do. This was supposed to have been my child's third year attending summer camps at this studio. Their policy, as stated on the confirmation email I received on March 4, stated "Please note that no refunds are offered once the class has begun." Then COVID-19 hit. While other theatres and dance studios around the city moved their camps and classes online, or cancelled the altogether after consulting with the parents of the children enrolled, Joy of Dance chose to move forward with in-studio summer camps. I was notified of this 2 days before my child's camp was scheduled to start, in an email that also stated that no refunds would be issued after July 1, despite the email itself only being sent on July 9. The configuration of the class had also been changed from an aged 8-12 group to a 6-8 group. I was not comfortable sending my child to an indoor camp, with a younger cohort who was unlikely to be capable of physically distancing properly, while the city is still in a stage 2 pandemic lockdown. I communicated that I was not comfortable sending my child. While I was within my rights to ask for a refund according to their policy (the first policy, not the second one they made up after I had already enrolled and paid), in the spirit of supporting a small business through a difficult time I asked if they could consider a partial credit towards a future class instead. The manager, Jennifer, replied stating that she would not issue a refund. When I responded reminding her of her studio's refund policy, and that I was not actually asking for a refund but rather a partial credit, she ignored me. Joy of Dance sprung a modified camp on us that I did not feel comfortable with or agree to, with no alternatives. EVERY other summer camp my children have been involved with offered either a refund or credit. Not this one. They pulled a bait and switch, took my $400, and flat-out ignored my request for even a partial credit. Well, enjoy it Joy of Dance because it's the last money you will ever see from my family. Even though we live virtually across the street from your studio, I will now be taking my theatre and dance-loving child farther afield. I hope my $400 was worth it to you.

kos1piece

I attended many of the ballroom classes at Joy of Dance for around 2 years by now. The teachers at Joy of Dance are fun and professional. I've never had a dull moment taking their classes.

Haze M

First professional dance school I attended. I took ballet and jazz classes. Prices are reasonable: the quality of training is a reflection of what you're paying. Place can be hard to spot from the street, but once inside it's a very large studio.

Gerry Miller

My wife and I have been dancing here for over a year. We take private lessons. You can choose what you learn and when you learn it. We usually follow Mark's recommendations. Our instructor, Mark Read, is first rate and a class act. Very patient with us, (especially me) as I am obviously challenged! I can have a step reviewed as many times as I want or need. I am never rushed, and I get honest (and positive) feedback. I think that the price charged is very fair. (When you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.) The facilities are big and bright. I feel that we are getting great value for our money.

Wendy Gage

This place feels like home!! I've been dancing for about 20 years and recently started training with Emily Tench and her adult RAD ballet program. I can't say enough how much my ballet technique has improved over the year ... more than in 5 years of recreational classes at other studios! I really appreciate that Emily does not give up on our progress even though we aren't kids anymore and her attention to and knowledge of injury prevention is second to none.

Alicia Leung

I love this studio, I did private classes with Lauren for my wedding dance and I was so pleased with the result! I also took beginner ballroom classes with Mark and what a joy to be in his class! The only reason I took off a star is because the studio is a little dated and the washrooms are a little run down.

Stephie Lows

I went for my first dance class at joy of dance. they are in toronto around the broadview danforth area. its nice cause they are just a few steps away from the subway stop. I had a very marvellous time during my class it was relaxed and enjoyable and i was able to even meet a few people for my first day. i will be attending it more in the future!

Sandra Greene

I'm SO happy I found Joy! Amazing classes, outstanding teachers. Feels like family!

Christopher Muresanu

Terrible moves, trashy music, empty class. Waste of your money and time

Emily

Hand's Down my favourite dance studio in the city. The floors are perfect (especially the big room upstairs), the staff professional and the teachers really love what AND where they teach. I've taken classes there for years and it only has gotten better, nice community feel. Thank you guys!

Allo Peachya

Great and accommodating studio, wish they had more intensive adult courses that are progression based like their adult ballet class. Would love an adult jazz/lyrical semester long course to work on technique versus taking drop ins.

A C

Too much politics going on at that place at the management level. Some teachers are really good, some are not so good and is all talk.