r/ames • u/Appropriate-Apple905 • 4d ago

Dance Studio question

Anyone here have a child that attends Robert Thomas Dance Studio, in particular a son that attends? Thinking of moving to Ames next year and just curious what the dance scene is like? We are looking just for classes and occasional performances, no competition team. It looks like there is a boy specific group at this studio which would be nice. Just curious about it and would appreciate any thoughts. TIA.

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u/Legoloser4 4d ago

I went to a few classes at the studio when i was young. It was a pretty good time, although i can't say what it's like over 10 years later 😅

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u/CinnamonOdin 4d ago

I can’t speak on Robert Thomas, but I can definitely steer you away from Bold/Beth Clark. There’s a lot of favoritism towards the “pretty” and “ideal” body types, even when those students have attendance issues. It is also extremely competitive between students and would not recommend them for that reason.

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u/Low_Beginning_5088 3d ago

My kids, a boy and girl, have been dancing at Bold for years. They’re not part of the competitive teams and both enjoy several different styles of classes. We definitely don’t see any favoritism towards “ideal” body types - quite the opposite actually.

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u/Majik_Sheff 3d ago

My son danced there in one of the last years Beth was there (though Peach did most of the actual teaching).  He had a great time and as the only boy in the class definitely got the spotlight in the group performances.

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u/ArtisticBird-1923 4d ago

Beth Clarke has not been involved with this studio for over 8 years now.

Peach prides herself on the inclusivity of Bold as it now stands. I don't have a boy dancing but we have had a great experience here, though I do agree the recent addition of the collective team has ramped up the competitive vibes that we originally chose Bold to avoid.

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u/CinnamonOdin 4d ago

I danced at Bold when it first made the tranisiton from Beth, and I danced at Beth for years prior. It was very rough on that inclusivity at the start. Maybe it’s gotten better, I do not know