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American Dance AcademySchool DanceNew YorkSuffolk CountySmithtownSchool Dance in East Main StreetKP Dance Center
KP Dance Center ico

KP Dance Center

116 E Main St, Smithtown, NY 11787, USA

3.0
I am absolutely heartbroken and outraged by the way I was treated by the staff and owners of KP Dance during my toddler’s recent recital.As a mother of a 6-week-old infant, I was told I could not bring a milk bottle into the auditorium to feed my newborn during the performance. Because I am not breastfeeding, I was forced to either miss the show I paid for or let my baby go hungry — all because of a rigid, outdated policy that values the “rules” of an auditorium more than the basic human needs of an infant.When I tried to explain the situation, I was met with shocking disrespect. Ms. Sally and Mr. Kevin, the owners of KP Dance, told me that it wasn’t their problem that my baby wasn’t on a strict feeding routine (as if that’s even realistic at 6 weeks old). To make matters worse, they were overheard telling another parent that people who can’t manage this are simply “lazy.”Let that sink in: A business that markets itself to families with children is actively shaming and excluding parents of infants — especially those who bottle feed — and calling them lazy for not having newborns on a rigid schedule.Mr. Romano and Frank Pignatta enforced the policy with zero empathy, zero flexibility, and zero respect for the realities of parenting. The entire ordeal made it painfully clear that KP Dance cares more about controlling their environment than supporting the families who keep their business running.No parent should ever be forced to choose between feeding their baby and watching their child perform. And no parent deserves to be treated with the level of disrespect and cruelty that I — and others — experienced here.I will not be returning, and I strongly caution any other families — especially those with young children — to reconsider supporting an establishment that sees babies’ needs as a “disruption” and dismisses mothers with such callous disregard. - yasmine abdel
KP Dance Center Overview Intro Photos Location Reviews

KP Dance Center Introduce

For New Yorkers seeking a performing arts center for their children, selecting the right environment is paramount. While many dance studios aim to provide a nurturing space for artistic development, recent experiences at KP Dance Center in Smithtown, NY, have raised significant concerns among local families. This article aims to provide a factual overview of KP Dance Center, incorporating insights from recent customer reviews to help prospective families make informed decisions about their child's dance education.

KP Dance Center presents itself as a children's dance studio with an award-winning team dedicated to providing dance instruction and empowering future leaders. Their mission statement indicates a focus on inspiring and empowering dancers to grow not only in technique and artistry but also as confident, compassionate individuals. However, recent feedback from parents suggests a disconnect between this stated mission and the actual experiences faced by some families, particularly concerning their policies and the support provided during high-stress events like recitals. These accounts highlight a need for families to thoroughly investigate any institution before committing, especially when it involves the emotional well-being of young children.

KP Dance Center is located at 116 E Main St, Smithtown, NY 11787, USA. Smithtown, a prominent town in Suffolk County, Long Island, provides a central and generally accessible location for local businesses. East Main Street is a key thoroughfare in the area, meaning the studio is typically easy to find for residents across Smithtown and surrounding Long Island communities. Its position within a commercial area suggests typical urban or suburban accessibility, likely with street parking or nearby lots available. While the address itself is standard, the operational policies and customer service at this specific location, as highlighted in recent reviews, should be a primary consideration for prospective visitors. Families commuting from various parts of Long Island would expect a welcoming and accommodating environment, especially given the distance some might travel for specialized classes.

Based on publicly available information, KP Dance Center offers a variety of dance styles and programs, catering to different age groups and skill levels. Their services typically include:

  • Dance Classes for Various Ages:
    • Toddler classes (e.g., 2-year-old class with Ballet and Creative Movement)
    • Combo classes for younger children (e.g., 3-4 year old Ballet and Tap; 5-6 year old Ballet, Tap, and Jazz)
    • Classes for older children (e.g., 7-10 year old Ballet, Tap, and Jazz)
    • Technique classes for ages 8 and up.
  • Diverse Dance Styles:
    • Ballet (including Pre-Pointe and Pointe)
    • Jazz
    • Tap
    • Lyrical
    • Hip Hop
    • Modern/Contemporary
    • Dancenastics (combining acrobatics and dance)
    • Pom Pom Cheer
    • Kickline
    • Musical Theatre
  • Performance Opportunities: Including annual recitals where students can showcase their skills.
  • Competition Team: For students seeking a more rigorous and competitive dance experience.
  • Age-Appropriate Instruction: Classes designed to build gross motor coordination, listening skills, rhythm, and creativity using age-appropriate music and movements.
  • Focus on Core Technique: Emphasis on barre exercises, traveling combinations, turns, proper placement, flexibility, and muscle conditioning.

While KP Dance Center aims to provide a comprehensive dance education, certain aspects highlighted in recent customer reviews warrant attention when considering the studio's features and highlights. From the studio's perspective, typical highlights would include:

  • Variety of Dance Disciplines: Offering a wide range of genres from classical ballet to modern hip-hop, catering to diverse interests.
  • Award-Winning Team: Highlighting success in competitive dance, which can be appealing to families seeking a strong competitive program.
  • Experienced Instructors: A team dedicated to providing dance instruction and artistic development.
  • Structured Curriculum: Programs designed to progressively build technique and skills from beginner to advanced levels.

However, customer reviews provide a different perspective, emphasizing critical areas that detract from the overall experience:

  • Rigid and Inflexible Policies: A significant concern is the studio's strict adherence to policies, particularly regarding family needs during events. The refusal to allow a mother to bring a milk bottle for her infant into the auditorium, even when not breastfeeding, indicates a lack of empathy and flexibility.
  • Lack of Empathy and Disrespectful Staff: Parents report being met with "shocking disrespect," "zero empathy, zero flexibility, and zero respect for the realities of parenting" by owners and staff. Calling parents "lazy" for not having newborns on a rigid schedule is highly unprofessional and damaging.
  • Insufficient Support for Young Children: A review highlights a distressing experience where a 3-year-old dancer was "visibly traumatized" on stage, and "the staff did absolutely nothing to help or support her in the moment or afterward." This indicates a severe lack of preparation, guidance, and nurturing for young children, which is crucial in a children's arts program.
  • Environment Over Family Well-being: Concerns were raised that the studio "cares more about controlling their environment than supporting the families who keep their business running," suggesting a priority on rules over the welfare of their clients.
  • Questionable Professionalism: The handling of a distressed child and the dismissive attitude towards parents' legitimate concerns point to a glaring lack of professionalism.

For inquiries regarding class schedules, enrollment, or other information, you can contact KP Dance Center using the following details:

Address: 116 E Main St, Smithtown, NY 11787, USA

Phone: (631) 800-7652

For locals in the New York region, especially those on Long Island, the decision of where to enroll a child in dance classes should be made with careful consideration of the holistic environment provided. While KP Dance Center offers a variety of dance styles and aims to empower dancers, recent customer experiences raise serious questions about its suitability for local families, particularly those with very young children.

The reviews paint a concerning picture. One parent described feeling "absolutely heartbroken and outraged" by the studio's rigid milk bottle policy during a recital, which forced her to choose between feeding her newborn and watching her toddler perform. The reported comments from owners Ms. Sally and Mr. Kevin, dismissing the situation as "not their problem" and calling parents "lazy," are profoundly unprofessional and disrespectful. Such an approach contradicts the very notion of a family-friendly business.

Another review highlighted a "distressing event" where a 3-year-old dancer was "visibly traumatized" on stage with "the staff doing absolutely nothing to help or support her." This lack of empathy and proactive support for a distressed young child is a significant red flag for any parent entrusting their child's well-being to a dance studio. Children need to be nurtured and prepared, not "thrown on stage without the tools to succeed or cope."

For New York families, a dance studio should be a place of growth, joy, and unwavering support. The accounts from these local customers suggest that KP Dance Center, at least in these instances, failed to provide such an environment, instead prioritizing strict policies over basic human needs and child welfare. Prospective families are strongly advised to consider these serious concerns and explore alternatives that demonstrate consistent empathy, flexibility, and genuine support for all their students and their families.

KP Dance Center Photos

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KP Dance Center Location

KP Dance Center

116 E Main St, Smithtown, NY 11787, USA

KP Dance Center Reviews

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