Academy for the Performing Arts

Write a Review919-367-7210

CLOSED NOW - Opens atTomorrow 9:00am

APA is one of the most professionally run and well-managed studios at which I have had the pleasure of teaching. There is a place for everyone at APA, whether a dancer is interested in studying recreationally or pre-professionally. I highly recommend APA to everyone!

My twins LOVE APA! They did the princess camp twice this summer and are now enrolled in the pre-k program. They literally cry to stay. Their teachers are super nice and our girls come home praising them and all the things they do in class. I can't say enough good things about this place. My girls stayed home with me until enrolling here and I am happy to see such a smooth transition.

This studio is filled with DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA! take your business elsewhere especially if you are thinking about company! The instructors are talented but only focus on the best dancers instead of trying to get everyone on the same level. It is very clear that if you are not a certain person you might as well be dirt on the ground! I would NEVER reccomend this crap hole of a studio to ANYONE!! beware of fake smiles because you will truly be fooled by MOST!!

I am very disappointed that someone who reviewed this apa referred to some students while that was wrong, i sadly agree. Not about the naming of the students or that they were "little blonde girl and mother", it is simply that the company is very cliquey. Some company memebers are not treated as well as others and I have been very disappointed. However my daughter does love some of the girls, and has made some great friends, but I do not think that this is a good enviornment to put her in.

I would just like to say that while I am truly sorry that some people had a bad experience and of course you have a right to say so if you do, It might be appreciated by everyone if we were to refrain from referring to specific people in a negative way. I don't know who the "little blond girl and her mother" that gave dancingfresastyle324 such a bad experience are, but I know that at least three girls in the company who happen to have blond hair were upset by this comment and believe it to refer to them. If we could please keep these reviews a little less personal and only try to help out the people looking for information, I'm sure that everyone would be grateful. Sorry to be overly preachy, but I don't think that anyone should be made to feel bad or responsible for the loss of students at APA. That being said, onto the review:



My family has been at APA since the first year (my little sister was even one of the first 100 students to sign up) and we have always been happy with the way things are run, both in recreational and company classes. I highly recommend this studio to anyone looking for a good dance challenge or just a fun activity once a week. The teachers are awesome, the students are friendly, and the parents are always very encouraging. And no, nobody told me to write this. I did it on my own. As an APA company member, former rec student, and teacher's assistant, I just want to say that APA rocks!

I've been meaning to write a review of APA for some time and just kept forgetting. Then today I saw the extremely negative post from dancinfresastyle324 and was quite taken aback to see my last name as part of that author's "handle." It may be PURE coincidence, but just in case anyone thought otherwise, I just want to say on record that my daughter has been dancing at APA for 7 years now (5 in Rec & 2 in Company) and we've loved everything about our tenure there! We love the family atmosphere, the fun/creative teachers, the FABULOUS communication, the annual surveys that ask us what we liked and didn't like about the past year, and the fact that changes are made based on the answers to those surveys! Of course, you can never please EVERYONE, but I really feel that Hillary (the owner) and staff are always striving for that happy medium between their vision (staff) and ours (parents.) Oh yeah, and my daughter's dance technique has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. She loves going to class, spends most of her free time dancing at home, and would go to the studio 7 days a week if they'd have her and I'd let her. But she's only 10, so that's probably not such a great idea. : )



Sincerely,



Diann Fresa

I attended the National MS Walk this morning and got to watch a group of dancers from this dance school light up the faces of my daughter and her 2 friends! It was such a cute energetic show they put on. They brought our spirits up before we walked! I'm happy I found you online I'll be calling soon...

I am a student at APA and i would just like to say that i love dancing here and i cant picture my self dancing anywhere else. I formerly danced at a studio for four years and although it opened my eyes and heart to dance, i grew so much more when we moved to APA. Looking back at some of my old recital and competition videos i can honestly say i was not very good before i came to APA! The teachers and other staff here are very open and loving. They help us strive to be the best dancer and person we can be. We work hard to achieve these goals and they are always right there motivating us and giving us more that enough support. At apa i feel like I am part of more than just another studio but part of a family. All of the students and staff are firends and get along really well. Not to mention we have a lot of fun! Over all APA is a fantastic studio and i encourage anyone to take classes here :)

Oh and no i didn't get paid to say this believe it or not!

this studio is terrible! I cant believe I paid money for 3 years so my daughters could get a "dance education"! We have relocated and have had a GREAT EXPERIENCE! just giving future students a fair warning to STAY AWAY!!!

I'm not sure what studio you attended but the owner and instructors at APA have been nothing but LOVING and SUPPORTIVE and POLITE to me and my child, along with the other children in my daughters class. We have been wtih the studio for the same 3 years and in recreational classes only. I feel bad that you had such a 'terrible experience' but I can assure that it was the exception to the rule. If it was such a 'terrible place' would they have as many students as they do? From my understanding, and knowledge they are extremely successful in the area, have continued to grow, and are doing something right. I'm glad you're happy where you are,

After being at APA for 3 years I finally had enough! The owner was very disrepectful to me and my child! and I would NEVER reccomend this studio at all to ANYONE! To be quite honest these reviews seem to only be from company members who I must say are treated like queens and the recreational group as low down dogs! I know that the company team does spend more time at the studio but it is very obvious that the students that do not participate in company are ignored to every degree! Even the dance teachers treat the "regular" students differently. I am very disappointed with this studio, after hearing so many great things about from my company friends, I unfortunetly have had a terrible experience! I have recently relocated to another studio in Cary formally known as TDAA and we absolutely LOVE IT! If I could give any advice for future students stay AWAY from this studio, there are several other studios that will treat your child better!



Signed,



A VERY UPSET MOTHER!

After dancing with another studio for 5 years we were ready for a change and a change we got! My girls learned more in the first 6 months at APA than they had at the "other" studio we had supported for 5 years. I hate to say that, but it's the truth. I feel all the teachers see the potential in each child and help them personally with their strengths and weaknesses. Hillary and the teachers are extremely approachable and are available for us at all times. The environment is family oriented and professional. My girls LOVE APA!!!!

Previously my children attended APA after 3 years I finally had enough. The studio owner got married and a child (understandable) but she was away from the studio for over a year and left it in the hands of young women. The teachers clearly have favorites and when you are in the company if you are not the "creme of the crop" you will simply be passed by! Recently we have left the studio and have joined another local dance company.

This will be our third year at APA and I have two daughters who dance there. We love it! The teachers are outstanding and are very professional and take their job seriously. The recital at the end of the year is put together very well. The communication is great, with newsletters and updated information at the studio and online. We have been to a different studio our first year of dance and it doesn't even come close to APA!

Six years ago I was looking for something fun for my four year old daughter... I never could have imagined what was in store for her. Her love of dancing was evident from the beginning and the staff at APA saw it and embraced it! They continue to do a great job challenging her without frustrating her. Hillary and the other teachers know how to get the best out of each and every student because they take the time to know each and every student. I feel lucky we found a home at APA!!!

My daughter just joined APA this year after dancing at several other dance schools in the area. I have been delighted by how welcome the staff, teachers and other students have made her feel. Instead of being the "new kid" she immediately became part of the family.



The management and staff are exceptional, everything is so organized and communication between the school and parents is exceptional. The teachers are professional, caring and fun, while challenging my daughter to exceed her own expectations.



We hope to be dancing at APA for years to come!

We have been with APA for 6 years now, and I wouldn't dream of ever going anywhere else!! The owner and her staff are all so talented and they each have a way of making every dancer feel special. They know how to challenge their students and encourage them to go that extra step to make them succeed. My two daughters dance 2 and 3 nights a week, and would go 5 nights a week if I let them!! They love it and I love seeing their passion for dance come alive at APA!!!

My son has been dancing at APA since he was 4 (he is now 9) and he absolutely loves it!! All of the teachers there are great and have done all they can to enhance my sons dance ability. He started off in Rec and the owner (Hillary) saw more in him than I did and immediately suggested he be in Company. Since then he has continued to grow as a dancer and is very confident and comfortable being the only boy. Everyone makes him feel so welcome and respects him as a MALE dancer. We would recommend APA to anyone and we know that they will enjoy it just as much as we do. GO APA!!

There are so many words to describe APA! My daughter has been dancing at APA for 4 1/2 years and absolutely LOVES it! The kids that dance at this studio are amazing inside and out. They help each other out, they support each other throughout the dance year with encouragement and friendship! The older girls are always there for the younger ones. I truly believe that these dancers support each other because they see how encouraging and supportive the teachers are! There have been so many opportunities for these young dancers at APA. For example, because of her dancing at APA my daughter has been on the cover of a Costume Catalog and continues to model for them, and she is shown in the Yellowpages.com commercial. These opportunities are emailed by Hillary, the owner of APA, to all APA parents so everyone has a chance to explore other fun avenues within the dance community! My favorite time at APA as a parent is during competitions when the teachers are so EXCITED about our dances as a studio and just encourage these kids to do their best and to have FUN!!!!! It makes me smile to think that if someone forgot something for a dance there is ALWAYS a dance teacher, another mom, or another dancer running around to see if they have extras for that child. APA is Home away from Home and everyone there is very supportive of each other. THAT IS WHAT I CALL A FAMILY!

My daughter has been dancing at APA for 8 years. She finds the dance classes to be challenging, yet fun. She comes home after each class having learned something new. My other daughter has been dancing at APA for 6 years and loves all of the teachers. She has made so many good friends through dance. APA is a wonderful studio with a warm and inviting staff who truely care about their students.