Our daughter has been there 3+ years, getting excellent classical ballet training, making good friends, and staying in excellent shape (we get a PE waiver from Seattle Public Schools). Some of her friends there intend to go pro, others are ... ...read more

I have been a regular attendee of the WDC for about eight years and work as a Technical Writer.\t\n\t\nAdvantages:\t\nIf you want *real* ballroom dancing and want to dance with the best social ballroom dancers in the State of Washington, this is the place. The best are there Sunday nights, and the second-best are there Friday nights. I have made it my mission to find out where are the best social ballroom dancers in this state; by visiting other ballrooms, dance studios, other venues, and by asking other dancers; and this is it. I know of no other place in the state that provides weekly dances where you will see 20 couples doing the Viennese Waltz at once--a difficult dance mastered only by experienced ballroom dancers.\t\n\t\nIn addition, the floor is large (3,000 sq. ft.) and well-maintained, the sound system is excellent, the music is almost perfect for social ballroom dancing, dressing rooms are provided, several world-class dance instructors are available for every skill level, and the attendees are friendly--even to those new to the venue and unskilled. It is open to all ages, and many young people (age 18+) attend regularly.\t\n\t\nDisadvantages:\t\nIf you are not an experienced ballroom dancer, I suggest getting lots of instruction with private instructors (I do not instruct) and with group classes before attending dances there on Friday or Sunday nights. I particularly recommend the beginning group class on Friday nights at 8:00 p.m., because it is immediately followed by the regular dance, when you could see what the context and end-result of your instruction would look like. If you feel up to it, you could even participate in the dance, but at least you could observe more skilled dancers doing all the dances that inlcude the ballroom mix.\t\n\t\nParking near the ballroom is convenient, but mostly in pay-lots ($5 for an evening). You can bring a friend to help split the cost. After 6:00 p.m., you might find free street parking.\t\n\t\nThe WDC facility has been there since the early 1930s, and therefore shows its age. But it is definitely where Seattle's real social ballroom dancers go on a weekly basis. ...read more

Hidden gem here. Great location just off Rainier Avenue, good dance floor, friendly people, patient instructors. An environment that is very conducive to all levels of dancers.\t\nExcellent salsa class with personalized instruction and rapid learning. The salsa instructors, Pam and Peter, are themselves excellent dancers, and provide class experiences that meet the needs of beginning and more advanced dancers. And it's in the south end!!! Check it out. ...read more

You don't learn much for the money it costs (and it costs quite a bit). The instructors are pleasant enough, except for the woman who manages the place. She is the dance instructor equivalent of a used-car saleman. They just try to squeeze as much money out of you as possible. You have to pay up front for a whole slew of lessons, and you won't get any refund if you have second thoughts later on. There are much better deals out there. Read the "Disgruntled employee spills the beans" post. So true. They teach you some move they "are not supposed to show you so soon", then praise you when you pick it up, then try to upsell you to a more expensive package because of your "potential". Unbelievably tacky. ...read more

FJ and Catherine Abaya are amazing dancers, great teachers and wonderful people. A well-run studio with heart and soul, and like the other reviews said, not just interested in your pocketbook. ...read more

I really enjoy dancing at Dance Fremont. The teachers are very nice and give helpful corrections that are not only improve your technical execution of a movement but the thought process that surrounds it. ...read more

Friendly environment and encouraging instructors. No high pressure sales. Very knowledgeable teachers. ...read more

My wife and I were looking for dance instructions in the Everett area. We tried the chain school approach and quickly realized that they are only interested in our check book than our learn to dance. We went to another studio in the area and it was cold and impersonal. One of the dancers we met talked very highly about Abayas' Ballroom and we decided to give it a try. It was the best studio in the area. They are very highly skilled and knowledgeable dance professionals. The studio has a nice warm vibe to it. You can tell that they are interested in teaching you to dance instead of selling dance lessons. We are now dancing and having fun! ...read more

Looked at other studios and this is the place for us. Other studios are high pressure sales or impersonal. This place has a warm and friendly atmosphere. The instructors are highly trained and encouraging. We would recommend this studio above others. ...read more

Looked at other studios and this is the place for us. Other studios are high pressure sales or impersonal. This place has a warm and friendly atmosphere. The instructors are highly trained and encouraging. We would recommend this studio above others. ...read more

I wanted to learn to dance, so at first I tried going to group classes in some other studios in the area. I was put into huge group lessons where I could not see the instructor or he see me. Then after the lesson while the regulars danced socially I became a wallflower, feeling like the chubby guy no one wanted to dance with. I was discouraged at best. Finally I decided to try the Arthur Murray. From the moment I walked in for my very first lesson I felt appreciated and listened to. They asked me what my goals were and together we set up a plan to get me to where I wanted to be. I could tell they genuinely cared about what had happened in the past and wanted me to succeed. All of the instructors were highly skilled and each encouraged fun and laughter. They progressed at a pace that was comfortable for me but at the same time really pushed me to do my personal best. The supervisors regularly checked in with me to review my progress or assist in a step I was not getting. After just a few lessons even the other students knew my name and chatted with me during breaks. Even when they suggested I take a lesson from visiting coaches that were above and beyond my normal lesson plan I never once felt like I was being fleeced for money. It was suggested because there was something I could learn. Finally I felt relaxed enough to do the unthinkable, I went to a group class? this was different though; there were smaller classes for different levels so I didn?t feel the least bit overwhelmed. After, at the weekly party everyone asked me to dance. The initial investment was expensive but the pay off has been so much more that I expected. My self confidence is skyrocketing. I'm dancing at clubs and events now without worrying who is watching and I no longer feel like the fat guy trying to learn to dance. I?m just the guy who can. ...read more

I can't say that I wasn't apprehensive about going to a ballroom dance school for the first time but I didn't really have a choice. When my wife saw Dancing with the Stars on t.v., she just had to go in and try it out for herself. Not being a guy who normally goes for that kind of thing, somehow she still got me to go along. I probably stereotyped by thinking it was all going to be like the dancers on the show but I found out differently when we walked in the door. There were other couples there and they didn't look any different than I did. Just regular people. Our instructor was warm and friendly without being too overbearing and put my mind at ease right away by saying we were going to take it as slowly or as quickly as we were comfortable with. We ended up having a great time and even stuck around for a group class after our lesson. That was a few months ago and we've probably spent more money than we originally thought we would but, as our teachers told us, it really has been a great investment in our relationship. Gotta tell ya guys, this is a great way to win brownie points! LOL Seriously though, we have met some good friends and go out dancing on the weekends instead of sitting in front of the t.v. I've even dropped a couple of pounds. The staff are friendly, the parking was free, it was easy to find and it really was a lot of fun. The teachers always greet us with genuine smiles and call out our names from the dance floor. I feel like Norm from Cheers sometimes. LOL I wasn't sure about the Arthur Murray system they told us about but now that we've used it for a while it really works. We're actually going out swing and salsa dancing and I don't feel ridiculous doing it. We take a private lesson, go to a couple of group classes & go to the practice party once a week. Scheduling hasn't been a problem with all the teachers & all the events on the schedule. I'd definitely recommend checking out the $59 special like we did but be prepared to stick around. ...read more

I love Elaine's classes. They are structured and well thought out to produce great technique and strength. Her classes are multi level and feature a live pianist during the weekday classes. There are all ages of men and women, all of which are very friendly. You can wear anything you want in class, although proper shoes are encouraged. She also features other classes like jazz, conditioning, belly dance, flamenco and martial arts. Elaine has been teaching dance since 1981 and is great at keeping the curriculum interesting even for the more seasoned dancers. For the absolute beginners she gives meaningful corrections in a non-intimidating way. Her classes are structured, as mentioned above, yet fun and easy going. Elaine also entertains with witty comments and interesting ballet stories. If you've been wanting to start dance and have been nervous about fitting in and keeping up like I was, you should come and check out her studio. Everyone is cool and helpful and welcoming. I've tried other studios around town and I wouldn't go anywhere else. ...read more

This place is awesome. Our kids have danced here for 13 and 9 years, respectively. Warm and knowledgeable staff. Our kids, a boy and girl, have progressed tremendously in their skills while having such a fun, positive time. the year-end dance performances are incredible. We bring the grandparents, friends, neighbors -- and all give rave reviews. So uplifting, so community oriented. If you are at all interested in dance and have kids, this is your place. They have adult classes, too, that are great. My wife and I have taken ballroom on Friday nights with friends -- tons of fun. I just can't say enough about our positive experiences at our dance studio. ...read more

I took a couple of classes at Arthur Murray on Dexter in the summer of 2006, mainly out of a desire to try something new, and find a more social form of exercise. The location of this studio is ideal for those who don't bus around the city, and have no problem with hopping in the car and driving a mile or two for some lessons. The building is on the corner of Dexter and Mercer, with access to either Hwy 99 or I-5 less than a 1/2 mile away. It's one of those ugly bank/cinder block buildings built in the 1970s, so it doesn't appear to look like much from the outside. However, there is ample parking available right at the location, about three lots altogether (all free). The studio itself, located in the basement of the facility, has a new floor and generally appears clean and nice. From what I gathered, it appeared that all of the instructors were friendly and knowledgeable. I went in basically looking to learn how to do a basic tango, and the instructor signed me up for two lessons at $59. However, the instructor began teaching me steps for five major dances, which as a beginner I found a little overwhelming. I also sensed that she ran through the second lesson a little hurriedly, and soon discovered why shortly thereafter. As soon as the second lesson was over, she sat me down and began what I would characterize as a very hard sell to contractually sign for a 12-lesson package priced at about $1100. When I stated that I didn't have that kind of money, she began to press me further to sign. At that point, I really just wanted to leave and when I said I needed to leave and think about it, the instructor attempted to guilt me into signing up, saying "90% of the people who say that never return." As it turns out she was right. That same week I did some shopping around and found a better situation that (a) was more affordable and (b) not a contract-based class arrangement. Check other places in Seattle before signing up here. ...read more