Woodlands Civic Ballet456

I happened to come on here and see the reviews, and I would like to specifically respond to the first review I see here, by mikeoondy. Just about everything you have written couldn't be further from the truth. First of all, just because you see some good reviews, and didn't have the same experience, don't you think it's just slightly jumping to conclusions to assume there are "ghost writers" secretly writing from within the company?? The people who are writing good reviews are Mom's, like myself, who have benefited enormously from The Woodlands Civic Ballet. We have moved around alot, and have never found a ballet company that even comes close to what we have found at the Woodlands Civic Ballet. My daughter is now 16, and has been with Miss Karyn, off and on because of our moves, but since about 5 years old. The discipline and work ethic that she has received from Miss Karyn has been a major force in her life. She is a straight A student, participates in Cross Country, and donates her time to charities, and I know that her time with Miss Karyn has helped her become the young woman she is now. Karyn puts her students first, and is primarily concerned with teaching them the proper ballet standards not only in dance, but also how they should conduct themselves elsewhere. She does definitely encourage the children to be on time as dancers, and that is a good thing, regardless of how you feel towards Karyn if she was late for class~~she is not teaching this to the kids as a 'fairness' issue, or some childish competition; children don't care about this; they worry about how they are treated, and what the teacher is trying to relay to them about their own experiences in the dance world. This is such a petty issue; Karyn's experience and love for her students far outweigh any negative points. Anyone can have a bad experience somewhere; but there is a difference between having a truly bad experience, or putting a bad spin on everything, rather than seeing the positives that are right in front of you. Given the time and the chance, your daughter would have benefited greatly from Miss Karyn. We have had the most amazing experiences because of her. We have danced several times at the Wortham Center in Houston. We have danced at Disneyworld. We have danced every single Nutcracker, and had Christmas dances at Market Street. Karyn has a Spring Performance each year, and the Nutcracker each year, and unlike other studios, EVERY child is involved, and partakes in the performance. I cannot tell you how fast the years have gone by, and how much we wish we could do it all over again. My daughter and I both dread the day when she might not be in the area and able to do ballet consistently with Karyn any longer. Karyn strives to give her students the best experience they can have, and we owe many wonderful family memories to her. Karyn shows tremendous respect to her students, caring about them and ballet enough that she wants them to understand the discipline and enjoyment that encompasses the whole ballet experience. It really is like a family there, and we just love everyone involved with the company. A gossip session for the Mom's?? Again, nothing could be further from the truth!! In fact, the Alden Bridge location for the studio isn't even large enough inside for the Mom's to gather, so if anyone does talk to each other, it is outside the studio, which works out great, so the kids can dance and not be distracted. But, I'm curious, what is wrong with the Mom's in ballet getting to know each other and being friends? I've been in this ballet for many years now, and of course am friends with some of the other Moms. We've done alot together and of course share time together as we wait for our kids. Do you talk to any Moms during your kids activities? I seriously can't believe you would critisize any parents for speaking to each other during the ballet class. I'm not even sure where that would come from. Clearly you saw everything in a very negative way, and I'm not sure you would be happy at any ballet. Everyone that I talk to who are involved with The Woodlands Civic Ballet love it, and know the benefits of it and the rarity of finding such a unique ballet studio. We had a couple of other opportunites to move over the years, and leaving this studio was always one of our concerns, knowing we wouldn't find anything like it anywhere else. I hope if anyone else reads this, that you will check out The Woodlands Civic Ballet, we have loved it so much over the years, and couldn't imagine our lives without it. We are so excited for our upcoming Nutcracker, and enjoying all the rehersals and excitement leading up to that. One thing you will never find at this ballet, is the cliques that you can find at other studios, especially those that don't allow all the children to perform. I certainly wouldn't want to be at a studio in which my daughter might not make it in to a performance. She has gained such valuable experience and grace as a dancer with Karyn, I really can't speak highly enough of her! If you had not been so critical of things that for some reason you decided were important, and seen everything in such a negative light,you might have seen an amazing ballet company; one that you are now missing out on and your daughter could have greatly benefited from; I have absolutely NO doubt of that. The important things are the ones that Karyn puts the most focus on, which is why so many students have gone on to be wonderful dancers and her own daughter is a perfect example of this. She is now an exquisite dancer, as so many are in her company, and also excels in every area of her life. All I can say is "Thank You" to Miss Karyn and her company for the greatest studio and experiences we could have ever imagined!

We took our daughter to Woodlands Civic Ballet because of the rave reviews that we received. At this point, it is apparent that the reviews that we have seen are from "ghost writers" probably from within the company. A little about the class Karyn Simon-Poland is a horrible teacher. She does not show any respect to her students nor their parents. Consistently, she shows up late for 45 minute long class by 10 to 15 minutes. The day of the major performance, Karyn showed up 45- 1 hour late. I've been told by other mothers that this class is not meant for enjoyment, but for the discipline. But I stand to question, how many of these students go to higher institutes of Performance Arts. Considering Karyn shows no sense of discipline, I don't see how my daughter could stand to benefit. With regards to her standards, if you are looking for a serious ballet class; this one falls far shy. The kids are not corrected for poise, form, or standard. It is a gossip session for the moms and a standardless institution. We tried this class for over a year. Meeting once a week under the premise of a Mommy and Me class for 2-4 year olds. Karyn showed up consistenly late for class. Although we paid for 45 minute sesssions, she was routinely late by 10-15 minutes. Furthermore, she was never apologetic for being late; yet, there were times that other moms would be 2 minutes late to classes that by chance started on time and their children were forced/coerced to apologize to the entire class. I for one do not want my child to learn the lesson that at some point in life the rules do not apply. The other teachers who I have observed were great. They were patient and had fun in the class. Karyn (who runs the program) has consistently brow beaten the students for no measurable gain. My daughter is now enrolled in another school and has seemed to pick up more in less time at this school. I do not recommend Civic Ballet and believe that the only reason to join this institute is by falling prey to peer pressure or the desire to raise a daughter that is feeble and insecure. KARYN IS HORRIBLE AND NO CHILD DESERVES TO BE TREATED THE WAY SHE TREATS 2-4 YEAR OLDS.

As far as I'm concerned, The Woodlands Civic Ballet is the ONLY place in the area to go to for classical ballet. Karyn Simon-Poland, the artistic founder and director, has an outstanding background in the art. She received excellent training and has extensive experience performing and teaching and is a beautiful dancer herself. Moreover, I am a very serious dancer and her school is the only one in the area that I trust to teach proper technique. The Woodlands Civic Ballet is the ideal place for dancers of all ages and ability levels. The instruction is impeccable. Everyone I know that takes lessons absolutely loves WCB!
One other thing I should mention--every student has the opportunity to perform at least twice a year (Nutcracker and a spring performance). WCB's performances are undeniably of professional quality. The choreography, the dancers, the stage sets, and the ambience of the performances leave nothing to be desired. I have both danced in and watched their performances for years. Honestly, I can compare them to Houston Ballet in quality. They are certainly better than any other non-professional group in the area.
I also love that WCB allows children to perform. There is absolutely no substitute for performance experience in the training of a dancer. Ballet is, afterall, a performing art!

Tiger Diva: You must have attended a different group's Nutcracker. WCB has been charging admission since 2004. FYI: They have been selected to perform 4 times on the main stage at Disney, and have been applauded locally for the many performances at Market Street, the Waterway Arts Festival, The Children's Museum, as well as at the Wortham Theatre and locally at the Nancy Bock Theatre.

The best place to go to for classical ballet classes.

I was very disapointed with the Nutcracker performance. Good thing it was free or I would have asked for my money back