Releve Dance Academy - Osage Beach, Missouri

Jade Sellers

My daughter danced here for over 6 years. She joined their competition team 3 years ago, and every year the contract we had to sign to be on the team got scarier and scarier. This current season, they added a new section about demerits that was supposed to help create order in the classroom. Unfortunately they weren't used that way, and by the end of last year my daughter (arguably one of the best behaved children in the studio) was over half her way to a monetary fine (a penalty of too many demerits) because she opted out of attending the Christmas recital. They will always say that the recitals aren't mandatory and your dancer can still continue taking the classes, but it turns out that's only true if you're not on the team.
One of the best teachers this studio has ever had left before this current season started, and she opened her own studio. As soon as she did that, Relevé sent out an email to the team reminding them they aren't allowed to receive training anywhere else without permission from the directors. There are so many places you're allowed to go for training outside of Releve. For my daughter personally, ballroom at La Roca was approved along with acro in Jeff City, silks at Osage nutrition, ballet in Columbia with certain teachers, and Saint Louis Ballet's summer intensive. We always assumed the rule about getting permission was to make sure the training was up to their standards. But after being denied permission to train with the teacher who left their studio, it became clear we weren't right with that assumption. We started to feel suffocated and stifled this season and made the decision to leave the team (but not the school) after the season was over and focus more on technique. There just isn't enough dance at any one place for my daughter and we realized we needed the freedom to pick and choose classes based on her schedule and dance needs.
A little over one week before her first competition of the season, we received an email not only kicking her off the team, but out of the school. They highlighted vague sections of the contract, but refused to answer as to what our infractions were exactly. I have so many theories, but I shouldn't have to theorize with something so serious.
I am posting this review to dissuade others from signing the performance company contract and to encourage parents to look around at what else the Lake has to offer for quality dance education.

Kris Hand

So far so good! My daughters both recently started at Releve and they are head over heels excited for their dance lessons each day.
The dance coaches are friendly and helpful. The coaches seem equally excited about your child’s goals. I can’t wait to see what comes of these lessons!!

Ginger Surdyke

Best of the Best with very nice facilities and incredible instructors!

Mackenna Surdyke

Jessica Micham

Cindy Camillo-Cramer

Nancy Eveland