★ 1

I tried to enroll my daughter in ballet online, but the system wouldn’t let me, so I called the Dance Academy directly. They helped me register over the phone and scheduled a free trial class. I even bought her dance clothes because I was confident she’d enjoy it, and she did.

A few days later, I officially enrolled her and paid for the class. Everything seemed fine until almost two weeks later, when I received a call saying I had to unenroll her because they had made a mistake. Apparently my daughter is over their cut-off age.

If that’s the case, why was I allowed to schedule a trial class and complete her enrollment in the first place? It’s disappointing and very unprofessional to let this happen after getting both of us excited and invested.

I do not recommend this academy.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Chara is the most amazing place for your child to grow and learn to love music. My daughter has participated in Chara’s music program for 5 years now. The ammount of growth she has shown in her piano lessons is impressive. They make learning to play an instruament fun and so enjoyable.

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★ 5

We love Cindy & Ron for piano lessons.

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★ 5

I love dance

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★ 5

Can’t praise this place enough!! Worth everything!

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★ 5

This is a wonderful dance academy! I can feel the presence of the Lord here as he guides each believer to dance gracefully. I am very grateful for this place.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Update: My daughter is 18 and we are closing out 9 full years at Chara. Five stars stands! Chara offers a wonderful, amazing community. Grateful for loving teachers and lifelong friendships, in addition to the exceptional dance training my daughter received! Check this studio out, you will not regret it.

Original review: my 11 year-old daughter is in her second year at Chara, and it is truly her home away from home. She has grown so much as a ballerina and as a dancer, as well as in her relationships with her teammates -- and she is so blessed by her wonderful teachers who love and nurture the students. The staff is wonderful, and the culture is inclusive; everyone (Christian or not) is valued. I appreciate that the costumes are beautiful and modest and the song choices are encouraging. We are grateful to be part of this studio and highly recommend it to those looking for introductory ballet and recreational dance, to those wanting a more serious commitment. An excellent studio, all the way around.

Source: Google

★ 5

A great dance studio for little ones to learn. A great staff that helps with all your questions. Great teachers that show a lot of patience.

Source: Google

★ 5

We just had our daughter's third birthday party at Chara. We had the place to ourselves as well as a party hostess and a dance teacher to lead our students. Our hostess helped us set up the party and took photos for us in the studio. Both attendants were SO patient with all children. They were able to learn a dance and play a game, then perform their dance for the parents! Our daughters and attendees had the BEST time and our three year old is already asking when she can go back for dance class!

Source: Google

★ 5

My daughter has been with Chara for 7 years and it's been such a wonderful experience. I love everything about this studio. From the wonderful teachers, all the ladies at the front desk, and the quality of dance. Every class is lead with prayer at the beginning. Everyone is so nice and always eager to assist. Thank you Chara!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great place!

Source: Google

★ 5

My two girls have been with Chara since they were about 4 years old. My oldest has taken ballet at the tots level, primary level, and now is in Ballet 1. I am continuously blown away by the patience and kindness from each and every instructor and assistant we have had, everyone’s positivity, the studio’s swift call to action when presented with concerns, the studio’s level of cleanliness, the beautiful recital every year, and that’s not to mention how much my girls are learning. The bar is absolutely set high at Chara. 5/5 recommend this place!

Source: Google

★ 5

My 3 year old daughter started at Chara this falls and LOVES it. The first thing she asks everyone morning is “I go dancing today?!” She lives for her ballet class! The teachers are so kind and make learning fun. I would HIGHLY recommend Chara to any parent looking for a dance studio for their child. We are so glad we chose Chara!

Source: Google

★ 5

Chara is an excellent place to educate yourself or your children in the fine arts! The teachers are friendly and go above and beyond to make sure your children feel accepted while providing them with a fun, safe learning environment. They offer classes for beginners, the experienced and even special needs! Chara offers a program similar to pre k for boys and girls aptly named "Bloom". Wonderful. Chara is an excellent investment in your child, no doubt! I've actually requested that they start a men's ballet class! A slightly overweight, muscular 240 lb bald guy would practically float moving with great ease! No word on that yet though!

Source: Google

★ 5

i love dancing at this studio! it's such a great environment with so many good teachers 100% recommend!❤️

Source: Google

★ 5

We LOVE Chara Christian Dance Academy. My oldest daughter started dancing there with no experience when she was 5 years old. In 4 years, she’s become more confident as a dancer and a person. She truly enjoys dancing with her heart for the Lord and that is something we value. My youngest daughter just finished her first year and she loves it too. The instructors are all helpful, encouraging, and provide great instruction and guidance. They are also very patient with the littles ones and have wonderful assistants that help and encourage them. The choreography challenges them while showing off the skills they’ve learned throughout the year and the recitals are such a joy to attend. The recitals are all well organized and fairly short. No 3+ hour recitals to sit through!! The costumes are beautiful and conservative; which is a big plus for us. We love Chara and we’re looking forward to seeing how much more our girls will grow in dance.

Source: Google

★ 5

We love Chara and have been there for 2 years now. I have two girls who dance there at different levels and both of their experiences have been positive ones. I love the evaluations each semester that help show where they can improve. Their costumes are modest which is important to us and their music is uplifting. The staff is all so professional and knowledgeable. Very well run dance studio and we love it here!

Source: Google

★ 5

The best dance studio ever

Source: Google

★ 5

I have nothing but an excellent and loving experience from Chara and all the staff towards my daughter. They always are so nice with her and with my entire family as well. They go above and beyond, and everything they do is based on Christ and the Bible principles. I can't no leave my opinion without mentioning Miss Lori from the front desk. She is one of the most nice and lovely people I have met. All the teachers are nice and caring and professional at the same time to all the kids at the academy. I would give 10 🌟 if the option was available.

Source: Google

★ 5

I am so thankful for Chara and their teachers who not only treat my children with Christ like love but also pour into them day after day. After giving another “Christian based” company a try, it has become apparent how above and beyond Chara goes for our family. Chara has set an expectation I didn’t even know I had. I do not and cannot say thank you enough!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Extremely friendly staff. The teachers are so sweet to the girls. My daughter loves it!

Source: Google

★ 5

We love Chara! All 3 of my girls have attended a variety of different classes offered here. From dance to musical theater to piano. They have enjoyed it all. This month we also hosted 2 birthday parties here and let me tell you they did not disappoint! They offer a free trial class for most classes. We have become family here.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I highly recommend this place. My 5 years old kid started his piano lessons a few months ago and he is enjoying it. I get to stay inside the little class room during the whole class and see how he progresses. We like his teacher very much.

Source: Google

★ 5

Very good place for our kids to learn ballet in a Christian environment.

Source: Google

★ 5

We love Chara dance academy! Every staff member is the sweetest from front desk to instructors, So respectful, professional, caring, and understanding! I couldn’t see putting my daughter anywhere else! She loves Chara! Definitely recommend for anyone who is still having trouble finding a place to put their child for music lessons, dance, ballet, etc!

Source: Google

★ 5

Everything I can think of that I wish was part of my kid's experience, they've already thought of and more. I love the special needs program and the non-pushy Christian environment. Professional, thoughtful, and committed to excellence, I'd recommend to anyone.

Source: Google

★ 5

Absolutely loving the amazing yoga classes here taught by the incredible Claire Edmondson! This business seems to have adapted very well to the new expectations and requirements due to covid19. I appreciate the options of coming in or taking the classes via Zoom. Class times and days for yoga are great and everyone at the front desk seems very friendly and professional!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Hip hop party was great! Kids had a great time. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

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★ 5

My daughter has been dancing for over 10 years and I have never seen a dance studio care for their families like Chara Christian Academy. I assumed all dance studios would be YPAD (Youth Protection Advocates in Dance) certified or have a similar certification and was disappointed when I found out it is not a requirement. I am proud to be a part of a dance studio that takes the time, energy and effort to look out for my child's overall well-being. I know I can send her to dance every day and feel safe.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing group. My daughter experienced a bit of Separation Anxiety after baby 2 was born and the ladies worked with us throughout the process. They were very understanding and kind. We worked with Miss Ashley and she was amazing with the girls (age 4). EVERYONE LISTENED :) I recommend 100 percent.

Source: Google

★ 5

Shanna and her staff value children. My daughter has Down syndrome and they welcomed her into ballet with open arms. Each year, they evaluated her and offered her the opportunity to advance!
Inclusion starts from the leadership and Shanna is leading the way!

Source: Google

★ 5

My two girls have been dancing at Chara for 3 years, and my son for 1 year. We have had an outstanding experience! Chara has top-notch instructors who have a great balance of structure/challenge and love/encouragement for the kids. My girls have had Ms. Ashlynn for 3 years and we can't say enough about her!! My son had Mr. Josh for hip-hop and had so much fun in that class. The office staff is kind, helpful, and accommodating. The recital blows me away every year!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

My daughter, she’s three, just completed her first year at Chara and we couldn’t be happier with the experience we had! We’ve always felt welcomed and valued. We love that it’s a Christian based dance academy too. Her dance teachers were so encouraging and made my daughter feel proud for participating and trying. I feel like we got more out of going to Chara than I imagined we would. She gained confidence, made friends, learned to work towards a goal and practiced faith all while learning the basics of ballet.

Source: Google

★ 5

I love that the studio teaches from the SCB syllabus. It's more than learning an end of year dance, the studio is about developing great dancers.

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★ 5

We love this place! My daughter have come here for 4 years now. When we started, she had speech delay and gross motor delayed as well, but she was never treated differently. Miss Alex helped her so much and always made her feel great. She has improved so much and she absolutely loves it here. Everyone has been so nice to her and we feel so great here. We drive from clear lake and will keep doing it. I ask lots of questions and they never mind to help me. It’s the best place to be!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Chara is like one of a kind. I recently went to their annual Recital and was in awe of this studio’s passion to serve their community and their families. They do so much more than just teach dance. They have a fantastic staff that love children and commit to encouraging and equipping students of all ages. They are doing Kingdom work on a daily basis that not only impacts individual students but their families and beyond! This studio is truly a gift to watch and be a part of.

Source: Google

★ 5

Chara is more than a great dance studio. Not only excellent dance instruction, but the owners teachers and staff help the kids learn so much more about hard work, character, team work, and how to love God through all areas of their lives. Thank you Shanna Kirkpatrick for bringing this concept to the area.

Source: Google

★ 5

We love Chara!! My Daughter has learned so much! Teachers are wonderful as well as front desk!

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★ 5

Ashlynn was amazing with the children

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

My family love Chara; my girls just finished their 3rd year ...friendly staff, all the songs are wonderful Christian environment

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing staff that clearly engage in a caring way with the children.

Source: Google

★ 5

My family has been continually blessed by Chara Christian Dance Academy. Through previous experience we know how lucky we are to be a part of a studio with high standards of technique, behavior, team work, instruction, and dance education. Every member of the Chara staff/instructors are called to do exactly what they are doing.

The teachers pour themselves into my daughter on a weekly basis and she comes out with much more than great technique. She has strong Christian examples that make me proud for her to have as role models.

Being able to enroll her in many types of dance as well as voice and piano lessons in one place makes this mom HAPPY! Anything to make our lives less cluttered it great!

As a member of the competitive company, we were able to experience true team work in a supportive environment. The girls came away from the season with a lot of awards and trophies, but even more they came away with life long friends as they shined brightly for Christ.

Chara is where we will call home as long as my sweet girl is dancing.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Our family loves Chara! The teachers are well qualified, caring, and encouraging. The end of year recital is excellent because the students display their talents in uplifting dances in modest costumes to songs with Christian lyrics. The new studio is beautiful with large studios and amenities such as homework rooms and snacks. This is our sixth year and we return because my daughter loves dancing in a studio which strives to glorify God in all they do. We also like the structured ballet syllabus. Communication with the parents is also done well via emails and notes sent home from class.

Source: Google

★ 5

Chara couldn't have been a better fit for our daughter. We love the Christian atmosphere, instructors are so caring and staff is very friendly. The new studio is in such a great location! Before we started at Chara, I heard nothing but wonderful things about the studio. We couldn't be happier!

Source: Google

★ 2

Please be aware of their billing techniques.

Chara Christian will not provide you input as to when (and how much) will be billed. We did not have a contract, but their cancellation policy requires you to provide them with a three week notice for cancellation, otherwise you will be billed the subsequent month.

The children enjoyed it, but we are hard pressed to see any improvement or discipline within the system.

Source: Google