About Cathy-Lea Studios
Cathy-Lea Studios ( Dance school ) is located at 5/15-19 Vesper Dr, Narre Warren VIC 3805, Australia.
Other categories: Dance school, Ballet school, Childrens theater, Dance club, Dance company, Dance store, Drama school, Hip hop dance class, Music school, Performing arts theater
Ratings & Ranking
Cathy-Lea Studios has a rating of 4.1 and is ranked number 2640 in Narre Warren.
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- School Culture & Environment:
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- Facilities & Resources:
- Parent & Community Engagement:
4.1/5
Overall Score
Address & Location
Cathy-Lea Studios is located at 5/15-19 Vesper Dr, Narre Warren VIC 3805, Australia.
Schools Fees
The annual school fees for Cathy-Lea Studios in Narre Warren will be updated shortly. For guidance, the annual public schools range between AUD $2000 and AUD $5000 per year while the fees in Catholic and independent (or ‘private’) schools range between AUD $4000 to AUD $20,000 per annum. Established private schools charge upwards of AUD $20,000+ per annum.
Vacancies:
No vacancies found at the moment.
Admissions:
Admissions are currently open at Cathy-Lea Studios.
Parents & Students Reviews:
Cathy-Lea Studios has 19 reviews with an overall rating of 4.1. Some reviews have been edited for clarity.
Overall Rating : 4.1 out of 5.0 stars
I’Ve really struggled with how to rate this. Staff are friendly and welcoming. They seem great for helping students who are pursuing jazz or ballet.
However, my daughter was wanting to learn hip hop. She couldn’t get in to the hip hop class due to time clash so she joined contemporary jazz. She was only taught general moves (copy the teacher) and was not instructed that she had to learn or memorise these dances for an upcoming exam. Once we were informed of the upcoming exam my daughter had a huge panic attack because she didn’t know the dances and there had been no communication as to whether they were going to review them. She had been under the impression that they just do a new dance each week or two and that’s all. The lack of clear communication from the instructor was very stressful for her. She also was not told how to improve any of her dance moves. As I said, she just followed the teacher and was never told if her moves needed modifying, so she learned very little.
I then asked if she could have private lessons so she can improve her skill. Being autistic, she likely needed targeted instruction and additional help to reach her goals. They refused, saying they would only consider it if she was doing many classes and already doing well in them.
As such I contacted another place and asked what they recommended for my daughter and her needs. Funnily they suggested she need private lessons. We have since left Cathy-Lea to do these lessons elsewhere and they are exactly what she needed to reach her goals. I’m now paying another company $130 a week and travelling an hour to teach my daughter the core skills for hip hop. I don’t understand why this company is turning down that kind of money but it seems clear to me that hip hop is not really something they care too much about.
I’m not sure this company is particularly knowledgeable in autism however I was very pleased that they seemed to understand diabetes and I felt safe leaving my daughter there. Well, until they demanded that parents go inside to pick up their children but reception left before my daughter’s class got out. So my husband stood in the reception area alone with a young girl. My husband’s a good man but that raised a lot of concerns that there was no receptionist around and any stranger could go in and sit in the reception area with girls. I imagine that girl could have felt very uncomfortable with my husband there alone with her. I understand having that policy for small kids and when a receptionist is there but this was a potentially dangerous policy at night after reception leaves.
Anyway, my main issue is the lack of instruction and communication and their unwillingness to accommodate my daughters specials needs, or even understand how her needs may mean she requires 1:1 training. But if you want your child to learn jazz or ballet, they seem to be very good with that. I would not recommend for kids wanting to learn hip hop
However, my daughter was wanting to learn hip hop. She couldn’t get in to the hip hop class due to time clash so she joined contemporary jazz. She was only taught general moves (copy the teacher) and was not instructed that she had to learn or memorise these dances for an upcoming exam. Once we were informed of the upcoming exam my daughter had a huge panic attack because she didn’t know the dances and there had been no communication as to whether they were going to review them. She had been under the impression that they just do a new dance each week or two and that’s all. The lack of clear communication from the instructor was very stressful for her. She also was not told how to improve any of her dance moves. As I said, she just followed the teacher and was never told if her moves needed modifying, so she learned very little.
I then asked if she could have private lessons so she can improve her skill. Being autistic, she likely needed targeted instruction and additional help to reach her goals. They refused, saying they would only consider it if she was doing many classes and already doing well in them.
As such I contacted another place and asked what they recommended for my daughter and her needs. Funnily they suggested she need private lessons. We have since left Cathy-Lea to do these lessons elsewhere and they are exactly what she needed to reach her goals. I’m now paying another company $130 a week and travelling an hour to teach my daughter the core skills for hip hop. I don’t understand why this company is turning down that kind of money but it seems clear to me that hip hop is not really something they care too much about.
I’m not sure this company is particularly knowledgeable in autism however I was very pleased that they seemed to understand diabetes and I felt safe leaving my daughter there. Well, until they demanded that parents go inside to pick up their children but reception left before my daughter’s class got out. So my husband stood in the reception area alone with a young girl. My husband’s a good man but that raised a lot of concerns that there was no receptionist around and any stranger could go in and sit in the reception area with girls. I imagine that girl could have felt very uncomfortable with my husband there alone with her. I understand having that policy for small kids and when a receptionist is there but this was a potentially dangerous policy at night after reception leaves.
Anyway, my main issue is the lack of instruction and communication and their unwillingness to accommodate my daughters specials needs, or even understand how her needs may mean she requires 1:1 training. But if you want your child to learn jazz or ballet, they seem to be very good with that. I would not recommend for kids wanting to learn hip hop
Fantastic dance studio! We joined mid year after an injury and a long break due to restrictions, but we have had an amazing experience. Kathryn in the office went above and beyond to set us up in the right classes and tailored a program that suited our needs and current fitness levels. Highly recommend for students of all levels!
Our daughter started dancing at Cathy-Lea as a 3 year old in a toddler dance class and 15 years later is still dancing at Cathy-Lea. Her dance journey with Cathy-Lea has included some amazing perfomance opportunities providing her very fond memories that will last a lifetime. The teachers that have taught her along the way have been fabulous with their knowledge, professionalism and genuine care for their students as well as fun. Our daughter has made amazing friendships, gained valuable confidence, a sense of teamwork, dance skills and a good work ethic. The end of year concert is always a highlight where the whole school comes together to celebrate all students regardless of age, ability, gender or the amount of classes they may take and every child is given the opportunity to shine.
We are coming up to our fifth year, Cathy-Lea and staff have shown my daughter the discipline of what ballet and dance consists of. It has taught her, about time management, responsibility, importance of posture and the beauty of dance, the hard work that is dedicated throughout the year, always shows in the annual concerts. My daughter enjoys the company of her dance buddies, is more confident within herself, and thoroughly enjoys performing! Great and lasting friendships have been made,throughout our journey at Cathy Lea Dance Music Drama Works 🙂
Fantastic dance school we are coming up to our 16th year at Cathy Lea Dance Works, I have 3 daughters that have attended, they have made many life long friends. We have experienced great times away competing in competitions especially dancing down the Main Street of Disneyland in L.A. which is one my girls and myself will never forget. The staff at Cathy Lea are very friending and helpful and as we have been there for so long it just feels like home. Looking forward to at least another 10 plus years with my youngest daughter.