Matt O.
Yelp
Before I get started I have to say I moved here in August of 2012 from Pennsylvania, and Boogiezone was one of the first places I had to stop and take class at. They are a world renowned community program, and coming from the smaller "Boogiezone East Coast" branch, I had to see what the center of it was all about. I apologize for the in depth review, but this place truly deserves it. Boogiezone Utopia is a hidden treasure. It is one of the few local studios that I feel provides accurate and unique hip hop classes that cater not only to their current students, but the entire surrounding community as well. The teachers at this studio are extremely humble, friendly, and well known. Each teacher honestly works to the best of their ability to give the students the "bang for their buck".
GREAT FANTASTIC TEACHERS!!: This is probably the point I stress the highest. Coming from an extremely limited community to this is INCREDIBLE. This place has some phenomenal teachers pass through it. Teachers from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC) frequently work and or visit the studio. Teachers include Ricky Cole (ABDC Season 7's Mos Wanted), Cindy Minowa (ABDC Season 1's Kaba Modern), Beau Fournier (ABDC Season 2 and Season 7's Fanny Pak), Mike Song (ABDC Season 1's Kaba Modern), Pharside (America's Got Talent Academy of Villains), Krystal Meraz (America's Got Talent Academy of Villains), Teresa Espinosa (ABDC Season 3's BeatFreaks), Alexis Avila (ABDC Season 3's Team Milennia) Jag6ed (ABDC Season 6) and so many more. Teachers also include large names in the team/community circuit as well such as Elm Pizarro founder and creator of Boogiezone Community Class, Paul Ross (Choreo Cookies), Angelina Grima & Karlo Fatima (Mischief Makers) and Jonathan Sison (Disney, Culture Shock LA, and Mischief Makers). EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER DANCED BEFORE THESE TEACHERS KNOW HOW TO BREAK IT DOWN!!! You will find yourself growing ridiculous amounts here. Whether dancing to be a professional, be on a team, or just for fun YOU WILL LOVE IT HERE!
Incredible Schedule: This studio offers class almost EVERY night of the week (with the exception of Fridays) clearly leaving time to for you to go to the club and show off your new moves!! This studio has hip hop class every day (and with great teachers I might also add). It is easy to find a class that will work with your current work schedule. The classes usually begin around 4:00 PM and the last class starts at 9:00 PM (a perfect amount of time to go home, shower, eat and then hit up the studio). What more could you ask for? The classes might I add also not only focus on the "commercial" styles of hip hop but also the various foundational elements (popping, locking, and breaking). The studio also has some really cheap rental space if you need to rehearse for an upcoming talent show, or side project.
Prices: The prices are a tad steep if you are used to paying $10 for a class. HOWEVER I will say that if you compare this to a studio such as Broadway Dance Center in New York the classes are affordable. Classes in NYC usually range from $15 -$18. The classes here are $14 (at MOST). There are cheaper packages and with a membership; students can take class for only $8. Membership might I add is only an annual fee of $25.
Environment: This is something I HAD to put in this review. I have been to many students in my years of dancing. Boogiezone Utopia is one of the FRIENDLIEST places I have ever been. The student environment is never competitive nor a "cut throat" environment to say the least. I have always been supported and encouraged to be the best I can be here by the staff, owners, and students. It is extremely pleasant to be in such a courteous learning environment.
Website: The website is definitely a little tricky to navigate to say the least. It is actually probably the "most negative" thing I can talk about. I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend making sure you are on the correct website. If you cannot view the schedule through boogiezoneutopia.com you can always google "boogiezone clients mind body" to get to the proper website. I would also call and confirm the scheduled teacher does not have a substitute (similar to Broadway Dance Center the teachers are always traveling the world). The studio does it's best to update the web schedule, but sometimes last minute cancellations do occur. The substitutes ARE just as phenomenal though. Paper schedules are available at the studio though so carry one with you in your wallet just to be safe.
Overall this studio definitely deserves 4 out of 5 stars. I always say improvement is possible as the website being down sometimes is obnoxious, and substitutes can be a pain. The schedule though is truly rotating, and so you can catch some REALLY good teachers here. $10 community class on Thursdays is at 9:00 and that teacher is ALWAYS changing.
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