20 Best Acting Programs In Raleigh, NC (2022 Updated)

I'm in love with this school. It has provided me the tools for success, and overall has helped my confidence as a leader. The school may be small, but has activities that are present throughout the week. This could be writing workshops, movie nights, sport games, musicals, dance parties, etc. The resources available on campus are all next to each other, so traveling from place to place is swift. Professors are also really nice, and there for the students. Overall it's been a great experience.Davyous Melvin

As a transfer student and think I made the BEST decision by enrolling in Peace. This is a campus where you will find your family for life and will be guided by professors through the years to be the most successful version of yourself. The students in my major have morphed into family and my professors are like second parents. I have found my home away from home. 10/10.Sara Siwinski

This is an amazing university! The faculty and staff do everything in their power to make sure the students are able to grow. Although it is a small university, there are still many events that can help improve your skills academically, and they have countless events for fun too!Christian Langley

For a school that promotes women's strength and diversity, I am appalled to see that racism for the current students is still rampant. For those women to feel afraid and not be able to come forward and speak against it, is abhorrent. Do better. How can you allow for advisor's and students alike to treat others like that? Do better, it's 2022. Also, as I toured, I went with a family member. It was assumed I was a single mother and between the families who toured my "daughter" and I were skipped over for some questions while the larger families with relatives were asked more. I find this to be extremely telling along with the racism that this would not be a school I'd want my daughter or anyone's daughter to attend until they can work on their biases. It's also a little alarming they don't talk about what grants or how much anything is until you've been "admitted." And even more so when you find reviews elsewhere that state that they mess with tuition, or charge more without letting people know. For a school that charges so much, the environment seemed lacking. Also the tour guide mentioned something about being able to help children with autism, in a way that makes me feel like it's meant for others to feel good and not benefit the children. The approach in which it was talked about could have been more tasteful. Also how can you give a tour and not know anything about any of the degrees offered there? Little disappointing. In short: send your daughters elsewhere. This school has many improvements to make.E C

I have an Odd and an Even daughter and we were absolutely thrilled with Meredith! I always felt my daughters were safe there and never felt uneasy about leaving them there. Everyone from the President to the Maintenance staff to all of the Professors made us feel they genuinely wanted our daughters as students and not just our checkbook. Both of my girls really enjoyed their time there and I would recommend it to any prospective student to at least visit, It isn't for everyone but both of my girls were very pleased with the education they received.Brian Smith

Grad from several years back. Extremely few adequate professors/ administrators, majority incorporate liberal indoctrination into curriculum. Way too expensive , and college caters mostly to those who live on campus. The job I am currently employed at pays more than the jobs my degree is for. Be smart and do the research to look for a much less expensive college , and consult multiple sources before getting a degree that allows you limited career opportunities. Be smart and do the research! God bless.Nicole Kul

So here's my Wake Tech story. I secured financial aid and then enrolled into Wake Tech as a full-time student. And then the financial aide office attempted to cut my much-needed aid twice, the first time on the Friday before my classes were to begin and then the second time was the following Monday via email when I was literally 4/5 the way through the commute from Fayetteville to Raleigh to attend my first day of classes, causing me to turn around and head back home. And another thing: maybe it's just me — perhaps I missed something?–however it seems that Wake Tech expects new students to simply show up and know what to do? Nothing's explained, nearly none of the stuff that I needed to know to get started was covered during the online orientation that new students are required to complete nor were we given any booklet or the like to explain how stuff works . But let's rewind a bit. After securing financial aid, enrolling and completing online orientation….I remained clueless. So thereafter I spent about a week commuting back and forth between Fayetteville and South campus in an effort to complete registration and get everything else taken care of. I did so under the assumption that I'd get stuff figured out if only I'd drive up there and speak to Wake Tech face to face–but not so . During this process I asked advisors and other staff a variety of questions only to be told conflicting info and advice thereby increasing my confusion. And then I went to the bookstore where I learned that some of the books that I needed were out of stock and that notebooks cost $8. So I left without my books. I did however attempt to attend classes first day of semester, as mentioned above, but then received that email from the financial aid office– had that not happened I would have went to school and maybe things would have turned out differently. I did receive another email from someone else at Wake Tech telling me that the email from financial aid threatening to reduce my aid the 2nd time was a mistake and that I'm covered…but unfortunately I've already missed a week of school so I guess I'm out. Very depressing as Wake Tech is the closest college offering a full curriculum on substance abuse/addiction counseling and that's what I want to do. But, it is what it is .Frank A

You remember when the pandemic started, and everyone had to start learning how to use computers? Now imagine, a bunch of teachers, creating online courses from scratch with no help. ITS A DISASTER. Its like NO ONE set a criteria for how the classes should follow a general structure, so that students aren't spending the first 2 weeks of every new class trying to figure out what is what. Its like no one showed them, "this is the gold standard"… this is what a well put together black board class looks like. The online courses are archaic. (Dr. Frear, I complained about some things and I am sorry. After seeing what else is our there( summer 2022), HOLY MOLY. Your blackboard set up is the least confusing and was by far, the best thing I have seen yet) Instructors use blackboard, not as a classroom but as a file folder system. Instead of using the platform, they made it so that every thing is word documents and or files you have to download when they could have just simply used the actual platform. I should only be downloading PowerPoint slides, worksheets, homework, etc. Not opening a document to read something you could have made a video and "instructed" us or copy and pasted to the platform. Does anyone know the definition of a syllabus there? It should be all encompassing. I shouldn't have to read 5 documents to figure out how I will be graded, what I will be graded on, the rules, the expectations, which books I need to buy. If the department has a syllabus, I'm pretty sure you are supposed to take that document and incorporate it into your own, at the very least create an addendum/appendix. My Grades should clearly have due dates, weighted totals, and all of the grade-able items at the start of the class. There should be no, imagining what my grade is at any given moment.Buttercups

I’ve spent 29 years teaching at Wake Tech and have taken a number of classes here too. I know what it’s like at Wake and I am telling the unvarnished truth about it. I’m retiring soon so it’s not about getting a promotion! Generally speaking the facilities, faculty and quality of education are really very good – in addition the price is still reasonable. Don’t be conned by private educational facilities that promise you a “great job” after graduation and then put you in a low end, minimum wage job where you can’t even afford to pay off your pricey school loans (this happened to a friend of mine). Go to WT and get a better education for a fraction of the cost – you will leave with real skills and THAT’S how you get a job – with knowledge. Plus Wake has a solid reputation with employers. Yes, there are aspects of the school that are unfortunate – I hear complaints from my students, and there are a number of policies that drive the faculty crazy too – much of it is due to the typical bureaucracy that seems inevitable with very large institutions. Is it really better elsewhere? Maybe. Maybe not. Nonetheless, if you go with the sincere desire and motivation to learn, and you treat your teachers and fellow students with respect – you will be supported by all and do well. The ILC really is a remarkable facility and is intended to help struggling students succeed. When it comes to the financial aid office I hear the best approach is to fill out ALL the paperwork that is required COMPLETELY and ON TIME. Follow instructions, that should go a long way to making the process easier.Marlys de Alba

Went here for Jesus Christ Superstar Musical. The seating was fantastic. Paid $125 a seat & was a perfect distance from the stage but close enough we could see the spit & sweat from the performers. ORCH Sec.2 seats G 305 & 306 & F 305. The food is obviously limited… containers of trail mix & yogurt pretzels for nearly $5 hot pretzels for $6 & sodas were $7. They do have alcohol available at different stations for each floor. The security is thorough but ladies are currently NOT limited on bag size like other venues. Parking at ATC was available for $7..only a few hundred feet from the venue….funny parking cost the same as a soda.. 😆. From the looks of it…I'm not sure there's a bad seat here…unless you short like myself.. but i still managed a fantastic view. 😊😁 wish I had more photos to share…but no video or photos were allowed of performance. 4 stars due to pricing of the concessions… they could definitely do better on thisIm Giroir

I had to take away another star for the seating and the fact that they ran out of pretzels within minutes of the 20 minute break. The seats are definitely not good. They hurt your butt after about 30 minute so I definitely recommend a seat crushing come with you. Had to take away a star because someone decided to kick and beat my seat. Not happy with that. Show is good so far, though. Very nice, crazy but nice. The bathroom is definitely nice. Complimentary lady products are available in the bathroom also. The entrance is crazy definitely going through a good search. Drug dog Metal detector Tickets scanned People are available to help around every cornerErica Hill

The first picture is the orchestra pit. The second one is the stage for Hamilton. What an amazing show. The theater is of course fairly new and just beautiful on the outside. They have several parking lots, so parking was easy. The interior is beautiful also oh, and very very clean, and very secure, with lots of service people two man the food and refreshment stands. Drinks and food all right bit cheaper then they would be at the Ballpark. All the employees are extremely helpful. And friendly. I'd go there all the time if I could afford a season pass.Patrick Nalley

We attended the Halloween special concert by the NC Symphony here and we're absolutely mesmerized by the epic rendition of John Williams scores including Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter. I had chills throughout the whole show. Plenty of parking right across the street for $10. Entrance was quick and smooth with a simple covid vaccination check and everyone working the event were extremely friendly! Beautiful and intimate theater. Not a bad seat in the house and sound was phenomenal. Can't wait to be back!Edward Wire (Eddie Wire)

The staff there are fantastic I think there was a mix of volunteers and paid staff and both were wonderful. Very helpful and kind and help make the night extra extra fun! The acoustics in our symphony Hall were fantastic. This was the second time we had visited to see the John Williams music event. It was extra fun because the music selection was a little bit different from the first time so you don't feel like you're getting same same. I'm looking forward to the next time!Dominique Echard

Amazing venue. I always have enjoyed coming her for concerts, specially symphony concert or in this case was my first time attending an opera concert there and the sound was amazing you could hear clearly their voices. If you haven't been there please do! Also the art they have outside it's quite beautiful and interesting! Highly recommend it!!!Luis Marcano

Overall a nice venue, easy to get to and near enough to both fancy restaurants and soul food establishments to warrant a full evening out on the town! Ticket-taking was fast and efficient, and ushers were nearby to direct patrons to seating. The first-floor lines for refreshments, and for restrooms at intermission were lengthy. Some patrons overheard others talking about additional services on the second floor (refreshments and twice as many rsstrooms) and sought those out for faster service. (Good call!!) Sound was excellent from my row C seat, but I heard from others "there's not a bad seat in the house!", and I believe it! Leonid & Friends were spectacular, and despite some shakeup in their talent availability, they delivered perfectly. Kudos to the trumpet artist and new lead singer – you both killed it!! If management had alerted us to the availability of second floor amenities, I'd be giving them a 5-star rating. My 4 rating is more like 4.7… Enjoy!Tim Gillow

I can't say enough about this place. Been a consistent visitor since I moved to Creedmoor about three years ago, this is me and my partners favorite date spot! I love everything about it, the history, the beautiful interior, the classic films, the super cheap tickets, the fact that the theater is a non-profit, I could seriously go on and on. It's such a treasure. The staff really go above and beyond as well. We recently attended our first Retro Film night, a double feature of The Dark Crystal and The Neverending Story! They had a door prize raffle, green screen picture booth, had facts about each movie on the screen, and even showed old movie trailers! This place is a whole experience, we'll forever have our date nights at Carolina Theater. Nicole Ellis

Nice, clean, venue with accommodating staff. Theatre had been lovingly restored and modernized. Seats are ok and comfortable enough. The sound can be hit or miss based on where you sit. In the center section, closer than 12 rows in, and it's diffuse, probably because there is no speaker array over the center, just right and left. A stack over the center section would greatly improve the sound. Prices for food and drink are reasonable and served with enthusiasm. Staff is still masked, although patrons have a choice, which is nice. If an artist you like has a show here, it's worth the price of admission. Solid venue.Thornton Burnette

Since I can remember I've wanted to pursue an acting career and Back to One has made that dream even more of a reality. I started my journey at Back to One in January, taking Level On Camera Acting for TV & Film Level 1 & 2 with Gus Allen. I learned how to properly audition for TV and Film, how to break down a script (whether monologue or dialogue), how to work collaboratively with my comrades for scene work, and techniques for bringing a character to life on screen. Just this year Back to One brought on Bronwen Carson as an instructor for Advanced Scene Study and Advanced On Camera classes. Eager to learn more, I signed up directly after having completed Level 2 with Gus Allen in the hopes of further challenging myself and building upon the fundamentals of what I had already learned. Having now completed two 6 week courses of Advanced Scene Study and two 6 week courses of Advanced On Camera to date, I can humbly proclaim that Bronwen Carson's instruction has truly changed me as a performer and as an individual. Her work and direction is of the highest caliber and each class I take with her I am continuously moved and motivated to elevate and deepen my abilities. In her classes I have been exposed to techniques of Meisner, Laban, Stanislavsky, Strasberg, and Chekhov to name a few. She has a talent for creating exercises that challenge me to blend these techniques together, which helps me create more compelling and believable work & stories on and off camera. I cannot speak enough to her innate ability to foster a safe, professional, and equally fun and engaging learning environment. I feel this has been absolutely instrumental to the way she's able to facilitate my work. As an actor and storyteller, in order to do some of my best work I may be called to enter vulnerable and occasionally uncomfortable terrain. Bronwen's sensitivity and awareness to my individual strengths & weaknesses as well as limits and boundaries make moving through that terrain all the more rewarding. I have had the opportunity to meet my fears through a lens of curiosity and creativity in ways I never thought imaginable. The treasure vaults of sensorial experience and deep wells of emotion that I have been able to open within myself through scene study work has had a tremendous effect on the way I have been able to connect to and develop characters/roles that I work with. Within that same thread of thought, I have been given so many tools/techniques to help me build emotion without needing to feel it. As Bronwen has said in class, "always feeling the character is not synonymous w/ good work." It has been such a privilege and honor to work with Bronwen and I am so thankful for this opportunity that Back to One has given me to be able to work with someone as experienced and as knowledgeable as her. I feel so lucky to have found a creative home at Back to One and a bright, strong community of actors/storytellers who are realizing their dreams like me.Gabrielle Morell

I started acting classes at Back to One Acting Studios in November of last year and they have continued to grow and improve. It is the one place in Raleigh that has fostered such a supportive and professional environment where those who wish to continue in the field of acting (tv&film especially) can expand their knowledge, connections, and skillset. At the end of this year one of my favorite acting teachers at the studio (Bronwen Carson) will be moving back to NYC, making brief appearances in NC every few months and I cannot begin to say how much I have grown because of this outstanding human. It has been, and continues to be, the greatest privilege to work with a teacher who challenges and encourages me because she wants me to be greater than my potential. In the classroom Bronwen touched on the techniques of Meisner, Laban, Stanislavsky, Strasberg, Stella Adler and even created her own exercises that melded two techniques together which allowed me to not only expand my use of techniques as an actor, but to also understand that I can use what works for me and find new ways to incorporate hybrids into my process. What I also found to be essential to the growth of actors in her classroom is that she is incredibly aware of how world events affect how we actors show up to class and gives us the space to use how we feel. I also found it inspiring to learn from a teacher who understands how creativity unites us, yet also has the ability to hold space for the gift of nuance amongst a group of unique individuals. Here I will leave you with one of my favorite quote of hers that she spoke in the first class I ever took with her: “Embrace the beauty of foolishness. Please don't be cool :)." ~Briana Morell <3Briana Morell

I moved to NC from GA last year and wanted to find an acting studio, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Thank goodness I found Back to One! I took classes before in Atlanta but I didn’t feel truly confident or even comfortable in those classes. This studio made me feel safe enough to let my guard down, trust my instincts and hone my craft. Gus was my first teacher here for the beginning on-camera classes and I was super nervous in front of the camera. I made a lot of mistakes, but he was there to say the right words I needed to try again. His positivity is what helped me relax more in front of the camera as I did monologues and dialogues. Then I moved on to advanced on-camera and scene study classes with another teacher, Bronwen. She pushed me even more and yes, it was challenging, but I needed it to keep learning more. She uses so many different techniques in her classes that I can pick and choose a variety for my auditions and hopefully for my future roles. More importantly, after being at Back to One Acting Studio for almost a year now, I’ve gained a community and a huge network of actors who continue to motivate me to keep going, to believe in myself, and to just have fun. If you’re looking for a place that will give you different methods of acting, work with you in front of the camera, help you breakdown different scenes, play on and off the stage, and a community to grow and connect with then this is definitely the place to come to.Stephanie Hines

I have been following Lune Spark from the early days.. The story writing competitions organized by Lune Spark gave great opportunities to the young budding writers. It is such an awesome way to encourage the next generation of writers by rewarding the writers as well as publishing the best 20 or 25 stories. The quality of the stories published is noticeably improving year after year probably reflecting on the improved participation all over! The video series My Teacher Hilda was a well thought out series. Especially during the pandemic, it has helped many families with kids to teach the toddlers/pre-schoolers the basics of good behavior, morals and filled the gap of the children missing attending the pre school. The children's writing workshop was well attended and kids gained a lot from it. The folks behind it truly believe in all-round growth of the children through opportunities in art and related field. Looking forward to their next project!Krishna Rao

Absolutely awesome – such an important initiative, making a massive difference for children all around the world! Cannot recommend Lune Spark enough – my two severely dyslexic children have learned to write, to read, and to write beautifully through Lune Spark, and it has been such an important factor in shaping their lives and their success. Find out more, take their courses, participate in their contests – every year, every child who participates learns, and in their own way, becomes a winner! Thank you Lune Spark for everything you are doing for literacy, and for children, worldwide.MC Cordonier Segger

A phenomenal state-of-the-art facility with an incredible staff and instructors. Currently, our 10 year old son, an aspiring piano player, is taking Songwriting and Music Production with Tim Word (aka Sonny King). His award winning credentials speak for themselves, but it's his ability to connect with our young and relatively inexperienced musician is what set him apart. He takes complex technical and musical concepts and has made them understandable and fun. We are truly lucky to have a place with such accomplished creatives here in our community!Steven Antini

Everyone at Cirque de Vol was exceptionally nice and fun to be around. Megan, my instructor for the aerial yoga taught the class in a professional, as far as teaching us the poses, and extremely nice. I was not able to finish the beginner's class and Megan was so sweet about it. We had a nice conversation after class. Bonnie was very helpful in finding other ways that I might could use my pass. I would highly recommend Cirque de Vol if you are looking for a fun and wonderful way to exercise.Donna Pate

As a child I was a gymnast and a cheerleader, so in search of an adult hobby, I decided to give Cirque de Vol aerial sling classes a try. Nearly 3 years later and I am still doing and loving it! It is a workout, without feeling like a workout – I've built strength and flexibility, all while having fun. I love the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving a new skill. Over the years I have had a few instructors, all of which have been great. I cannot recommend Cirque de Vol more!Megan

I’ve been interested in taking aerial fabric classes for many years so I’m happy to have found this studio. Located in downtown Raleigh it’s a fairly large studio and they offer many different types of classes (silks, slings, Lyra, trapeze, and others). The instructors I’ve met so far have all been very kind and knowledgeable so I would recommend signing up for some drop in classes if you’re interested.Janee Fritz

Very frustrating experience for us. My 5-year-old son has been taking classes regularly for the last ~3 years, with a 6-month hiatus when COVID hit. He still has not moved up a level even though he is much more confident in the water. We keep getting told that his technique isn’t good enough and we need to work on things at home. While we try to, what’s the point of paying for lessons? Seems to be an indictment of the quality of instruction. He’s there every week – why can’t they correct the “issues?” We’ve escalated the problem to management and have gotten the run-around. My wife sent a lengthy email that received no response. She spoke with an assistant manager who said she would follow up. She didn’t. When my wife asked for an update a couple of weeks later, the same person questioned if my wife actually spoke to her. His chart wasn’t updated in six months. Yet they say he’s “not close” to moving up even though he’s doing cannonballs into the pool with no floaties now. He’s very demoralized and keeps asking why he can’t move up to the next level. Like others, we’ve also been frustrated with class turnover, random cancellations, and an endless loop of make-up classes. We will be looking for private 1:1 instruction going forward.John Krahnert

The dressing room area and sitting area is decent but the women's bathroom smells like sewage daily. We have been very frustrated with Aqua tots. Their high staff turnover has lead to inconsistent feedback and training. Since Coach Rose left we have bounced around from coach to coach. As a result each time we are assigned a new coach the coach has to re-learn our child and his skills. Which is a waste of our time, as we are consistent and class is only 30mins. The coaches used to have a card for each student and would check off skills for each. Now it seems like there is ONE (1) card that they check off for the entire class. Which doesn’t make sense. They have added a skills chart that you can review online but honesty the coaches need to review this before teaching the kids as it seems they don’t know each child’s skill. The chart is just a tick mark (star), no comments, no nothing. I don’t know how the next coach will know how close my child is to mastering the next skill with just a check mark, no details. Additionally, they have cancelled on us and provided make up days. However, it’s impossible to redeem. Save yourself a headache and find another school.Marquel Melissa

The last several months at Aqua tots on Six Forks Rd have been incredibly frustrating for me and my children. There is a high rate of employee turn over. Employees are not completing assessments on swim students, therefore students are not progressing through the levels of instruction. It is impossible to schedule make up classes due to the scheduling policy (only 1 week in advance) and the unavailablilty of open classes and if you manage to schedule a make up class there are no notes on your childs abilities so the instructor has no idea what they need to work on our what the child is able to do. I have asked both in person, over the phone and via email for the GM "Jessica" to contact me to try to find a solution and I have yet to hear from her or any other person in a management position. I am currently owed 20 makeup classes between my two children. Aqua tots is not contacting me or providing any communication to try to work with us to fix the problem. I would RUN the other direction and avoid Aqua tots at all costs.Mary Cornetti

Highly recommend this recording studio. Dick and Caleb are very experienced and attentive. Price was very reasonable with a very quick turn around. I recorded an audition tape with Osceola and it came out great. Very happy with the results. The studio is very welcoming and sounds very good. The sound in the main room has a great balance ; not too dead sounding but dry enough to hear fine details. Again, highly recommend!Alex Fioto

Exactly what I wanted! Osceola is not only able to offer a high quality recording experience, but they're great at helping you creatively with your music. Felt like I was able to record my song (and it sounds FANTASTIC) but also grew as a musician. 11/10 gr8 experience. also Chad, Bill and Caleb are wonderful musicians and their talents added to my piece tremendously! couldn't have done it without them.Savannah Samuel

If you're looking to record a song, this place is great. I highly recommend it as they are very professional and the quality of the recordings are amazing. They will help get the best out of what you're trying to do to create the best possible song music or whatever it is you're trying to create. I highly recommend it.Charles Ballaro

We've had the good fortune of being NCT season subscribers for about 8 years. Particularly if you like musicals, NCT's Broadway-worthy productions – ALL of which are created locally by NCT – are consistently excellent and usually fantastic (especially the singing, and Edward G. Robinson's orchestra!). NCT called today to tell me that for the next show, our regular season seats will have an obstructed view for part of the performance due to the unusual arrangement of the sets – and switched us to the best available other seats. My good friends at NCT are doing such an amazing job of watching out for my personal interests that I almost feel like singing!Jay M. Brown

Susie at the box office was a delight. We had a few changes we made to our tickets and she patiently worked troughs all requests and options. Great JobNC Property Inspections

I've been working with Laurel Archer for about a year. My goal is to improve my spoken English for making professional presentations. English is my third language. We work online, doing a range of exercises and projects from phrase lists to reading poetry. Laurel helps me to identify learning goals specific to me and to each task, such as working on individual sounds that give me trouble and stressing key terms in a conference presentation. Laurel is always supportive, friendly, and warm during lessons, which helps me to stop worrying about my shortcomings and focus on improvement. We laugh a lot; while reaching the learning goals, each lesson also feels joyful, like a little party. I've noticed a marked improvement in the clarity of my presentations. – Maria D.Laurel Archer

Laurel Archer was fabulous! She worked with our 17 year old daughter on the English/reading portion of the SAT. Our daughter had taken the ACT and had scored lower than average on this portion. Laurel was recommended on the NextDoor app, so we called her. She is very friendly and flexible. My daughter enjoyed working with her. She relates well to teens and knows how to make learning fun. She also helped my daughter to plan her study time effectively. My daughter received her SAT scores last week and she scored 750 out of 800, which is in the 99th percentile! Thank you so much to Laurel and all of her help! She is definitely worth every penny!Ashley Carter

Ms. Archer is one of the best tutors out there! She knows how to teach and use resources effectively while also making it fun. Working with her is never somber, morose, or redundant! She is amazing at identifying problems in students, as well as figuring out how to solve them.Meghna Sunku

This is an email I sent to the studio recently. I thought it important to post it here, as a previous review deals with a teacher being very different. Is every teacher at any school perfect? No. But Legacy works hard to hire the kind of teachers I am talking about and to respond to problems with teachers when those complaints are brought to them. "As I sat in the lobby listening to Faith teach aerial this week, it hit me that I have let you know when I was unhappy with a teacher but not so much when I was happy. I know how much it means to me when I get positive feedback at work and wanted to share that feeling. Faith and Melinda are fantastic teachers and I wanted to make sure to let you know. Listening to Faith teach aerial to the youth is so pleasant. She encourages the students and delivers constructive criticism in such a positive way. Faith does not ignore mistakes and pushes the students to do their best and to keep working to improve their technique and artistry. This is not as easy a task as it seems and takes a delicate hand. E said one of the things she really likes about Faith is that she never makes it sound like she's disappointed in E. On talking more about this, I figured out that when teachers act disappointed with her, E feels like they think she's doing things wrong on purpose or isn't trying. Faith always seems to assume that the students are doing their best at the moment, but keeps pushing them to do better and to keep trying. She does not let bad technique go, but she does not treat it as if the student isn't trying. Another thing she really likes about Faith's teaching is that she always has a plan for the class. It is clear that Faith plans ahead and considers what she feels the students need to work on. She gives free time in each class, but does not make the whole class "free time". One more thing that E pointed out that she likes about Faith's teaching is that she uses the class time effectively. At times other teachers have spent quite a bit of time trying to find a particular video of a move and ended up having very little actual instruction time left. While it is helpful to see a video of a move, this works best if you have it tagged ahead of time so you can get to it right away. E loves how Faith doesn't waste any of their class, so she gets the most out of class. Teaching children, preteens and teens is not an easy thing and takes a special person. Faith is clearly one of those people! Having Melinda as a teacher for this past year has been a great experience me. She is always encouraging, even though sometimes it seems like I'll never get some of the elements of aerial, like hand and arm strength! Melinda points out the different strengths of all her students and encourages us to keep working on our challenges. It would have been so easy for her to not use me in the aerial showcase because I can't reliably do a footlock in the air. Instead she modified the piece in such a way that I was able to participate on my level. This really meant a lot to me! And all the positive feedback I got from her, Eileen, Faith, Blythe and the two of you was very encouraging. Melinda has a group of 5 students now who are at 5 very different places in our aerial experience/abilities, yet she keeps all of us challenged and learning. This takes quite a bit of work and planning. It is clear that she puts lot of time and thought into her teaching. "And again, This evening I was reminded of what a great teacher Blythe is and wanted to add my kudos to her! She is another teacher who pushes her students to improve in positive ways. She seems to be equally fantastic at teaching adults as well as youth That is an amazing skill in and of itself. I am not surprised that she works so well with the youth, as that is what she does for a living. However I am impressed that she is just as good teaching adults and can work with both in the same class setting. Once again, I feel very lucky to have such amazing, dedicated, talented teachers." Respectfully, Mari Nealson"Mari Monster

I have been going to this dance school since I was 3. I started with ballet, switched to modern, and then back to ballet. My sister also has been taking class, since she was 6, as an aerialist. For both of us, this studio has truly become a home away from home. All of the teachers really know their stuff and how to teach, and as a student, you quickly become part of a talented and very collaborative community. For a couple of years, I tried other studios, and they don’t hold a candle to DSBPA. The curriculum is tough enough that you improve faster than anywhere else, without ever going overboard to the point that it’s no longer fun. These classes get me through my week. As for shows, they are done like professional shows and you learn so much about the dance and theatre industries through them. Also they’re just insanely fun. I’m so grateful to have wound up at this studio.Devon Cholon

The only studio in the Durham area (and those surrounding, let's be real) that not only offers rigorous, professional-quality training but also like….aren't jerks about it? No cliques, no snide teachers, no berating the students for anything whatsoever, simply encouraging and pushing everyone to do their very best every day. I'm 26, and just started my dance training about a year and a half ago in the recreational adult ballet classes, but have since been allowed to move to the student division classes and study along with the pre-teens I'm in class with. I love it more than literally anything I've ever done, and I'm so grateful to be taken so seriously as an adult — even though I'll never be able to go professional, even though I'm "old", even though I've still got a bit of catching up to do. This place is magic, and I can't say thank you enough!!Tiffany Clark

We could not be any happier with the teachers and administrators at Spanish For Fun, Wake Forest! Our oldest son went to another school in the area from infants through toddlers, however we were very concerned with the school's communication with parents, supervision of the children and COVID policies. When Spanish For Fun opened, we were so excited to give our children the opportunity to learn a new language and it was clear from the very beginning that the teachers absolutely love the children- this isn't "just a paycheck" for them. My oldest is in class with Ms. Jenny and Ms. Melanie and he is so so excited to see them every day! He is singing his ABCs in Spanish, can count to 20, and speaks more Spanish than even I can understand anymore! It really is amazing to watch. His classroom is beautiful, modern and there is plenty of room to play and learn. My baby is in class with Ms. Paula and Ms. Erika and wow- they are the sweetest, most loving teachers I have ever worked with. They love those babies so much and take excellent care of my son. I'm grateful to all of the teachers for the pictures and updates that they send throughout the day. The school has been consistent and very safe with their COVID policies and I appreciate the open, direct lines of communication with both teachers and admins. I could go on and on, about the beauty of the facility, the kindness of the staff, and the absolute gift it is to have my children learning from such a wonderfully diverse, dedicated and loving staff. We could not recommend the school and program any more highly!Gabriella Bush

As a first time mom I was so nervous to drop my four month old off at Spanish for Fun for the first time. But, after just a week or two, it became clear that the family-like feel and sincere kindness that we experienced during our tour would be the norm, every day. Our son loves his class, and especially his teachers Ms Paula and Ms Erica! They quickly got him into a routine and helped me get into one too, to make the transition easier on him. The first time he was out of class for a few days I was nervous about him coming back, worried he’d gotten used to being home again and would be upset to return – but it was just the opposite, he was all smiles at drop off and pickup – he truly loves being there!! And he especially loves his teachers, I can see it on his face each day, and in the pictures they send throughout the week (which I love!). They go above and beyond in caring for him, working on developmental milestones, and bringing fun new activities into class! I cannot say enough good things about them – they truly love to care for these little babies, and they are naturals! I am so grateful that we found Spanish for Fun to help us transition into this new phase of life.Kailey Gibbens

We started our two year old son at SFF at the first of April. We weren’t sure what to expect as he is our only child and this was our first experience with care outside of the home. We have been completely impressed with the level of care he has received and all that he has learned thus far. The school does a wonderful job keeping open communication regarding topics the children are working on and upcoming activities. The love and compassion the teachers share with the children is so special. You can see the teachers genuinely care and enjoy what they do. Our son talks about his teachers daily with total adoration, which just solidifies even further we made the right choice. It takes a special person(s) to mentor a class full of two year olds and lucky for us we found them at SFF!Lori Rolf

I love comedy clubs. Being new to Raleigh, I don't have anyone to keep my child while I hang out. So, I googled "Family Friendly Comedy Spots". This place came up and we attended the matinee. This was such a fun thing to do with my 9yr old. When my family came from out of state, we went again the very next weekend. It is easy to book online, the welcome at the door is genuine, the concession stand is filled with goodies at a great price. The show…ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!! I could go over and over again! We are still laughing and playing some of the games at home.Q Love

Absolutely amazing! My dad and I went in very skeptical, and we even discussed leaving early if we didn't like it. But oh my God it was so funny! I swear that the hour and a half felt like 10 minutes. We're from out of state, and this really made our trip more memorable! Highly recommend for people of all ages!Kid with da beard

Found ComedyWorx in Google search as something to do – this was my daughter's first exposure to improv & oh my goodness – I think it changed her life! We went to the 8pm show & stayed for the 10 – if you are a local who hasn't been or someone passing thru I highly recommend checking them out!!Rosie Vadella

Took the beginner class and plan to continue here. Kind of like being in college again. Plan on buying his book and spend hours throughout the week doing homework and recording yourself or practicing. I think Tanner probably takes his classes more seriously than other acting coaches around. He really wants to see his students transformed into great actors, but it takes a lot of work on your part. It really is hard work. If you just want to pay for a class to have fun playing acting games and you're not serious about being an actor eh I'd probably go somewhere else.Lorelei Evans

Actors Training Ground is excellent! I decided to take classes here as a way to round out my modelling career during the pandemic and have been nothing but impressed with the classes. Tanner and his instructors are excellent. Acting is one of those things you really need feedback on as you are learning. They take the time to build you up with the basics and delve into the more nuanced elements of acting, helping you find your strengths and weaknesses in order to work on them. For the price I couldn't recommend any other place!Pyrion Astorii

Returning to acting after a 25 year break, Actor’s Traning Ground was the perfect place for me. I felt at home immediately, and after just six months training with Tanner and the Master Class instructors, I feel ready and excited to start auditions again. My abilities and confidence have increased beyond my expectations, and I am so thankful for Tanner and Actor’s training Ground for this!Janice Baker

The team at Devise is awesome. They truly care about representing each client with authenticity and empathy. I know at least one of their agents was also an actor and has experience on set and behind the scenes. They want to represent you and fight for their clients to have as many opportunities as they can connect you to. Seriously Grade A level support and talent.Emma Holland

Device is the fourth talent agency I've been represented by, but the first in North Carolina. They outshine all the competition in my eyes in terms of frequency of communication, professionalism, enthusiasm, and maintaining one-on-one personal relationships with their talent. I would recommend them to anyone looking to put someone amazing in their corner.Joseph Reese

As an actor it can be tough to find your "home" with an agency. I finally found that with Devise. Anna Slay is personable, cares, and is always responsive. Her connections in the industry are strong and she knows her stuff! My career has grown ten fold in the year (during the pandemic no less) I have been there. Everyone at Devise is top notch!Amber Dawn Fox

Our daughter was enrolled as a student at Chapel Hill School of Musical Arts as a sixth grader, nearly seven years ago, in the fall of 2006. I had found the studio after doing an online search, looking for beginning vocal instruction for my then 11 year old who was showing both interest in pursuing lessons and some real vocal abilities. Other instructors who I had contacted in Chapel Hill were quick to dismiss her young age and suggested I wait until she was older. Sharon Szymanski made an appointment to meet with me without hesitation. After a thorough meeting with both me and my daughter to hear our questions and then provide an overview of what her studio could provide us, she suggested that my daughter take lessons with Ariel Reed, an accomplished vocal instructor on her faculty who specialized in teaching the younger students. I would not have been able to imagine the incredible growth that my daughter would have as a student at the studio under Ms. Reed's instruction. These past six years of instruction have clearly made the difference in my daughter's vocal performance. The weekly private lessons, group lessons, workshops with nationally recognized vocal coaches, and recital performances have trained her incredibly well. She has participated in five state competitions hosted by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), advancing twice to mid-Atlantic regional competitions. This summer she was accepted into the North Carolina Governor's School five week program at Salem College in Winston Salem NC for choral music study. Looking ahead to college, she plans to continue studying voice wherever she ends up and Sharon Szymanski has again provided her time and advice in assisting my daughter on that selection. The joy that my daughter's vocal experiences have brought her and the joy that her vocal performances have brought our family cannot be separated from the outstanding instruction she has had a the Chapel Hill School of Musical Arts. An exceptional studio in our community!Joanne Weiss-Vance

I love taking classes here! Check the website for a list of all their classes. The school is very much on schedule with schools. You'll notice on their website that their private music classes range from morning/mid day to evening times. Whether you're a student or work during the day, this offers wonderful flexibility for a wide range of CHSMA's students. I take voice lessons with Meris (who, btw, is a DREAM). Although, after attending a couple functions, they're *all* personable and great to be around, let alone absolutely talented af. Getting there: you'll want to google it. You'll also want to give yourself 15minutes to get lost the first time. Even if you don't get lost, it's a good idea. Before signing up for classes, you'll be invited (mandated ;)) to come in for a two-way Interview. It's a way to figure out who best would match your needs and schedule. They prefer that you schedule this visit online through their portal. Melissa was the person who conducted the interview. She is charm, knowledge, and warmth in one person. She loooves the school and her energy catches in a delightful way. Are you a primary caregiver of a child about to take classes? There's a waiting room, a shopping center nearby, and a private parking lot if you decide to stay close during their lessons. Take note of their class cancellation policy for your information. Also, take note of their missed classes policy. Both are a big part of taking classes with CHSMA. Hope you have as great of an experience as I've had!Rachel Reyes

My daughter has been a piano student there for several years after starting elsewhere and I have to say I have nothing but praise for the outstanding quality of instruction she has recieved. We all know that the practice is the hardest part of getting and keeping a student engaged and a quality instructor and environment all help build in self propulsion for them to want to learn and do more – this school and instructor absolutely has done that and I have seen that across many of their students. Great facilities, excellent staff, outstanding instructors – Gordon is my daughter's instructor and he is truly outstanding at what and how he does his instruction (amazing gifted musician), but I have no reservation about recommending to any of the instructors at the school. The school is well-known, has the depth of knowledge and capacity to do this professionally all at the same time not being intimidating in the least. Recitals are a critical and fun part of the process and it further propels the students to want to try to do more. Parents still have to do their part of course to "encourage" practice and make the needed time to do so but if learning music as a lifelong capacity is your want then there really is no better place that this school. Chris Russell from Chapel Hillc c

My child attended one summer camp there, did not like it and felt boring. The materials they used were pretty simple. Activities were not attractive. The camp my child attended was just like child caring service. Not entertaining at all. They do not have appealing policy to accommodate the need of the family. Their cancellation policy is not flexible at all. I was trying to cancel it in advance. I contacted the center to request the cancellation as soon as I can, tried to reach them by phone several time but no one was there to answer it. I left a message but no one returned my call. I had to contact the youth director by email but she is inconsiderate of my family's situation and refused to do the cancellation. I am very dissatisfied with their service.Si Yu

So many fantastic classes! I highly recommend Anoo Brod’s improv 101, 201, 301 classes. 101 is a fantastic way to start out with a bunch of other fantastic noobs (total beginners). Through this class, I made good friends, learned a sweet skill (lying with pizazz), and built up that fun little jolly called self-esteem. Hot. Whether you want to invest in yourself through dance, ceramics, theatre, drawing, poetry, or whatever else suits your fancy, the Arts Center has you covered.Rachel Reyes

This terrific art center has a theater where we came to see a band called Del Amitri, and we found the seating to be good, the acoustics great, and the staff at the center were very helpful and friendly. I liked the art gallery too where we enjoyed seeing the exhibit while waiting for the concert to start. If I lived nearby I'd be here often!SG Gardner