Xtreme Force Dance Company - Livermore, California

Sabine C.

Ive been dancing at Xtreme for my entire high school experience about to enter my final season. These past 3 years have been full of experiences i will never forget. This studio has not only provided improvement in my dancing but gave me my best friends, taught me dedication, teamwork and leadership. As my journey at Xtreme comes to an end, im leaving with another place i feel i can call my home. However this studio is what it is due to the amazing staff. Our teachers work all day helping, teaching and making sure we keep putting our best foot forward, they not only teach us how to dance, but how to be our best selves.They help us reach new heights and achieve our goals both on and off stage. Our staff brings lots of experience, from working for UDA (United Dance Association) to past NBA and NFL cheerleaders, they’ve used their skills to help create those opportunities for us. Even if dancing isn’t your full future, the life lessons this studio brings you will prepare you for success in any aspect of life.

Bella

If you have been attracted to Xtreme Force Dance Companies' show-stopping performances and dances, please think twice before signing up. This studio is highly detrimental and a completely unhealthy environment. The studio owners obligate all students to sign a contract that states, "Negative and unhealthy parent or dancer conduct will not be tolerated. Gossiping, bullying, or bringing negativity to or about the team or our staff could be cause for dismissal from the studio. (No reimbursements.)" Yet half of the gossip comes from the staff. So much so that the staff gossips with the students, ultimately making the environment even worse. The teachers are beyond unprofessional and constantly swear in front of students and call them "lazy." They can never correct a student or properly congratulate them. Not only is the environment awful, but it is also completely unorganized; schedules change the day of or the day before, and then they threaten to cut dancers for missing 2 rehearsals as if the schedule wasn't announced the day before and show no remorse or sympathy for other people's circumstances, such as long distance, school activities, and especially injuries. This studio is truly the embodiment of everything wrong with the dance world.
Furthermore, the negative culture within the studio extends beyond the immediate interactions, creating long-term impacts on the student's mental and emotional well-being. The constant exposure to unprofessional conduct and lack of support erodes their confidence and passion for dance. This environment not only stifles their growth and potential but also instills unhealthy habits and attitudes that can persist into their future endeavors. For the sake of the student's development and the integrity of the dance community, such detrimental practices must be addressed and rectified. The students are so desperate to be appreciated by the studio owner that they all talk poorly of one another to teachers, which affects the relationship between the staff and teammates. Teammates should be able to trust each other and work professionally with one another; instead, they spend rehearsals arguing with each other. The studio's toxic environment and unprofessional behavior from the staff create a detrimental space for students. The hypocrisy of enforcing a contract against negativity while engaging in gossip, the disorganization of schedules, and the lack of empathy toward students' circumstances all contribute to a hostile and unproductive atmosphere. This studio not only fails to foster a supportive and professional environment but also undermines the very principles it claims to uphold, ultimately damaging the students' experiences and relationships.

Charly B.

I grew up here from 2 years old & danced competitively until 18, then came back and taught here after graduating college! I absolutely love this studio more than anything, all of the teachers, dancers & parents are the most amazing supportive people. I wouldn’t be the person or dancer I am today without this place who shaped me!! Could not reccomend more ❤️

Marie R.

As many of the more recent reviews already stated, this place is an absolute mess! They never answer phone calls or emails, and I tried to make contact for almost two months! If you go there in person to try and find out information, there are no adults around to ask. When classes are done and a teacher is seen, they walk past you like you don’t exist. There is no structure in any of the smaller kid classes that I have seen (while waiting to talk to someone). They just let them run around which I’d rather let them do at home for free. One parent mentioned they call it “student led dancing”. Makes no sense to me when you are paying them to teach a student to dance, not run around. My friend recommended this place to me three years ago, and she has since taken her two children out. Unless you are in their competition team, they couldn’t care less about your child. The costume situations they have there are nightmares as well. I took my kids to Livermore Ballet and they love it.

Alexis P.

I grew up dancing at this studio and I use the lessons I learned here every day as an adult! I come back every so often to watch the new dances and am just blown away by the talent and camaraderie that continue on. Much love for XFDC always!!

Jelena C.

CAUTION PARENTS!!!
I'm taking time to write this review because we have experienced discrimination at this dance studio that no family should have to experience. We were amazed by the incredible dancing and excited to join. Unfortunately, however, this studio has too many problems to count including poor customer service, studio does not respond to my emails, no present front desk staff to greet parents/students daily or to help with parent/student questions/concerns, disorganization (competitive dance attire frequently goes missing in the studio & parents are left to track down paid for pieces yet made to feel like it's their fault by the studio).

My daughters were also not generally welcomed by most dancers. We believe this is racially related. Students just stay in their clicks which seem to be tied in part to race. Also, to note, team bonding events, parents are not welcome. So, if you have a young daughter that may feel more comfortable with you there as a parent at a swim party for example, the studio has the mentality that you can take it or leave it. If you don't like the no parent rule, then your dancer shouldn't come.

I requested to set up a meeting during Ashley or Brooke's office hours and did not receive a response back to my request to discuss concerns (some concerns include Ashley speaking to my daughter disrespectfully by saying she looks like a "dog" while dancing, insistence on "straight" hair for competitions (mainly taking a toll timewise/greater expense on Black families), lack of response to emails, etc.). I tried to request again via email to meet during office hours or even a phone call back, but still no response back from anyone at the studio. Even in person, it seems Ashley will attempt to avoid me at all costs so that I do not have the opportunity to talk to her.

On another occasion, the studio owner got upset at us for my daughter interrupting a teacher during a class because she couldn't find a missing item of hers and there was no other adult around to help her. We were later emailed requesting that we do not interrupt instructors during class. We apologized but also reminded the studio owner that part of these communication problems could be easily eliminated if the studio had appropriate coverage at the front desk for students/parents to ask questions. There is generally no one stationed at the front desk to help with general needs. Parents just sort of have to figure it out. It's no wonder that as soon as I attempt to address these issues via email, the studio owner writes back forcing us to leave saying that this studio is just "not a good fit for us".

We believe part of the problem is that the studio just runs a poor business customer service-wise and also fosters an anti-black culture that is not inclusive racially. Parents are drawn to the incredible dancing, but many have shared with me that the business side has much to be desired for. They admitted that they don't speak up for fear of retaliation against their child. I have seen the owner talk to other parents in the back where there is a sign that says, "No parents beyond this point" and she will no talk to me. Our family has also overheard dancers talking about how they love the fact that this studio is so "White". For context, our girls train alongside approximately 98 competitive dancers at different levels. Out of this number of dancers, there are only 6 Black dancers. Two of these dancers are our daughters. The studio is now eliminating 2 of their Black dancers leaving only 4 competitive Black dancers out of 98. This statistic is sad and shows the glaring disproportionality impacting Black dancers. Mostly, I feel sad for our daughters who are now being asked to leave the studio and disregarded so easily after all the hard work that they have put in. We hope that our experience will make a difference for families to come, & that people will heed our warning. You do not have to be Black to support fair practices in business and stand against anti-blackness. The dance world sees too much discrimination as it is.

Steve C.

My daughter has danced for the past 3 seasons with this wonderful studio. She has not only grown in her abilities as a dancer but has continued to have a passion for the activity she loves. The teachers have been great to work with and the team atmosphere is unbeatable. As a competition studio, you can't find a better place to be!! If you want to be pushed, grow in your abilities and be a part of a winning team...this is the place to go!!

Christopher C.

“Extreme Force” for all the WRONG reasons! Poor customer service and discrimination-
You refused to meet with my wife to discuss her concerns and I believe your actions (or lack of) to not only be to be of the poorest level of customer service but also discrimination due to my wife and daughters being BLACK.
It’s unfortunate that you have unilaterally decided, through an email, to kick my daughters out of your dance company. It is sad to have come to this for you and your business. It’s also sadder that your decisions have hurt my daughters, who have worked very hard to compete and you have now ruined this opportunity for them.