Layla's Dance and Drum - Valley Stream, New York

Denise McK

My granddaughter attends classes here. At first I was just saying it was for fun . I was truly skeptical that my granddaughter could learn dancing. My daughter enrolled her in several classes. Tap, Hip-hop, Ballet,African, Acro -dance. She also did drumming for a while. We kind of wanted to see what would be a good match for her. After a short time we saw her actually DANCING!! She has built her confidence as well!
The teachers here are the best, we sent them a kid with two left feet . A short time later she was able to follow some choreography and now She is excelling in Acro dance . She went to her first competition and won a platinum trophy!! She enjoys all the classes she is in .
Ms. Anayo the owner is AMAZING. She is very encouraging to the children she teaches. She also keeps her tuition prices lower than other dance schools ,It is important to her that kids are able to afford Dance lessons. She hires great teachers,and she patiently helps kids one on one. She works long hours tirelessly, and for all her hard work she draws no salary. She is dedicated to teaching Children dance. The children in this school are very talented because they are learning from the best! They however are kind and thoughtful children that work
hard and will also help each other. They call each other "dance sisters '(And brothers )as there are some boys in the school as well. If I could I'd give Layla's Dance and Drum 10 STARS!!

Nneka Jeffers

My child has been with Layla’s Dance and Drum for two years and we have had an absolutely phenomenal experience the entire time.
Layla’s Dance and Drum studio provides fun, yet challenging classes for my child. Since we have been with the school, I have observed remarkable growth in my child. Ms. Anayo’s program has build dedication, discipline and responsibility in my child over the past two years.
As a youth Track & Field Champion, athlete and coach, I seek out the best quality extra curricular activities for my child. Layla’s Dance and Drum meets the mark, they are top tier.

The dance performances are extremely entertaining. I beam with pride when I see my child’s capabilities come to life knowing the hard work and training that it takes to prepare for each show.

In the past, I have volunteered backstage at shows where teams of parents work hard to make sure that all children are safe, and on time for each performance.
Without fail, the dance school owner goes above and beyond. There have been times when I observed her lending extra props and costumes to dancers in order to add to the flare and excitement of the show (free of charge).
It is quite evident that she has a heart for our children.

I recommend Layla’s Dance and Drum with the utmost confidence.

Patrice Francois

My son has been a student in the preschool West African drum and Soca dance class. Layla's Dance and Drum studio is a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment wherein children can explore various forms of dance. The prices are reasonable in an effort to make dance education available to families from diverse economic situations. My son had a blast learning different West African drum styles and dancing Soca. The studio puts on a show twice a year and it is amazing to see these students continuously grow over time. It is amazing to see children have a space where they can be in their embodies selves joyfully and to express their creativity.

janice Fredericks

I am horrified by my experience with this dance studio. During a performance, my daughter was dropped, resulting in a lost tooth and severe bleeding. Shockingly, the teacher never contacted me or addressed the incident. The studio is a disaster, charging an exorbitant $80 per outfit while failing to provide basic care. My daughter didn't even receive a first aid kit—teenagers were left to tend to her injuries with no adult supervision present. Despite this traumatic injury, the teacher has only sent generic texts promoting the next session—no call, no apology.

Please check the attached picture; I would never want any parent to experience what I have. Avoid this dance studio at all costs if you care about your child's safety. This studio must be shut down immediately.

Keith Davidson

Great place for kids to be a part of. The instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about not only dance but culture! Loved our experience at the open house

Follow-up: My daughter has been at Layla's Dance and Drum and she has learned a lot. The instructors have provided great instruction and Ms. Anayo is very passionate about dance and it shows with the students. I also like her emphasis on preserving culture. I would still recommend.

Ishi J

I attended this school’s end of season performance a few weeks ago and I want my money back!!! I purchased VIP tickets that were supposed to come with a VIP lounge area and snacks. Neither of the two were provided. A bag of chips was actually $3!!! The performance was also terrible. The stage was too small for the dancers and I was often scared one of the children may fall off the stage. The event was so all
over the place. We were told the VIP tickets provide access to both shows and both shows would be identical. Sadly for me I could only attend the second show which did not feature my grand daughter’s tap performance that was included in the first show. I drove an hour and a half to see my grand daughter perform and was severely disappointed. The show also lacked fluidity and proper timing. There were long breaks in between each piece and we had to watch the dancers breakdown and setup the next performance because there was no curtain. Very unprofessional. I’ve attended many dance recitals in my day and I’ve never seen such a chaotic production in my life. Randomly in the middle of the performance the director decides to throw a fashion show, huh We didn’t even know what we were looking at. Was the fashion show for the accessories? the clothes? the shoes? Who knows! There was no order or fluidity to the show. You could tell the other audience members felt the same. When the show neared the end people stopped clapping altogether just to get it
over with. It was a rough 2 hours. I advised my daughter to take my grand baby out of this school. I am currently helping her search for a new one.

patricia dennard

I enjoyed watching the dancers. The dance instructors work hard and are doing a wonderful job in teaching the dancers their routines. My niece likes that she is apart of the school, the dances and is excited to attend. In the end when it all comes altogether in their shows, its quite a good experience for her, as well as a nice treat to see in their performances. Nothing but good luck towards the dance school and success towards the dancers futures.

Anita Morales

Layla’s Dance and Drum is a great place to be. My oldest daughter started there about a year ago and she absolutely loves it. She has developed immensely in dance. I am now enrolling my youngest. The teachers are welcoming and dedicated to serving the students; constantly creating new opportunities and going the extra mile to ensure that their successful in all they do. This school goes beyond just dance. They teach the students discipline, respect and values. It really is like a family. I highly recommend!