Studio Bleu Dance Center, prominently featured in the reality series Dance Moms: A New Era, is currently under scrutiny for allegedly failing to issue refunds to customers after the abrupt cancellation of classes.
Former patrons have voiced their frustration, reporting that the Ashburn, Virginia-based dance studio has not provided refunds for classes that were canceled prior to its sudden closure. The studio’s operational status has been questioned after it seemingly ceased operations and appeared vacant for weeks, even before the premiere of the Hulu series on August 7.
Dance Moms: A New Era star Glo Hampton is pictured in a scene from Season 1 of the Hulu series, relevant to the Studio Bleu closure and refund disputes. Credit: Hulu
Social media platforms have been flooded with inquiries from concerned individuals questioning the status of the well-known dance studio. Prior to the show’s debut, Google listed Studio Bleu as “permanently closed,” further fueling speculation and concern among its clientele and fans of Dance Moms.
Despite the apparent closure, Studio Bleu’s website calendar still displayed an extensive schedule of classes slated throughout the current and upcoming year. This discrepancy between the online schedule and the studio’s physical status has added to the confusion and frustration of customers.
A former customer revealed in an exclusive statement that summer classes and camps were not conducted as advertised. This revelation contradicts the website’s schedule and raises questions about the studio’s communication and operational transparency.
Customer Outcry Over Lack of Refunds
Disgruntled customers initially took to Yelp to express their grievances. Reviews detailed notifications of class cancellations without explanation and promises of contact for rescheduling, which were allegedly never fulfilled. Weeks passed without any communication from Studio Bleu, leaving customers in limbo and seeking answers.
One customer confirmed to The U.S. Sun the lack of response from Studio Bleu regarding refunds. This customer had reportedly paid $335 for a summer dance camp and, upon receiving no communication about a refund, initiated a dispute with their credit card company. The customer provided documentation of the dispute, indicating that Studio Bleu has a deadline of September 17 to respond to the bank before a refund process can be initiated by the financial institution.
Studio Bleu Dance Center exterior in Ashburn, Virginia, highlighting its location and operational challengesStudio Bleu Dance Center, located in Ashburn, Virginia, is shown amidst customer refund disputes and operational uncertainties. Credit: Facebook/Studio Bleu Dance Center
Online complaints from other parents who previously enrolled their children at the dance school highlight concerns about the studio’s pricing structure. Beyond the canceled classes and refund issues, some former customers pointed to the overall cost of programs as a point of contention.
“The costumes for many dances and outrageous fees… became too much for us personally,” shared a former Studio Bleu member in an online forum. This sentiment was echoed by other parents who reportedly found the expenses associated with Studio Bleu to be disproportionate to the services received. Some families have reportedly opted to move their children to competing studios where former Studio Bleu instructors are now employed, suggesting a shift in the local dance community landscape.
Studio Bleu’s website listed annual tuition fees ranging from $850 for a single weekly class to $3,700 for unlimited weekly classes. Private lessons were presented as an even more significant investment, with 30-minute weekly sessions priced between $900 and $1,850 annually. These figures underscore the substantial financial commitment expected from families enrolling at the studio. Furthermore, the studio’s policies included mandatory registration fees and late payment penalties, adding to the overall financial burden on customers.
While Studio Bleu’s website stated that its six-week summer programs were “non-refundable,” it remained unclear whether this policy was intended to apply in situations where classes were canceled by the studio itself, as is the current point of contention.
The U.S. Sun’s attempts to contact Studio Bleu owner Kimberly Rishi for comments on the refunds and the studio’s alleged closure have been unsuccessful. Glo Hampton, the dance teacher featured in Dance Moms: A New Era and associated with Studio Bleu, also did not respond to requests for comment, leaving questions unanswered and adding to the growing customer frustration.
Dance Moms Connection and “A New Era”
Kimberly Rishi and Glo Hampton have both appeared in Dance Moms: A New Era, depicting Studio Bleu as a thriving business, seemingly contradicting the current reports of closure and financial disputes. The series follows Glo Hampton, her junior elite dance team, and their mothers as they participate in dance competitions along the East Coast.
Promotional image for Dance Moms A New Era series premiere on Hulu, related to Studio Bleu
Dance Moms: A New Era premiered on Hulu on August 7, featuring Studio Bleu Dance Center as a central location. Credit: © 2024 Disney. All rights reserved.
Dance Moms: A New Era is presented as a spin-off from the original Lifetime series Dance Moms, which gained notoriety for its portrayal of Abby Lee Miller’s demanding teaching methods and the intense efforts of mothers to propel their daughters to dance stardom. The connection to this established franchise amplified the visibility of Studio Bleu, particularly with Glo Hampton as a central figure in the new series.
The unfolding situation at Bleu Dance Studio raises concerns for customers and observers alike, highlighting the disparity between its portrayed image on television and the current allegations of operational issues and financial disputes.
