Studio Bleu Dance Center, prominently featured in the reality series “Dance Moms: A New Era,” is currently under scrutiny for allegations of failing to provide refunds to its clientele after the abrupt cancellation of classes.
Former patrons have voiced their frustration, reporting to The U.S. Sun about the Ashburn, Virginia-based dance institution’s supposed reluctance to issue reimbursements for classes that were canceled prior to the studio’s unforeseen closure.
Dance Moms: A New Era star Glo Hampton in a scene from Season 1 of the Hulu series
Dance Moms New Era series featuring Glo Hampton, a dance teacher at Studio Bleu, in a scene highlighting her role in the Hulu show.
The studio, which gained notoriety as the filming location for “Dance Moms: A New Era” on Hulu, has sparked concern among parents and students alike. Prior to the studio being listed as “permanently closed” on Google and ahead of the premiere of “Dance Moms: A New Era” on August 7th, fans and customers had already taken to social media platforms to question the status of Studio Bleu.
Studio Bleu Dance Center, located in Ashburn, Virginia
Exterior view of Studio Bleu Dance Center in Ashburn, Virginia, showcasing the physical location of the dance facility.
While Studio Bleu’s website advertised a full schedule of classes throughout the year, including summer programs, a former customer revealed to The U.S. Sun that these summer sessions and camps were indeed canceled without prior notice or explanation.
Customer Complaints Mount Regarding Studio Bleu’s Practices
The issues first surfaced when disgruntled customers took to Yelp to express their dissatisfaction. They reported receiving notifications about class cancellations but were allegedly left in the dark regarding the reasons behind these cancellations. Adding to their frustration, they claimed promises of follow-up communication regarding rescheduling never materialized.
One customer detailed to The U.S. Sun the ordeal of paying $335 for a summer dance camp, only to face silence from Studio Bleu when seeking a refund for the canceled program. This led the parent to initiate a dispute with their credit card company to recover their funds. Documents obtained by The U.S. Sun confirm that Studio Bleu has a deadline to respond to the bank regarding the disputed charge before a refund determination is made.
Dance Moms: A New Era premiered on Hulu on August 7
Promotional image for Dance Moms: A New Era, indicating the premiere date of the Hulu series on August 7th.
Beyond the refund disputes, other former Studio Bleu parents have voiced concerns online about the overall cost of the studio’s programs. One parent commented in an online forum, “The costume fees for numerous performances and other excessive charges became unsustainable for our family, and we were not alone. The expenses simply didn’t align with the value offered.”
Some families reportedly opted to move their children to competing dance studios, many of which have hired former Studio Bleu instructors, suggesting a potential shift in the local dance community landscape.
Studio Bleu’s website lists annual tuition fees ranging from $850 for a single weekly class to $3,700 for unlimited classes per week. Private lessons command even higher prices, ranging from $900 to $1,850 annually for just 30 minutes of weekly instruction. Additional costs included registration fees and late payment penalties, as detailed on the studio’s website. While their website stated summer programs were “non-refundable,” it remained unclear if this policy accounted for studio-initiated cancellations.
The U.S. Sun’s attempts to contact Studio Bleu owner Kimberly Rishi and “Dance Moms: A New Era” star Glo Hampton for comments on the studio’s closure and refund policies have gone unanswered as of the report.
Studio Bleu’s Rise to Fame and Abrupt Setback
Kimberly Rishi and dance instructor Glo Hampton both appeared in “Dance Moms: A New Era,” seemingly portraying a thriving business. The reality series follows Glo and her junior elite dance team as they compete in dance competitions across the East Coast, mirroring the format of the original “Dance Moms” series that featured Abby Lee Miller.
“Dance Moms,” the original Lifetime show, gained immense popularity for its dramatic portrayal of Abby Lee Miller’s demanding teaching methods and the intense dedication of the dance mothers striving for their children’s success in competitive dance.
Glo Hampton is a dance teacher at Studio Bleu and the star of the new series Dance Moms: A New Era
Glo Hampton, dance instructor at Studio Bleu and central figure in Dance Moms: A New Era, pictured in a promotional shot for the show.
Glo Hampton and her junior elite dance team before going onstage to perform
Glo Hampton with her junior elite dance team from Studio Bleu, preparing for a performance, as seen on Dance Moms: A New Era.
The current situation at Studio Bleu Dance Center serves as a stark contrast to its on-screen depiction in “Dance Moms: A New Era.” The allegations of withheld refunds and the studio’s sudden apparent closure raise questions about the business practices and future of Studio Bleu, leaving former customers and fans of the show in suspense. For those in the Ashburn, Virginia area seeking dance instruction, the situation underscores the importance of clear communication and transparent refund policies when choosing a dance studio.
