Parents Talk:

Denise and Beth -
 The two of you created an awesome "culture" at the studio and the rapport you have with the girls is amazing.  I am so happy my girls made the decision to join the Yackel "family".  They have always loved dance, but it seems as though they have a new found love for it this year and have been rejuvenated.  Change isn't always easy, especially after 13 years at one studio, but you have made the change exciting and fun.  We have really been enjoying ourselves.  The the other parents have been fun to get to know too....they have been very welcoming.  I just wanted to tell you that whatever you are doing, keep it up...you guys have a good thing going!
 Have a great day off, you deserve it!
Deb Amundson

I am the owner of a dance studio that has never competed in the past, just based our training on technique and performance. We brought some students to a few competitions this season, including the Masquerade competition this past weekend, just for fun. I just wanted to pass along how impressed I was with your dancers. They carried themselves professionally both on and off the stage. They showed amazingly. Your spectators were enthusiastic, supportive and respectful. Thanks for helping to make this a positive experience for our kids and for showing them what hard work and determination can bring. Your dancers definitely made a positive impression on us.
 Juli Mickelson, Owner and Director
Dance Endeavors, Inc.

Denise and Beth,
We are so proud of Yackel!  We feel so blessed to have found your studio for our girls.  They absolutely love dance and we can’t wait to watch them continue to grow through the program.  They are so positively influenced by the older dancers that it inspires them to become better every day.  Thank you for all of your hard work and extra efforts.  The performances this weekend were truly outstanding!
 Wendy Sease

I believe that the students are a reflection of the behaviors of their teachers.  I wanted to let you and Beth know how impressed I was to see so many of the Teen and Sr Elite students at competition Saturday cheering on the younger lines.
 You and Beth do an amazing job creating a supportive, team environment.  You strive for quality over quantity and it shows.
 It's emails like the one below that reinforce the notion that we made the right choice years ago moving Anna to your studio.
 Lynn Dale

Denise and Beth-
 
I want to thank you for another wonderful year. Jenny has received so very much for your instruction, and maybe even more so from the nurturing and supportive culture of your studio. I’m not sure I’ve ever thanked you for this – please know how special this is, and how grateful we are for it.
 
Jenny knew that your studio was “just right” for her on the very first visit. She loved the dedication,  discipline/ commitment to technique, and the kindness of both of you. We later learned how incredibly nurturing the dance studio is for teenage girls. In an age (the teen years) and time when it can be very challenging, it seems you have created a culture where the girls truly seem to want the best for each other, are supportive in so many ways, and a place where self-confidence and self-esteem can bloom.
 
Thank you for having such a positive impact on all of these girls – not just in dance, but also in life!
 
Anne Lynch

Denise and Beth,

Thank you for your kind words and thank you for sharing that email you received.

You two deserve a huge kudos for all YOU do for our girls.  It's a privlidge that our daughters dance for you and your studio!  You are not only teaching them dance technique, but you are also teaching them about morals and values.  You're just enforcing what we try to teach them at home.  That makes us even more proud to be a part of your studio!
Alyssa loves you guys very much and we look forward to many years ahead!

Thanks,
Laura, Craig and Alyssa

Hi Denise and Beth,
 
First of all I have to tell you, I was so impressed with this years performances.  The girls were great, the music was great, and the choreography this year was just amazing!!
 
Also, I am always so impressed with how the older girls act with our younger ones.  They are so supportive and take the time before the show to tell our girls good luck, and are so receiving when our girls want to give them hugs!  They are a great group that you guys have raised:)
 
most importantly I want to thank you for teaching Rachel an important lesson this year.  I as a parent who loves dance ( and tries really hard not to force my daughter to love it as much...luckily she loves it...lol)  am very thankful.  Rachel came to me saturday night and was telling me the story line of Fix You.  Cancer has touched our family very often in the last 5 years.  Rachel told me : "mom i know dance is a lot of hard work and sometimes i get tired but dont you think its cool that a dance can tell someone about something so important"  It really got to me that she understood that and also that she thought it was cool.  I of course cried...no surprise there.  But thank-you for teaching my child such a lesson!  I am very thankful and proud to say that my daughter is a Yackel Dancer!
 
Heather Tourville