The Russian Ballet School - North York, Ontario

Erica X.

I never thought I’d have to write something like this. As a parent, you trust schools and instructors to treat your child with care, especially in environments that are meant to inspire creativity and joy, like ballet. But what happened to my daughter was neither inspiring nor acceptable—and I feel it’s important to speak up.

A few weeks ago, during what was supposed to be a regular ballet rehearsal, my daughter sat on a chair for the entire two-hour class. She was completely ignored—no instruction, no guidance, no engagement—just silently watching the other children rehearse. Not once was she invited to participate, and no explanation was given.

After class, my daughter shared what happened with my husband. He immediately spoke to the school’s director, Natalia. To her credit, she confirmed the facts with the instructor and did offer us an apology. But the damage had already been done.

When we got home, my daughter broke down in tears. She was heartbroken and confused. She told me she no longer wanted to study ballet, and more painfully, that she never wanted to return to that school again. She felt excluded, invisible, and humiliated.

As parents, we couldn’t ignore that impact. We reached out to the school, explained the emotional harm our daughter experienced, and respectfully requested a refund for the final two months of unused tuition, since she was clearly no longer willing or emotionally able to return.

To our shock, the school refused to refund anything—and instead offered us a $35 credit, as if that were a sufficient response to a child’s distress and two full months of missed instruction.

Even more troubling, when we pushed for answers, their tone changed. Instead of accountability, we received threats. The school warned us that if we shared our experience, they would take legal action against us, claiming that we could cause "reputational damage."

Let me be clear: I am sharing facts. My daughter was ignored for an entire class. She came home deeply hurt. We were given a token credit and no refund. And now, we are being threatened for speaking up.

I will not be silenced. My daughter’s emotional well-being matters far more than any institution’s image. If they believe speaking truthfully about our experience is grounds for legal retaliation, then I welcome their lawsuit—because I, too, will be filing one in return for the harm caused to my child.

We expect better from schools. We expect humanity, not just policies. We expect care, not damage control. And most importantly, we expect our children to be seen, supported, and respected

Joe P.

My daughter has been at the Russian Classical Ballet School for nearly a decade. She started very young but loves the teachers and dance. As a parent I have enjoyed watching her grow and build other friends through the school with the same passion for ballet that she has. The school and teachers have helped improve her skills immensely. It has given her a strong focus and discipline as well. The experience here has been amazing. The class sizes are perfect and the ability to learn dances and participate in the annual recital are amazing experiences for the kids that they may not get at other studios.

John B.

I cannot recommend Toronto Russian Ballet enough! Master teacher Natalia is simply extraordinary. Her deep knowledge of classical ballet, paired with her passion for teaching, creates a truly inspiring environment for dancers of all levels.

Natalia’s attention to detail and individualized approach ensure every student grows technically and artistically. She challenges her students while remaining encouraging and supportive, fostering confidence alongside skill.

Whether you're a beginner or an advanced dancer, you'll leave every class feeling accomplished and motivated to improve. Toronto Russian Ballet is a gem in the dance community!

Natalia T.

My daughter and I are both students at the Russian Ballet school, and have been attending for more than 5 years now.

Our experience has been truly exceptional.
We consider ourselves very lucky to learn from the greatest teachers and masters of ballet. The attention to detail, the impeccable technique, the tailored approach to each student's strengths and weaknesses are just a few qualities to name among many others.
The meticulous guidance and support of the teachers has sculpted my daughter into a wonderful dancer, and I am watching her change year after year with awe and increasing appreciation for this school.

As for myself, I can add that the adult program here is truly one of a kind experience, as I have tried many other programs in Toronto. Unfortunately, what I often find is that not many teachers want to invest too much of their efforts into adult dancers. It's certainly not the case with this school. Teachers in this school have all shown us their unfeigned enthusiasm and patience, and their sincere desire for us to transform and succeed. I've certainly exceeded all my expectations of what I would be able to achieve when I started this journey. Looking forward to many more years!

Mania

We’ve had a wonderful experience at Russian ballet school. The teachers are incredibly skilled, supportive, and patient, making sure each child feels comfortable while learning. My daughter, Elsa, has made significant progress, not only in her ballet skills but also in her confidence. The environment is friendly and welcoming, and it’s clear that the staff are passionate about what they do. I’m grateful for the positive impact this school has had on my child, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality ballet education.

senem L.

My daughter, Isabelle, is a student of the Russian Ballet School since she was three years old. She is now 17 and never wants to leave the school. She built great friendships, built a strong foundation of music, dance and culture, gained self confidence and resilience. Natalia and all teachers are great role models who help young children build their personalities and believe in themselves. I highly recommend to start very early and continue through adulthood.
Thank you Natalia and dear teachers for making it happen.

Dongxin H.

My girls has been trained at the Russian Ballet School for 2 years. We can see her progress every day. The teachers are very dedicated and professional. The recital is well produced and organized. Highly recommending!

Mekha N.

One of the best ballet classes available, highly recommended. My daughter is taking classes from last 3 years, she became more focused and disciplined. The teachers are very friendly and provides the right feedback for the students progress. Special thanks to Ms Natalia, Ms Annie for the wonderful classes.