I think this used to be a great school but has gotten too big. Classes are HUGE, teachers don’t know one kid from another, etc. they’ve reached their goal of being the largest dance school in Georgia but have sacrificed quality of instruction and investment in the whole child to do so. We switched to a different local studio where our daughter is thriving in their purposefully small class sizes and the family atmosphere there. We didn’t even realize how far behind the instruction at Tolbert was until she switched.

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2020: They now have a huge, newly built location near Mansel & Hwy 9.. before the big traffic light. It’s the same Dance school/Studio just moved to their new, top of the line new facility.They’ve built this amazing, brand new Studio, larger than first one.This is one of oldest (Over 40 yrs now) and most professional ballet and dance studio in North Atlanta area. TYSD, also called Roswell Dance Theater, offers the most comprehensive dance program we’ve ever found and have state of the art facilities with modern classrooms and Staff.Our daughter danced since she’s 2 yrs old In Florida, but this studio (TYSD) was recommend to us in Fla before we even moved to Atlanta 13 yrs ago.. our girl was 7 yrs then and she danced with TYSD/RDT until graduating from HS.. She did ballet, modern, jazz, Tap, acro, acting etc. they have it all.It’s the best ballet & dance studio in North Atlanta area. It’s affordable, Staff is extremely talented, professional, and patient. The Owners, Ms. Nancy Yilmaz & Ms. Mary are amazing & caring owners & Teachers.TYSD have regular “just for fun dance” for younger & older kids, and for older and young teen kids that are interested in more or are more serious about dance or wants to pursue careers in Dance? TYSD offers an additional Pre-Professional Company (Roswell Dance Theater or just RDT) which older kids can audition for it and get more intense training, and participate in real productions by this amazing studio. At 12 our daughter was accepted to their RDT “Pre-Pro” program, which not only teaches about what is needed for dancing professionally in the future, but prepares, trains and even helps with auditions, dance seminars, resumes, summer camp and other major national dance schools/Dance Colleges auditions and so much more. They also bring guest faculty to teach different styles all the time at TYSD. All on a “pre professional” level and teaching basically everything on how to be a dancer & entertainer. It’s an amazing program.They also have amazing professional productions open to the public all year. From Spring shows to Christmas every year.Their best and oldest production is their annual “The Nutcracker” which now is probably the oldest production of this show in GA.. with over 30 yrs! That’s not a small thing and the show is so well produced that it looks like a Broadway production. You can’t even tell the dancers are pre professional students, because it’s so well done and produced.Our daughter learned so many good values there besides dancing too, including discipline, hard work for something she wanted, learning to deal w disappointment and moving on, integrity, loyalty, great confidence in herself, meaningful friendships, and was so well trained, that now when she auditions for something? They’re amazed how solidly trained she is.But what she LOVED the most dancing here at TYSD, was training, working hard for it and participating in all their productions.Especially “The Nutcracker”.Even now that she’s done dancing there? We still recommend this to anyone to go watch their shows & bring their kids if all ages.RDT’s The Nutcracker It’s so beautifully produced and it’s worth seeing it every year. Especially for little kids.. the studio does “Breakfast with Characters” or a “Gala Night” where the public can meet, talk, take pics and autographs with the “Stars” of the show, and for young dancers? It’s great since they learn if they work hard etc they can be right there too in that stage, and for non dancing kids? It’s an amazing, rich, colorful experience and a fun Christmas production to see.

The instructors are first class and the studio is run the the utmost integrity. The care they have for their dancers really shows. Tolbert Yilmaz has been a blessing for my daughters in so many ways.

I’ve been visiting this amazing dance school over the last few years as a guest teaching artist and now my goal has come to fruition as permanent Horton teacher of the modern technique weekly this year here! Nancy Yilmaz never forgot me and with the push of our liaison Tracy Voght we were able to create this fantastic teaching and choreographing work relationship that only can enhance & inspire the super talented students here. I’m honored to be part of this artistic professional long standing diverse Dance family who has inspired the Atlanta Dance community for many many years with a very respectable and distinguished reputation for all they do for they’re students.Something so special here it cannot be denied!

This is the place to be for the kids. Our Daughter loves her jazz and ballet classes. Thanks! Nancy is very professional in the running of this place! Thanks! C is looking fwd to the silk class!

Awesome school - terrific people!

Amazing this studio has changed my life

Worst place ever.

Wonderful dance school with social responsibility.