Jwsd Joyce Willett School of Dance

Austin, United States

3.6

9 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 512-335-0013
Website:
www.jwsd.net
Address:
12687 Research Blvd, Austin, TX, 78759
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
3.1 miMCC Campus
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Today

Today –
Local time (Austin) 05:56 Thursday, 29 May 2025

Business hours

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Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

We offer classes in the dance/​theare arts for ages 2-​adult. We house a performing company, Body Talk. We hold Mom’s Day Out-​Theatre Arts preschool classes in Austin for ages 2.5−5 year-​olds.

We offer classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Gymnastics, Theatre, Acting, Hip-​hop, and special classes for home schooled children and Boys only classes in tap and hip-​hop.

We are an approved agency for P. E credit in area schools.

We have been in business for 28 years and have an excellent staff of qualified instructors. We have students performing in L. A, New York and around the globe. Many of our graduates are on both academic and performing scholarships in colleges.

Our studio is state of the art.

We have 2 locations:

12 687 Research Blvd Austin, Tx 78 759 call Joyce 512−335−0013

web site: www​.jwsd​.net,

email: jwsd@​austin.​rr.​com

and

5817 Berkman Dr Austin, Tx 78 723 call Kim 512−797−4983 ‚

email: kwillett@​austin.​rr.​com

web site: www​.dancers​dege​.org

History

Established in 1981.

We began in 1981. We are a family owned business. We are always on the cutting edge offering the most advanced and hip choreography for the serious technical dancers as well as classical training for the serious dancers. We offer classes for the yougest dancer based on age appropraite skills and materials. Our curriculum is founded on developmental abilities and moves through a well developed skill progression in all areas of dance.

Meet the Business Owner

Joyce W.

Business Owner

Joyce Willett began dancing at the tender age of 4. She contiued through highschool and college focussing not only on performance but also on elementary education and child development. She has a passion for bringing dancers the love of dance and developing strong performers. She contiues to share the love of dance with her students and hires gifted, inspiring instructors. She takes pride in offering dancers «the best there is» for 27 years.

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9 reviews of Jwsd Joyce Willett School of Dance

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
My daughter just spent two weeks there for their summer camp. She enjoyed it. She did dance, playing dress up, drawing, playing games, etc. I love their performance toward the end of their camp.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
I have had my daughter in dance classes with JWSD since she was 3, and now she is 9. I love the whole experience and the level of commitment the teachers have for their classes. My daughter has gone through the pre-​school, baby classes, level classes, and now the dance team and loves going back every week. I would certainly recommend this dance studio!
Place rating: 5
Cedar Park, TX
I think this is the best studio for the young preschool age children! The instructors are fantastic with the 2 – 3 year olds. My daughter looks forward to dance class every time we go. They break up instruction into ballet, tap, and tumbling which I have found really keeps the little ones’ attention.
Place rating: 1
Austin, TX
My granddaughters were students for a couple of years. The instruction was mediocre but the location was convenient and the girls were preschool and enjoyed dressing up, wearing the costumes for recitals and making new friends. We followed the requirement to wear cover ups to and from practice, recitals etc. without fail. They stepped way over the line of returning a modicum of mutual respect. The last recital (the girls were kicked out) by one of Ms. J’s daughters when I had the audacity to want to photograph my granddaughter in costume in front of some pretty flowers outside the auditorium. I was told if I took her out the door without her cover up on it would be her last recital with the JWSD. This young woman was furious and tried blocking the door. No kidding, you can bet we were happy not to drop one more dime at the studio for instruction from mediocre
dance hacks who have let their egos rate higher than permitting a grand mother to take a photo at a recital. There are better facilities, instructors on practically every corner. The girls went on to dance at Austin Ballet. Don’t waste your time or
money ! Nana S.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
We absolutely love the JWSD for our twin boys! There are so many reasons why: for one the preschool is structured, but full of fun, stimulating activities. They don’t have any time to get bored. They started at just 2.5 yrs old and the teachers were kind, patient, and full of guidance to help them grow into the little young men they are at school today. My quieter twin, has come out of his shell completely, he loves the tap dancing. The outgoing one has learned to have more patience and loves the theater/​art activities. They do gymnastics, tap, ballet, acting, act, and learning activities. At their last checkup the pediatrician was so impressed by how our quieter boy was talking more, less afraid, and silly during the visit. The preschool is 930−1pm, and completely affordable, esp if you have more than one child. The classrooms are not too full an the children get lots of attention. As a parent, you can come watch them anytime and the teachers are really good! They care, are consistent in structure, and the kids love/​respect them. I would recommend this to any family as a preschool or add on to a MDO program.
Place rating: 1
Austin, TX
Business! this place is all about money. They are rude and unprofessional. Had my daughter registered in march, paid $ 35 registration fee + tuition, in June «ends» the season and they were charging me another $ 35 for the summer. I’d pay if Joyce was fair charging everyone. For that I mean that there was a parent a week after my daughter started and when this parent went to pay the registration fee of $ 35 I heard Joyce saying that «was not needed» because it was «in the middle of the season…»
Anyways, all they have to say is pay tuition, pay costume or whatever… They are not professional when calling out for not using cover up, Joyce will call your attention as you are a stupid and will put you down (this day my daughter had not her cover-​up because I was sick and my husband took her and he forgot the cover-​up in the car). Whatever, not professional!!!
Moreover, during class — I think that because of the glass that parents watch their kids — the teacher gives special treatment for children who throws tantrum, my daughter is 3 year old, I know is not an easy age (I am a teacher in a 3 year-​old classroom), but I watch my daughter waiting a long time very patiently to take a turn for the tumbling and while other kids can go 3 times in a row or they throw tantrum she waits her turn and goes once! Therefore, this is place is not about discipline either. 3 year-​old need to take turns… tantrums should not be positively reinforced, even if parents are watching!!!
That’s my review for JWSD! Enjoy it: D
Place rating: 5
Cedar Park, TX
I must say my family LOVES JWSD! This will be my daughters 5th year dancing here as she began at the age of 3. She loves it and all of the staff. We feel that she gets to really learn the art of dance, and is taught to the fulliest! I always get a email response within minutes it seems if I have an issue, and Ms. Joyce and her staff always answer if I have questions. My daughter has improved yearly and we are so delighted watching her grow in dance!
Great Recommendation if your looking for a AWESOME studio!
Place rating: 1
Cedar Park, TX
I had my daughter in the Mother’s Day Out program. I was considering taking her out because the place was always so dirty. I showed up early one day to pick her up and the kids were just being released in to the play yard for pick up. Apparently, she was having some work done on the building and all the building supplies, as well as ripped-​in-​half coke cans with god knows what inside, were laying around the play yard. I saw all these dangerous materials lying around the yard, so I got out of my car to speak to the teacher. As I stepped out of my car, I watched my young, curious daughter pick-​up a large shard of very sharp siding.
I was furious, I called to speak with Joyce about the situation and she didn’t apologize but started defending herself saying, «the workmen were supposed to remove all that.» Well why didn’t someone check the yard before the children were released? To make a very long story shorter, I told her that my daughter would not be returning because of safety issues. She then informed me that I still had to pay for the last month, which I did because honestly I didn’t want to tangle with her. She seemed very nice in the beginning but I watched that change. She refused to take any responsibility for her part in keeping her facility safe. Oh, btw, when we had the torrential hail storm she said to me, «I didn’t know what to do, sounded like the roof was going to come down. I was about to put the kids in the middle of the dance floor with a blanket over them.» Nice. If you value your child’s safety I would suggest a different studio.
Place rating: 5
Cedar Park, TX
I had my daughter in JWSD for 2 years and loved every moment of it. My daughter learned so much about teamwork in a very nurturing and structured environment.. They are very professional and a class act all the way! I highly reccomend JWSD!