Lopez Studios

Steer as clear as you can from this money-​hungry and chaotic operation.
1. Be prepared to sign long-​term contracts that lock you in on voice lessons whether you’e happy with the instruction or not.
2. The «auditions» for stage musicals favor tall children over talented ones. Staff admitted this to me. My daughter has been asked to record with major university music conservatories and has a strong following on social media. Twice selected to All County Chorus and All District Chorus. She’s shorter than the performers who can’t sing, so too bad for her. Even so, she makes it second in line for the lead, so they stick her with a role with one line. Three weeks in a drama camp for a role with one line (you can’t withdraw from camp without paying the total fee). So we keep her in so at least she can be with friends.
3. The summer musical camp is so insanely chaotic and disorganized that Sesame Street could run a better (and more entertaining) camp.
Some examples:
1. Events are «maybes» and thrown together at the last minute. A field trip was «dependent on whether we can get tickets» and then a day before parents are told to make sure to pick up their kids early and drive their kids across town from Reston to Alexandria in rush-​hour traffic to attend. Oh, and stick around to take them home at 11:00 PM!
2. Parents are not notified of special travel requirements until the last minute, and the requirements are insane.
Example: «Be sure to pick up your child in Manassas by 2:30 during the week! (What? Where did Manassas come from? The camp is in Reston!). «You are responsible for transportation» (Wait, some of us are actually employed in jobs, and could you have warned us about this like BEFORE CAMP BEGAN?) «Pick up your child at 10:30 PM from Manassas. (What!!!) Manassas is 25 miles from the camp location!
3. My daughter has a life-​threatening food allergy to milk. After acknowledging that campers have allergies, the camp director cheerfully announced that «pizza will be served!» (Which would drive my daughter into anyphalactic shock and death within 7 minutes.) When I ask the camp director about getting a sandwich for her instead so that, you know, she won’t die, he said «I have to get authorization from Mr. Lopez.» Really? So a camper doesn’t die?
Best line at the end of this conversation: (him speaking to me): «You could look into other options for her yourself!»
4. Files, pictures and bios that are turned in on time are missed, filed incorrectly or lost, so you get perpetual warnings to submit material you’ve already submitted.
I cannot stress enough how honestly chaotic, crazy, disorganized and insane this whole operation really is. And expensive! It’s painfully understaffed, so everything they can foist off on other people they do. Everything they can dump on parents in terms of responsibilities will be dumped on parents. There are terrific and well-​run camps in this area (TIC is highly recommended) — send your child to a camp where insanity and chaos are not the rule.

Lopez Studios provides a life enriching experience for children, as well as adults. As an adult student for several years, I can attest to the phenomenal training I have experienced by the owner, Mr. Victor Lopez. In addition, having attended countless performances, I have also observed the growth and development of numerous other students. Mr. Lopez, as well as the other teachers and staff of Lopez Studios, go above and beyond in their kindness, generosity and fairness to children of the school. As a result of my observations, I continue to recommend Lopez Studios to both potential parents of children interested in the arts, and adult students alike. I highly recommend Lopez Studios for all ages, as it is truly a place where dreams can be pursued in a safe, fun and educational environment.

This school is a waste of money, time, and tears!
When you walk into this musical studio, you don’t think it’s bad at all! They offer a lot of classes and workshops, and the teachers are very nice and know what they are talking about. But it’s also a money magnet. The classes are overpriced, and you should be prepared for money traps. On snow days, you still pay the money, but get no makeup class! There are many extra, not necessary bills all the time. So to save your money, time and your child’s tears, don’t go to this school!