COMPETITION DETAIL

This company offers the highest quality every competition season, and my dancer looks forward to it. Their faculty is top-notch in the business. Their schedule of events are clearly laid out, and everything runs very smoothly.

Very well run and organized. Great feedback.

Also extremely professional. We know EXACTLY what we get from ASH every year. Excellent staff and high quality event.

Love this convention/competition. Wonderful staff and faculty.

Artists Simply Human is a fantastic dance convention that my studio had the pleasure of attending. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional. The faculty were incredibly talented and passionate about dance, and they created a fun and supportive learning environment for everyone involved. One of the things I loved about Artists Simply Human was the variety of classes offered. There were so many different styles and techniques to choose from, which allowed each dancer to explore and expand their skills. The instructors were knowledgeable and approachable, and they provided helpful feedback and encouragement to each student. Another standout feature of Artists Simply Human was the showcase performance at the end of the convention. It was an amazing opportunity for dancers to show off what they had learned and to be inspired by the other performers. Overall, I would highly recommend Artists Simply Human to any dance studio. It's clear that the organizers truly care about creating a positive and enriching environment for dancers of all levels and backgrounds. I can't wait to attend again in the future!

I've heard such great things about this company, but was really disappointed. My child attended this year. Several instructors were OK, but others left a lot to be desired. They did regular talent-based scholarships, and it was obvious who would receive those, and well-deserved. They also give out "other" scholarships. They use these as a big threat the entire weekend, encouraging the kids to always be "on," and to behave. The kids are required wear a number the whole time so teachers can nominate them for a scholarship. Well...a particular instructor told the Artists in Training Group, that scholarships aren't always based on talent (which I realize is true), but why are you using the same criteria for 7-12 year olds??? My child, who did not receive one of these "other" scholarships, thinks that because of that talk they are not as "pretty" as those who did receive one. Especially, since those seemed to be handed out at random. I'm all for recognizing effort and dancers who try hard. I think this is ok in theory, but it's VERY poorly executed. It was really damaging to my child's self-esteem. It's hard at that age not to be recognized, so it's bound to cause hurt feelings, but at least with the talent-based recognition, they can see how impressive the dance skills of the winners are. How do I explain away the looks comment? I think just talent-based is enough. I don't need her to have the added stress of being seen or being better looking than her peers. That same teacher said something along the lines of, "I don't want to hear you're tired." These weekends are very intense for this age group. Kids are expected to look impeccable and be "on," while performing super-early, and taking class past their normal bedtimes. Overall, it's not a healthy environment for the young dancers, and I wish conventions would adapt the format to make it more fun, and simply age-appropriate for the younger groups. We were ALL tired, and this age group included 1st graders!!! What other youth activity expects that age group to participate in something that long, while looking pretty, and remaining silent the entire time to impress people? Can they just dance and be there to learn? WHY the constant pressure to perform? So many of these young girls are in glorified bikinis and heavy stage makeup, trying to catch the eye of adults. It's really gross and sends a terrible message to these young kids. Parents spend so much money for one weekend. We don't choose this activity, their dance teachers do. Please remember this is supposed to be an activity for YOUNG kids. Adapt the format for younger ages, please!

I attended ASH in Philadelphia with my daughter and her studio. It was truly the best convention we’ve attended. The teachers at ASH are by far the best ones I’ve observed at a dance convention. The experience I have had at conventions is that the teachers spend their classes teaching a combo of choreography and not much else. The ASH teachers all pretty spent their classes teaching so much more. They taught technique, gave corrections both broadly and to specific dancers, and offered helpful words of both advice and encouragement. The teachers could also be tough, but only in ways that were helpful as well. Dancers definitely left the weekend with far more than a few combos...they went away with great instruction in dance. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because the Artists in Training room was dangerously overcrowded. There was not enough room for all the dancers to move safely and space was made even smaller with bags and chairs for observers. Dancers were dancing into each other and there was not enough room for them to spread out. The Intermediate and Advance rooms were fine from what I saw.

One of the best conventions around!

easily, my favorite convention/comp. Classes and faculty are great. Not too overcrowded like some of the others when they pack hundreds of kids into a tiny ballroom. nice staff too!

The classes and the teachers are great! Very disappointed with the facilities: I've been to this convention twice and both years they put the the young kids (ALL 12 and under) into one TINY room (the kids were squeezed into 1/2 of the space used as the dressing room for another convention that had previously used this same space) My biggest complaint was the lack of quality judging for the convention: For scholarships/apprentice winners: the audition was a single combo done ONCE....Maybe this is why they were way off in many of their choices...Seemed like they didn't care and just picked randomly or just picked people they happen to know. (I've been a dance teacher for many years and I cannot figure out what they were judging) Many of the better dancers that won scholarships didn't win Apprentice. (maybe they were trying to spread everything out?). I watched the whole convention and the dancers that were called out in the classes were not the winners. Bottom line-The classes and teachers are good and it's a good experience to learn but don't expect the awards to make sense.

ASH has always been one of our favorites. We haven't attended in the past 2 years, because of other conflicts, but we will definitely go back if the opportunity is there. Their competition is run very smoothly and always on time. My daughter has participated in the solo showcase and loved it!! Great experience, will definitely go back and recommend!!

What an amazing Nationals! The star studded staff is like no other. If one was to add their years of experience, you would see 100 plus years of talent representing ASH and being offered to students. I noticed ASH's website mentions their approachable staff. As a parent I find this to be crucial in our daughters growth and it was clearly apparent during Nationals. In my daughters own words "The ASH faculty does not settle for mediocracy, but pushes you into a new level of intensity." We can go any where for mediocracy, however we desire a Nationals Competition/ Convention that is going to be a catalyst into the off season where training means the most. By training along side the best in the industry from New York to L.A. at ASH Nationals was the best way to send our daughter off. Rejuvenated and inspired!

As a teacher, I find that most conventions/competitions seem to focus too much of their attention on Contemporary. What I love about ASH is how well rounded in style they are, and how well the appreciate dancers of all genres. From having set MT, Jazz Funk, and Tap on the schedule, to offering Music Video classes so students can understand what will be expected of them in the professional dance world behind the camera, ASH really sets themselves a step above the rest.

As a mom of a competitive dancer of 7 years, ASH is hands down one of the best conventions we've ever attended. From the insanely reputable teachers, to the office staff, we've had nothing but the very best experience with this organization. We just attended our 2nd Nationals with our entire team and the quality of instruction is just top notch. I feel like the attendees are getting a real world experience of what it means to push hard and become, not only better dancers but better humans. The teachers were very tuned into the "bigger picture" of dance. ..encouraging students to push through and give your everything in ALL you do. Such an important message to this generation. I will continue to bring my daughter to ASH and would recommed this convention/competition to anyone looking for the highest level of instruction & competition! Thank you, ASH, for your commitment to creating TRUE ARTISTS!!!

In my opinion as a studio owner, and dance educator for over 15 years, this is one of the top conventions you could bring your students to. The faculty are icons in the dance world, all specialists in their areas, as well as still working dancers/choreographers, which is an incredible networking tool for dancers looking to break into the industry. Though contemporary and hip hop are prevalent , you can still take ballet from legends like Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden, or tap from Emmy award winner Jason Samuels Smith. Customer service is outstanding, and the production value during the event is second to none. My students love this faculty and this event, and we will continue to attend faithfully.

Overall just mediocre. We've attended more conventions than I can count and this one is just somewhere in the middle; not bad but not great either. One of my pet peeves at conventions is when the teachers only recognize those dancers that compete solo's. If your child is going to attend classes and not compete, don't expect to be given any attention or awards. They focus on the attendees that compete only.

3rd year at nationals and disappointed this year. Having it in Disney seems to have deterred a lot of talent($). Staff focus on select few and their assistants. There is a teacher Rudy who is loud and obnoxious in other people\'s classes taking emphasis away from students and not a good class taking role model. Biggest disappointment is lack of contemporary teachers with the absence or Erica Sobol. Jojo a surprisingly nice addition . Also the assistants this year are less than inspiring. More like a mean girl clique. Overheard more than once making fun of the \"basic\" dancers . Add to this that the facility is inconvient. Long haul to another hotel to get food. Breaks at 11 am and lunch isn\'t served until 1130. Won\'t be coming back next year

We attended ASH for the second time in 2016, bringing many dancers ages 8 to 17. Thank you ASH for another inspirational weekend, amazing instructors and unparalleled critiques. The dancers returned to their studio classes renewed and motivated; perfect timing as we kick off our competition season. ASH will be on our studio schedule again in 2017! (There were too many dances in the closing show...it was much too long. It\'d be nice to see more from the professional staff (not the assistants) and less repeat dances from the night before.)

We attended the Nashville location. First of all we started contacting them at the beginning of the week due to the winter weather that was being predicted. We asked about cancellations and such with nothing more than a generic response. Thursday evening we made the decision to go ahead and drive down to beat the weather coming in Fri morning paying an extra night in the very pricey location they chose. Lots of people barely made it in Fri morning due the rapidly deteriorating road conditions (which had been predicted) they cancelled Fri nights optional classes. The teachers were there and there were dancers wanting to take the classes. They also refused to refund the money for those who weren\'t able to make it due to the weather. They handled the weather situation wrong all the way around. The classes themselves were good, I just wish our weekend hadn\'t been soured due to the weather experience.

Attended a few years ago and it was a convention with a few solo performances. Now it\'s a full on competition. No overalls but the \"best\" dances get to perform again on the last day. They catered to one studion that brought the most dances. In my opinion this convention has gone downhill as its become more of a for-profit comp and less a training weekend.

A good faculty and a fun workshop! Although they give out very few regional full scholarships. Their assistants must pay their own expenses and go to 9 cities. Making a profit seems important here.

the best convention available to dancers looking for an honest dance experience. the faculty is only the best in the industry and class sizes allow for ample individual critique as well as group critique. the staff will push dancers more than any other convention i have attended. also, the showcase is a great place to get the competition experience and look at your pieces on a competition styled stage without the stress of competing. the judges critiques are all incredibly useful and offer a great balance of constructive criticism and positive motivation to keep pushing and growing. nationals were amazing and scholarship winners receive an amazing experience for the week. highly recommended for dancers that don\'t want the \'glitz\' that a lot of other conventions have. they have an inviting atmosphere but are honest with their students and have high expectations. the place to go for the serious artist.

Brought my dancers to ASH this year for their first convention experience and I was very impressed! The teachers and director were outstanding, very encouraging and engaging. The performance showcase was so impressive and closing show so much fun! Thanks for an awesome experience!

Love ASH! My daughter attended regionals and nationals last year. She learned so much. The faculty is professional, yet approachable. Love them all!

Amazing experience! Very well run. Great staff.

I always learn soo much from ash. The dancers are always great and the faculty is the best!

Was very excited to attend. But was very let down. Teachers only focused on certain kids instead of helping all the attendees grow. If these kids didn\'t have passion and wanted to improve and grow they wouldn\'t have paid to be there. So if the staff truly wants to share their love for dance perhaps they shouldn\'t talk down to the students. They have no idea that a child might have shown huge improvements from the prior year. Not every child is going to become famous but the staff should focus on helping every child feel good about themselves. All you have to do is say one positive thing to a child for them to push themselves! Maybe they should try that in this next season.

The classes were very challenging. The teachers were inspiring. As I parent I appreciated the parent forum. Lots of useful information was presented. My only complaint was the age range in the classes. I\'m sad ASH isn\'t coming back to Phoenix this season.

LOVED everything about it! Classes were not overly large and the vibe was positive throughout the weekend.

LOVED IT! The teachers provided the dancers with much more than just cool new choreography. They were real and inspirational. We loved how the competition was simply a showcase with professional level feedback. It took the pressure of competing off of the dancers while still giving them a valuable performance opportunity and feedback from some very highly respected and famous dancers/teachers/choreographers. Definitely going back!

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Super rude faculty. Talia Favia said we were boring, she said Canadian dancers are boring. The assistants were stuck up and cocky. And the attention was focused on only the best dancers and on the assistants. Actually pretty much the whole weekend was about the assistants. Very discouraging weekend.

We love ASH, amazing faculty and great classes!

Love this Convention! The faculty is amazing and Braham the owner runs an excellent event. We have gone for 2 years now and will continue to attend every year.

Great experience, thank you for the inspiration!

Overall we had a great time. There was one teacher in particular that is rude and condescending, he puts the students down and embarrasses them in front of others. Other than HIM, it was great.

Excellent teachers and great experience! We will go back.

This compition was very unfair and not worth people\'s hard work and money. The judges where very very rude to our students judging and during conventions. Assistants where very rude to students also and where more focused on there Instagram followers then helping out the girls and boys. No scoring, rude teachers and assistants, a 1 minute long audition dance taught in 15 mins and you could hardly see the teachers dancing so the students never knew the combo... Very disappointed. But the students LOVED toyko and the tap teacher.

classes were okay. assistants were extremely rude. corrections were very mean and disrespectful to the studio. will not be coming back

One of the best convention experiences out there! We attend every year and always come out feeling inspired and excited. Incredible staff, fantastic classes, and I love the way they do a Performance Showcase, giving feedback without a score, so dancers can really focus on the corrections and taking the critiques constructively.

We are so joyed that ASH came to town! It was wonderful experience. Lovely people run the show!

They were incredibly rude. The teachers only cared about them and their assistants. Will NOT being going back and I DON\'T recommend it.

ASH is one of our faves for the year! Positive Positive Positive

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Amazing, amazing convention! We were in New Brunswick and my daughter did the solo showcase as well. In 2 days this convention pushed her out of her comfort zone and we absolutely see a difference in her movement because of it. Wonderful staff and faculty. As far as the audition combo went, not sure why ANYONE would have an issue with the \"push\". It wasn\'t dangerous or inappropriate in the least after all these kids are 15-21 years old. The audition combo was one of the most challenging I\'ve ever seen and I give Braham kudo for having the guts to push the envelope with it. Can\'t wait to go back next year!!

People need to relax. ASH is a wonderful company run by wonderful people and our kids are better ARTISTS for attending.

Pushing a child should never be part of choreography, even if it is for \"artistic\" reasons, IMO. We won\'t be attending ASH.

Fabulous faculty focusing the art of dance, challenging students to explore performance as a means to communicate feeling, emotion, story. The Q&A / autograph session was unsurpassed in our experience on the convention circuit. Students were inspired by Desmond, Talia, Tokyo, Jason, Lissete, and Braham. Dee affected many of them on a personal level: a remarkable teacher who went out of his way to approach the dancers, moving among them, speaking to them individually: challenging their perception. We plan to return in 2016.

We decided to give ASH a try at the suggestion of our daughters dance teacher who appreciated the expertise of the teachers (Tokyo, Misty Copeland, Desmond Richardson etc) and was confident about top notch instruction. We liked that the \"competition\" portion was not judged but only critiqued. Sometimes kids just need that experience.... We arrived on Friday evening to a venue that had plenty of chairs and a stage that was an appropriate size. My daughter\'s solo was scheduled at 7:51 and she started at approximately 7:50. Awesome! Since scholarship awards were not until the next night we did not need to stay up late so she could get some rest and be ready for dancing the next 2 days. The first convention day was exciting and full of energy. We had registered the night before so we did not need to check in again. The wristband system was used for dancers who also had numbers for their auditions during convention time. From my daughter\'s perspective: The teachers were very good and the choreography was appropriately challenging. She wished there was more interaction/corrections from the teachers to individual students. She was in the intermediate room and there were many dancers there who clearly should have been in the advanced level including one group from a pre-pro school that compete and perform all over the region. When they stand out during class, they are remembered when they audition (even when auditioned by age). Not sure if something can be done to alleviate that-I know it is a fairly common occurence at conventions and disheartening for \"play by the rules\" kids/studios. Convention day two was also well organized and included a parent dance class. Other notes: Vids/pics were normally priced but merchandise was higher than what we are used to. The parent talk was great! I learned a lot from Braham--I wish the kids could have heard some of his talk as well. We really liked ASH and will be back, hopefully with our whole studio!

Did not like it. they would not let the kids eat lunch unless they missed a class. the assistants took up most of the floor in the classrooms allowing little room for students. Will not be returning to this one.

This was my daughter\'s second year attending ASH and her first time performing in the showcase. It is important to remember that ASH is not a typical convention. The teachers are there to offer critiques and to inspire. It is not about winning awards. My daughter loved all of her instructors. I found them all to be professional and personable. Braham, you are doing a GREAT JOB!

Heard so many great things about ASH we decided to travel a very long distance to give it a try. Big mistake. Maybe it was just a smaller city and they \"phoned it in.\" I\'m not sure but the classes were bland and the staff was VERY pretentious. Owner Braham, seemed very disinterested with feedback. Should not be so disinterested when city was tiny. Not going back.

First time attending, trying out showcase versus competition, and we loved it!!! The teachers were very invested in the kids and it showed in the rooms. Critique was different as well as you could actually hear the teachers discuss aspects of the dance, very helpful early in the season!!! Will definitely be returning, dates are already on the calendar.

Was not real impressed. Son said classes were \'OK\'. The solo showcase was not what we expected, my fault for not THROUGHLY reading the rules and such. Pretty much what you are paying for to do a solo, is really expensive critiques. The scholorships were pretty much one-sided. With almost half going to just one studio. Will NOT be attending this VERY small convention again. Had heard very good things, just failed to deliver.

I had similar experience at ASH Mty. Some of the teachers were good, however I felt that some and the staff were very rude. Yes, some of their teachers are very professional, but not the best teachers. A good dancer, does not mean good teacher. Will not go back.

The experience was great. Our kids left very inspired. However, dealing with the staff was not pleasant. I felt like I was being talked down to. Very pretentious.

It would be an understatement to say this was \"worth the drive\". By far our favorite experience of the year. Extremely positive and inspirational. Wonderful experience for our kids!

My daughter attended her first ASH weekend in New Brunswick this year. She had a phenomenal experience as an Artist in Training getting to work with top choreographers. We were very impressed and will be back next year for regionals and nationals.

WOW! Love the convention and showcase! Recommend for a more serious dancers who can handle not winning an award. Great stage and lights! Feels like a real show!

Great facial expressions i really enjoyed it

very well organized

Inspiring and artistic. Very well done.

A truly wonderful and inspiring experience for dancers and parents. Amazing instructors, positive messaging and feedback plus quality merchandise.

My daughter and I have been with ASH from the beginning… We had our first experience with Braham thru Dancer\'s Inc. and we have continued to follow his professional and talented teachers of dance ever since. On of our first contact was with his incredible staff calling me to ask if we would like to come to a studio in NJ to take classes with them... Our first convention was in Philadelphia, PA in the worst snow storm the east coast has ever experienced. It was at this first convention and showcase that we experienced such talented dancers and assistants. From Molly Gray to the incredibly young dancers who rose up to be admirable ASH assistants. We continued on to Las Vegas for their first National convention. The formate was quite different from anything we ever experienced..The Company and the classes were extremely professional. We finally got our studio to join us this past weekend and my studio directors were blown away with the professional, non competitive, educational and inspirational approach to dance conventions and competitions. WE LOVE YOU ASH!

Had an amazing time at ASH and can\'t wait to go back.

Monterrey was amazing!!! Thank you for great weekend. Everything was perfect!

Very inspirational! Can\'t say enough about this experience!

Great Convention Looking Forward For It To Come To Our Area In Early 2014

best experience for a young dancer! quality faculty and nurturing environment!!

My daughter was fortunate to be one of the first ASH assistants for this convention as it grew. We attended the first one in Philadelphia and I cannot say more than wow! You have to attend to see the excitement on your child\'s face coming out of the 1 1/2 hr classes. The schedule provides quite time with choreographers to learn and grow, as well as actually talk to them and ask questions. The diverse staff and classes is especially great for that well rounded dancer who wants to specialize in everything! Bet professionally run, with the dancers always in mi d first. If you have not attended, you really are missing an amazing convention and weekend of training!

If I could give this convention 50 stars I would. The convention is amazing, with wonderful, working, talented choreographers teaching the classes. Dee Caspary, Toyko, Jason Samuels-Smith, Tovaris Wilson are just a few.... It is run by Braham Logan Crane who has taken the best of every convention we have been to and meshed it together. One of the best aspects of the nationals (which we just got back from) is a chance for the dancers to be choreographed in a piece (not just a combo) by the professionals and then perform it on the stage at the gala (which was amazing). There are Q and A sessions with all the staff and the ability for the dancers to get autographs and photos with choreographers -- and unlike a few conventions we have been to, they are happy to interact with the dancers and take photos and even give them hugs. There is so much positive energy at ASH!

We attended ASH Las Vegas this summer and were very, very pleased. DD loved all about it, the classes, faculty and working with a choreographer on a piece for the last evening\'s gala event. I really appreciated how well organized the whole event was, they emailed a very thorough 17 page packet that covered what was happening where and when and with who. I Definitely recommend it! We also attended ASH Houston and Dallas and were not disappointed. Definitely one of my daughter\'s fave conventions.