Metropolitan Ballet Theatre - Alpharetta, Georgia

Zhou Yang

My daughter started training with Ms Maniya at age 10. This is the right place for classic ballet training. It is a place for both the parents and the kids to take ballet seriously and care about doing things right. The artistic taste is the highest in North Fulton . What I like the most is the studio doesn’t engage in toxic culture of dance competition, but train the kids to adapt into the real world with hard work and team work. Success doesn’t come easily, it takes discipline and determination

Karla Coop

My daughter trained at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre for 12 years. Yes, it was tough, but she accomplished a level of expertise that suprised us all. She could have gone on to a company, but chose to continue her education in a collegiate environment. Not every child is suited for this level of intensity. However, many have and will blame the studio on atrocities their child experienced instead of looking within their own family dysfunction for the truth, their expectation is that their kid is the best... sadly these parent's ego's get in the way. There were and are still many students at MBT who simply want to learn the proper technique for ballet, unfortunately for some, coming from a studio where they were improperly trained requires more effort. My daughter today is in her senior year of college, an honors student, teaches ballet, will look for any opportunity to see a live ballet performance. She is well prepared for the world of work because of the work ethic she learned through this studio. She cherishes, we cherish the family we had at MBT.. warts and all.

Matthew Kennedy

Amazing school for ballet instruction. My youngest child was taking dance at one of the local dance schools and wanted a little more serious instruction. We found Metropolitan through a web search and word of mouth. The moment we walked into the studio and met Ms. Maniya we were hooked. You can tell that she loves the children and wants them to succeed, not just in dance but in life in general. The instruction has been top notch, the people (children, parents, and employees) very friendly, and my daughter has a smile on her face every time she walks out of class.

Angela Brettschneider

My daughter started dancing at Metropolitan Ballet Theater at the age of 14 after dancing for 5 years with another studio. We were both blown away by the level of training, technique, and artistry that the MBT dancers have. Maniya Barredo is one of a kind. She brings to her students a life of experience as a Prima Ballerina who rose to the top through hard work and dedication to her craft. She has an eye to see beyond what many others do not see and the experience to know what her dancers are going through on a day to day basis. Not only does she provide the necessary training to help her dancers go on to professional careers, she mentors them along the way and prepares them for whatever they decide to do, whether that be professional dancing, college or another road all together. I don't know of any other training and mentoring at this level in the state of GA. We feel blessed to have found Metropolitan Ballet Theatre and look forward to what the future holds.

Michael Rivera

My daughter was a student there for about 5 years. The training is far superior than any other school. The head mistress of the school trains the girls very tough forcing them to push through much physical and mental pain. It is very much like a football training camp. If your child is mentally tough and has high aspirations for a career in classical ballet, then this is the school for you.

However, from a mental and physical aspect, this can have a negative impact on your child's life and future. During my child's time at the school she experienced many negative experiences, such as "talking down", "belittling", "negative comments about a child's appearance" and many false promises. It was also clear that the head mistress had her "favorites", which plays a vital aspect in your child's mental state. Unfortunately, it got so bad and to a point where my child ended up with an eating disorder, cutting herself and in a state of suicide forcing us to have her placed in multiple treatment centers and committed in a mental institution for a few weeks. Today, she is healing but continues to deal with these issues today. It has been a difficult road to get her to a stable place. I have spoken to other families and students from the studio and some have had similar experiences, so she was not the only student who had been in this situation.

I want to stress that if your child is strong mentally and has "very high aspirations", then this is the place for you. If not, I would suggest going elsewhere.

Agent Clark

I love MBT. From my very first visit I knew this was the place for my granddaughter, and most importantly, she loves loves it as well. Everyone is very passionate, professional and uses a very loving but disciplined approach teaching. Also Ms. Maniya is hands on at every student level and makes sure her students are confident as they learn. I am proud to be a part of MBT.

dee Adair-Reece

Maniya Barredo is the best. She is tough, disciplined. My children also studied under her and have gone on to be responsible adults, 1 a teacher of younger students. Maniya takes a child and trains them to go on to be professional dancers if they are so qualified.She keeps them busy, studious, and they learn discipline and manners

Amy Lynn Mavis

If your child wants to do ballet, this is the place to go. Excellent instruction. The perfect combination of nuture and and discipline.