Me a parent again
Mean wicked teachers my thoughts.... My daughter teachers are the nicest women in the world except when crossed. I have seen Ms. Sweet turn strict when for the 2nd week little Julie didn't wear the correct clothes-after being told nicely the week before to wear the right things. I have witnessed it but never has my daughter been part if it for we follow the rules. Ms Sweet would give you the shirt off her back and bend over backwards if you were trying but don't cross her. It's simple-here's the rules, here's the consequences for not following them. And if you don't like it well there's another studio down the road and they won't put up with it either. I love my daughters teachers but wouldn't want to be on their bad side. My daughters school has a great reputation which they have earned.
As far as committment when my daughter (and us as well) committed to dance competition she chose to drop all other activities-sports, Girl Scouts, music lessons ect. Dance is too much with other things. You can't do well in 3 sports and dance but you can do well in dance period. Or 1 sport.
As I said before my daughter is 11. She's been dancing since she was 2 1/2 and has been with her current school for 5 yrs. We left the other schools because she wanted different dance than they offered. My hats truly go off to you dance teachers. We have and have had several special teachers who have dedicated their lives to teaching our daughter. Thanks from my family to you for your hard work and dedication. And I say GET TOUGH-it will help in the long run.