I know this probably doesn't matter anymore since it is from long ago. But we just noticed this now.
We are the previous owners of JRP Houston. And while we do see that the person who posted this did a lot of research, we want to know WHY? Some of your facts are right. While others are not just totally wrong, but they are also misleading.
You ramble on and on, and we ask WHY? You either want to go to IPOP or you don't. While at JRP Houston we had great success with IPOP. That doesn't mean that you will or will not have great success. We thank you for the good light you shined on JRP Houston. However, you have to understand that yes JRP instructors are licensed and approved by the state, but IPOP does not need to have licensed instructors because they do not teach classes.
If this was such an important issue that you did so much research, provide an e-mail or a way to contact you and I will personally answer any questions. These websites where people can ramble on carelessly without providing contact information can be hurtful to companies and their owners.
Websites like this should not be allowed to include personal information. If you attack a person's company it's one thing. But if you attack the actual person, that is pretty low.
In fact if whoever runs this website reads my post, I would suggest they delete the posting above or any other which includes personal information. I would also suggest that any future postings in any category with personal information are refused.
My personal opinion of IPOP is that like any other type of competition you get what you put into it. People spend thousands of dollars when they take their kids all over the U.S. for cheerleader competitions, swim competitions, and many other sport competitions and camps. With Ipop many or our kids had HUGE success stories and are literally on TV projects right now as we speak.
If someone goes to IPOP as an experience the same way one would a cheerleader competition where the parents are not necessarily wanting the kids to become professional cheerleaders but to get life changing experiences, you will get that and more from IPOP.
However, if someone goes to IPOP because they want jobs in TV, Films, Commercial or modeling then I would suggest taking IPOP very seriously. They have tons of agents, managers, Casting directors, Record companies etc.. If you want something to happen you have to work hard. You have to practice your acting and make those agents want you.
I have been around kids who have gone to IPOP and they did not get any jobs out of it but had such a huge life changing experience that the parents sent a second child the year after. I have met others where the same kid came back. I have also had kids who won actor of the year. Got signed huge Hollywood contracts came back to Los Angeles to film one or two projects and then decided that they wanted to come back to Houston and live their regular lives. I have had kids who did so well that they just made it their regular thing.
One of my kids was in an Eva Longoria movie and Links commercial. Another was in Better Off Ted (TV). Another is right now in that Mcdonald's commercial where the mom says:"What do you say?" That same kid has been on desperate houswives, How i met your mother and tons more for that kid. We had one kid who did 14 jobs his first year included the cop show Southland, Snakes and Demons with Tom Hanks etc... , Another Cosco commercial. Another Discovery channel commercial. etc... etc... etc...
We were only in Houston 2 years and had tons of success with IPOP. But again that does not mean that "you" will or "you" won't have the same success. As with anything in life you get what you put into it.
I was always very honest and up front with our kids and our parents. If a kids acting abilities needed extra help I would tell the parents they had to be involved. If a kid had skin issues like acne, I would tell the kids and parents that your skin for the most part shows what you are putting into your body. i told kids stop eating sugar, candy and soda and start drinking tons of water and you will see a change. If you don't see a change you may need to see a dermatologist. You would be surprised to know how many kids say that their number one dream is to model but they are too addicted to sodas that their skin will not clear.
If you want to be serious about the entertainment industry give yourself the best chance by working at it. Go to IPOP and be prepared. Practice, practice, practice. When we took our kids to Ipop we practiced answers to most questions the agents might ask. So if an agent said to our kids: "Why are you here? They wouldn't say: "UMH..." We practice how to stand straight and full of confidence. We practiced smiling. I would tell our kids: "When you go into an audition you have to pretend you just came from your surprised birthday party next door. Come in as if it is one of the best days of your life". And things like that make a difference. That is why we had HUGE success stories (JOBS) through IPOP.
If however, you aren't necessarily wanting your kid to move to Hollywood and become a movie star, but you are seeking experiences that will enrich your children's lives and will help them grow and have more confidence the same way sports, or learning to play the piano or an instrument would, then I personally think you will have the time of your life at IPOP.
Good Luck to all with whatever you are seeking in Life