I took dance lessons in preparation for my wedding. We learned the cutest routine and our…read moreinstructor was so patient and professional. We came to the classes with zero dance skills and we were able to get whipped into shape over 5 lessons and felt comfortable dancing in front of our family and friends. Really enjoyed going to this studio and you can tell they love what they do!

Feels like home here no judgement space, great instructors, clean studio and staff is like family…read more Unlimited monthly classes for only $100. So happy to be here.

It's difficult to find adult dance instruction in Austin geared towards the older dancer, but…read moreSynergy's Silver Swan ballet program does just that. Theoretically, one should be at least 55+ to enroll, but exceptions can be made! The instructor, Maureen Slabaugh, is certified by the Royal Academy of Dance to teach under their Silver Swans model and does an outstanding job of making the class work for both absolute beginners as well as dancers with some level of experience. Currently classes are offered two days a week. I enrolled two years ago and really wonder why I didn't find out about Silver Swans years ago!! I hadn't taken a ballet class in at least 25 years and I simply love it! Highly recommend.

I've been taking adult ballet (Silver Swans class) for 2 years and it has been a fantastic…read moreexperience all around. Maureen is a phenomenal teacher - encouraging and nonjudgmental when you need it, excellent with technical details and technique when you need it. It's not just a good workout, it's also REALLY good for our brains! Every class has something a little extra challenging to work our memory and keep us on our toes. The classes are structured like the ballet classes of my childhood - first the barre, then the center. Maureen is great at giving options for newcomers and experienced students, and making sure everyone is both comfortable and challenged. She is also really good at helping people modify if they are injured or need to take additional care. Synergy itself is staffed with cheerful friendly people and it's always a pleasure to be there.

My daughter started at TTD when she was 3. After 7 years of dance, 3 on the dance team, she was cut…read morefrom the team. Throughout her time at Tarrytown dance, we were told she was doing great and was a beautiful dancer. Never did they say she needed help or was not meeting the expectations of the team. I understand not making teams and setting a high bar but she's a good dancer and at least should have seen being cut from the team as a possibility.

My daughter started at Tarrytown dance when she was 2 1/2. She is 4 now. We've done creative…read moremovement, ballet/tap combo, the Frozen summer camp, and a Barbie winter break camp. Basically, anything they offer, we sign up for. My daughter's dance classes here are the only activity she asks to do each and every semester (and even in the breaks between). Here are some of the things we love-- 1. The studio is the kind of place that builds community around it. I've made friends there. She's made friends. It's a warm and welcoming place. We didn't know anyone in town when we started taking here, and I feel so blessed that we stumbled into such a friendly place. 2. I love that the owner, Leigh, actually teaches classes. And she's phenomenal. Which I guess isn't surprising since she's been teaching dance since she was 16! Because she is a huge ball of energy and super fun, the girls love her, but she also is no push over. She keeps everyone in line. They learn a ton, even in the creative movement classes. She's found the balance we all strive for as parents and want from our kids' teachers. 3. At the end of the year they do a performance on the big stage at Westlake HIgh School. I can not tell you how special and cool this made my little girl feel-she was beaming like she was a movie star. There is not a kids activity in Austin I would recommend more. It's just a really special place that has clearly been grown with love by a kind, fun, smart lady.

We recently started at Dance Discovery with high hopes, but unfortunately, our experience so far…read morehas been quite disappointing. My daughter (age 3) has attended four different classes with different instructors as we tried to find the right fit for her. As a shy new student, I expected at least a minimal effort from the teachers to help her feel welcomed and included--but that has largely been missing. In most of the classes, there was little to no effort to engage her, encourage her participation, or help her feel part of the group. Even in the few classes that had student assistants present, they did not step in to support her or offer any guidance. In one instance, my daughter needed tap shoes (which are available in a shared bin for those without), and rather than assisting us, the student assistant pointed me toward the bin to figure it out myself--something that could have easily been handled more supportively, especially for a brand-new child. Another serious concern is bathroom access. My daughter is still potty training, and after a 45-minute drive to get to class, we often urgently need to use the restroom upon arrival. To access the bathrooms, however, you must walk through two active classrooms, which feels disruptive and uncomfortable. On one occasion, it took us over 10 minutes just to get into a stall, which meant missing a significant portion of class while awkwardly waiting in a hallway right next to an ongoing session. Overall, I'm very surprised by the lack of accommodations or support for young children and new families. It's disappointing because I had high hopes for this studio, but at this point, I'm not confident that it's the right environment for us and we have already put in our 30 days.

We have been with dance discovery for 5 years. I love the studio, the staff and teachers. If your…read morelooking for classes or even summer camps I highly recommend dance discovery. There's no other studio like them in Austin.

My soon to be 6-year-old has just completed her 2nd year at Dancers Workshop. They are an…read moreincredible organization, and my daughter has thrived under their direction. She absolutely adores her teacher, Ms. Naomi, and wants to be in all of her classes. We've done the ballet/tap combo class for two years and added the jazz/hip hop combo class this year, and my daughter always comes out of the class with the brightest smile. Watching these kiddos do the shuffle step in their tiny tap shoes or hot steppin' while Gettin' Jiggy With It is the embodiment of joy in human form! 10 out of 10, would recommend!

This studio has been such a magical place for our dancer! She has confidence, has fun, and learns…read moreevery time she comes to the studio mostly due to the amazing teachers and the environment they create. Ms. Lori and Ms. Kristi have been a source of positivity and guidance since the day she started two years ago, and we are beyond thankful for them both!! Thank you DW for a great experience!

So my roleplay group rented this space last night for 8-10pm so we could do a fun class + demo, and…read moreit was phenomenal! I was really impressed by the facilities and layout of the place-- much larger on the inside than it looked on the outside. There was the large dance area with mirrored wall, plenty of folding chairs we could use, a large lobby with places to sit and wait for the previous class to finish up, even a quiet booth on the far side, and a little nook with a fridge and microwave. The fun-colored neon lighting was a nice visual touch, coupled with the ability to play music on the sound system really set the mood! The owner was very helpful about making us feel welcome, getting us set up, and letting us know where everything was and how to use the facilities. The only two things that could have been better were the cramped parking lot with limited spaces, and the single occupant bathroom. It was a really nice bathroom, but there was only the one so it caused a wait to use it. Would definitely rent this space again!!

The website is awful. You sign up, it takes your payment information and has warnings about no-show…read morepolicies. I show up to my first class. No record of my registration for the class. I'm not offered to take the class. The girl at the desk says check your email. I check my email, and it says you have to link your account. So why does the website have you select a class, lead you to believe you're paying for it, and show you enrolled? Maddening. I was always so interested in taking a class but always thought the website was absurd. I now have to make sure money isn't taken out of my account, and I don't show as a no- show for a class I wasn't welcomed to join. I was so looking forward to a great dance experience. What a disappointment.

Now with the studio's name of "Vespertine", this studio is truly a home away from home. It's very…read morewell taken care of, the classes and instructors are a JOY to be around, and the parking is easy with two lots being a dirt lot right next to the studio as well as street parking in front of the houses on the street. Now mind you, this ain't ya' mama's pole and dance studio! It is so much more. If you want to feel the technical *perfection* of being a pole ballerina, this may not be the place (however Pole Virgins and Pole Harlots with Ruby will give you some really good technical tips). However, in my opinion, this space IS the best place to start your pole/sensual dance journey. You can always learn technicality, but here is where you can learn to love how you move... HOWEVER you move. It is where you can unleash what you were taught to hold inside, and where you can free your emotions- all of them within a safe space and a safe community. From freestyle classes, slow and sensual teachings, and member events, this is the place to fall back in love with yourself- and you deserve that. PS, Minx+Muse is still its own entity and is hosting a fully online membership that you can check that out as well (:

This was the MOST FUN experience!! We went for a bachelorette party and had a blast. The woman who…read moreruns it is a literal star and made us feel so comfortable. It was such a fun way to work out and feel sexy. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to try something out of their comfort zone in a judgement-free environment. Also such a cool ambiance in the studio! 10/10

We are going into our 4th year at Shirley McPhail School of Dance and our experience has been…read moreexceptional. Watching my girls dance at this studio has created memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. There's nothing like watching your daughter dance on a big stage in front of an audience in a beautiful costume! The instructors have been amazing to us. They have always made my daughters feel safe and well cared for. Everyone that we've met, from the owner, director, manager, instructors, and sales associates in The Dancers Den have been nothing but kind, welcoming, and helpful. My daughters are always excited to go to their dance classes. We also love the other dancers and families that we've met through SMSD! The directors of the studio put in so much work to make dance a wonderful experience for the dancers and their families. The recitals are phenomenal and they split them into 4 shows that are 1 hour and 15 minutes each, so you don't have to stay 3-4 hours to watch your child at a recital. To the wonderful staff at SMSD: we see how hard you work, and we appreciate everything you do for us! Thank you for fostering a love of dance in our children!

We have had the most wonderful experience at SMSD. Not only does our child talk about dance class…read moreevery week, we've really felt like we are a part of a family at SMSD. We've enjoyed every teacher and can't say enough about the management. I'd recommend SMSD without a doubt!

NOT for ballet. other styles of dance might be passable but the ballet instruction is dangerously…read moreincorrect. my step-daughters have been attending here for years and it's literally painful to watch the performances because of the lack of proper technique en pointe and the complete disregard for the tenets of ballet as a discipline and an art form. beyond this, the performances are just additional money-making opportunities for the business and are torturous to sit through. if you're serious about dance, avoid this place.

I am going to give Alisa's Dance Academy (ADA) a mixed review…read more My daughter has been going here for two years now. In two years, I have seen some amazing dances from ADA students. ADA has a team of dancers called the ADA Elites that competes in dance competitions. These ADA Elites girls are amazingly talented and dedicated. Every year, ADA has Nutcracker performance at the Westlake Performing Art Center. My daughter was a part of this event for one year. It was an incredible experience for both her and me. The whole show was also accompanied by Westlake high school live orchestra. It was Alisa's intention to promote art, dance and music amongst young kids. Hats off, Alisa. It's truly an admirable effort and production. Now the not so good.... The first year my daughter went to ADA, she went to her first ballet class and afterwards she told me she hated it. She almost gave up and refused to go back the next week. This was coming from a girl who had been going to dance classes 3+ years before ADA. She kept her dance classes on my urging and things did get better. I talked to one of the mom of a girl in her class. It turned out, this girl had the same problem. Apparently, the teacher was speaking nasty stuff to the girls during the first class. I was quite appalled. I never had this happened to my daughter before. Her previous dance places had been all nice people. Thankfully, I had not seen this teacher the next year. The second year was better, my daughter took two classes: ballet and jazz. Compared to last year, the ballet teacher this year was super nice. She's kind and compassionate. But my daughter recital piece was way too simple. Because of this, she did not like ballet as much as jazz. The jazz teacher was young but talented. She had choreographed quite a nice piece for the 12 girls in her class. My daughter loved going to the jazz class. My daughter would be coming back for her 3rd year in ADA next Fall. She would also be going there for summer camp. She also said she would want to participate in Nutcracker again. Hopefully we have a great experience again.

Dance Institute is an outstanding place to send your kids who are interested in dance! I moved my…read moredaughter to DI b/c of its ballet program. Having danced for many years, I was looking for a studio who would take ballet seriously. Ballet is the foundation for all dance genres and without proper instruction, a student will not master the proper technique to perform at his/her best. My daughter has improved tremendously under the instruction of Linda Holland. Her love for dance has exploded and now she dances with the Dance Institute Performance Academy, one of DI's award-winning competitive dance teams. DI also has a hip hop dance team called Street Heat. Its many talented hip hop dancers have also competed extremely well. The facilities and resources available at DI are not found elsewhere in Austin. If you are looking for a great studio to grow your child's passion for dance, Dance Institute is the place! Check it out!

Nobody puts Baby in a corner…read more Really, that's all you need to know. That and... come on guys, do you want to be Johnny's cousin manning the record player (excuse me, Ipod) again, or would you rather be Johnny singing "She's Like the Wind"? Er...ok that came out totally wrong. This is the Dance Institute, a beautiful brand new school built from the ground up specifically for the purpose of teaching you to shake your maracas or for your children's pointe preparation for Julliard. You might not think this is too special, what with dance schools all over the place, and Austin still not widely considered a bastion of dancing, despite the fact that Ballet Austin is the 4th largest ballet company in the U.S. But typically dance schools are constructed in preexisting spaces, and they do the best they can. This place is, well, bangin', from the design standpoint. Some pro dance folks have shown up here from out of town already to give workshops, and say it is one of the most killer dance spaces they have ever been in. Open, airy, that sort of thing. So if you care about that, voila! A very nice space to learn in. The Dance Institute's logo incorporates a couple doing a hot salsa or ballroom type number, and it is the partner dances that DI is primarily designed for (at least in terms of sheer physical space and adult classes), if you ask me. Their space is huge though, so really they can teach anything they want in there. In addition to the ballroom dance classes that start you on your way to Dancing With The Stars type stuff, and social dancing classes like salsa or two step, they also teach pilates and yoga. I am not familiar with their fitness classes, so I cannot comment on them, but they do have them. They also have regular social events (with byo beverages, last time Monichacha O and I attended) which are preceded by mini lessons in a variety of social dances that you can choose to pay for, or not, if you are already skilled in that sort of thing. On my 5 year journey to learn how to do some ballroom dancing here in Austin, I have taken lessons from many people, and at most of the schools in town. As I have improved, this has led me to become a picky picky bastard about my teachers. DI has several of the finest in partner dancing that Austin has to offer. And imho, Austin does not offer a whole lot of fine partner-dancing teachers (though I believe their number is slowly increasing). Teachers I like at DI: my faves there are Sabrina, Kat, and Denis. I do tend to favor the Latin dances, though, so these are the folks I have had experience with who I like, who do latin. Sabrina, the Ballroom Director, has had years of dance training, and uses a lot of crafty plain language descriptions to help you figure out why you can't seem to do a box step after 50 attempts Edison. Kat was a professional ballet dancer and not only teaches the ballet program for kids (I do not think there is an adult ballet program there now) but is a superb salsa dancer and instructor as well. Often she will get folks to go out to salsa dance at local clubs in town. Denis is a former U.S. 10 dance champion (this means that he and his partner competed against other people in ALL the dances they do on dancing with the stars, really really well) from Russia, yet despite being from a country that churns out seriously hardcore ballroom pros sorta like Bela Karolyi makes gymnastics champions, he is quite nice and caters to your ability without making you run through the snow like Stallone in Rocky IV. Additionally, you can take private lessons from all their folks rather than group classes, and they do lessons for couples getting ready for dancing at their weddings. Ok, so why not the 5 star? 1. they are located in BFE for a big chunk of Austin - you can see from google maps that Sitio Del Rio is near 2222 and 620. If you don't live close by, you are going to be burning a lot of gas to become Johnny Castle or Baby. 2. they are probably the priciest in town, though with the current state of the economy, perhaps they've got some deals going. 3. The number of truly intermediate to advanced dancers that are available at this point in time, in Austin, who frequent their classes there (or anywhere in town), to do Latin Ballroom, is still pretty low. This probably doesn't apply to most folks in the universe, but it does to me, so. The Dance Institute is pretty sweet. If they were closer to the heart of Austin, I'd say there is no good reason you shouldn't give it a shot to get your dirty (or Fred Astaire & Ginger Rodgers' style) dancing on.