Greer is a sublime teacher. "Adult Open Introduction to Ballet 1" is perfect for absolute beginners, and it's definitely more than a ballet-themed, drop-in pilates class. You get a lot of one-on-one attention, guidance, and theory...pretty impressive since that class *is* run as a drop-in, and there are usually upwards of 10 people. There are a LOT of different body types in class, I'm sure that's important to someone. I don't know, I keep showing up and he keeps telling us what to do and I keep getting better! I've been to 20-some intro classes so far. Here's a story I want to tell: there's a bicycle dismount where you start by swinging your leg behind you. I'd never been able to do it before, but I suddenly could after a few classes (both sides) because I'd essentially practiced the movement in class. Gains like that have been very noticeable in everyday life. I like that Robert teaches the philosophy of "learning by trying to do". I first encountered that philosophy when learning pull-ups (for example, you're better off hanging from a bar and struggling for a few weeks, versus using weight machines to make the involved muscles capable of more brute force). It is a woefully difficult concept to communicate because understanding only comes by way of direct experience, but Robert's perspective is fantastic, his explanations are always fresh and in-the-moment. read more

I love this place and the adult introductory classes. I've taken Robert Greer's introductory ballet classes for 10+ years and it's been the best experience. Robert makes the classes fun, and do-able, regardless whether you have danced ballet before. I've also learned so much from Robert about anatomy and how the human body is designed to function. This was very important for me because I started coming off of a disability where my body no longer felt like my own. Moving to music is so relaxing, and the other dancers and atmosphere of the class is so nice. read more

I took Intro to Ballet 1 with Alexis -- what a FANTASTIC experience for my first ballet class! As someone who has never done ballet before, I was nervous that I'd feel out of place. Alexis did a terrific job of making sure everyone could follow along, and helped me with some of the basics that all of the other students already knew. The class was a blast and I also got a great workout in. I look forward to taking more classes with Alexis, and highly recommend!!! read more

My daughter does the "we dance together" program for beginning dancers (little kids) and she just loves it. On my first visit, seeing my daughter not following instructions, goofing off and exasperating teacher Denise was really stressful for me. I was convinced it was a waste of money, and wanted to yank her from the program and offer that long-suffering teacher some reprieve. Yes, somewhere lurking in me is an obnoxious Tiger mother who wants nothing but success--and that is not a side of myself I want my kids to see. My husband does not share the stage mother neurosis, so he takes her, and they have a bonding experience. I think he'd secretly like to dance alongside her as the class name suggests. After I witnessed a class and started bitching, my husband grudgingly admitted he did not see a Merce Cunningham emerging from our family, and agreed to yank her after summer classes. When the class was over, our daughter kept asking to return. Because she professed to enjoy it and wanted to be there, he enrolled her again. I said, "Okay, but you have to take her." I spaced my second visit to the school about a year after the first, and only went because my husband had the flu. In that time, my daughter's ability to focus and follow instructions grew so much. She was actually dancing! Sure, she was still too chatty, and by no means the star of the class....but I was elated by the change. I'm satisfied with the progress however slow, grateful for the patience of teacher Denise who makes it possible. ...and for the side lesson this taught me as a parent about expectations. read more

Berkeley Ballet - understated sign it in the alleyway that marks the secret entrance to this elite gem - Dance Schools Near Me - Berkeley, California

You can get excellent, quality education here as an adult learner. My favorite teachers are Robert Greer, Robert Dekkers, and Kaori. I also love taking rhythm and motion here. The classes themselves are great, however, the culture here can be somewhat cliquey and competitive. This is absolutely not an issue in the rhythm and motion classes. However, the AOD for ballet specifically has this issue (for lack of a better term)--especially at the higher level classes. read more

Our daughter, now entering 6th-grade, started dancing at BBT when she was 4 and wearing huge tutu's was the purpose in going to dance class. She progressed up through the levels and has come to love ballet. It is a pleasure to see her excited about learning a new move or gain control over her leg placement. Shy, she has coming to love being on stage - twice a year, Nutcracker in December and a Spring show in May or June. Most important for me, as someone who was not a ballet fan before our daughter started dancing, are the friendships and commitment we see her developing. I have watched "the big (high school) kids" doing homework while waiting for class and being incredibly supportive of each other, both on the dance floor and as they talk about the rest of their lives. Now I see our daughter developing strong friendships with other budding dancers and it is a pleasure to see. This year she will be in class 10 hours a week and as pleased as she is to get to dance that much, we can see that she is learning to manage her time so that ballet supports, rather than overshadows her school work. We are happy we wandered into BBT 8 years ago and look forward to continuing to watch our daughter experience the joy of dance in such a supportive environment. read more

Whether you're a retired pro, an absolute beginner, or a teenage has-been (that's me!), BBT is hands down the best place to take adult ballet classes in the East Bay. The new studios at Tenth street are luxuriously spacious (almost as big as SFB's studios) with sprung floors, new Marley, and live accompanists. There are multiple classes on the schedule every day and the prices are noticeably more affordable than you'll find elsewhere. Special shout out to Ms. Xiao, an incredible teacher who has a devoted following. Plus her lines are eternally perfect so it's a joy even to watch her mark combinations!! I don't know a ton about the children's and youth program at the moment but the instruction at BBT has been well respected for decades and it seems like the new school director Robert Dekkers has a strong vision and high expectations for continued growth and rigor of the program. They have a strong boys program and are pro-active about providing that little extra boost of social support than helps boys stay in ballet. I can't wait until my son is old enough for pre-ballet! read more

I was a professional ballet/theater dancer for most of my life. I've had some amazing trainings with the Westside School of Ballet and later with San Francisco Ballet School. I moved to Berkeley about 11 years ago after leaving NYC and since been taking BBT's Adult Open Classes with Sally Street, Robert Dekkers, Kaori Ogasawara, Sandra Chinn...which to ALL the faculties...I can't say enough about how amazing the ballet training is here. Fast forward this year, I'm enrolling my daughter and son into the ballet program which, gives me so much happiness knowing that BBT will be their second home for years to come. With that said, the school was good then, but with the brand new studio located on Tenth Street, the school has really taken on a whole new professional level. I am beyond excited for the new artistic direction led by Robert Dekkers who I believe will breathe new life, love, community into BBT!! read more

Robert's classes are the best! And the studio space is lovely. Used to trek across the Bay to take classes at Lines until I discovered BBT, now I just go to BBT read more

I took class from the self-proclaimed legend Sally Streets on a weekend, and what a disaster. Indeed, what I have heard about the arrogance of this school is true. The atmosphere was unfriendly, and Ms. Streets treated me as if I were an errant six-year-old. What made this worse is that the class was substandard as combinations and corrections go, the environment stuffy, with too-slick Marley and insufficient mirror coverage, and the 2 mediocre pre-professional teenagers that I saw in this class of 12 (who got 95% of Ms. Streets gloating attention) were as arrogant as they were inept. Ms. Streets herself was a dancer of marginal ability as NYCB dancers go, and her primary distinction is as the dam of Kyra Nichols. See her in class and you'll know what I mean - negligible ports de bras and an emphasis on footwork, demonstrated with the kind of unsophisticated, leg-focused coarseness that was unfortunately the norm in American dancers of her era. I've taken class with the best of the best (David Howard, Gabriela Darvash, Maggie Black, Finis Jhung, Sofia Golofkina, Ninelka Kurgapkina and more) in New York, London and beyond, not to mention at probably every studio of any size in the Bay Area, and I must say this was the single worst experience I've had in a ballet studio (including the bitchy Enrico Labayan of LINES on a bad day). And I've been dancing for 30 years. Between Street's rudeness and utterly substandard teaching, the shabby facilities, and the zombie-like demeanor of the other students, I completely fail to see the attraction this place sometimes holds. My advice: if you want an adult ballet class, hotfoot it over to the venerable and friendly Shawl-Anderson just a few blocks away. Or take BART into the city and take class at LINES or ODC Commons. And if you want your kids to have real pre-professional training, send them to SFB. read more

I started ballet as an absolute beginner at age 39 in Robert Greer's Fundamentals class. I'm now a few levels up, still dancing with Robert, because he's AMAZING. I have tried other ballet schools and other teachers (both in the Bay and around the world), and few give the same dedicated attention and energy to their classes. I call myself a dancer now, and know I will only get better with practice :) read more

You take your last pointe class at 16. Do some modern and jazz for a few years. Go to college and take a ballet class or two. Graduate, get a job, and maybe check out a studio on a weekend only to realize that you don't look anything like yourself...at 16. Ditch ballet for the much more anonymous gym, or road bike, or running shoes. That is me. Then I found Berkeley Ballet Theater. It is a dream come true. I take the Intermediate class and keep up with the combinations and miraculously feel great while doing it. I don't have any illusions about becoming a great dancer, I dance because it feeds my soul. BBT's classes make me feel healthy and beautiful. BBT has created an environment that fosters the love of ballet without the neurosis of ballet. read more

Let me get to the punch line first: If you are an adult ballet dancer and you want a serious technique class, take Robert Greer's classes! I have been dancing for around 4 years (adult beginner) and I had no idea how bad my technique was or how I could improve it, until I took Robert's class. So many teachers of adult ballet classes don't bother to correct form, and don't bother to challenge their dancers. Robert brings out the best in his students in an encouraging and unpretentious environment. In two weeks I already saw a difference in my dancing. Before I took Robert's class I was falling out of my pirouettes, and now I can do them consistently and with control. My lines are stronger, virtually everything about my dancing is better! It doesn't matter which class I take, from fundamentals to beginning-intermediate, I find each and every class challenges me and helps me to become a better dancer. Robert is definitely the best ballet instructor I've had, by far! Thank you Robert and BBT! read more

Have been taking adult classes in here for two years from zero experience (I only have one-year dance learning at ten-year-old, but cannot remember anything other than the pain and boredom from repetitive exercises). BBT has a very encouraging environment for anyone, and the adult schedule works pretty well for people who only have time on weekday nights and weekends. I mostly take Robert Greer's intro 1, intro 2 and beginner 1 classes, and a few intro 1 from Kaori Ogasawara and a few beginner 1 from Deborah Moss. Robert is working really hard to help everyone learn about ballet. I fell in love with this art in the first class. He gives a lot of information for understanding how does ballet works on the body, and keeps correcting the muscle usage, body position, musicality and everything. He also focuses on many small details, which can make a big difference when doing them right. But he is also very encouraging, so students are not afraid of making mistakes and are confident to keep trying and be themselves. Whoever asks questions after class, he will always spend time answering them thoroughly. In his classes I not only understand more about how to use the body for this art, but also how and what to watch ballet performance. I start to understand that ballet can be more than about looking at a perceived perfect standard body, it's about keep doing things right, to present the beauty of human. Although Kaori's class is intro 1 as well, but I think the level is between Robert's intro 1 and 2. She always demonstrates with artistic expression, and always teaches with lots of enthusiasm and love, which can give a lot of confidence to students who are not familiar with ballet, or using/presenting the body. Deborah's class has a more classical music list. It might seem overwhelming at first for how to combine it with the steps, but after a while it helps understand the classical side of ballet more. Her demonstration shows a lot of refined details and how quality can embody into movement. read more

Where all the dreams of a little girl who envisions herself dancing with Mikhail Baryshnikov or Rudolph Nureyev may begin to become a reality... Where all the dreams of an enchanted young adult who imagines herself dancing with Bill T. Jones or Pina Bausch can feel like a possibility... Where a disillusioned middle-aged adult can still enjoy a serious ballet discipline and some teacherly attention... A place I think of, but rarely go to, as I prefer modern dance, but definitely have respect for my foundation in ballet. read more

I took Ms. Liu-Moore's intermediate class and I loved it. She is herself a beautiful dancer, and demonstrated with ease, and instructed students comfortably, without making you feel like you have to do something you know you can't (in my late 20's, my turnout is going to stay this way...period) I really loved her perspective on teaching, in a comfortable fun way, without any pressure. the center work was really fun too, such beautiful steps to live accompaniment, who played awesome songs like the can-can and music from giselle. totally made me smile. read more

It's a nice gem of a ballet school. Very inclusive and a variety of experienced teachers. For an adult beginner , I recommend them. Lots of great male and female mentors who danced professionally. Update. My only advice is ask one male class teacher for open adult classes not to put down year round schools of his guest students when guest students return to take open classes nor give an unsolicited and overly bashing evaluation of guest students who are no longer their regular students. read more

I love this place with all my heart! Robert is a wonderful teacher and I love that he doesn't shy away from challenging you. And his energy is really great. His fundamentals class is a hard workout and I have never experienced 90 minutes go by faster than when I'm in his beginner class. My only complaint is that they only accept cash/check payments. Oh, my only other complaint is that I wish I could go more often. Berkeley Ballet Theater is a real gem! If you've ever been curious about ballet, it's never too late to start and Ballet Fundamentals is the best way to explore. read more

We started my toddler in the twinkle toes class last fall and now in her second session - she's still loving it. The teachers are patient and the kids are getting comfortable with basic stretches and following instruction - which is all we're looking for at this point in her development. As long as my daughter is happy with the class, we'll continue her enrollment - likely moving into the more formal classes over the next year. read more

I've been coming here for a few years now, and love it. I would give it 5 stars, except they cut down on the live piano accompaniments for classes, and not all the teachers are great. You definitely need to try a few different ones to figure out what's the best fit and what's your style. Also, the level descriptions are not always accurate, so you really need to try a few different classes to figure out where you fit in. My favorite classes are taught by Robert and Sudabeh. They both give you lots of corrections, which is the whole point of taking a class anyways. They're great for all levels, and are super fun and energetic. I've done ballet since I was 4, but had about a 5 year hiatus after an injury when I was in college. Any class you take, you're bound to see some phenomenal dancers. At the intermediate levels you'll even see some professional dancers come in, which is awesome to just watch up close, and observe how to do things correctly . read more

Been dancing here for quite sometime now and well the teachers are somewhat on the strict side but they are very knowledge about about what they are doing and how they are teaching. The only down size is that the class sized can get a bit over crowded sometimes which is bad because the dance rooms aren't that big. Also opening a couple of widows would be nice but for some reason the teachers don't want to or don't like to. I have learned a lot attending classes here so in retrospect I can't complain. read more

This is a review for the adult open division classes, from the context of having taken a few months of intro level classes with Sally at Lines Ballet beforehand. Despite not getting 5 stars, if you are in the East Bay (or anywhere with a reasonable commute to Berkeley) and are looking for somewhere to learn ballet I highly, highly recommend BBT. Many places I have seen in other cities will have some ambiguously beginner level class and some advanced classes that are aimed at people who had a lot of training already and maybe just want to start up again as adults. BBT has a full range of intro, beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. They have multiple teachers who teach intro and beginner classes, which is great because you can expose yourself to multiple teaching styles. Compare to Lines, where if you're solid beginner pretty much the only option is Kathy Mata's class. Some notes on the intro/beginner classes: All of the teachers are very passionate about ballet and teaching and are great about answering any questions you have during class and providing feedback. * I think of Robert Greer's intro/beginner classes as drills and conditioning for building up the right muscle memory for ballet technique. I never feel like I am actually dancing in his classes though. I haven't gone to them in a couple of months, but when I was going the intro class is always exactly the same which gets mind-numbingly boring. In his beginner classes the floor exercises at least periodically changed. However I appreciate the rigor and I think taking the classes made me a better dancer. * Kaori's intro class also tends to be the same class every time * Deborah's beginner classes tend to get their exercises changed up more often. If you want extra conditioning, she runs free pointe prep after her Thurs classes. If you are starting, I recommend trying to work in her Monday beginner class as soon as possible if you do not want the same drills from Robert's classes forever. * Chris Lam also teaches a beginner class, and he has a stronger focus on artistry and performance (though without neglecting form). He talks a lot during his classes which some people find fun and helpful, but some people are averse to it if they want to get a more full-workout feeling after completing the class. Generally everyone in the classes have been nice and I like that there is a lot of diversity of age, body type, and ethnicity in the adult classes. I really appreciate that over the last few years they have made incremental improvements (many of which are things I bring up in their surveys). They now offer a complete-beginner ballet series (generally I would say if you attend an "intro" drop in class but have literally never had a ballet class before, you're gonna have a hard time), their intensive workshops for adults are in the evenings instead of during the day, and they have better descriptions of the classes on the website. However, they give me a more disorganized vibe than Lines, at least for adult classes and workshops and such. Often it seems like they don't know what's going to happen in their one-off classes until it's practically about to start. I have gotten conflicting information about classes when asking about things in email and various teachers in person. They often do not have a front desk person in the weekday evenings, and if they do, it's a work-study student who is not in the loop with administrative things (and they don't have access to a computer, just the sign-up tablet that students would use, that sometimes works). The venue itself is a little bit janky. They get ants everywhere when it rains and even though they've been there for over a year, it still feels rather unfinished with the concrete floors and the various signs just painted directly onto the wall. The women's changing room has no ventilation that I can tell, and is claustrophobic and smells like feet. There are no lockers, only open cubbies. In the last year or so they have started adding non-ballet adult dance classes. I am not sure they have the space to be like some of the bigger SF studios with a large variety of drop in classes and I hope if they go in that direction it will not dilute the existing adult ballet offering, which is well rounded and I think is their main strength. read more

BBT feels like home It's truly a place where "we can all dance." Being an international student in UC Berkeley, BBT supported me to survive my Freshman year in a very precious way. The nurturing environment really helped me go through depression and homesick! I've been taking classes in adult devision for my first semester and joined the youth devision in my second semester( I really appreciate their acceptance), I truly feel included and engaged. Teachers I met in both youth devision and adult devision are so caring as well as 'strict'. It's not mean strict, it's the actual corrections, which I honestly appreciate! Besides teachers, I just have to shout out to my great dancing friends! You're all amazing and I've learned so much just by watching them dance!There's a serious dancing community out there in BBT that allows us to support each other! Can't wait for the next season! #lovebbt read more

If your a working adult in the East Bay with a typical 9-5 schedule, and want to learn ballet, or want to mend your erratic, broken training from when you were much younger, this is the place. The evening classes are late enough to get to after work and there are additional weekend classes. And as you progress up in level (which if you go regularly, will happen!), there are different level classes nearly every day. The intro and absolute beginning classes are slow, and you may not feel like you are 'dancing' yet, but they will give you a solid foundation to build technique. The beg-int level helps you to 'connect' steps and voila, dancing begins. In intermediate level, prepare to spin and fly. In those classes, after several years of classes, there are moments when I can forget the technique and it just happens, or I micro-focus on some small technique change that will yield big results. When the former happens, inside my soul is a scream of delight, "I accomplished something that years ago, I could only dream about." A double-inside pirouette, yep, that'll give me that feeling. And during that moment, time stops. It's just me and the music as I lose myself in the movement. Yeah, there are roughly 20 other sweaty people there, but for a moment they all disappear. This place is where one can first-hand experience the magic of dance. There may be moments of frustration, and there'll definitely be hours of hard work, but once you experience one of those fleeting moments where your soul is empty, the thoughts gone from your mind and you are the dance, you'll keep coming back. At least, I will. Yes there are studios with bigger rooms, but there is something that I love about dancing in the Julia Morgan building. It's rustic and old, and even in the 'definitely-too-small-for-more-than-a-beginning-class' room upstairs, there is a certain charm to dancing in the dappled light filtered from the old oak trees outside on a spring morning or fall evening. Hm... I might have to go get my ballet fix in tonight. read more

Regarding adult drop-in classes: Pros -adult ballet classes in multiple levels offered everyday of the week -experienced teachers -a large studio downstairs -live music -friendly adult students -no dress code -multiple class card packages Cons: -teenage pre-pro girls in the intermediate classes sometimes outnumber the adults -teachers tend to cater to the pre-pro students (direct corrections only to them) -small upstairs studio for the beginners -crowded on weekends Overall, I'm happy with BBT. They offer so many classes, which means I'm able to fit them into my crazy schedule at least 2x/wk. However, my biggest complaint is that there isn't really an intermediate level--just adult beginners and pre-pro teens/adults who used to be advanced. read more

This is my go to studio when I visit Berkeley. Their adult classes are fantastic. The students and teachers are super welcoming. Unlike some adult ballet classes, these classes have fantastic technique with an excellent barre and then progress to beautiful floor combinations so you really get to dance. I cannot wait to try them at the new location this fall. read more

First things first, BBT is a welcoming and no judgement environment for all who love to dance. Don't be nervous to try out out a class as an adult!! Students and staff are very friendly. Robert Greer's adult Intro to ballet classes are kick-butt in an amazing way!!! I appreciate his care and attention to technique, willingness to push students to the next level, and expertise/ability to quickly size how up what your body is capable of. How many instructors remember everyone's name in class (new and old)? I've already seen an improvement in balance and my muscle tone after a couple of classes and always walk out of the studio feeling like I rule the world. :D If you've been on the fence about ballet don't wait, just do it! read more

I would recommend Robert Greer to any serious dancer, whether you are an adult or a teenager. He is the best ballet teacher I've had hands-down, and I've had many teachers over the years. From Robert I learned to add quality and meaning to my movements, and for the first time really, I felt I was actually dancing. Now when I tell friends that I dance ballet and get the request "You should show us some moves!", I actually feel confident to do so because Robert taught me how to dance like a dancer. Thanks Robert and BBT! read more

Great studio! Xiao is the best teacher there. I've been going to Xiao's ballet class for years and it continues to remain a fresh, fun, and technically superior class. She has a great attitude, a great sense of humor, and has always been kind and helpful to me. She has trained in China since childhood and her impeccable technique is really wonderful to watch as she demonstrates movements in class. The class is open to all, but is best for intermediate students. Check it out. read more

I've been taking classes here for many years now and I've always enjoyed Xiao Liu-Moore's class. Her class is one of the more popular ones and it's evident why. Xiao is a beautiful teacher who actually teaches class and doesn't just give class. She gives corrections and takes the time to explain the connection between what is done at barre to what is done in the center. I feel as if I learn something new every time I take her class. Als, the adult classes are very easy going with no attitude. The studio is a little on the smaller side, but not unmanageable. read more

I danced here all through college and have been in almost every class. I am not sure whether or not BBT is the place to go if you are looking for serious training, but I do not think open adult classes are the place you should be going to if you are hoping to be a professional. With that said, there are many ex and current professionals that take classes here (especially Xiao's classes). Like everyone else, I cannot recommend Robert's classes enough and my other favorite are Graciela's classes. Be warned, beginning/intermediate is really an intermediate class so be prepared for longer and more difficult combinations! read more

Berkeley Ballet Theater is a wonderful institution. The teachers are all wonderful, and their accepting, kind philosophy on dance is very refreshing. Their motto, "where all can dance," is very fitting. Having participated in their children's program as well as in their adult program, I can truly say that BBT is a fantastic place to dance. read more

Pilates Class by Elizabeth Duvall Is amazing! I have learned so much from this pilates class about my core and alignment. Elizabeth has so much knowledge about the body and she always has helpful suggestions. Also, it is an affordable pilates classes (an individual is $15 for 90 minutes or even less if you buy a series). read more

I love this school. everyone is so friendly and welcoming. my daughter has many new great friends, teachers that actually care about her as a person and as a dancer, staff that is helpful and courteous, and wonderful wonderful instruction in dance. my daughter is so much better at dance now, even though she was already good (went to ABT- Detroit several times) before switching to this school in august. she's 15 and level 7. we definitely had high expectations in our long search for a new school. believe me it's worth driving across a bridge to go here for class or to visit the new friends you make. this school is worth so much more than what you pay. my daughter had a friend from out of town do a drop in class with her and she agreed with my daughter that "Miss Sally knows things". they like how just a simple correction from Sally Streets can completely change your dancing. i think she knows how to explain things so they can be easily done and knows how to prevent injuries. the friend was told she could hurt her knees if she continued to move a certain way and was show a better way to do it - her friend did have bad knees. every day i thank the world for having a ballet school like this one and i wish i had taken my daughter here years before. trying the closest schools first isn't always the best way. read more

For Adult Ballet: During the week the classes are great and the studio is nice and big. I like the studio much better than Shawl-Anderson for this reason. HOWEVER don't take Sally Street's class on Saturdays. You will get PTSD flashbacks from the very worst of your child ballet days. For int/adv ballet on Saturdays the class is mostly teeny boppers with a few adults at the back bar. While Sally generally leaves the adults in the class alone, she is SO RUDE to the teenage students, picks them out of a line to re-do a combination and says things to them like "well that just got worse and worse." On the off chance she's not picking on the students, she's yelling at the pianist. It is so unpleasant. I have literally seen teenage girls cry during her class. Go into LINES or deal with the tiny studio at Shawl-Anderson. Or take someone else's class at another point during the week. read more

We've been at BBT for many years... it's a great community and my daughter continues to enjoy her classes there. We have found the teachers to be kind, welcoming, and dedicated. We're so excited that they have found a beautiful new home on 10th St! read more

At 76, I was sinking into the dissolved core of my body in spite of physical therapy exercises and hiking; I also had one or more pains on a daily basis...back, shoulder, feet, trapezius, hips. My daughter called me one morning and said I needed to take ballet; I couldn't imagine finding a class that would work for me, but she identified Robert Greer's intro to beginning class and I found a home...for my needy body, my lagging spirit, and my love of dance and working my body. Berkeley Ballet welcomes people such as me and Robert has an incredible ability to passionately coach "beginners!" He never sounds bored, only thorough, as he repeats valuable instructions and guidance for finding the places in one's body to activate by stretching and/or moving. Watching students kindly and carefully, Robert identifies group, as well as individual, coaching needs and addresses them in his thorough and encouraging way throughout each class. Robert is one of the most outstanding teachers I've ever met and his timely entry into my life is truly a blessing...I rarely hurt now, I stand straight and strong, my body can do all kinds of wonderful things again...and that's after just a few months of two classes a week. read more

I first came to BBT when I was 8 years old and loved it so much that I danced there nonstop there until I graduated from high school last year. I can honestly say that BBT is one of the best schools out there, and truly is a place where all can dance. It has in many ways made me the person I am today, so for any parent looking for a ballet school to enrich your child's life, I hope this review will convince you to choose BBT. When I started at BBT, I had been discouraged by ballet teachers at previous studios and was on the verge of quitting before I took a class from Ms. Deborah. She and other teachers keep classes fun and engaging while instilling in students the principles of classical ballet at a level equivalent to schools like SFB. BBT also has great performance opportunities for dancers of all ages, starting at pre-ballet, so even if you aren't looking for serious prolonged ballet training, BBT is a great choice. However, the serious training as you move up through levels in the Youth Division is one of the main reasons why I value BBT so much. A major aspect that sets BBT apart from other schools is the wide variety of teachers students are exposed to; throughout my time here, I've had teachers who danced with all sorts of companies, from ABT to the Australian Ballet to contemporary companies like Mark Morris and LINES Ballet. Basically, you can choose how serious you want your training here to be: if you don't try, you can remain in level 5 or 6 and dance around 4 days a week and still have fun, but if you work hard you can move up to the Youth Company and dance up to 6 days a week. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting top-notch training; between me and my friends in the Youth Co, we were accepted into various summer intensives including SFB, ABT New York, Boston Ballet and others, and were well prepared for the rigor and talented peers we experienced at those places. What truly sets BBT apart from other studios, however, is the community. Since its founding, Ms. Sally has emphasized our motto, "Where all can dance," and the message is no lie. No matter your body type, age, or personality, you will get the best training BBT has to offer, whether it's through the pre-ballet program, youth division, adult open division, or Dance for PD. I've been fortunate enough to have attended summer programs around the country, and from this I've learned that the stereotypical prissiness and backstabbing of ballet dancers can be very real--but not at BBT! Throughout my time at BBT, there was never any jealousy over casting, teachers didn't favor students over others (with a few exceptions), and the atmosphere is kind and nurturing, which is rare in the world of ballet. I don't know what else to say other than that BBT is great! No other school I know has the same balance of rigorous training and a loving environment. I've taken countless adult classes here as well, and can tell you the quality of training is just as excellent as in the Youth Division (and the new Rhythm and Motion class is super fun!). BBT has always been an exceptional institution, and under the new artistic director Robert Dekkers' leadership, I think it will continue to become even better. read more

I love this place. It is a second home to me. My classmates are my friends, my teachers are the best. We are a family at BBT. There are at least three if not four classes going on everyday for adults besides the youth program. There are Saturday and Sunday fundamentals classes taught by the very energetic Robert Greer who loves teaching this level. These classes are for very absolute beginners. He is a great teacher to start ballet with. He is strict, and makes one work hard, but he jokes a lot and easy to relax with. Best of all, he will give individual corrections, and hold your hand as you go across the floor, going along with you, teaching you the steps. That's hard to find anywhere else. I still take fundamentals at least one day a week from Mr. Greer, because one can't cheat in these classes and since it is so slow, one works the placement and muscles correctly. I love this class, i love the enthusiasm he has for all his students. He really believes we can be good dancers even if we all started as adults. He is very loved by his students, he has a great following, his enthusiasm is so catchy. BBT has also beginning level classes. This is a good class to take after you take fundamentals. I myself am an adult beginner. I started my ballet training with Miss Deborah Moss. She was my teacher for fundamentals, and I graduated to higher level. I take her beginning class which I love and deem necessary no matter how many years I will take ballet. Miss Moss has been a ballet teacher for a long time, and she really knows how to teach adults which isn't very common. She knows we learn differently and adjusts each class to our level. BBT is a open for all, all can dance kind of place. So you will find all levels in any given class. Miss Deborah will get absolute beginners who have never even been to a ballet class for her beginning class, but she skillfully adjusts the class to everyone's level and satisfaction. And she really knows how to adjust the exercises to hit the right muscles that need training and strengthen our weaknesses. She has very sharp eyes and nothing escapes her. But most of it, even though it is a beginning class, she will have the loveliest but simple combinations that makes even a very beginner feel like a dancer. And let's face it, we all want to feel like a dancer even from the very beginning. I love her classes for that and I have the utmost respect for this most experienced, seasoned, lovely teacher. Miss Deborah is Miss BBT to many. She has trained so many youth program and adult students, when I think of BBT, i think of her and how lucky we are to have this wonderful teacher as adult students. I take beginning to intermediate with Miss Xiao on Saturdays. Miss Xiao teaches intermediate level on Tue/Thur/Sun nights along with point class on Thursdays and Sundays after the technique class.. Well, what can we say about Miss Xaio? This Vaganova trained lovely dancer is beloved to us all. Her classes are very popular. I always have a hard time in her classes learning choreography because I love watching her demonstrate and I forget to learn the steps because i am mesmerized by the beauty of her dancing. We call her YY after Yuan Yuan Tan of SF ballet. They both had the same kind of Chinese Vaganova training. One can see it easily. Both have that kind of flowing arms, hands, perfect (impossible) turnout, impossible extensions and flexibility and understanding of music. Miss Xiao can change combinations on the spot for barre or the center on a moments notice, realizing today we need to work on this or that. Her port de bras training is to die for. She has the proper, the beautiful Vaganova arms and hands. And every class, she works on giving us better port de bras, and many of her students get to achieve beautiful port de bras thanks to her persistence. (not me though :) All her jokes and corrections lovingly direct us to be better dancers. She makes us relaxed with that funny face, at the same time drawing attention to what we need to work on. We love her when she supposedly gets angry at us, but she is so full of love and warmth for her students that nobody can keep a straight face, we all start laughing and she joins us. She is so enthusiastic and loves being there. We count her as a friend, and a most valuable teacher we will cherish for all our lives. It is indeed an honor to take class with her. You must experience her class on your own to see what I am talking about. You will fall in love with her and her class. I am not at that level to take intermediate or advanced level classes which are mainly taught in the mornings or at 6:30 every night. Patricia Banchik and Ilona McHugh are also very lovely dancers and teachers. They both give great corrections and are so full of great tips which makes me regret that I can't profit from their classes. I love BBT. Many happy hours, hard work, best friends were created here. I hope you can try it for yourself. :) read more

This review is specifically for the advanced classes taught by Ms. Sally Streets. Ms. Streets is an ineffective teacher. She is unnecessarily angry and shockingly rude at times, both to adults and teenagers. Unless you are a 13 year old prepubescent who has studied with her since age three and look like a "skeletor," don't bother with her class. Take Weber's class if you get the chance, or go to Shawl Anderson down the road. read more