Clifton is a wonderful dance studio that truly cares about its dancers. The teachers are dedicated, talented, and kind--they create an environment where dancers feel supported, encouraged, and challenged to grow. We're so grateful for everything Clifton does to help my daughter grow as a dancer and as a person. She's learned so much here and has built meaningful friendships along the way. The Grinch production is something she looks forward to all year long and it brings so much joy to the dancers and families. And the June show is always absolutely exceptional, such a beautiful showcase of everyone's hard work and talent. read more

Too costly for the services provided on my niece. She still felt intimidated after a couple whole trips here. Wish the staff done more to ask how we are. I was with my family, so we wouldn't come here again ever. Spacing is okay overall but ambiance needs to improve. read more

Clifton Dance Project - Dance Schools Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

My 2 boys have taken classes at Clifton for about 2 years now. This is the 3rd dance studio that they have danced with. The boys are so happy here that we decided to stay on even though we moved out of Huntington Beach last year and now commute for 30-45 minutes to and from class. Clifton offers ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and contemporary as well as private piano and vocal lessons and a musical theater class. What we love about this studio: Positive environment/atmosphere - The teachers here are patient, caring, and nurturing. They know how to ensure a fun experience for the kids while still maintaining discipline and order during class. World class instruction - check out their website; it speaks for itself. Real dance floors - no tile or linoleum. Parent viewing areas with plenty of seating for all 3 studios (rooms) - One entire wall of each room is floor to ceiling glass for easy viewing from the exterior of the building. The two larger rooms also have large windows for viewing from the lobby/reception area (great for when it is too cold outside). Hip-Hop classes for ages 4-6 that are age appropriate and tons of fun - hard to find in OC. A wonderful, professional June recital and holiday show. Two terrific Summer workshops - one for the older, intermediate and advanced students and one for the younger students. Both of my boys attended workshop last year. My youngest had so much fun that he chose to write about 'dance workshop' as the thing he was most looking forward to this Summer for his last writing prompt in 1st grade. My oldest came home exhausted and with a huge smile on his face every day; he is really looking forward to being challenged again this year. Convenient location - In a strip mall adjacent to a park and a Home Depot. Easy to take a younger sibling to play in the park or take a walk for some exercise while your kids are in class. There is also a kundalini yoga studio in the center plus a variety of adult fitness/dance classes available in the evenings at Clifton for moms who want to work out while their kids dance. There are also plenty of restaurants and a liquor store within easy walking distance if you need to pick up a snack or a quick dinner for after class. Prices are very reasonable and highly competitive with other studios in the area - an incredible value! read more

What an amazing establishment. My daughters love it here and everyone from the top down treats us as family. They are professional in every aspect. They understand that it's the "little things" that matter and they have established themselves as a stellar business in the heart of HB. I would recommend them to everyone. Additionally, they take all the precautions necessary to give my kids the enjoyable and safe environment they deserve. They truly understand what really matters to the kids and parents. Keep it up Clifton! read more

Should have done a more educated research before trying out at this old worn down studio. Receptionist's favorite word is "apparently." She is not welcoming nor helpful. R a c i s t is more apt word to describe her. Keith and the weighty tap dance teacher were not teaching classical ballet techniques. They're definitely just a recreational type of studio. They say there were doing competitions, but what type? Acrobatic? More talk and air than actual results. Technique-wise, avoid this place in Huntington Beach. There are tons of better studios in Orange County where parents and new enrollees are treated kindly and respectfully. Invest your money in solid dance education somewhere else. read more

I would just like to clarify that Clifton's is not closed - not sure why it is reflecting this on Yelp. - Apologize in advance for the length, but this review has been a long time coming. I am 23 and have been dancing (and LOVING IT) since I was 11 thanks to Clifton's. I would like to start by addressing a couple of the negative reviews: "some of the instructors are down right mean and say inappropriate (body shape/size) comments to the girls" I am truly offended that anyone would say this about the teachers at Clifton's. I danced there as a teenager who was much less skilled than others my age and every teacher constantly reassured me and pushed me to be stronger, mentally and physically. They love and care for the students and would do nothing to suggest that one is better than the other based on size/shape/technical capability. "there are favorites and clearly they are always the star of the show" So false. If you work hard and build technique, yes, you may be highlighted with a minuscule part in a group dance (literally one turn, penche, flip, etc.) or asked to be in a performing group, but that's how dance studios work. Keith and the rest of the teachers do a great job at making everyone feel comfortable on stage and their choreography is made to use/highlight the whole group, not just the best in the class. And here's the rest of my opinion: I would not be who I am without the passion for dance that Keith, Linda, Autumn, Gina, and Stephanie sparked in my life. Not only have I learned great technique in all styles of dance from them, but I have also learned to be a better artist and person. After growing up a bit, I have realized Clifton's has given me so much - a sense of determination in everything I do, an understanding of my body's anatomy and how I can focus on different muscles with different exercises, and the most beautiful, creative outlook on life. I have never gone to a gym because I can use the exercises I did in class some 15 years later in my home to get in shape. I have never gone more than a couple months without dancing because Clifton's made it so much more than just "dancing" to me - they made it into a way to let go of all the bad things in life and just be present and happy. I love music, exercising, and art so much more because of every class I've taken at Clifton's. I could literally go on and on with positive things to say about this place, but I think if you took the time to read this far, you get the idea. TLDR: Clifton's is more than just a dance studio, it is a place to grow up alongside the best dance teachers and students out there. It is so different than the classic competition-focused studios that are present in OC, and that's what makes it so fun and special. You will gain technical prowess, mental perseverance, artistry, and more here. If I could give 500000 stars, I would. Definitely try out a class if you're considering it. Might change your life! read more

My daughter has been taking a hip-hop class here for about 6 months. She loves the class and the staff. They had a huge performance at HB High last weekend featuring performances from all of their classes....ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and vocals....ages 3 to 30 it seemed like. The performers all seemed happy, enthusiastic and quite talented. read more

I have been taking dance from Keith Clifton since I was 14 years old when he was a teacher at OCDC. He is one of, if not, my favorite dance teacher. He knows how to get the best out of every dancer. His discipline is unparalleled. Dance is challenging and it builds character, dedication, tenacity, discipline, stamina, and perseverance. Because of my dance experience I have carried these traits throughout my life. In addition, dance is just flat out fun. If you want to have a great dance experience join the Clifton family. I've also taken classes with Miss Linda, Miss Autumn, Miss Stephanie, and Miss Gina, they are all exceptional. read more

My daughter is now in her 4th year at Clifton Dance Project - she absolutely loves it! We love the fact that the instructors are completely dedicated and they pride themselves in nurturing young talent, all while maintaining a warm and welcoming family feel. The fact that most of the dancers have been attending the studio for 8+ years says it all! We couldn't be happier to call it our 'dance home' :) read more

Clifton dance project has been my dance studio since I was 3 years old. The teachers there have become my family and have helped me group up into the dancer I want to be. I love the atmosphere and the girls I dance with. The studio recently got repainted with with dancers painted on the walls which look really awesome. Teacher here takes the time to reach out and help students. I wouldn't want to dance anywhere else. read more

My daughter danced here for 11 years. When she was younger it was fine but the older she got the worse things became. Some of the instructors are down right mean and say inappropriate comments to the girls. The owner makes comments about the girls' size and body type. There are favorites and clearly they are always the star of the show. I thought they were good at teaching technique but since we left and have experienced other studios and instructors i see that was not the case. Miss Gina is the exception. She was always positive and encouraging to all students regardless of their talent and abilities. read more

My daughter has been taking classes for 3 years and loves it. She had made 2 best friends that she sees outside of dance too. The instructors know every kid's names and are extremely patient. read more

Absolutely amazing I've been dancing there for 13 years and Clifton has been perfect every step of the way to becoming a better dancer read more

Clifton dance project is my second home. Everyone is super nice and friendly. The teachers are very helpful and they've helped me bloom into the dancer I want to be. All of the dancers are super sweet and we all support each other. Not only do we learn technique, but we also learn dances and compete them. We do two shows a year, the Grinch and June Show. Both of these shows are fun to perform and to practice. Overall, it's an amazing studio and there's no other studio i'd rather be at!! read more

My kids love this place so much that they take classes 6 days of the week.

My 5yr old loves ballet. This is a wonderful and reasonably priced school. Teachers are welcoming and patient. Worth every penny. Thanks Clifton Dance Project. read more

This is the most fun place on the whole wide world, besides being a great dance studio! There are a few of us mature ladies over the age of 17 and we love, love, love our jazz classes on Mon at 530 and Wed at 630. Not only is Keith a superb teacher, but he is funny! Very intelligent and clever. The atmosphere here is that of a family., a good family., not dysfunctional! Miss Linda teaches the little girls in ballet and I have never seen her lose her patience. She is just so sweet to those girls. Never raises her voice. Just a sweet and patient teacher from whom the kids learn much! Miss Gina rocks. Enough said! I also took from Miss Stephanie in ballet and she is such a great teacher! I learned so much and wish I had not had to stop, but my son's volleyball got in the way. Miss Sherrie is awesome. Her knowledge and love of ballet is reflected in her students. Miss Autmun's classes seem so cool! I want to get in some! Her choreography is beautiful. And what can we say about the real boss? She is the secretary, the treasurer, the receptionist, and the counselor. The ship would sink without Miss Cathy. If you are over the age of 17 and looking for a dance class, come here! We love the young girls in our class,but, would love some more "gals" around our young age of anywhere from 21-61. You would be never be ILL at ease or uncomfortable, cause we wouldn't let you be! If you wanna get rid of some everyday stress and laugh, come on out! A great way to start the new year. And, no, I am not related to the Clifton's or their publicist, I just like passing on info on good folks! read more

I got a Groupon discount to Clifton Dance for my daughter that was completely new to dance. Her experience there was, "horrible," and "they would only do stretching for more than half the hour," her class, while gaining flexibility, would not learn any techniques or the proper way to do a move. The teacher barely did anything and my daughter says that many days she seemed in a bad mood. The recital dance seemed like it was a joke for the audience to laugh at. I was appalled to find that the routine looked like the joke-dance of the show. For my shy, unconfident daughter, she did not appreciate feeling like she was being humiliated, and I don't appreciate it either. When a year of her classes were over, we switched to a dance studio closer to us. There, she improved much faster because the teachers would actually do their job: teach and critique. We didn't know any better to go to Clifton, and I would highly recommend choosing a better studio. ;( read more

They are truly a 5 Star Dance School! They have had me along with 2 more generations of dancers who love dance because of these wonderful instructors! If you or anyone else you know want a great school and really enjoy it, give them a try! read more

My daughter took her first class today with Miss Stephanie's Saturday Class. The class is for 3-5 year olds. My daughter is 3 and was so excited to start ballet and tap. She loved the class and did great. I taped the class and took tons of pictures. After Class Miss Stephanie came out to talk to me. She said that my daughter should first do community dance through the city. She also said my daughter was very enthusiatic about dance but she cannot come back to the class. She said to maybe try back in January. My daughter was acting like all the other children in the class. She followed directions most of the time with an added twirl in between dancing. I came home and watched videos to made sure that I was not seeing something incorrectly. I am really dissatisfied with Miss Stephanie and bummed by the outcome of today. I used to dance with Keith Clifton at OCDC years ago and would of loved for my daughter to go to his studio. I will never take my daughter there again. She loved the class but was sad on the way home because she understood everything that Miss Stephanie said to me in front of my daughter. This class is marked for 3-5 years old kids. There was at least one 6 year old in the class. Also, i think that if a dance instructor doesn't have patience to teach young 3 year olds, he or she should maybe teach a class with older kids. Crazy to boot out an ethusiastic 3 year old girl on her first dance class. Maybe if after a few classes, if things were not working out, talk about it privately with the parent. I think it was inappropriate for a teacher to straight up tell a child you're not good enough, don't come back for awhile, especially on the first day. P.S. Special thanks to Kathy at the front. Miss Stephanie wanted to still charge me $15 for the class but Kathy said, "No Way!" read more

Shoot...I wish I could give them zero stars, but one is way too generous. My daughter has been in their dance program for over 7-years. During that time, I have found that they manipulate their students so they have absolute fear about missing anything. Their annual Christmas Grinch program consumes every weekend for three months and is mostly a waste of time as the show is identical every year. If you miss more that one practice out of three dozen rehearsals, you are OUT....regardless of the validity of absence. Then, I see their rehearsals and the kids sit around most of the time doing nothing. An absolute waste of money and time. However, when you suggest to your child about not participating, you find out that they have manipulated them to believe that they can't advance in their regular dance classes unless you participate in their christmas Grinch which appears to primarily be the Clifton's big Cash Cow of the year. Finally, I do believe that the environment there harbors and possibly encourages verbal bullying by other students with no reprimand by the staff or management. I fear dropping off my daughter and not staying to monitor what goes on. And to think I pay for this. It has been a long time coming because they have instilled fear in my daughter about leaving their cult like program. But, I think she is now mature enough to realize they are taking the fun out of something that she really loves. She deserves more qualified, creative, and genuinely caring teachers who want to help kids get passionate about dance. Take your time and really evaluate the other schools out there before you get sucked in...I wish I had. read more

Great studio! The teachers are so welcoming and I have improved so much from dancing here. After 13 years here, I have formed such close bonds with all of the teachers and the many girls that have been here all these years. The Christmas and June productions are amazing and we always look forward to them all year. I will stay at Clifton as long as I am able to dance! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else because of the sweet teachers and positive environment that CDP creates. read more

My daughter danced there for over 3 years. Her departure from the studio "to move on to new activities" was handled poorly by the head of the studio. They pick their favorites due to "clicks" and "body type". Lead Front desk manager is rude. Best instructor there is Gina. If your looking for a fair and balanced dance studio for your child, do your research. read more

Clifton Dance Project is my is my second home! I've been dancing CDP since I was three years old! I take ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and pointe! The teachers here are so kind and caring. The studio is painted painted with bright colors and dancers painted on the wall. As you walking into the studio you see smiling faces. There are glass windows letting you watch the dance classes from the outside. Lastly, their prices are amazing! I love Clifton Dance Project so much. I have met my best friends here and now we are one big dance family! read more

I have danced at CDP for 3 years. I have learned sooo much from all of the talented instructors Keith, Linda, Autumn, Stefanie, and Gina. I would recommend this dance studio to any family who is looking to be active and have fun. read more