My husband found Creative Dance Theatre 3 years ago when we were looking to move to another studio after aging out of the current school. I messaged with the owner and office manager and my child was able to attend a class to see if it was good fit. It was. First year they took tap/ballet and a yoga class. Year 2 was tap/ballet and cheer/pop, year 3 is ballet/contemporary and Acro. They have a wide variety of classes, with varying age groups, offered daily at various times, making it easy to find a class to fit your child's age and schedule. Because it is a small studio, it is a more personalized experience. Class sizes are a reasonable amount, the same teachers teach year to year, the owner and office manager are very responsive to emails (my primary way of communication). The school dance "year" follows SDUSD schedule. Starting in August and finishing in May. The yearly recital is held in May and is optional. If your dancer wants to participate they can, but if they prefer not to do they do not have to and their dance "year" ends at the end of the current payment cycle (end of February). In addition to dance classes during the year, they have added dance camps. They host birthday parties and have a summer session if kids want to dance during the summer. Since the summer classes are a shorter length of time it is a great time to try a type of dance that your dancer may not be as sure of. With that said if your child is at an age where they can do 2 different classes with an age range for example ballet/tap 4-6 years old or ballet/tap 6-9 years old if you start in one class and feel like your child would be a better fit in another you can swap. I think it is dependent upon the teacher agreeing. I feel like when we switched to this studio my child did the younger and older class and the teacher is like "they would be fine in either" so we selected the older aged class. The teachers do a great job of teaching a group of kids with varying experiences. They are patient and explain the dance steps and make recommendations or modifications based on the child. The classes are a stretch, warm up, dance and then dismissal. Since this is a non competitive school each child is met where they are and allowed to learn and grow at their own pace. The other thing, I have enjoyed as well as my child is that while there is an "adult" teacher there is also a "student" teacher. These are usually students who are in high school who also dance at the studio. Many of these student teachers have been dancing at CDT since they were the age of my child! Billing switched last year from monthly to 3 payments spread out at enrollment, November and February. If doing the block payments is an issue if you reach out to the owner and office manager they are very reasonable with finding payment terms that work with your family and budget. If you take multiple classes there is a 10% discount. The dress code is dance wear but they are very flexible in what the kids can wear. No pressure to buy from them or a certain studio. For ballet ( my child is not en pointe) I have ordered leotards and ballet shoes on Amazon. I also ordered tap shoes on Amazon, as at this age the size changes quickly. The studio even keeps a supply of shoes at the studio (usually previous dancers shoes in good condition) so if your child forgets them or maybe in between sizes you can "try before you buy." All of the information about the studio, pricing, classes, attire is found on their website. It is easy to communicate with the owner and office manager. If there was a downside I would say that it is not being able to communicate directly with your child's teacher if they might be absent (due to illness). I typically just email the office manager and owner and ask them to pass along the message but there have been some hiccups this year with some information being communicated and needing a response in one class but nothing was communicated in the other class. It was easily resolved by an email to the owner and office manager, and I understand they are busy managing a lot of teachers, kids, parents etc but it is truly the only compliant I can think of. If you live in the area, have a child in the area I highly recommend checking them out! read more

This studio is a great spot to help kids of all levels become comfortable with dancing! All of the staff are so welcoming, while providing the students a discipline of learning new skills. Rosie loves going to dance at this studio for the last five years!!! read more

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Our 3 year old is now taking Dance and Play for the second time and she loves it. We started her when she was 2 and we find it to be a fun and supportive environment where she can thrive amongst her peers for 30 minutes each week. The structure of the toddler class is perfect for this age range because they fit many different activities/songs/etc. into the half hour so the kids are able to maintain focus (for the most part- they are toddlers after all!). We have been so pleased with all of the instructors that we've encountered and look forward to moving her into the next age appropriate class as she grows. read more

My daughter started at CDT 3 years ago with Ms Erika, being very shy. Ms Erika heard me speak German to my child and even offered to learn a couple phrases to make her feel more comfortable , that was so thoughtful of her, but since my daughter is actually bilingual and was just shy we just had to hope for her to finally want to participate more! The first recital flipped the switch and after that she was a more confident dancer and participated the whole time and made friends ! Now she graduated the little kid ballett classes and is with Ms Sarah in ballett/tap , which is doing a fantastic job keeping the kids engaged and the ones that are younger in the group following along ! We highly recommend CDT if you want a fun and engaging environment for your child! read more

Erika is just the best teacher and so wonderful with the little ones. highly recommend checking out this dance studio for the kiddos! read more

Creative Dance Theatre - Loving all that ballet has to offer! - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

II first heard about this studio through the buzz in our neighborhood--many local children attend classes here, and now I understand why! We were invited to visit the studio, and it was love at first sight. The atmosphere is welcoming, vibrant, and filled with so much positive energy. My child has been attending ever since, and we couldn't be happier. Our instructor is absolutely fabulous--engaging, patient, and incredibly skilled. Watching the classes is a joy in itself, but what truly sets this studio apart is how inclusive and family-friendly it is. Additional family members are welcome to watch, which makes the experience even more special and meaningful for everyone involved. This studio has become a cherished part of our routine, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nurturing and inspiring environment for their child. read more

We love CDT! My daughter has been taking dance classes and summer camps here for the last 2 years, and we really like the space and instructors. My daughter took ballet/tap, cheer/hip hop, and tap with Miss Sarah, and she's absolutely wonderful and very patient with the kids. We are looking forward to trying a different type of dance class over the summer! read more

My daughter loves the dance classes she has taken at this studio. She loves the performance they have at the end of the year. I love the many options for days and times that classes are available. Teachers have all been very knowledgeable - kids get a serious (and fun) dance class. read more

My daughter has been attending classes here for about a month and it has been such a positive experience. The teachers are all amazing- kind, patient, and knowledgeable on dance. Communication with the office manager Becky has also been super smooth and easy to get my questions answered. She loves the classes and looks forward to them weekly! read more

Creative dance theater is such a unique and special place! Our four-year-old loves going to her ballet class here every Saturday morning. Watching the kids dance is also adorable as a parent. The teachers do a fantastic job turning practice into a series of fun and whimsical games that keep the kids engaged the entire session and our daughter look forward to class every week and practices some moves at home when she gets back. read more

We have had an outstanding experience with CDT. Ms. Erika and the entire team of instructors are exceptional--professional, welcoming, and supportive. The studio creates an inclusive and inviting atmosphere, and my daughter truly looks forward to her classes each week. CDT offers a wide range of dance classes, both in terms of schedule flexibility and styles, providing something for everyone. We love CDT and definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get their child into dance. read more

CDT is a wonderful dance studio! We have been apart of the CDT community for the last two years and have enjoyed every minute of it. My daughter attended another studio prior to starting here and we cannot same enough good things about this program. My daughter really enjoys her ballet/tap class with Ms Sarah. The recital is so cute as well!!! read more

Creative Dance Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

Our daughter has been taking dance at CDT since she was 2 years old. We left for unrelated business reasons and tried 2 different studios both right before/after Covid. When we finally returned to CDT it was like a breath of fresh air. We knew it was good and even better than before with their current owner, Erika. It's a thriving studio with so many talented teachers, easy access for our family, flexible and considerate when it comes to different family situations, kind hearted, fun, professionally run recitals, summer camps, affordable class options and a all around supportive community. We love CDT and going back to them a few years ago was the best dance decision for our daughter and family. Couldn't be happier! read more

Both of my daughters love attending their dance classes. Everyone is always very nice and supportive.

We put my 3-year-old in dance class here and she loves it! Ms. Erika teaches the basic techniques it in a way that is so fun for the kids. We look forward to going every week. We recommend the class to all our friends and family. read more

We started at Creative Dance Theater when my daughter was in the Mommy and Me class. She is now 8 years old and still loves going there. My son joined in the fun a couple years ago as well and now he is 9 and also loves it. Between the two of them they have taken Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, and their new favorite is the acro class. We have seen them both get so strong in this class. The studio is a nice family run studio without the high cost and pressures of a competitive studio. All of the teachers both my kids have had, including Erica the owner, have been outstanding. We are so pleased with the organization and thoughfulness put into each class session. It has been such a great place for my kids to spend their time. read more

My daughter Charlotte has been attending dance class with Ms. Erika at her pre-school for years and just started formal classes at the studio. She has had a wonderful experience, she is learning new skills, developing ways to express herself and having a great time. Her teachers are excellent, they are patient, kind and really know how to engage these littles. I highly recommend you try it out!! read more

My toddler and I have really enjoyed this program! Ms. Erika & Ms. Erin are amazing- you can tell they not only enjoy teaching kids but know what they are doing. They exhibit patience with small children and keep them busy. We look forward to the recital this year. read more

My girls LOVE dancing at this studio! We have been dancing at CDT for 2&1/2 years. The teachers are amazing and the classes are so much fun! read more

Creative Dance Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

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My family loves this dance studio. It is a hidden gem in clairemont. Affordable tuition and they allow payment plans for the year. My daughters have loved all their teachers and there is a fun performance in May every year where the kids get to show off their dances and wear a beautiful costume. I recommend this studio! read more

We love Creative Dance Theater and the owner, Erika! My daughter has been taking classes here since she was 3 years old. She started off so shy and just observed the classes for a while before she was ready to participate in dance class. Ms Erika and her staff are amazing and were so patient with my daughter! They helped her fall in love with dance and become confident and even perform in multiple recitals! They've helped her grow so much. It truly is a family studio and I could not be more grateful for the loving and nurturing environment they've created for girls and boys to foster a love for dance and creative expression. We love it so much we've told our friends and they've signed up too! CDT is such a gem! read more

Ms. Erin is impatient and rude with the children and often rebukes them rudely. They are young and often get distracted and her tone can be punitive rather than encouraging. We had Ms. Erika and she teaches in a much more supportive way. We will not be back. It also has been difficult to park. read more

When my daughter was almost three years old I wanted to sign her up for a dance class and many friends recommended Creative Dance Theater (CDT). Since she was almost 3 I preferred her to start in the 3-5 year old dance class and the free trial class made it easy for me to see if she was ready for it. That first class with Miss Erin was absolutely wonderful. She does such an amazing job teaching and I love how thorough she is with explaining things to the students. She is so attentive and patient, but also does a wonderful job at keeping the class on task. They incorporate the fundamentals of ballet in a fun way and also spend time in class letting the children express themselves in many different ways. We are taking the creative ballet for our second year now and I love how much my daughter has grown. You know you are somewhere special when your dance instructor grew up taking the same ballet classes at CDT when she was 3/4 years old. read more

We have been taking a few classes here for almost a year now. Ms. Erika is really supportive to all children at all levels since it is an inclusive and non-competitive dance studio. This helps children feel more self-confident while also learning to dance. My only complaint is the construction this year has made parking more challenging so having to leave earlier to make it on time and sometimes taking different route to the studio although hopefully the construction will be done soon. It would also be nice if the studio could be bigger as it can be very full of kids and parents at times. Overall the kids love this place and the price and class offerings and times are very reasonable. read more

My 4 year old daughter loves the Creative Dance Theatre. I like that the classes are small and the dance instructors are fantastic. Erika is extremely good at keeping families informed and I find the cost is reasonable for dance classes. I also like that parking is easy and there are a variety of class options available for all ages! I'm looking forward to the upcoming dance recital! read more

My daughter has been attending classes since she turned 3 (she is now 5 and a half)! We have experienced dance class pre-covid and during covid and have had a truly wonderful experience. Creative ballet (for 3-5 year olds) is a perfect blend of learning the basics of ballet, creative story telling blended with dance, a ton of props to dance with and fun for the littles! My daughter is now in creative ballet and tap and really enjoying continuing to learning ballet and beginning tap! She is not one to be shy about voicing her opinions about extra curricular activities, and dance is consistently her favorite. It has been fun to watch her improve and it has helped so much with her coordination! Miss Erika and all of the assistant teachers have been so lovely. They all have this kind way of supporting the children, almost like real life Disney princesses We have also attended a birthday party held by Miss Erika and her team and the children all had so much fun! Highly recommended! Overall, if you're looking for a dance studio that is kind, inclusive and fun, this is the one for you! read more

Creative Dance Theatre - Her very first day of classes! - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

My daughter has taken dance classes at Creative Dance Theatre for the last 3 years with Ms. Erika. Over our time at CDT, she has taken Dance and Play for toddlers and Creative Ballet. The teachers have an amazing ability to keep the kids engaged and having fun. Every year in May, my daughter is part of the recital performance showcasing all of the dancers. The studio is also a great place to host birthday parties! I highly recommend this dance studio to moms looking for a fun dance class to enroll their daughters in. read more

A Wonderful Experience at Creative Dance Theater. I cannot say enough good things about Creative Dance Theater! My 4-year-old daughter absolutely loves her ballet class and looks forward to every session with great excitement. The environment is nurturing and fun, making it the perfect introduction to the world of dance for young children. A huge part of our positive experience is thanks to the incredible teachers, Ms. Erika and Ms. Kelley. They are both amazing with the kids - calm, patient, and endlessly encouraging. Seeing my daughter thrive and grow in confidence under their guidance has been truly heartwarming. I highly recommend Creative Dance Theater to anyone looking for a wonderful dance program for their child. read more

We love this little studio. My daughter started going at 3 years old to Ms. Ericka's class. She is so kind and patient with the kids. The classes encourage the kids to use their imagination while learning some basic dance skills. Teachers all want the kids to have fun and while helping to build their confidence. I cannot recommend this studio enough. read more

Heard about CDT from other parents and it does not disappoint. My daughter looks forward to her class all week long.

My kids have been going to CDT for 3.5 years now. They started in a ballet/jazz combo class and have more recently moved on to hip hop and acro. Some things that I really like about CDT, which I think make it very unique: 1. The combo classes: There are quite a few classes offering a combination of different dance styles, esp for the younger ages. This is a great way to get to know different types of dance. 2. Play and cultural elements: This applies mostly to the younger age groups, but includes story telling through dance and dance traditions from other cultures. 3. Involve students in choreography: Depending on age / type of class, my kids have been involved in creating their own movements and sequences. 4. Involvement of older students as assistant teachers: Some of the older teens and former students work as assistant teachers with the younger students. 5. It is not a competitive studio, but older students have opportunities for more performances. Younger students participate in an annual recital. read more

My daughter started taking classes at CDT 12 years ago and hasn't stopped! She's participated in tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop and loved everyone. We especially love CDT because it's a place for all dancers, regardless of skill level, body shape, or ability. We are also super pleased that costumes and music are age-appropriate. You can't go wrong here! read more

Our daughter is in her second year at CDT and loves it. Ms. Erika (her teacher and the owner) makes the classes fun and age appropriate for preschoolers with dancing, books, stories, and fun! She shares dances from other cultures too. The classes are low key and accessible to kids of all abilities. She is great at reading the kids energy and modifying as needed. Highly recommend if you are looking for a dance class with a welcoming environment that accepts all kids. read more

My daughter had been dancing for 10 years when the pandemic hit. Coinciding with the start of the pandemic, her previous studio had begun to be heavily focused on competitive dance. When my daughter felt comfortable returning to dance in their era of masks and rigid spacing, she was placed into a lower level class and surrounded by students much younger than her. She had always loved to dance but she didn't want to compete. She quit dancing because of this. We learned about CDT a couple years later and my daughter was ready to try dancing again. The teachers were outstanding and she was able to dance with her peer group. I received feedback from her new teachers plus the owner and the office manager welcomed us to the new space. My daughter has continued to dance- both tap and ballet and has made friends. I am so grateful she found a space that fit her personality. read more

We found out CDT through my daughter's daycare. Ms. Erika came and taught dace once a week at her school. My daughter loved it so much that we signed up for the summer session and continued to the fall. My daughter loves learning new dances and expressing herself through dance. All of the teachers are so great with the kids and are so patient. read more

Creative Dance Theatre is a wonderful dance studio. Teachers are very kind and understanding of the different students needs. The studio itself is the perfect size not too big or small its the perfect size very welcoming. It's wonderful to see my toddler grow and blossom over the year and see the progress of not only him but the other students. read more

We love everything about this place. My shy daughter really wanted to do dance. We were hesitant but the staff was so welcoming and kind. Becky helped from day one via email. Answered my millions of questions and suggested we go and watch a lesson before my daughter jumped in. It helped GREATLY. Sarah was her instructor who is do's wonderful with all the children. She's on time and really knows how to keep the girls interest. The owner is also a gem. This place is wonderful all around. read more

My daughter is almost 6 years old, and has been going to the ballet/tap classes at CDT with Miss Erika for over a year. We are so fortunate to have found these classes. They provide a great introduction to ballet and tap, while being engaging and fun for kids. My daughter loves it -- our whole family loves it! Erika has a patient, friendly, and caring way to make all of the participants feel included and not pressured. I feel like this style of teaching has really helped the kids want to try and learn. The space is clean and they keep the doors open during these COVID times; the health and safety of the participants and families is of great importance and it shows. Thank you Creative Dance Theater! We are so fortunate to have our daughter participate in your classes. read more

Wow this place has been such a great thing for my daughter! With the crazy that 2020 has been, Creative Dance Theatre has been positive and exciting for her to look forward to each week. The facility is so adorable and clean, you can tell that they make the health and wellness of our children the first priority. Not only is the facility wonderful, but the positivity that you can hear coming from the studio is contagious! Erika (the owner) is full of positive reinforcement and has such a way with the kids! You can tell the class feels empowered by her throughout the whole class - I sit outside and listen from my car and I've never heard her be anything but kind and positive - it's impressive. She is a great role model for our kids. Having a place where my daughter can be safe, hear words of affirmation and be nurtured it exactly what I wanted to find this year! We are in the right place! read more

My 4 year old daughter started ballet lessons here. She immediately took a liking to her teacher Ms. Erika as I watch for myself how much patience she has with the little ones and a soothing demeanor. She has made my daughter feel welcomed to the class like she belongs and for that I am very thankful. With the way things are my daughter does not get many opportunities to be around other kids her age and I know that her ballet class even though only 45 min is the highlight of her week. read more

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