THE OWNER (FRANCESCA) PUSHED ME. I read a negative comment about the lady at the front desk who always seems bothered by questions. That was 11 years ago. I cannot agree more to this day. Every interaction with Rose has been completely off putting and unwelcoming. At Thursdays recital, pick up was a complete disaster. I was pushed by multiple parents and then THE OWNER looked me dead in the eyes and pushed me. The barrier the older students originally had up was no longer there and parents all had their kids. When I saw another mom I know with my daughter, I walked towards them. THE OWNER PUSHED ME AND SAID NO when other students were with their families. My daughter is 3 years old and short like me, so once I finally found her I wanted to get to her so she felt safe. I wasn't pushing anyone, running around, or acting aggressively in any way. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT WOMAN LAID A HAND ON ME. The teachers are nice, but almost all staff who work the front desk have been too bothered for questions or any interaction. I grew up in a studio that felt like a community, this is NOT one of those places. read more

I am a father of a special needs kid and enrolled her in the move class and the summer camp with Ms Corina and Ms Erin. They have been nothing short of amazing. She was so happy to be included in camp with her best friend, which really meant a lot to me to not get her kicked out or called about inappropriate behavior. She also connected with one of their assistants and had so much fun with her. Thank you so much!!! read more

Ms. Francesca has built a phenomenal dance studio, where students are encouraged to strive for success without the pitfalls of perfection that plague so many other institutions. She is an inspiring leader who brings out the best in her dancers, and the environment in the studio is warm, supportive and encouraging! As a former dancer returning to ballet after a long absence, I couldn't have felt more welcomed by the staff and students, and the workout I'm getting is second to none! read more

Whether you're brand-new, never left, or returning to the art of dance, this is the place for you. I'm an adult dancer who lived and breathed dance from six years old through my mid-20s but took a 12-year hiatus to focus on (a very demanding, always-on) corporate career. And having lived in London, NYC, and now, LA, it's been incredibly difficult to find open, non-professional-only studios with a diverse array of classes/times and genres for adults, so I'm incredibly grateful to Dance 1 for providing adults with a proper opportunity to dance. I found Dance 1 six months ago amid a turbulent time in my personal and professional life, and since joining this community, my life has unequivocally changed for the better. Francesca, the founder, and her wonderful staff of teachers and administrators are kind and welcoming, and the vibe feels very cozy and familial. The classes are rooted in serious, classical techniques, with offerings of all levels, from beginning to advanced. Adult classes are very proper but a bit more relaxed with plenty of suggestions to modify or up-level based on your needs. Truly the most inclusive studio I've ever been to, and so inspiring to see such a diverse group of women coming together to dance. Aside from classes, I'm also a part of an open Adult Ensemble, that rehearses 1x/month and has lots of performance opportunities. Dance 1 also invites adult classes to participate in recitals (optional participation). I can't comment on youth classes, but I do take Pre-Pointe with the kiddos (Dance 1 does not currently have an Adult-only Pointe program), and the training is wonderful and they all seem close, like they're having fun, and their technique is quite strong for their ages. Logistically, adults do not enroll via class tuition but are offered single drop-ins, or you can purchase class cards at discounted rates. There's a sizable parking lot behind the studio, and also ample street parking nearby (a huge bonus for LA). Highly recommend Dance 1, which has quickly become my second home. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE this studio so much!! I take Adult Tap and it's the highlight of my week. Everyone is so nice and friendly, instructors are amazing and patient, the music is fun/upbeat and it's great to see such a variety of different ages/abilities participating in class. They have Beg- Advanced classes and the age range in adult varies from about 35-82yrs old. They also have adult ballet and contemporary/jazz, however I have not participated in those. I been attending weekly for 6 months and my only disappointment is that I didn't find this place earlier~cheers! :) read more

Dance 1 - Adult intermediate tap - Dance Studios Near Me - Redondo Beach, California

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The teachers and students are great here. I know it is a very safe environment for my daughter and her friends.

We have been looking for a dance studio for K for a very long time. We finally found Dance1 through a referral from a friend. It is a little far from our house, but it is so worth it! We enrolled K in their Saturday Combo 4 class, and I love that they do both ballet and tap in the same class. It's great exposure at such a young age. Ms. Erin is the teacher for the littlest friends, and she is amazing! She is energetic, friendly, and the kids adore her! I love her ability to get all of the students to participate at their own comfort level. Ms. Erin knows all of the kids names, and K has only taken her class twice. She makes sure every student has a chance to speak at least once during the 45 minute class period. I love that! We're currently taking the outdoor class, but they are looking to open up more indoor classes if there is interest. So come join the group at Dance1! The pricing is fair, the staff and teachers are amazing, and Rose, at the front desk, is a superwoman. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to them. They respond to emails quickly, and they are always available to talk over the phone as well. There is a Summer camp that they are offering for a couple of weeks, but unfortunately it doesn't link up with our schedule. I'll definitely have to work it in next year! Dance1, thank you for the great customer service, the healthy/safe environment, and the joy that you bring to all of your dance students. (Reposted from MamaGooLiving.com) read more

The owners lie and play mind games with the students. They even say the kids are liars to protect themselves. THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT MONEY. If you go to another dance school they will say to the other kids she wasted her time. The worst environment for kids. The teacher teaches by fear, all her students are afraid of her. What kind of learning environment is that? Don't believe me try it for yourself and see if anything I just said was not true! read more

The passion for which the teachers and staff teach tap, jazz, and ballet dancing is duly noted. Dance 1 was one the first businesses who welcomed us back from the pandemic. The dance recital at Wilson Park in Torrance is awesome and the only thing I can think of improving is a better sit down location in the back of the facility for parents to wait. Waiting in the front at Artesia is not fun for public safety reasons, but other than our daughter's development in dance has been excellent over the last 8 or 9 months has been excellent and we hope to continue to the next level. Pricing reasonable too! read more

What fun my co-workers and I had taking Ms Francesca adult beginners ballet class. She is a class act! Made me want to start taking lessons. A great school. read more

Dance 1 seems disorganized, unwelcoming, and there's so much lack of communication. Seems like you're either a parent in the know or you're not. They also never answer the phone or return calls. It's unfortunate since the instructors seem wonderful. Our daughter's instructor is a young teen, very sweet, and very good with the girls. Otherwise, the system must be improved. They charged for everything under the sun for our daughter to be in the recital in May. We paid and the follow up hasn't been very good. The front desk staff is also NOT inviting. There's one woman in particular who always seems bothered by questions. Again, parents "in the know" seem okay and others are just lost. read more

I was visiting my old stomping grounds in the South Bay and running some errands while I was there and I found this studio near the little P.O. on Artesia. I walked in to find some information about their classes and the music was so loud I had to leave. I know a lot of people like their music loud but I am not one of those people. Maybe I will come back again when they have ballet...I assume ballet classics are pretty quiet. read more

We tried several other studios in the area with classes for preschoolers, and this is the BEST! Francesca completely understands children and treats them with respect. She knows exactly what to expect from 2, 3, and 4 year olds- and she makes it fun for everyone. She explains everything to the parents without judging the children when they just want to explore other things instead of dance. I can't recommend her and this studio enough!!!! ***This review was written before the studio moved and expanded (there's a lot of talk about town how the studio is different now).... read more

My children started dancing here a couple years ago. We started when it was located next to the RB North Post office. Now located across the street in a new, large multi room studio. The floors are brand new so you are not allowed to wear street shoes inside. My son used to take the kids mini hip hop class on Wednesdays at 1pm with Ryan. The instructor had a lot of energy and was able to motivate the kids. My son on the other hand wanted to play ball. The owner allowed me to put my daughter in his place since we had already paid for the session. I like that the owner is flexible when it comes to payment, make-ups and starting new classes(3 students and they will create a new class). I pay by cash or check each session. Now my daughter started dancing Ballet/Tap combo when she was two years old. This class for the youngest children is a good class to get your little one's feet wet. You may find children crying, dancing or running around. Some children will take direction and learn the dances while some are still learning how to be in this dance studio environment and learning how to behave. The toddler class begins with share, ballet, tap and finally free dance. My daughter has been moved up by age level two times now. Each time the class has been more controlled, the kids are given more direction, terminology and choreography. She does not want to miss her ballet class ever and she can't wait for me to get her hair and outfit ready. Her favorite teacher is Miss Francesca who now teaches the dance company during my daughter's class time. There are several new teachers, with different teaching styles, and she still insists on going to class each week. She turns four in 6 days. read more

Dance 1 is the best dance school I have enrolled my daughter in. My daughter is currently in their Mini performing company. All of their staff is amazing and Miss Francesca and Miss Donna do a great job planning their ballets Through The Pages and Snow Queen. Miss Jordan is a great Jazz and company teacher. Everyone one is so welcoming and I would definitely recommend Dance 1 to anyone trying to find a studio that will train their dancers at a professional level. read more

My daughter loves her combo ballet/tap classes from here. We started with 1 day a week and are now doing 2 days per week, looking forward to the spring recital! This place is awesome! read more

I am rating this based on children's classes - I have not attended one of the adult classes. My girls attended a trial ballet/tap class for 4/5 year-olds during Bring a Friend week. I chose this studio based on the Yelp reviews, and when I contacted Francesca, the owner, to find out when we could attend a trial class she was very quick to respond with several possibilities and the studio's dress code. The class is a combo of ballet, tap and free dance. Francesca is very patient with the children, and listens to each one, but still keeps everyone on task. She has some very fun games that get the kids excited, and also has very good structure for the ballet portion and uses the proper French terminology. She finds a very good balance between teaching proper dance techniques and allowing for creative movement. I felt that my girls learned a lot and got to express their individuality as well. The class lasts an hour, and the kids can break for water. We had ballet shoes, but not tap, and she was kind enough to let us borrow them so that the girls can practice, even though we will not be enrolled in the class for another month. Very thoughtful. I tried a few classes at different studios in the South Bay over the years, but I always felt they were either too strict and not family-friendly or too loosey-goosey and not worth an investment for kids to learn. This seems to be the happy medium - family-friendly, full of learning opportunities, and fun. read more

Dance 1 is a rare gem among dance studios. They offer world class instruction in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and contemporary in a fun, loving, and warm environment. Personal attention is the key at Dance 1. I get the sense that every dancer is truly "seen" by the teachers there. This is particularly important to me as the mother of a male dancer. Yes, I want my son to have real training, real technique, but it is also important to me that he enjoys the journey. With Miss Francesca and Miss Donna, I have watched my son's confidence grow along with his love of dance. The smile on his face during and after class means everything to me! read more

We followed Francesca to this studio, and my daughters are currently taking ballet, tap and lyrical... We love that this studio is small and has a very positive family-friendly vibe. Classes have no more than 10 dancers, which really makes a difference in learning technique. My daughters want to take more classes! read more

We LOVE this dance studio! Francesca and her staff really know how to connect with kids of all ages as well as adults. Excellent training at every level, from the tiniest beginner to the most advanced, they're very professional but they make it fun at the same time. AND it's a great value for the money! read more

Francesca is a very enthusiastic teacher and she motivates every one who attend her classes. Thank you Dance 1!

I can't say enough about Francesca and Dance 1!!! My daughter loves going to her weekly class. Francesca is warm and encouraging with the students while being firm at the same time. My daughter has learned so much since starting with Dance 1 five months ago. read more

My daughter who is now 7 has been a student of Francesca since age 2. We've followed Francesca from Manhattan Beach, to Westchester (where we live) down to Redondo where her studio is now located. Francesca is a fantastic teacher and a wonderful human being! We love her and are thankful to be a part of the Dance1 family. read more

Our daughter has been going to Dance 1 since she was 5, Mrs. Francisca is doing and excellent job in all areas. She has top notch teachers that are doing an awesome job in teaching the girls new steps all the time. The facility is huge with many rooms depending on the level of what your child is at. Just recently went to performance and was absolutely impressed with the level of all the students were able to perform Including the seniors tap dance performance. As far as price absolutely a great deal $125 a month and you can make up classes. It's so nice to see a business be so successful and still be personable. read more

What am I looking for in a dance class, or any class for that matter? Getting something for my money. At Dance 1 in Redondo Beach, not only do you get quality dance instructor in a variety of dance styles, but you get SOOOOOO much more. There are toddler and younger children dance classes, which are fun, engaging, and they learn dance and major movement coordination. There are a variety of adult dance classes, that you can buy a dance pass card, where you can come and go as it fits in your schedule. It is punched by the instructor each time you take a class, no worries about makeup classes. There are dance classes, such as tap (day and evening), contemporary, ballet (day and evening) all levels, jazz, and hip hop. They also provide Yoga Dance Barre and Yoga classes as well. Once your dancer (which I see both boys and girls in class) is ready to begin Ballet 1 (usually around 6 or 7 years old), then the magic of life lessons begins. The students learn technique and are corrected by the instructor to keep the dancers training correctly but also to prevent injuries. They practice at the barre, they stretch and then they practice in the center, learning various steps and then routines. The ending of the class is a freestyle dance time, where a variety of music is played and a lot of times the teacher will stop in between and ask about music interpretation and the differences in the music. Oh, and not to forget one of the great things, that I have not seen elsewhere....the journal. From Ballet 1 through the performing company members they are to keep a journal where they record, after their class, what they are working on and more importantly what they are proud of, that they did in class. So great to take the time to focus on the positive of what the student is doing. At this studio, you don't move into the next level of ballet just because of your age or that you took ballet 1 last year....instead, there are a variety of steps and technique that the student needs to complete and meet to be promoted by their instructor. The promotion is earned through the hard work in class, being responsible to bring your journal and supplies, and your appearance of hair in bun that you are ready for class. While being professional in all the above aspects, they still are inspiring the love of dance. There are two recitals each year, which are optional. You can opt for your dancer to do both, one or none. The winter recital is in a theater on stage and the spring recital is on a stage in a park. Check this studio out if you are looking for the whole package for your dancer. This is a wonderful "family" to belong to. read more

The best environment for learning proper technique, teamwork and grace. Non- competitive, supportive classes. Everyone is encouraged to respect one another regardless of age or skill level. My 14 year old aughter has learned more in 2 years than many her age have learned in 5. It really is a family of dancers. There is a homework room, a student lounge, private dressing rooms, several bathrooms. It is all about the dancers for Miss Francesca. read more

We started coming to Dance 1 when our twins were 2 years old and began expressing interest in ballet. At that time, Dance 1 was across the street from its current location and Miss Francesca opened a Saturday morning class just for our girls. Now, four years later, our twins and their little sister are still loving Dance 1. The staff is always so helpful, and Miss Francesca is always willing answer any questions that may arise. It's true that it has grown tremendously, but this is not surprising given the experience we have had with there with Miss Francesca the Dance 1 staff. In addition to the valuable dance instruction my children are receiving, I have begun taking adult fitness and dance classes there as well. Sondi was the first person I went to after recovering from a herniated disc. Her YDB classes are always so great. I also take adult ballet classes here and there, and because I'm not as advanced as other adults in the class, Miss Francesca goes out of her way to make sure that I feel comfortable while learning proper technique. We love being part of the Dance 1 family and would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat. read more

I love this studio!! The teachers are top notch (I was a professional dancer myself, so I can tell you the truth here!). My daughter has grown incredibly here... I can't recommend this studio enough!! read more

My daughter has been dancing here for several years. She started with ballet and expanded to tap at the end of last year. She loves it and can't wait to go to class every week. I can clearly see her improving (though I was never a dancer and probably am not a good judge). The new studio is wonderful and I love being able to watch every class through the window. All the teachers and staff are very friendly and approachable. read more

I go to the adult Yoga Dance Barre class with Sondie and it's fantastic - a real workout but also terrific stretching. Sondie talks you through the muscle groups you should be using and is so encouraging - I never want to miss her class! read more