It just breaks my heart how the Art Programs have always been in danger of being cut. I can't…read moreimagine a world without Elmo and Super Grover 2.0! And if Daniel Tiger went away, who's gonna teach my threenager "to try new food cuz it might taste good"?!?! It would be dull without music, without the singing and dancing, or painting, drawing, and all the other art forms that make the world a beautiful... and a sane... place to live. If Game of Thrones is going to be affected by these proposed budget cuts, I'll be really pissed! The high school students at CVHS are fortunate to have their Arts Program, and an exceptional one, I might add. I've seen a couple of musicals since my nephew has been in them, and recently my fambam watched Disney's Mary Poppins on a Sunday afternoon. I'm a fan of Broadway musicals and I thought the high school students were indubitably as good as those professionals. I tried to watch the original movie twice, but I fell asleep both times as I did not find it exciting. These high school kids killed each song and dance, and I mean K I L L L L L E D it (and that's a good thing)! The costumes were bright and colorful, each set was simple and cute, the choreographic sequences were fun, the songs played by the hs band were lively, and the performances were SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS! The cast deserved a standing ovation. Hopefully, these high school students will continue to explore their creativity while expanding their imaginations. And I wish other children will have the opportunity. Save the Arts. As Mary Poppins would say, "Anything can happen if you let it."

First, this review is long overdue…read more My daughter began her journey with CVPA approximately one year ago. She has been dancing ballet since the age of 3, which she has continued to grow in. Two of the things she has been training in are jazz (3rd year now) and hip hop (2nd year now). Prior to this last year before joining CVPA, she was not taught proper technique, vocabulary or even how to count correctly with music. The studio she danced at before joining CVPA never corrected or communicated any concerns. Janet (CVPA owner) took my daughter in and has personally spent time retraining her and reversing the poor and bad habits that were never corrected where she danced prior to CVPA. I have witnessed her do this for all her new students. I cannot say enough good things about the teachers, owner, and students in Castro Valley Performing Arts. My daughter has been on an emotional journey this past year, and CVPA has given her the tools and communication to help get her in the right direction. The teachers and Owner are wonderful communicators, and they truly take the time to instill correct form, alignment, technique, dance vocabulary, good attitude, amazing choreography, and so much more. Specifically, Ms. Janet, Ms. Gia, Ms. Kim, Ms. Kristina, Ms. Hannah, Ms. Michelle, Ms. Karisa, and Ms. Jenelle have all greatly influenced my daughter through this transition. Thank you all for believing in my daughter and welcoming our family to your studio. Ms. Cassidy, who recently began teaching at CVPA is also amazing. She has instructed my daughter in the past for ballet, and I feel was the only reason my daughter maintained good ballet training during our time prior to CVPA. Ms. Amanda is also absolutely amazing. While my daughter did have a hard time learning Latin Jazz, as it was something I'm not sure she was able to comfortably embrace, it is clear as day that Ms. Amanda is a wonderful instructor. I am so incredibly happy that she is working with such a strong team of teachers. If you are looking for a studio that teaches proper technique, etiquette, dance vocabulary, amazing choreography, and how to properly train their dancers, then this is the place to be. I would like to add that I drive all the way from Livermore for my daughter to attend this studio. I never imagined commuting my children for a sport. Worth every moment!

My daughter loves dancing with this studio.She has been dancing with this studio for 7 years…read more Highly recommend

Our daughter loves this group. With all the highly experienced, caring, professional instructors,…read moreit is no surprise to see the high quality team performance and host of championships they bring in. They are also so active in the community with events, CVUSD, and more. I highly recommend this studio for their wide array from ballet to high energy dance!

I've been coming to this hiphop studio for a while now and it's nothing but good vibes here…read more Everyone is super welcoming and they have a variety of classes to choose from - whether you've been dancing for years or trying something new for the first time, there's something for everyone here. The classes range in size in any given week - but generally there's plenty of space for everyone. I've seen people bring their friends, partners, coworkers, etc to class - it's a fun time for all! Margela and Mappy are great at making people feel comfortable, as are the other instructors, and there's a variety of routines and styles. If you've always wanted to try dancing but having doubts, look no further. The studio shares space with other classes, including step and martial arts, so it's generally very lively in the evenings. You can choose to drop in or sign up for a regular weekly class (or two) - there's a slight discount if you do more than one class a week. Generally all adult classes are in the weekday evenings, which makes them convenient to come to after work. I highly recommend this studio - come check it out!

I first discovered reDEFINE Dance Studio a couple of years ago on Yelp while searching for adult…read morehip hop classes, and I'm so glad I did! I had been wanting to try dance for a while, and this studio turned out to be the perfect place to start. It's a welcoming, supportive environment for adults who want to dip their toes into dance. The Adult Beginner's Hip Hop classes are taught by amazing instructors like Mappy and Margela (the owners!), whose passion for teaching and dance truly shines. They're incredibly encouraging and make it clear there's no pressure to get everything perfect right away. It's all about learning and having fun. These classes are also a fantastic way to get your body moving and relieve stress. I've made wonderful friends here, and coming to class feels like dancing with a group of friends every week. If you've been thinking about trying a dance class, take this as your sign- go for it!

I've been dancing with Pam for years now and it's always proven to be a one-of-a-kind experience…read more It can be hard to find adult dance classes at the best of times, but Pam's class is easily approachable for both beginning and experienced dancers alike. The choreography is original and generally designed with the goal of being accessible while pulling you out of your comfort zone. What's also great about DT overall is that the dance styles themselves are also highly varied. Even though we are dancing to relatively popular music, over the years we have danced Broadway, Jazz, Hip Hop, Salsa, and a whole bunch of other mixed and blends that I can't even remember anymore. Drop in, dance for an hour, bring a friend. Give it a while, and you may find yourself even wanting to do a stage performance at Cherry Festival =)

Dance Therapy has been such a fun, refreshing and joyous experience! The choreography is on point…read more- Pam is such a gifted choreographer! She creates dances that are interesting, enjoyable and invite participants to grow regardless of their past dance experience. Everyone is so kind & welcoming - definitely a great place to live into your dancing dreams!

We had an incredible experience working with Sam and the entire team. From the start, they were…read morekind, welcoming, and truly invested in helping us feel comfortable and confident. Sam is one of the sweetest people I've met she takes her time, makes everything easy to understand, and ensures we feel great about our wedding dance. What started as a fun date my fiancé planned turned into something really special we continued lessons for our wedding, and it's been one of the best decisions we've made. The whole team is amazing always supportive, full of helpful tips, and bringing creative ideas to enhance the experience. The environment is warm, encouraging, and never intimidating. No matter your skill level, they make you feel like you belong. This has been such a fun and memorable experience for us we're so grateful we found them. Highly recommend!

Great lessons great customer service great times! The staff there are amazing, thoughtful and…read morehelpful. I have two left feet and they have done a great job with making me comfortable and feel like I'm improving.

Fell in love with this amazing studio. Such a warm, welcoming and supportive environment. Quality…read moreteachers, lots of performance opportunities and an opportunity to compete when children are ready! After all we'd been through in the past, we are blessed to have found the right match for my daughter.

NOTHING BUT GREAT THINGS TO SAY about our dance studio! We LOVE B*Dazzled. My daughter is 7 and has…read morebeen dancing at this studio for 2 years now. I have always been impressed by how organized they are and how they keep us parents informed and up to date with everything our dancers have going on. From their monthly newsletters, to consistently sending us cute photos/videos on the Band app, down to how neatly labeled and packaged the costumes are when sent home, I have no idea how they keep up.. but they do! The teachers are very sweet, talented and dedicated- I love the fact that most of the teachers have been dancing at B*Dazzled since they were little and are still so involved. I also knew this was a great place to be once I met the director and learned that she actually knows her dancers. I can email her, ask her questions, and she is able to give me feedback as to what classes she thinks my daughter should be in. She has grown so much in her technique and confidence. She knows and loves all of her dance teachers and dance friends. My daughter used to be SO nervous before performing- to the point where she would get nauseated. But this year after recital was over, she said, "Mommy! I don't want to stop performing, I want to stay and keep dancing!!" If you are looking for a new dance studio that your child could grow in, build lasting friendships and make great memories at.. Look no more!

There are so many reasons I love this place for my girls, but the biggest one is how comfortable…read morethe teachers make my children feel when they dance. I've got a kiddo with major anxiety, who loves to dance. Her first few classes were spent crying in the corner. The teachers were AMAZING and went at her pace, didn't pressure her, and didn't give up on her! Now she runs into the studio with joy everytime it's dance day. Other reasons I Love B'Dazzled: Super fun classes Affordable My kids learn and excel without feeling pressure to be perfect Professional set up with shows, costumes, performances etc! The teachers and staff are the best around!

I love dancing at B*Dazzled! It is such a warm-friendly feeling when I'm with everybody. We are…read moresuch a tight group yet super inviting! The teachers are amazing and loving.I have danced here for twelve years and it's became my second home. I couldn't imagine dancing at a better studio.

MKC is a true diamond in the rough--a dance studio offering an impressive variety of styles in a…read morewarm, welcoming environment. The owner, Marikar, is kind, empathetic, professional, and adored by the kids. She's built a community that feels genuinely inclusive for dancers of all ages and backgrounds. MKC is a judgment-free zone where kids can truly be themselves--surrounded by friends and real opportunities to grow. Rosselyn Ramirez is a world-class ballerina whose technical expertise and boundless artistry speak for themselves. The kids' inspiration in her presence is visibly clear. Marikar has cultivated an elite team that makes every dancer feel supported and seen. In a time when the world (and technology) can make social environments overwhelming, MKC gives kids a space to be silly, move freely, and feel like kids again. What more could you ask for?

My 5 yo son love his hiphop class here with Mark. He joined early this year and had the opportunity…read moreto perform with the other kids on their Summer Recital. Marikar and Correy has been really great at managing the school. The MKC team are very warm, and my kid absolutely love his dance class. The class and performance opportunity nurtures his confidence, and gets the "wiggles" out of him! We unfortunately have to leave the class because of our change in schedule. We're still waiting to get a good timing to re enroll my son back, and hopefully my daughter too. Highly recommend this program!

Miss Peggy is the owner and is quite wonderful! She is very engaging, answers every question you…read morehave, is super energetic during class instruction and inspiring overall. My daughter has been coming here for the last few months and she loves it! She is beginning ballet level four. She loves the school because of the spacious studios, constantly learning new techniques and receiving instruction for improvement. All of the teachers are kind and clear. As a parent, I immediately felt a sense of community and connecting this with the other parents and the staff that I did not experience at our previous studio for over 1.5 years. My daughter looks forward to participating in the Nutcracker and the spring performance.

I am very happy my step daughter had the advantage to be part of short experience at Ballet…read morepetit... now my boyfriend and I have his daughter once in a while for long vacations with us because she lives in san diego and we are here in the bay area. So it was summer vacation and she has been dancing waaaay to much in the house that I thought we need to get her into a dancing school ASAP. As we went to walmart I passed by this studio and gave myself a u-turn to stop by. I saw her little face suppper eager and full of excitement. We asked information and they had their program already started but the nice lady gave us the opportunity still for her to join, and accommodate the pricing. I explained to her we only have her for long vacations and she will be receiving her anytime ! Thank you for making her happy she LOVED it

I've been going to personal training for 9 mos. every week with Awesta and highly recommend him and…read morethe team at Body Mechanix. I have multiple injuries and body issues that make it hard to work out. I was always injuring myself the moment I tried to do weight training on my own. With Awesta I give him feedback on when something is challenging or exacerbating an issue--I'm learning good form to avoid injuries. He is always responsive and finds modifications so I can stay engaged the entire work out. I also find it more affordable than I expected. I don't do the group classes though they look great, it's a bit too advanced for me given my limitations. Being in there a few times a week, I watch the entire staff cultivate a warm, welcoming environment where you/they say hi to everyone who walks into the space. It's also very diverse. I'm talking both staff and members, culturally, age-wise, body types, genders--no one ever makes you feel you don't belong there.

Rating: 4.5/5 - this review is based on one class…read more This gym is great for beginners and an older crowd. I didn't realize how much of a gym desert Castro Valley is until today. I'm originally from San Diego and there are plenty of gyms around my area. However, my sister did mentioned she lived in an older more suburban neighborhood. Unfortunately, I wanted more of a challenging HIIT class that you can find at Barrys or F45 (both of which are an hour away from here). With that being said, they do have TRX bands and assault bikes as well as a variety of weights. They also offer beverages between $1-$5. They were also nice to let you use the assault bikes before and after class. I was expecting more of an energetic and motivated crowd but it was more of a mellow crew of retirees and a preteen boy. It was definitely not what I expected in a bootcamp/HIIT class. Nevertheless, it was a great class albeit I felt like the only gym rat there. Earlier in the class, there was some confusion (partially because the trainer was also teaching people online) but he was able to modify some of the routine so most of us understood what to do. I never expected wanting to do more after a workout but this is a great class if you want to be challenged but not physically exhausted. I also recommend a voice amplifier and more prompts (i.e lift your arms above your head, etc) for the trainer as there was some confusion (maybe due to the music, his low tone or lack of prompts). Will visit again if I'm in the area as it's relatively close to where my family lives. Parking: Plaza Parking Recommendation: They have a first timer special - 3 classes for $50 that includes personal training but I would check online or in person to make sure that it's accurate. They also offer open gym to those with classpass!