As an ex-pro dancer returning recreationally at 52 with an unpredictable schedule, I needed…read moreflexibility. I signed up in April 2025 after being told one enrolled class would allow unlimited drop-ins, with 30-day makeup windows. The teachers, class variety, and student culture are genuinely excellent. The management and policies, however, are another story. Policies grew increasingly restrictive over time -- drop-ins shifted to a text-based reservation system with advance scheduling requirements, an extra $7 fee for makeups, frequent confusion, and eventual pushback. I was repeatedly pressured to enroll in more classes despite being clear about my limitations, and denied access to advanced classes without enrolling in their ballet class, even though I was enrolled in ballet elsewhere. The studio hosts bi-annual showcase performances that some of the classes participate in and the 6-8 weeks prior include rehearsals. Before this month's showcase, I requested makeups for the two prior weeks knowing they'd be rehearsal-focused rather than full instruction. I scheduled 1 makeup and for the 2nd makeup was told other classes I requested were closed -- including a class with only 1-2 students -- and asked to stay after class for a conversation. The pattern made clear this was less about following policy and more about something that was never transparently communicated. Deciding this no longer aligned, I submitted 30 days' notice to unenroll per policy. The owner immediately refunded me and told me not to return -- then in the next message said I was valued and welcome to reenroll anytime. When I received the refund, I noticed my monthly rate had increased without disclosure or receipt. You have to catch it on your credit card statement. Best for students who commit to enrollments, skip makeups, and embrace the showcase model with costume costs -- no flexibility expected. One studio has an uneven, sometimes slippery floor that raises safety concerns.

After seeing an ad in FB I reached out to take a trial class. I spoke with Janell who was very…read morepushy. I was hesitant about giving my money at that time because I was going out of town and wasn't sure when I would be able to take the intro class. Upon returning from my trip I got Covid. I received an email from Janell that my trial week had ended. Of course I was upset because I hadn't taken a class yet. She said: "SDC trials are non-transferrable and non-refundable. Your original trial was scheduled for 3/29. While we typically don't offer transfers, we made a one-time accommodation to shift your start date to 4/15, per your request. We reserved your spaces in classes throughout these two weeks, which closed the spots to other interested dancers. It sounds like our program may not be a great fit for what you're looking for in dance. We wish you all the best in your journey and if in the future you're interested in committing to 12 month program, please reach back out!" This place is a scam.

We love PD! We have been dancing here for a few months now and all the teachers here are so…read morewelcoming and friendly. The front desk staff is very professional and helpful. We love how easy it is to schedule make-up classes via the website forms and adding a class is easy. They are really organized here! My child dances here and I also take adult ballet here and love it! Highly recommend!

Our family has been with Pacific Dance for the past 12 years. We started when our oldest daughter…read morewas 3 years old and she took recreational classes for 5 years, and now our youngest daughter who also started at the studio at age 3, is a competitive dancer starting her 3rd year with the Performing Groups. In the decade that we have been with this amazing studio, we have always had such a wonderful experience as both a rec and a competition family. We have participated in 11 recitals and in recent years, numerous competitions. In my experience they are all run like a well-oiled machine. They have rules and processes in place primarily to keep our children safe and to ensure everything runs smoothly and to create a great experience for the hundreds (thousands?) of students and parents. If you have common sense and are a decent person, it's not hard to understand why the studio runs things the way they do. ALL of the staff and teachers are exceptional and I love having the peace of mind that my children are receiving excellent training in a loving, safe and positive environment. This studio is truly my daughter's second home and there's nowhere else we'd rather be. We are so grateful for our wonderful dance family!

Agape Dance Lab is such a Fantastic dance studio run by owners Chris and Ria…read more They offer a variety of classes such as Hip Hop, Ballet and Tap. There passion for dance shines through each time as we are always welcomed with a big smile. My daughter loves her dance class and looks forward to it every week! She enjoys interacting with kids around her age as well as learning some ballet/Tap fundamentals. I definitely recommend Agape Dance Lab!

I love love love Agape Dance Lab for my inspiring 9 year old dancer. We have searched quite a few…read moredance studios in Lake Forest and Agape immediately won our hearts! My son is so happy here, and in a short 6 months he has thrived in breakdancing & hip hop. The coaches have helped with my son's confidence, and ability to dance. He spends most his time when we are at home practicing the newest choreography in the mirror for fun, and is loving it. I'm really happy we gave this studio a shot, he's building great friendships with the other dancers in his class, and he really likes his coaches Chris and Coach D.

My daughter is only 4 years old, and she has been attending this dance school for almost a year…read more She truly enjoys every class and always leaves with a big smile. The teachers are patient, caring, and great with young children. We are very happy to be part of this school.

My daughter loves the Acro Dance class at Dance Lova. She was terrified to go into class on the…read morefirst day and Heather the teacher made her feel welcomed and comfortable. Thank you Heather and Dance Lova!

Very good experience! This place brand new, easy to schedule and nice vibe!! Bring my friends and…read morethey all love it!

Instructors are passionate and professional. Customer service is also good, they are very nice to…read morecustomers.

My fiancé and I have been taking lessons with Natalya in preparation for our first dance at our…read morewedding. We could not be happier with NS Dancing. Initially we were nervous about starting the lessons but we now look forward to every upcoming lesson, Natalya makes it an exceptionally fun experience. We have no prior dance experience. If you would have shown me a video of the intricate dance we have learned over the course of 6 lessons I would have told you there is no chance we could learn all that, even with twenty lessons! She is a fantastic teacher. Natalya has exceeded all of our expectations. She carefully crafted us a fun, complex and elegant first dance. We highly recommend Natalya and her husband Sergio if you are looking to learn anything dance related.

We found Natalya on Yelp when looking for wedding dance lessons. It only took our first lesson to…read morerealize she was very talented and wld help us get our dance down. We did 5 lessons with Natalya and she was so professional and helpful! Definitely a pro, she knew exactly what to do and gave great tips along the way. Thank you for your great lessons!!! Our dance was a big success!!!

We are so grateful to be a part of a school who looks at the individual student's needs as well as…read morethe needs of the teams. We were searching for the next level of training with emphasis on pre professionals preparing kids for the industry and then college dance. Dr. John Kwon's program to train dancers as athletes is unlike anything being offered anywhere. He gave each of our company girls an individual evaluation assessing their particular weakness and made individualized programs. Along with Marlene Hall's Therabar classes, the individualized athletic training seems a sure bet to take technical training far beyond years of traditional ballet class repetition. We absolutely love the Master Classes each week that keeps the fresh influx of ideas and choreography flowing. We were absolutely floored by the summer program where there were 60+ guest instructors all active in the industry and academic dance. We couldn't have gotten all that in any intensive anywhere even in LA. I thought my kid was just burning out on 20h/wk dance schedule but it turns out she was looking for a new level and for coaches that take her seriously as an athlete and an artist.

To their credit they reached out to me multiple times to address my concerns. They went so far as…read moreto send an email out that very night changing their policy.

All three of my children attend this school ballet, tap and improv Acting. It is a top-notch…read moreschool. Amazing communication if I need to change or schedule a make up class. Top-notch school I highly recommend!

My son has been attending classes / camps here on and off for years. Their productions are…read morephenomenal. More importantly, the owners, Darcie and Troy are such wonderful, caring people. They've gone above and beyond to be accommodating and they continuously demonstrate their genuine care and concern for all of their students.