Just started taking the adult beginning ballet class here, and I really enjoy it. I've already gotten some new insights about my feet, and as well as some well-earned soreness in the arches. But, oh those calves are getting a workout, and skirt season is here! Conveniently located near Rockridge BART. Not badly priced: $12 drop in, $40 for a 4-class card. And I really like the instructor, Mary Armentrout. read more

I grew up at Danspace. This is the best ballet studio in the Bay Area, not because of the number of professionals that come out of it (though there are a few), but because Danspace really takes care of your body. Beth makes the studio feel like family, and you will feel welcome here no matter what your body can do or what it looks like. Great place for adult beginners. Danspace provides excellent foundational technique that will carry through to every class you take from now on. If you're looking for a place to send your kid for dance classes, this is it. Danspace is nurturing, encouraging, and most importantly, they value your kid's health far more than any other studio in the bay area. Your kid will come away from ballet with lasting technique and higher self-esteem, not lower. There is no recital mania at Danspace--the emphasis is on teaching, not performance, so while there are performance opportunities, you will not have to shell out for fifty bazillion sequined leotards and tutus. Take Carly's jazz class if you're an adult/teen with a bit of experience. She's a great teacher and will push you to try things you didn't know you could do. read more

Danspace is a great family dance studio. Classes for kids focus on creativity and fun, offering excellent dance training for both kids aspiring to be professionals as well as kids who want to dance for fun. Classes for adults are inclusive and allow adults to train wherever they are (folks who have just started dancing and dancers returning to class after breaks). This is a great place to try if you're thinking about dance class - very welcoming and inclusive! read more

Danspace - Adult schedule for 2016-17 - check the website for updates! - Performing Arts Near Me - Oakland, California

I love this studio. I went there as a young adult and took classes with Mary. My daughter took classes with teacher Freesia last year. She is a really great teacher. Their philosophy on dance and how it impacts a person is real and inviting. I totally recommend this studio. read more

My daughter recently enrolled in the summer s soon for her age group and she loves it! The instructors are friendly and the facility is nice. My daughter has fun twirling and jumping with the other kids. Overall I would recommend this place! read more

I have taken adult beginning ballet once a week for a bit more than a year now. I started with no ballet- or even dance- experience, and I love love love this class. It's supportive and un-intimidating for the clueless such as I, yet I feel I have been taught authentic, as well as body-safe, technique. Mary Armentrout is a gifted teacher, and the few times we have had a sub (Claudine or others) I have experienced a helpful and interesting new perspective. Mary really tailors each class to what she guages are the abilities that day in the studio, including differentiating and providing different options so different students can try more or less challenging options in the same class. read more

I initially chose Danspace as a ballet school for my 8 year old son based soley on the fact that there was a boy we knew who would be in the same class. I thought it would help him feel more comfortable to take ballet class with another boy in there. But am I glad I ended up here because it seems like the right place! A dancer and dance educator myself, I have to say that I am very impressed with the program. They do an excellent job of fostering the love of movement and dance, while at the same time teaching real technique and form which will protect dancers' bodies. My son loves the class and the teacher, Claudine is an extremely talented teacher. Funny, yet in control of the class and challenging to the kids. The classes seem too develop from one to the next while building on each other. Can't say enough good things about them. read more

We love Danspace Oakland! It was recommended by a friend and now both daughters take classes there - they are 4.5 and 6 years old. Freesia teaches Serendipity for the younger kids and and pre-ballet for 6-7 year olds (maybe older too, I'm not sure). Freesia is a wonderful teacher. She is strict in exactly the way that a teacher of 3, 4 and 5 year olds needs to be - by promoting fun, movement and expression, but also by not letting them goof off. She goes around to each student during stretching and corrects their body position - encouraging them to really point toes or keep legs straight. She doesn't belabor it, but provides the correction, and lots of praise, then moves on. Amazing how much the kids love doing 'high-fives' with their feet. She has boundless energy and creativity. My 4.5 year old is so excited for her dance class every week. The classes are 45 minutes. Freesia starts on time and we so appreciate this. The manager KT takes attendance as students arrive and this means Freesia doesn't have to waste class time with that. If a child needs to use the bathroom, fix their ballet slippers or hair KT takes care of it - again, meaning Freesia can focus on leading the class. We had my 6 year old daughter's birthday party at Danspace. The parties are held from 2-4 on weekdays (Sundays only, I think) and we had from 1:30-2 to set up and decorate and from 4-4:30 to clean up. KT was incredibly helpful. She put up a lot of decorations -- tulle tied around the barres, etc. The cost of the party included a ballet-focused dance class - 30-45 minutes long depending on the kids' interest level. Teacher Katie was very good and immediately made the kids feel comfortable. They danced with hats, scarves, etc. We had about 15 party guests. The dance class was in one of the two studios and we had tables set up in the other studio for snacks and cupcakes. After the dance class we had the run of the place - we put on music and played dancing games or just danced around. The cost of $350 is comparable to other indoor party venues. Because our daughter's party was in mid-December when it was cold and rainy, and because we love Danspace anyway, we were happy to splurge for this one. (You can also add on the appearance of a ballerina in pointe shoes for $75.) read more

I really enjoyed Carly's Jazz class on Tuesday. Her musical choices are great. The class is high energy, and the atmosphere is friendly and not intimidating at all. Pretty much my dream come true for a dance class. Plus, I got an ab workout to rival any Pilates class. And pilates classes usually don't have Regina Spektor on the stereo. Conveniently located near Rockridge Bart, Carly's jazz class is Tuesdays, 6:30-8 read more

This is a great studio for adults as well as children in the Oakland area. Advanced adult dance classes are hard to come but they have some awesome options!!!! read more

Our daughter loves this studio and so do we! The instructors are fantastic, and very dedicated. She really feels the sense of community here. read more

Danspace makes me happier than any 90 minutes have a right to. A lapsed ballerina (17 years!) who was at one time used to a pretty high level of instruction, I was really nervous about giving it another try. Half of me was afraid it would be too hard and intimidating; the other half was afraid to be bummed out by sub-par teaching. All of which seems pretty funny now. Mary Armentrout is an awesome, talented, often hilarious teacher who's able to be exactly as serious or unserious as her students need, and the beginning ballet class is an excellent mix of friendly people -- all ages, all abilities -- who just enjoy being there. Some really work on technique, others just want to move; it all works out great. Corrections, sequences, etc. all get delivered according to your ability and interest, and while the studio isn't huge, it's totally pleasant to dance in. I go twice a week at the moment and plan to add a third class soon; really looking forward to meeting other Danspace teachers. read more

Our daughter is in her sixth year of lessons at Danspace, having started at age 4. She very much enjoys dancing here, and I think the fact that the emphasis is on learning and expressing (vs. performing) is one of the reasons why--it is a real creative outlet. The studio feels like a second home to us at this point, largely due to the teachers' friendly and warm dispositions. We have been very pleased at Danspace. read more