Stagebridge is truly a gem for seniors in the Bay Area who are passionate about the performing…read morearts! For decades, they have provided a vibrant, creative platform for adults 50 and older, offering classes in Singing, Acting, Storytelling, Musical Theatre, Improv, and so much more. I've had the privilege of witnessing their work firsthand in the church where I am employed, and I am continually inspired by the talent, dedication, and heart of everyone involved. The staff--past and present--are nothing short of incredible, nurturing both students and the art form itself. And the students! The Stagebridge community is full of amazing performers, several of whom I am honored to call friends. Their showcases are consistently inspiring, entertaining, and a testament to the skill and creativity cultivated here. Stagebridge doesn't just teach the arts; it empowers seniors to discover, develop, and shine in their gifts. Many students have gone on to remarkable achievements, headlining in the Storytelling circuit, local theater, and even roles in motion pictures! I only wish more seniors everywhere had access to such a wonderful program. If you are over 50 and drawn to the performing arts, I wholeheartedly encourage you to join Stagebridge--you will be challenged, inspired, and welcomed into a community that celebrates creativity at every age!

I found Stagebridge five years ago when my next-door neighbor invited me to go to summer camp. I…read morespent the most fun, intense, exhausting week of my adult life and have been hooked ever since. Stagebridge offers classes in the performing arts to adults over 50 (and their friends) Every day, and has recently added evening classes as well for those who still have to work ;-( Before finding Stagebridge I was an early retiree, relocated from across the Bay, and at a real loss for fulfilling activities and good friends. My life has been transformed in the most positive of ways since going to camp that first summer and then taking classes during the year. I got to fulfill a lifelong dream of performing West Side Story! I can't say enough good things about the wonderful people who teach at Stagebridge and the wonderful students who attend classes there. You could be one of them! Check out the website for upcoming classes soon to be available for the winter session.

Christmas Holidays = The Nutcracker Every year part of my…read moreholiday tradition is seeing a version of the Nutcracker. This year, I went to see the Oakland Ballet Company's version. Walking into this the Oakland Paramount always gives me the feeling that I'm here for a special performance, and this time, it was to see Graham Lustig's rendition of the Nutcracker. In one word: Spectacular. Brilliant new ideas to refresh this classic ballet. Beautiful sets and beautiful and talented dancers. It's always fun to see how "Mother Goose" will present her brood. Mr. Lustig didn't disappoint. Looking forward to seeing this Ballet company again.

Yesterday I attended a matinee of the Oakland ballet at Laney College to which a friend treated me…read more There were two ballets. The first was enjoyable with excellent dancing. The second was a "Midsummer Night's Dream" and it was enchanting, captivating, one of the best presentations I have ever had the joy to see. It was clear that money was tight. The sets were basic, but wonderful for a Californian as they were backdrops of foggy redwood forests. But the dancing was superb, especially Puck and the lead ballerina. No full orchestra, of course, but some live music, one person I think?, worked wonders. I was astonished that a company which has received so little support is so good. I went online today to see if there was another performance because I wanted to see it again and I wanted to bring a friend. Sadly, there are no more Oakland Ballet performances until December's Nutcracker. Oakland Ballet deserves our support. More, more, Oakland Ballet!!

A little nervous, a little unsure, and a lot out of my comfort zone, I finally caved and took a…read moresolo level 1 class. My comfort zone quickly expanded with the instruction and "syllabus" of Mynx. She eases you in to the art of burlesque with posing instruction and basic moves. All that will help each individual create a routine that's indivually theirs. The class is fantastic for people of all dance levels because it's entirely based on your body and movement. My only regret is waiting so long to take this course. I flirted with the idea for years and couldn't believe I made so many excuses to do something that has made my Tuesday night's worth looking forward to. Take a class. You won't regret it.

Mynx keeps deleting any reviews that shed the truth about her and her "school" she ran so I will…read morekeep posting until she stops deleting. This is not a safe place to go to learn burlesque. When I was new I saw that she had such a good rating. That's the only reason why I went. This current rating is not accurate of the experience you will have.

Where do I start? Isabelle is awesome! She breaks things down so easily and goes through each step/…read moremovement until you have it down or feel comfortable. She will go into detail on your arm placement, how to cup your fingers, hip placement and feet placement. I have gone to Allegro a handful of times and get lost at the end due to the shortage of women that show. I decided to be taught by the best and it was worth it. Arm placement during basics and as well during turns is what she worked with me most. She concentrated on my arms more because I told her I wanted to learn more turns and spins for the woman. She have me a couple of things to work on at home. She did some helpful exercises with a chair and a little pan so I can get my foot placement right. It is big enough for private lessons and Morris along the front wall! Be careful because if you're driving you can pass this place up easily! It's directly to the side of the FedEx building. Parking on the street is something I recommend. Isabelle is so encouraging and so nice. She makes dancing salsa so much fun and makes you want to go back to show her how much you've improved. Well respected and an awesome dancer she is. Package deals are available but individual sessions are $75 but well worth it. I plan on doing a package deal soon. She's a great instructor and makes you feel comfortable. Makes learning salsa so enjoyable! Ladies, she's a great teacher to learn from and for the men... She's a great teacher to know on what you should know for when you dance with a girl. Check her out! Take a class or two. Well worth it!

This girl is the most off the hook salsa dancer I have ever seen in my life. And that is no lie…read more I remember seeing this girl when I first started dancing thinking to myself, "When I grow up, I wanna dance just like that." This girl has mastered the art of seduction. Her movements are so fluid that anyone who catches a small glimpse of her dancing is entranced by her. If you have every seen this girl turn, you will faint. Ive seen this girl do damn near 20 turns hella fast and back to back, coming out of it like it is nothing. Yes I'm on her jock. If you saw her dance, you' be on her jock too. She teaches on Sunday nights at Allegro Ballroom with Garry. She is an excellent teacher. Check her out when you are in the area. You wont be disappointed. So, I built up the courage to take private lessons from this gal. It was the best $75 for an hour that I have ever invested. She was kind enough to work with me longer than and hour so I learned a lot. I only took one lesson and immediately I felt the difference when I hit the dance floor. The good thing is that she told me that I move my body well so I don't need lots of lessons but that I do need to always remember form. You know, in the African American culture, we just get out there and groove with no form or anything. Well she taught me how to keep form, look sexy and be a good follower. I love Isabelle. I can sit and watch her dance and be completely content. You think I'm kidding? Go see for yourself.

Carissa was an amazing performer we got to experience with incredible talent She performed at our…read moresenior retirement home and was wise beyond her years conversing with our residents and giving them an inside look at being young again and having dreams. We are having her back in August!!!!!!

I work as an activity director and at an assisted living and memory care. Clarissa came to perform…read moretwice for our community. She arrived early to set up and was very professional. I highly recommend Clarissa for any fun bookings, as she is a very skilled and adaptable acrobat.

Our 14 year old daughter has participated in Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir (PEBCC) for 8 years…read moreand it has enriched her life enormously and she has relished every moment. It offers an amazingly diverse and inclusive community, the ability to build life long friendships, and formal music and singing instruction. The choir singers all perform in front of the community a few times a year and the older singers also tour and compete internationally. And many of the singers perform with such visible joy and smiles. The artistic directors (just two in its 45 year history) are lovely, very talented and technically skilled and proficient. The successor artistic director, Eric Tuan, attended PEBCC and is also a composer , including a piece called Nagasaki, about his Japanese grandmother's account of her surviving the nuclear bombing which the choir will perform during their Japan next summer. Just a remarkable organization which also performs a touching graduation ceremony for the departing seniors every year and who typically average 10+ years of attendance.

PEBCC is one of the most important things in my life. PEBCC has amazing directors and staff that…read morenot only care about you as a musician but as a person. The level of musicianship here is insane, but the community is even better. This chior is not only a Chior, but a family. Also the swag is pretty cool

I'll boil it down for you. I have been going to Chelsea for a few months now, and it is absolutely…read morethe best investment I have ever made in myself. I'm not a professional singer, I'm just doing it for fun. I want to do Karaoke but wanted to work on my voice a little first. She lets me bring in rock and pop songs and takes it seriously. She helps me with my technique by explaining the physiology of my voice, but also uses kind of abstract but seriously helpful analogies to make everything makes sense for a novice like me. Not only does she do the technical stuff, but also works with me on my confidence and attitude. I always leave class on cloud nine even if I kind of sucked that week. It's like my personal weekly confidence building lessons on top of singing lessons. She's flexible, personable, and seems to really enjoy her job. Bottom line, is chelsea rocks and I highly recommend her classes.

Chelsea is an excellent vocal teacher-she knows her stuff! Her lessons have given me a better…read moregrasp of the technical side of singing, and she has also helped me to find more confidence in my voice. She has a real love for the art form and teaches from a place of great generosity and patience. If you're looking to give yourself more permission to find your voice and sing from your heart, Chelsea is the teacher for you.

Berkeley Symphony kicked off their 2025-2026 opening season with a full house at the First…read moreCongregational Church of Berkeley. Dina Gilbert was guest conductor Gabriel Cabezas, cellist. Visions of Elysium opened with Elysium and closed with Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony #3 Every selection on the program was fantastic, Elysium was my favorite. After the concert, attendees were treated to a free reception sponsored by Jane Hammond with wine by Knuttel Winery. If you haven't been to the Berkeley Symphony, get to a concert this season!

Top quality. This is a "period orchestra" i.e., a specialist in music written post 1940. That is…read morenot to say you'll never hear Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn etc. - those guys inspired the composers you'll hear here. You'll get to hear outstanding compositions that you don't already own in your vast CD collection, and conductor Joana will let you know why. Programs are oriented to hang well together. Composer in residence, Gabriela Lena Frank will help keep them on track. Joana Carneiro, already of International fame, hails by way of Lisbon, Portugal and assoc. of the L.A. Phil under Esa Pekka Solonen brings a new vitality to the pit. Kent Nagano whose baton ruled the roost for 25 years will occasionally pop in from the Bavarian State Opera, or Montreal Symphony for old times sake. This is not a competitor to SFO or OEBS, it is a cohesive group of professional musicians with a uniquely exciting playlist. Come early for composer & conductors confab. Four or Five concerts per year, phenomenally active Music in the Schools program in all of Berkeley's elementary schools, and several in-progress concerts by living composers.