We've been at this dance studio for four years, and it's been a fantastic experience. My child has…read moretaken a wide variety of classes and has loved every class and teacher. She's grown so much as a dancer and is always asking to take more classes. The recitals are also a standout. They are high-quality productions with great choreography and impressive props. Highly recommend!

My daughter is in her third term of Pre-Ballet at VDZ Dance Studio. It's perfect for us. The…read moreteachers manage to capture my daughter's twirling fairy princess imagination while also instilling patience, discipline, and basic pre-ballet mechanics. As a mom who took ballet very seriously until high school, I like what I see at VDZ better than what we experienced at a different studio. And I love that they put on performances for their families! There was lots of preparation but it didn't feel stressful; watching my daughter perform a piece in the school's Nutcracker performance was incredible and she was so proud of herself. I recommend without reservations.

One of my children started going here when a Wu-Gong (Chinese acrobatics) class was advertised. She…read morewas already taking dance at another studio in the area, but they did not have as much acro as she wanted. She came in to try the class, loved it, and then took the camp during the summer. Which she loved even more. She now takes Chinese dance, Ballet and & Wu-Gong. The teachers are great, and Ah-Lan herself teaches the Chinese and Wu-Gong. She really has a way with bringing out the best in her students- even the most awkward / socially awkward ones. She is very good about having the students focus and work hard, but she never humiliates or belittles kids. The warm up exercises and technique seem almost a little intense at times-but in a good way- the kids are really getting flexible and strong. The studio itself is a real beauty. Aside from the studio floor (which converts from 1 to 2 studios thanks to a movable wall) the waiting area/ kitchen area/ changing areas /bathroom are amazing! No clutter! Clean! Uptodate! No having to walk through a dance class to get to a bathroom. Also, dance moms (and dads) will appreciate the fact that Ah-lan keeps a large inventory of show costumes- when it comes time for performance, I believe a small donation is expected in return for use- but that's a far better deal than paying 60-70 dollars for a costume that your child will wear, at most, a handful of times. Finally the adults in our family started taking the Ballroom Dance for adults! It's a lot of fun, and they're patient with beginners like us.

Excellent opportunities await young and old to learn the art of Chinese dance! My granddaughters…read morehave benefitted in so many ways, having studied here for the past 10 years. Now they are both graduated from high school and enrolled in college, hopeful that they will have more opportunities to dance in their future. Chinese dance becomes a way of moving in life, and I believe they will be enjoying this art for their entire lifetime. Thank you for providing this very unique opportunity!

SADC is by far the most welcoming dance studio I have ever been to! I started classes here back in…read more2016, taking intro to ballet and modern. This past year I've started taking advanced level classes and it has been a joyous experience to learn dance from the ground up! The teachers are incredibly supportive and the students cheer each other on. Another bonus: this place is super queer! Students, teachers, the community as a whole--if you are a queer person looking for a safe place to move your body and soul exactly as they are, dance here!

Dance class for serious dancers. You ll work up a sweat. Not a lot of beginner exercise classes for…read moreinexperienced people. I recommend trying it out first before buying a package to see what level you are. Very experienced instructors. Easy to find. Located in a great neighborhood.

Greer is a sublime teacher…read more "Adult Open Introduction to Ballet 1" is perfect for absolute beginners, and it's definitely more than a ballet-themed, drop-in pilates class. You get a lot of one-on-one attention, guidance, and theory...pretty impressive since that class *is* run as a drop-in, and there are usually upwards of 10 people. There are a LOT of different body types in class, I'm sure that's important to someone. I don't know, I keep showing up and he keeps telling us what to do and I keep getting better! I've been to 20-some intro classes so far. Here's a story I want to tell: there's a bicycle dismount where you start by swinging your leg behind you. I'd never been able to do it before, but I suddenly could after a few classes (both sides) because I'd essentially practiced the movement in class. Gains like that have been very noticeable in everyday life. I like that Robert teaches the philosophy of "learning by trying to do". I first encountered that philosophy when learning pull-ups (for example, you're better off hanging from a bar and struggling for a few weeks, versus using weight machines to make the involved muscles capable of more brute force). It is a woefully difficult concept to communicate because understanding only comes by way of direct experience, but Robert's perspective is fantastic, his explanations are always fresh and in-the-moment.

I love this place and the adult introductory classes. I've taken Robert Greer's introductory ballet…read moreclasses for 10+ years and it's been the best experience. Robert makes the classes fun, and do-able, regardless whether you have danced ballet before. I've also learned so much from Robert about anatomy and how the human body is designed to function. This was very important for me because I started coming off of a disability where my body no longer felt like my own. Moving to music is so relaxing, and the other dancers and atmosphere of the class is so nice.

Allie and the gal that works with her are so patient and caring of all of the students at the TUTU…read moreSchool Berkeley. Josie loves "lalallet". Thank you. Her sister a graduate of TUTU School Berkeley, Mackenzie, has continued on with the Berkeley School of Ballet, and has loved ballet with Allie(during COVID online and after) and Charlie(@Hercules) with owner, Sonya at the TUTU Schools. The TUTU School Berkeley & TUTU School Hercules are caring, fun, magical schools for beginning ballet students.

We love Tutu School! Our daughter looks forward to it every week. She's been taking classes here…read morefor over a year and we have seen her grow in movement skills (dancing and coordination overall). It's sooo cute and funny to watch the dancers play and be silly (no pressure to perform perfectly). We also love our teachers (Ms Allie and Ms Katie). We've met friends here and overall it's just an adorable place!

You know you found the place with people anticipating the next class waiting out the door. Music…read moreblasting, smiles from across the way, good energy and enthusiastic cheering. That is what I came across on my first class. Accessing the schedule via online, easy class payment and doable pricing at that. I came for the Kpop class with Kyle Soriano. Dang, it was a full class. All age levels and dance experience levels. They have a cubby area for your belongings. Check in the office in the back before class. I loved how he broke the movements for the beginners like me. He gave the class great energy. It was the vibe throughout!!! The Kpop group was 7-8 and it went by so fast! Come early enough so you can find parking, it's all street parking. And especially if you want a good spot on the floor. Definitely a good time for yourself or with a friend. Especially if you love Kpop like me.

My daughter loves the Kpop dance class offered here. The studio is clean and has all around good…read moreenergy. People look happy and the scheduling of the classes are so easy! We love this place!

I've been attending Ruth's salsa classes for about 4-5 months. Ruth is an outstanding teacher and…read moreLatin dancer. A key part of teaching a physical skill is to remind the student as many times as needed what they need to change until they integrate the new idea/movement/whatever. Ruth is excellent at holding out until you get the right idea. Then she moves you right along to whatever you need to do next. Ruth is also super perceptive - She quickly sees exactly what trouble a student is having and then clearly and kindly guides you towards the necessary improvement. I'm impressed by her ability to help people at widely varying levels by giving each person what they need - even though her suggestions are different for each person. Ruth is also friendly, fun and positive. I always feel welcome and encouraged at her class. I highly recommend Ruth to anyone wanting to learn Latin dance.

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Ruth for the first dance at our wedding. Neither of…read moreus are dancers, but we had our hearts set on a special song. We had never even heard of a Viennese waltz let alone knew how to dance it. Ruth was extremely kind and patient with us, and helped us create a routine at our skill level, listening to our feedback and suggestions all the way. In addition to that, she was flexible with our packed schedule that comes with a month before a wedding. The dance ended up a hit and we got a ton of compliments! Ruth, thank you so much from the both of us!

Just started taking the adult beginning ballet class here, and I really enjoy it. I've already…read moregotten 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.

I grew up at Danspace. This is the best ballet studio in the Bay Area, not because of the number…read moreof 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.

Here's a legal drug that's good for you!…read more Shed the winter doldrums and a few pounds by getting the best antidepressant I know: Afro-Brazilian or African dancing to live drumming! I heartily recommend, as a former dancer of a polar opposite form, that you kick off your shoes and just try this. It's cheaper than a gym membership and will melt off the pounds while flooding you with endorphins. In each of there is a heartbeat that responds to the primal call of the big, deep drums. They can move you irresistibly to a place beyond all care. BrasArte is a true palace of culture. It is a welcoming, open space with a big main studio, a good floor, and well-attended classes that create enough anonymity to keep the pressure low and a group spirit to heal and inspire. I'm no longer a sylph, and my fat old ass feels welcome here, bobbing and bouncing in a happy sea of every age and body type. A few tips for first-timers: Don't worry about the combinations (steps) too much. Do your best and just keep up with the traffic! Nobody needs you to be perfect and every one of them was a beginner once. Wear what you would to a yoga class, or to wash the car: a T-shirt and leggings, a sports bra and a sarong, yoga pants and a sleeveless T with a sweatshirt for warming up. No need to look or be affluent! It's traditionally barefoot. Some people's feet may need a little toughening, so notice if you get a little footsore about halfway through class, and either take a break or pull on ballet slippers, jazz shoes, dance paws or nonslip socks. You'll build protective calluses in no time. So glad we have this place. It is the epitome of the best the Bay Area has to offer! Multicultural, diverse, tolerant, inclusive and best of all JOYOUS!

Celebrating 30 years of sharing Brasilian culture, the wonderful team of Brasarte continues to…read moreoffer high quality teaching and cultural events in the East Bay. My teenage daughter and I have attended their beautiful Lavagem festivals for years but are now regulars in class. We're enjoying our experience so much we have joined their Carnaval comparsa, Bloco Ginga Brasil, and we're rehearsing for the San Francisco Carnaval parade. Samba Tuesdays are held at Silki Studios in Oakland with a Samba Foundations class, an All Levels class, and Intermediate/Advanced level. The class schedule also includes a Cardio Samba class on Thursday at Ashkenaz and Brazilian dance and kids' classes on Sundays at La Pena. All classes are led by experienced teachers who are positive and encouraging. I appreciate the attention to proper technique and the challenging of learning choreography. My samba has leveled up in a short amount of time--and I've been taking classes all over the Bay Area for over a decade! In other words, if you want to learn to samba like a Brasilian, Brasarte is the place to do so.