Fantastic place for dancing! Tristan & Rhazel are very respectful, knowledgeable, and funny. Giving us free range to express ourselves and a great environment to learn and strive. 10/10 read more

I've taken a range of dance classes and all the instructors have been amazing. They were all very nice, student-focused and professional. I also enjoy the choreography. The pace of the classes are subjective to each individual, but overall, they've all been fun and I have learned a lot. I also like the spacious ballrooms, parking is relatively easy and centrally located to lot of restaurants. A special shout out to a few of the dance instructors: Jessica, Jewell, Mimi, Sydnie and Sam. Thank you! read more

At 26 I felt extremely nervous coming into a dance studio with no real background to start a dance journey but the teachers and community at MAC have helped me realize that it's okay and that we all start somewhere and that it's fun regardless! I've taken 49 classes at this point within the past 9 months primarily consisting of the heels classes but also have ventured into some of other styles as well (Cumbia & K-Pop) There are dancers of all levels and all ages 18+ in the classes but everyone is so supportive of each other's progress. The vibe of the classes feels casual and low pressure so it eases some tension for an amateur like me. I tried a studio in SF a few years ago where I felt like the only newbie and I was too intimidated to return. The owners are kind and responsive. The studio itself is clean and they decorate for holidays which is a nice touch. For heels I just wish the mirrors in the smaller room reached the floor so we could see our floorwork better. Hopefully that's in the works! It's a pricy hobby (I have the membership) but I've always had an interest towards dance. I enjoy it and I'm surrounded by like-minded people and having fun while gradually improving my skills. I feel like I was able to make friends as an adult which can be really hard sometimes! All the instructors I've interacted with have been so supportive, kind, and passionate about dance. Sydnie and Mimi (heels) , Chloe (K-Pop) and Jeric (Hip-hop) are gems! read more

Motion Arts Center - smaller room - Dance Studios Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came here for a wedding dance workshop. They start off a bit slow, so it's perfect for easing in newbies. We unfortunately were running a bit late, but it was perfect because we didn't miss out on learning the basics. I had already learned the box steps when I was younger so that part was easy for me to refresh my memory and I didn't have trouble following along. However, since my hands eye coordination are pretty bad, I took a while learning the new moves (spinning, dipping, etc). I'm glad the instructor(s) came around to check on our form and offer us advices/tricks on how to remember the moves better. Honestly, I don't think I would've known how to fix what I'm doing wrong without Kim showing me. I guess I learned that in order for me to fix my mistakes, I needed someone to visually show me the difference (mirror me) on what I am currently doing wrong vs what I should be doing. Overall, good pacing for complete beginners! If you already know how to dance, you might find the pacing a bit slow. read more

ALL soon-to-be-wed couples should take the wedding workshop!!! I can't recommend the class enough. My partner and I had such a great time. He had no dance experience and was really nervous going in, but he left feeling accomplished and excited to practice! Kim really broke things down and made it easy to follow along. You cover SO much in class of the basics and foundations of partner dance. Jessica was also there giving individual instruction, checking in with each couple, and also providing beautiful demos. I only wish it was a tiny bit longer to get a little more practice in, but that's what home practice and private lessons are for. This workshop is such a gem and a great deal, everyone should do it!! read more

I am someone who has been dancing since late elementary/early pre-teens. I've been trained through many different genres (ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, jazz funk, heels) and at a lot of different studios all over the Bay Area. However, I've been dancing at this studio regularly for over a year now, and I love it so much. It also has been more convenient for me. Regardless of level or experience, MAC has something for everyone. Also, the owners Jesica and Gustavo are such sweethearts! I love how every single time I step into the door, I am welcomed with open arms and big smiles. Although I will continue to train at other different studios, this one will always be one of my favorites :) MAC for life!! read more

I am a rank beginner at dance. Recently I've started going to do Ecstatic Dance around the Peninsula, but, despite the fun and self-exploration that genre offered, something was missing: human interactivity. So I went off in search of that missing element and found it in the Contact Improv class at Motion Arts Center. As a 65 year old, I was happy to find a range of ages in my class: young, middle-aged and senior. Also the genders were represented rather equally. There was also a an array of skill levels in the class. Most people had more experience than I, but there was variance of background. The students were also multi-ethnic which, of course, was nice. In any case, the instructor Heather made me feel welcome and made the class very fun. I felt like a kid again...in a good way! So much so that I am inspired to take up other forms of dance that Motion Arts offers. In addition to the above, by Bay Area standards, the prices are very reasonable. I can recommend the Motion Arts Center without reservation! read more

I've been trying to find a place that teaches Cumbia on the Peninsula, and not only is this the only one I've been able to find, the instructors (Tristan and Rhazel) are reallllly fun and good! They teach fundamentals really well, and are super observant at a group and individual level. They adapt the speed/progression of the class to the group each time, so that everyone can keep up and still have fun. It's also cool to get the individual pointers - they're super attentive to everyone's "issues" and explain things really well. I'm more confident about dancing with the novio now, which is a plus haha. They have package deals and drop in pricing, which is helpful if your schedule is irregular. They have a dance party every last Thursday as well! read more

I was a really nervous beginner at kpop, but KK's break down made the steps easy to learn. I'm planning to take more classes.

I've been coming to Motion Arts Center regularly for a few months now , and have taken Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and even West Coast Swing classes (although I've mainly been focusing on the first). When I started, I was a rank novice not having danced before at all. But at MAC, I was in good hands and quickly learned the moves from the awesome instructors -- who are patient and yet passionate about teaching, and getting their students to reach the next level. The center also hosts monthly dance parties where you can practice your moves and meet new people. I recommend MAC to anyone (of any level) who likes dancing + music & likes to get their groove on! read more

Great placr for west coast swing! Heather is a wonderful teacher; great music snd awesome dance floor.

I started coming to MAC a few months ago, and I've absolutely loved it! I take Jeric's hip hop class and really enjoy his music choices and choreography. As a complete beginner, I appreciate how well he breaks everything down. The welcoming atmosphere and the kindness of the owners make the experience even better--it's been such a healing space for me! Also have met the most supportive group of people. read more

I loved the intro to tango class I took there! Would go back again if I was still in the area. Don't give them your phone number afterwards though. I completed their survey, then they sent me the same survey again and bothered me several more times by txt. I had to unsubscribe. read more

Great teacher and so much fun! Jonathan made a difficult dance easier to understand and execute! 10/10 recommend!

Came for an intro salsa class ($20 for first students. They also have a discount for a 10-class pass. As an FYI for new students, they have 2 studios (one on 3rd st and one on Claremont). Check-in is in the latter. Most people came with partners, but some solo students did come, which wasn't an issue since pairs kept rotating. The teachers themselves were nice and the pace of the instruction was on the slower side so that no students were left behind. I wished that the instructions were a bit more detailed and it would have been a nice touch if the instructors rotated with the students so we can know exactly how it should feel. read more

My 9 year old daughter needed help learning a dance routine for a dance audition so we looked for private lessons with a dance teacher. Jessica was amazing with my daughter and she really did a great job helping her learn the choreography and refine her dance skills. read more

Attended Tango classes with Gustavo & Jesica. They are both highly professional, provide a warm welcoming environment, clear instruction, responsiveness and encouragement. I learn so much every time! Highly recommend it! read more

Love this studio. Great instructors, friendly vibe, and the owners do a good job of hosting events to build community and give students the space to practice social dancing. I've been doing Bachata and Salsa with them for 6 months, never had a bad experience. read more

This is a great spot to learn how to dance. They are patient with you and throw in a joke here and there to make the mood more comfortable for the new students who have two left feet like I did when I started coming here around five months ago I started coming here to learn Cumbia which is a great class and that led me to take salsa lessons and Bachata also so now I take all three and have been for the past around five months also in terms of cost you get your moneys worth and a bit more since the jokes are free and the people teaching these classes, which are Tristan, Jessica, Rachel, Chris,Dennis and Dennis, and Danielle have been Amazing and very patient with me and the other students I can't thank them enough since when I started, I had never danced in my 28 years of life so I took it upon myself too find somewhere I could learn, and this was the best option I could find since almost no one has Cumbia lessons, which is what I was interested in learning at first and so far no regrets and now I can confidently go to family gatherings and social dance which this place also helps you with by doing a social dance every last Thursday of every month to help you practice what you've learned in the month which is great! and this helps you not just stay seated throughout a party or social gathering it certainly has helped me and an added bonus. Is you meet great people while learning which also help you grow in your journey to learn a new skill read more

Motion Arts Center - Bachata class group pic i'm the one on the far left - Dance Studios Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've been taking tango lessons with Jesica and Gustavo for 8 years and there is no one else I would trust as my instructors. Not only are they expert teachers of technique, they also teach equally important principles of musicality and the etiquette of social dance. Technical expertise aside, I feel GOOD and I have so much fun when I take classes with Jesica and Gustavo. They are always positive and encouraging which is so important when learning something new. When I was first starting to learn the dance, I became frustrated with myself, but both were always quick to offer guided instruction and build my confidence. 8 years later, I am still learning with each lesson, but I can look back and say they have made me a confident dancer who can dance freely and have fun every time I'm on the dance floor. Any compliments I ever receive I always attribute to them because everything I know I owe it all to J&G! THANK YOU Jesica and Gustavo for providing a comfortable space to grow and learn. It is an added bonus that they have the smoothest floors I've ever stepped on. They take immaculate care of their floor as you can see them constantly cleaning the special hardwood to ensure the best surface for dancing. If you're on the fence, let this be your sign to come on in and take your first class!! read more

I've taken seven bachata classes with Chris, and occasionally, Jessica joins in to assist. I've also enrolled in four salsa classes taught by Tristan, with his assistant Razhel helping out. Jessica sometimes supports in those classes too. I've been learning Argentine tango on and off for about four years, but I struggle with consistency due to personal life challenges. My tango instructors are Gustavo and Jessica. Each of my dance instructors has a unique teaching style, and when I attend their classes, I find them to be very supportive and enjoyable. I truly appreciate their dedication and compassion in teaching, as they work hard to help each student master their steps. I recognize that dance classes can be pricey for some and more affordable for others; however, the essential aspect is that all the instructors genuinely care about their students. They are always willing to repeat explanations to ensure everyone understands. I appreciate that the Motion Arts Center needs to generate revenue to continue offering a variety of dance styles and a space for us to learn. Both Jessica and Gustavo have kind hearts, and all the teachers I've experienced share this sentiment. They genuinely want what's best for their students. I feel comfortable where I am and don't feel the need to explore other schools or instructors. I'm happy and satisfied with my current school. For new students considering the Motion Arts Center, I highly recommend giving it a chance, as the school offers a unique teaching style. Regardless of whether the instructors demonstrate slower or faster movements, they approach teaching with compassion and patience. It's clear that they have a genuine desire to impart their knowledge and skills on the dance floor, making it feel like home. read more

I've started taking heels classes here with both Mimi and Sydnie. I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to dance but they both create a welcoming, fun environment in which to challenge yourself and let your sensual side show. There are technique classes on Tuesday night which are great for the fundamentals and then Sydnie teaches beginner on Friday nights and Mimi teaches a beginner/intermediate class on Saturday late morning. The workshops are great too! It's a wonderful dance studio (and the floors are so nice)! read more

I was referred here by a friend, tried the Latin motions lesson with Danielle and also stayed to observe the intermediate salsa lesson. Danielle is a great salsa instructor! She has great energy, good teaching techniques and I loved that she had us high five before switching partners. read more

I took a kpop dance class with Ki To today and it was fantastic! Friendly to beginners, and a lot of fun to follow along.

I purchased 10 sessions package for salsa beginner. The teachers are so good and professional . I like the way that they practice several times to make sure that everyone learned the technique. I really enjoy and highly recommend it. It's a nice, clean studio, and they provide snacks and water. read more

The staff and service here is great. The instructors Jesica and Chris really pay attention to the group and how to improve. they give great advice and as a beginner, i enjoy learning from them. I like the dance studio setup as well and Gustavo gives excellent customer service. read more

We hosted a birthday party for our teenage daughter at Motion Arts Center, and it was the perfect venue! Jesica and Gustavo were so helpful throughout the planning process, including making arrangements for a private K-pop group dance lesson led by a fantastic teacher, Jackson! Our teacher was able to teach choreography for the songs specifically requested for the party, which was especially fun. The studio makes for a festive backdrop for any special event. My daughter and I have taken group lessons here before with teacher Chloe (also highly recommended!), so we were already familiar with the studio. And the Motion Arts Center team made festive decorative signs announcing her birthday and helped us with decking out the large studio with balloons and signs. And they even projected videos of Blackpink, Stray Kids, aespa, BTS, etc. on a huge wall during the party, adding to the festive night. The kids all had a blast learning dance choreography and celebrating together! Highly recommended for birthday parties and other special events! Thank you again, Motion Arts Center!! read more

Motion Arts is a fantastic place in every way! The facility is beautiful, the instructors are incredible and very encouraging to all levels of students. The website is easy to use and always updated. They offer many types of dance and activities so anyone can find something they are interested in. The owners Jesica and Gustavo are professional and delightful and make you feel very welcome from the moment you walk in the door. Ten out of ten! read more

We went for a salsa night, a class followed by a dance party. The vibe was chill and local, quite a contrast to the buzzy San Mateo downtown just one block away. I had a most happy and memorable night here, compared to past experiences at Palo Alto swing dance classes, which always have over a hundreds of ppl. There was plenty of room to dance without having to worry about bumping into other dancers. And there were cushioned seats with tables for you rest and have a drink at every corner right in the hall! The staff and instructors were super nice. And the instructor also did DJ for the party! read more

Love this place! Jesica, that runs the center, is super sweet and very welcoming. All the instructors are very attentive and systematically break things down and make it simple to understand. read more

Valuable classroom instruction! I have been taking the bachata classes and am very happy with the teaching quality. Like most schools, the classes will focus at least some part of the day's lesson on introducing and practicing a sequence of moves. However, one thing that particularly impressed me with the Motion Arts Center is how active of a role the instructors take in observing/noticing how exactly the leads perform their movements when practicing a sequence. For example, in one class, Monica stopped group partner practice to do a short deep dive into fixing a bad trend she noticed among multiple leaders where we (myself included!) were poorly signaling a few of our turns. She clearly communicated and demonstrated how to tweak our arm and hand positions, had the class work on those hotfixes for a few minutes, and then moved right back into the original class material. I've taken both the beginner and intermediate bachata classes and seen this level of interaction from every instructor! This level of attention to detail might seem kind of basic, but I've been a student at other dance studios where instructors do not make any effort to provide this level of immediate feedback in a group class setting, instead preferring to just stick to finishing out the lesson. I highly recommend the Motion Arts Center! read more

Jessica and Gustavo are some of the best Argentine Tango teachers you could get in the Bay Area. Their teaching style is highly technical. They break the dance down to the detail level that makes it easy to digest. They are very approachable and helpful. The classes are high energy and fun. The studio is very spacious. It features large mirrors and perfect floor. The community of dancers around the studio is very friendly as well. Start dancing, keep going, and you are bound to make new friends here. read more

Been learning Argentine Tango with Jesica and Gustavo, very professional and classy teachers, covering steps to sequence to technical details, love their teaching. Always feel lucky to have their studio in downtown San Mateo which is close to everything. The floor is simply spacious and gorgeous. These years they have also brought in many varieties of dances, from Salsa to Bachata to West Coast Swing to Bollywood dance. I also tried out various, the classes are well taught by highly qualified teachers, had great fun. Anyone who hasn't been should check out this elegant dance place ! read more

The Motion Arts Center is nowadays the best place in the bay area to enjoy tango as a dance student and as a milonguero tango dancer. There are so many reasons that converge to make this accurate. Jesica and Gustavo Hornos, the place's owners, are fantastic dancers to the extent of having accomplished a USA tango championship. They are also outstanding teachers. Their level of precision in their dancing and the ability to transmit their knowledge efficiently are unique. I have gone through many teachers for almost 20 years, and I know when I see it. Their English speaking skills are impeccable. They are also very patient, repeating the patterns until they know you got them. The place also hosts the milongas with the best music in the area. Gustavo is an accomplished DJ. His knowledge of tango orchestras, singers, and styles is unrivaled. Gustavo does not belong to the category of DJs following others' books; he is one of those few writing the book. Also, the sound of the place is hands down the best in the area. As a cherry on the pie, Gustavo and Jessica consistently host live tango music at their place, and this area needs more live music! Look no more for a place to learn, dance as an accomplished dancer, or watch live tango shows. read more

Fantastic tango teachers and venue. Jesica and Gustavo (USA Tango Champions) explain clearly and repeatedly a pattern, the leader/follower synchronization, and emphasize not just the move, but the subtle intricacies of the technique - the devil in the tango detail! Even if I have been dancing for a long time, I always leave feeling like I learned, understood and can't wait to come back; very satisfying. Their classes are not the regular "out-of-the-box", but finely refined and deeply helpful, with just the right amount of personal attention. Classiness, finesse, elegance, ease, flow and grace - these are just some of the traits of their dance. The venue is also great, a real dance studio with an impeccable wooden floor, and plenty of room. I'll check out the WCS and salsa classes they offer too. For milongas, check out the live music events - it's really a treat whether you dance or not! I would highly recommend the teachers and the venue - one of the best for tango in the Bay Area. read more

I had been looking forever for a place like this for a while and can't thank Jesica and Gustavo enough for creating this space. As a former dancer, was really nice to find a place to go back to my dancing roots and have been a regular in the hiphop classes for almost a year. read more

Jesica was an amazing teacher who taught my fiancé and I two whole choreographed dances in just 3 lessons. She quickly understood our level and then customized a dance to our songs that we were both comfortable with and had so much fun doing it. Couldn't recommend working with her enough and can't wait to bring my friends to the group classes! read more

I started beginner Argentine Tango 5 years ago and now in the advanced class. Jessica and Gustavo are know for being one of the best Argentine Tango instructors in the bay area. The tango community feels very privileged to have them as instructors. No partner required, all ages, very fun, very romantic. read more

I'm so excited to finally have local hip hop classes that I can join! I went to my first class today and it was so fun! I'm a beginner to hip hop and the instructor broke down all the moves really well. At the end we learned the whole routing and I felt so accomplished. It was really fun! Good workout for beginners. Highly recommend! read more

Good vibes and lovely in iron entertainment.we had great moments with excellent attitude from the whole team.