I've LOVED taking lessons here - I've been a student since Dec 2016, came in for a free lesson and…read moreI haven't left since! The instructors are the best - encouraging, thoughtful, passionate, and just so much damn fun to be around in general. The student community is also a wonderful perk about taking lessons at this studio. Everyone is wonderfully friendly and welcoming - it is a certainly a safe (and not to mention beautiful) space for learning. Re: COVID precautions - they're taking all the necessary precautions to keep the space safe (temperature checks at the door, readily available hand sanitizer, gloves requirements for the teachers, mask requirements for all, outdoor lessons, and reduced indoor capacity to limit exposure). I've never felt unsafe when on-site for my private lessons or group activities. All in all, if you're looking to try something new or find your inner ballroom dance spirit animal, I'd highly recommend checking this studio out!

I have been going to this studio for 7 months and I'll tell you, it's been amazing! Everyone here…read moreare the nicest people you will meet and definitely supportive. It's such a positive community and you can learn dancing so fast here because they are such good teachers! It's like a second home to me, I suggest you come check this place out because it could become one for you too :)

When I was younger, I took ballet, pointe, modern and jazz extensively in the New Haven area, but…read moretook a hiatus during college. Feeling the desire to move beyond the monotony of the gym, I returned to ballet, starting with the adult classes at Fresh Pond Ballet 2 years ago. Nina Alonso Hathaway is a wonderful teacher. She presents clear, no pressure instruction while helping her students to improve their skills. I've had many teachers who believe the path to becoming a better ballerina involves insults and physical torment, and Nina is about as far from that camp of teaching as possible. She works with Blake Barich as well, who teaches with her, and Blake maintains a similar philosophy to teaching as Nina does. Her studio is affordable and a good choice for adults with hectic lives, as instead of a semester fee, she offers a 10-class card for $105 dollars. If you need to miss a class, you are not going to lose on your investment. Adults of all levels join her adult beginner classes, and students who have had training in the past are welcomed to dance with her advanced students (and even invited to take part in their annual ballet production at Pine Manor College).

There is something not quite right about Fresh Pond Ballet…read more Fresh Pond Ballet is past its prime. I learned the hard way and don't recommend sending a youngster to classes w Nina. I have 2 daughters and both have taken classes at FPB and other schools and the contrast is dramatically different. First of all, the place is a disaster. Having a lifelong relationship with dance - I have always taken lessons and belonged to gyms. I am an athlete, not a princess, so I don't need my workout space to look like a spa. But this "school" is a joke. There is no place to change, you have to step over strollers and parents changing diapers in some weird hallway, and I always feel like I am in the way or somehow in the wrong while trying to get my daughter ready for her class. I asked Nina if the bathroom had any more paper towels one time and she snapped at me with too much detail about her landlord not doing something or another and how it wasn't her responsibility to potty train children! I was astounded. Which brings me to Nina. My girls started classes with Nina last year. They were so excited to take dance lessons and learn how to dance like ballerinas! But Nina's critical nature and short temper soon took the wind out of my daughters' sails. Like I said, I've taken dance classes off and on for my whole life and have an understanding and appreciation for the discipline and hard work it takes to become good at dance or any of the performing arts. But Nina seemed more focused on keeping her students well behaved than well trained. My oldest daughter never asked to quit (even though 2 of her friends did) and went to every class, but I could see her mood change and as we would get closer to the class. She would set her jaw like she had to endure the class. It was stressful. My younger daughter's class was completely disorganized. Beginner classes always have a variety of levels but my daughter's skill actually got worse in Nina's class. The girls went to a different (not to be named) school this year and have blossomed. The school welcomes parents w a pleasant environment and they don't harass us with rules about where to sit and how to stand and when to pay. They have parking for cars and strollers and the teachers can focus on teaching the art of ballet. The teachers are firm but kind and my daughters have re-discovered their love of dance. Reading the previous reviewer's post about how the school really worked for her as an older returning student makes a lot of sense. I think that the teachers at FPB just don't have the energy for teaching to youngsters any more.

I began taking class here after a friend highly recommended the studio for on2 salsa. The dance…read moreinstructors are ALL fantastic. Serena and G, in particular, have made me grow so much as a dancer in terms of musicality, technique, and improvisation. The classes are challenging, technical, but simultaneously a total delight. The masacote community is fun, welcoming, and full of fantastic dancers and friends. I can't imagine a better studio. Go now!

I joined salsa classes at Masacote in the summer of 2018. I had never really danced in my life…read moreuntil that point, especially not salsa, but I have improved significantly and I even started going to salsa socials semi-regularly. I had to stop going for a while because of work/school, but I recently started going again and I've found these classes to be the most fulfilling type of self-care. Something that sets Masacote apart is the great community. Everyone is so friendly, from Greg at the front desk, to each of the instructors and even the students in the advanced classes. Tana, Audrey and Dave are great instructors. They are very skilled dancers but they also know how to communicate and translate that into skillful instruction. They really went/go out of their way to make sure I learn what I need to learn. They call themselves the Masa Tribe. While it was hard for me to see myself as part of something like a salsa dancing club, I see now why that name makes so much sense. I really feel I'm a part of a team every Tuesday and Thursday when I go to class, and even beyond that. I really recommend these classes to anyone who wants to learn to dance, to have fun or simply to meet wonderful people and make new friends. The location at the CAC is very nice and easily accessible. There is free parking after 5 pm. And the class prices are pretty affordable too!

Chu Ling wasted my precious 1.5 hours on Sunday for nothing, and I am really disappointed…read more She told me to meet at 12:25 by DD but no show until 1PM. I was about to leave then she finally return my call asking me to come back. Hoping to get some dance move, but she had her students just rehearse the choreography that's already completed. Then, what's the point for me to come all the way from Somerville? Just to see her student rehearsing ? She might be a good dancer, but she does not respect your time. Totally waste of your time. What kind of professional do such a thing ? ? I could have gone to different teacher and closer dance school if she had been more respectful with my time to let me know that she is coming in late + she is just rehearsing, so there's no class instead of have me come to just observe free dance performance. Oh god what a day, I am really upset about this.

I have seen Chuling's performance in World trade center. It's amazing!…read moreBest Chinese dance I ever seen, Highly recommend.

My first lesson in Argentine Tango was fun and enjoyable, but more importantly for me Claudia…read moreexpressed the feeling of the dance, the roles of the leader and follower, and the music itself as she patiently guided me through the walks and Basic steps. I'm looking forward to taking more lessons from her and learning more about this special form of dance. Thank you Claudia! Brent M

I've been taking Argentine Tango with Seyyide for several months now and I absolutely love her…read moreclasses. She's supremely talented and teaches the classes in a way that makes learning incredibly enjoyable. Always professional and attentive to her students, Seyyide's tango classes are certainly a treat! Being a native of Argentina, who else would you want to go if you wanted to learn Argentinian Tango?

Whether you're looking to join the company or just take some no pressure dance classes, OnStage…read moreDance Company is great for both. Super nice people. Great dancers who are willing to teach less experienced people taking class too. Classes get added often and the schedule is always being updated, so it's really helpful to check the website.

I'd never seen a modern dance performance before. I just happened to have a friend performing so I…read morethought I'd give her some support. The performance was fun, eclectic, and thoughtful. Add it to your list of random cultural browsing (if you keep that kind of thing) in the greater Boston area for sure! The music could have been a little louder (the volume was sometimes awkwardly low for my tastes) so that's why I'm giving it 4 not 5.

I've been going here for ten years now and have had a very complicated relationship with it! Some…read moreof the staff had extreme attitude. They don't produce phenomenal dancers. However, if you're looking to dance for fun and make friends this is the place for you!!

My 3.5yr old daughter has been taking classes once a week here for a few months now, and she…read moreabsolutely loves it! Always talks about Ms. Sam and the "happy stars" (stickers) she gets at the end of the class to let her know how well she did. The price is also very affordable and the owner Amanda is very kind and responsive. Happy to have my daughter here!

We scheduled a private class with two members of the Rogue Burlesque troupe (Brandywine and Lily…read moreBordeaux) for a friend's bachelorette party. It was absolutely awesome! They were such great instructors and the class was really well structured - they covered everything from basic moves to walks, personas and twirling tassels. They kicked it off with a routine (which blew our minds and also gave a good introduction to those who hadn't seen burlesque before) and talked about burlesque as a celebration of sexuality, art, performance, etc. They coached us through practicing all the moves. It was very comfortable, not embarrassing at all. And so much fun, especially if you have a couple drinks before. The instructors rented a dance studio at the Armory in Somerville, which was a great space. I would highly recommend ensuring that the studio you rent has a mirror. I can't imagine doing the class otherwise, it really helps to see what you're doing! If you go to the Armory, check out Highland Kitchen for drinks before - it's just a couple blocks away and has an awesome cocktail menu. We only had two thoughts that they could do to improve the class - one would be to write out a list of tips for us to leave with, so we don't forget (they had so many great pointers it was hard to remember them all). And the other was maybe to teach us a routine. The end of the class was just freestyle (which was totally fun), but we agreed that it would have been fun to learn a short routine.

Ms. Sassy and Ms. Kitty came to my hotel where I was throwing a Bachelorette. On time, friendly,…read morecomfortable...they were both super nice and led a brilliant class. The group learned how to walk, shimmy, trace, and bump according to our newly acquired personas and ended up in tassel-filled dance party. Reasonable private lesson rate and very professional. If you are having a party and want to do something different, hire Rogue Burlesque...they were amazing!