I've taken a couple classes with Mario and he's by far my favorite dance teacher in Santa Cruz. He…read moreis passionate about dance and has a lovely sense of humor. He's also great at drilling in a fun way until you get the pattern.

I'm a teacher myself and know a good one when I experience one. Mario put my wife and me at ease…read moreimmediately. He was able to discern our level of experience right away and gave us "deliverables" that we could enjoy and practice after our very first lesson. He then had us record our own tutorials so we could practice when we got home. As mentioned in most of his other reviews, his positive spirit and love of dance are contagious! When my wife and I started "floating" across the floor, Mario let out a "Whooo!!" that really made us feel good! We recommend him highly!

Great classes for my son. He does the hip-hop dance. Teachers are sweet and great at what they do…read more My son loves coming here and I definitely appreciate the non-competitive environment.

It's incredibly difficult to find a studio that is welcoming to adult beginners, so finding Motion…read morePacific was wonderful. Every class I have been to has been amazing and accepting of anyone who wants to try out dance. I know their children's classes are marvelous, but I highly recommend them for any adult who wants to start dancing as well. It's never too late!

Jeremy Pilling is a dance instructor extraordinaire & owner of the Palomar Ballroom in Santa Cruz…read more He expertly breaks down each dance sequence demonstrating both leader & followers dance steps. Most recently I enrolled in his Thursday night beginning cha-cha & bachata classes. Jeremy makes it fun & not at all intimidating!!!

I took their beginning salsa class. It was easy to follow, the instructor was great. I am planning…read moreto take their advanced salsa, then venture out to the salsa world! Overall, place was clean, instructors were patient and encouraging (they did not yell at the students when they could not get it... i had experience in that at another dance studio). Have not gone to their Friday Salsa party but I think it will be on my to do list.

I started taking classes here about two months ago and am now completely hooked. I've never done…read moreanything like this before, so when I showed up for my first class I was pretty intimidated. Jeanette, the owner, is wonderful and made me feel comfortable and welcome. I started by taking her Aerial Fitness Bootcamp class which definitely kicked my butt. From there I moved on to the Aerial Dance all levels class on Saturdays and the Aerial Conditioning w/ Emily on Thursday mornings. Both are awesome. I get a great workout while also attempting amazing feats with my body. Two months in, I have a pretty solid foundation of basic skills and am fairly amazed at the progress that I've made. Whether I want to continue recreationally or to be able to perform someday I know anything is possible with the resources available here. I would recommend this place to anyone, beginner all the way to expert. The space is great, the teachers are friendly, encouraging, very knowledgeable and inspiring, and working in the air is absolutely one of the best ways to get a fabulous workout while also learning incomparable jaw-droppingly cool skills.

Super cool space with a lot of great options of aerials to learn. I've never met a more passionate…read moreteacher as I have in Jeanette. She loves what she does, it shows and she makes it fun. Every time I come here I am amazed by the wide range of people I see here. All ages & all body types with varying levels of experience. There is no reason to feel awkward or out of place and I love that. This is a place I tell my friends about. I look forward to swinging by every time I'm in town.

My daughter (9 years old) just completed 2 different summer dance camps here. The camps were each a…read moreweek, with different themes. My daughter had a lot of fun at the camps offered. She also learned a lot of wonderful, diverse dance moves. The instructors (probably late teens/college students) and are very sweet and outgoing. The camp offered healthy snacks and crafts related to the theme/or era of the dance. My daughter now wants to take regular classes here, so we'll be signing up. We live in the mountains, so it's a bit of a drive, but it's worth it.

Our two daughters just took several dance classes at this small-but-bustling studio and were so…read morehappy there. The teachers are nurturing and supportive and the whole environment is really fun. This studio has been around forever....long enough to be considered a Santa Cruz County institution. They moved about a year ago from their longtime location on 41st Avenue and now are in (IMO) a MUCH easier and better location on Bay Ave across the street from Nob Hill. (They are in the same center with Dairy Queen.) My girls are preschool and elementary age but if you look at their website you'll see that this studio offers many classes for all ages including adults. We live out of town (were in town for summer classes) otherwise I would definitely take yoga and bellydance at Dancenter. I believe this studio offers the widest variety of bellydance classes in a single location in the county. I also really appreciate that the studio does a lot of community-involved work such as supporting National Dance Week, performing at local events like the Art & Wine Festival, and classes for kids & adults with special needs. Prices are comparable to other area studios.

The best dance studio in the county! My daughter has been dancing there for the past 9 years and it…read moreis her JOY in her life! They accept everyone here. It feels like a family here! They honor the seniors who graduate every year with a luncheon and speeches about who these dancers turn out to be. Please come be apart of this special place and the family.

Elaine's dance studio provides a very warm, friendly, yet a professional place to bring your…read morechild/teen of any age! I danced with EDS from ages 7-15 1/2yrs. this was where I learned discipline, rhythm, creativeness and of course enjoyed many fun forms of dance! Elaine teaches a variety or dance classes: jazz, tap, ballet, acrobats and hip hop! She has a wonderful staff and a large/sound proof studio in a very convenient location! We love Elaine and will always remember her positive impact on our childhood! You will never forget some of those dance moves either! ;)

This pole studio is so warm and inviting. I love the energy of the students and instructors and…read morethe sense of community. They focus a lot on stretching, strength training and warming up the body so that you're ready for the flow and tricks. This studio alsohas a smaller diameter pole for those with small hands - and that there are lots of safety mats, grip aids, bands, weights, etc. Ohana has the most beautiful lights - which gives off not just great vibes but also looks good in pictures.

Ohana studio has the most welcoming and supportive staff. The love is felt and seen in the…read morecommunity they have created. I had so much fun bettering my skill and creating new friendships.

Great teachers and fun events here. Just like Santa Cruz, the location itself is a little less…read morepolished than some, but you can't beat the vibes!

I can't say enough about Janelle and her dance Company. I took my first class tonight. I will begin…read morewith L1 tomorrow.. I appreciate her deep understanding of layering rhythms while increasing muscular strength. , She is a serious professional. She is also ( super fun!!) - I look forward to learning more about this group. Thank you, for, allowing me to, try something new. I felt welcomed in your class.

This is one of the best dancing gigs in town! Swing Set Lounge is great for all levels of dancers,…read morefrom beginning to advanced. The crowd is always friendly and welcoming, I meet nice new people every time I go. Also the instructors do a fantastic job of breaking everything down and explaining, even a beginner can easily follow the lessons. They do rotating series classes that go for about a month (that start at 7pm), and there is always a drop in beginners class at 8pm. After the classes they dim the lights, turn up the ambience and have a great social dance until 10pm. Come alone or with friends. The cost (for all) is only $10 (cash) at the door.

Fun fun fun! Casual atmosphere, the instruction is really great and did I say FUN? Good work out,…read moretoo. I usually leave before the dance "party" is over because I'm such a beginner, out of energy by then, but, like everything, it takes some more practice and time to get there. One day, I'll be last on the floor to leave!

For context, my kids are ages 7, 5 and 3; my 5 year old being the ballerina in the group. We've…read morebeen going to IAD for three years now. My daughter started when she was 3 at their super fun and creative summer camp programs. The following fall we signed up for a weekly ballet class and by that winter my girl was dancing in her first big time performance in their production of the Nutcracker. I continue to be impressed by the professionalism of this dance school. They are extremely organized and the administrative side of their business is excellent. The productions they put on in the winter and the spring are amazing. The dancers are so good! I am continually impressed by the kids' performances. What prompted me to sit down and write a review today is the performance my kids put on for my husband and me this morning. Out of nowhere the three of them informed us we'd be watching their production of the Nutcracker. Kitchen chairs were arranged for the "audience" and we were given tickets and instructed where to sit. What followed was a multi (like 9!) act performance of the Nutcracker. My daughter playing all lead roles (Harlequin Doll, Clara, Snow Queen, Arabian, Mother Ginger, Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara again) and her brothers shining as backup performers - Nutcracker, Rat King, Mice, Arabians, the Chinese Dragon, Gingersnaps, Flowers etc.. It was amazing. I realized during this performance that even though it is only my 5 year old taking classes and performing at IAD, her siblings are benefitting from what she's doing there as well. My sons surprised me with how accurately they acted out parts of the play. My 7 year old shaking his leg as he "died" while playing the Rat King, and my 3 year old running around Mother Ginger, refusing to go back under her skirt. Our whole family is learning so much from this school and I am literally filled with JOY when I watch my kids perform together - now at home and on stage. This is not just a dance school but a community that is really a family. Over these last three years I have seen them come together to support staff who are going through difficult times, celebrate dancer's achievements, encourage staff to grow and thrive with opportunities both inside and outside of IAD, and show so much gratitude to the volunteers and families that help make IAD so wonderful. Thank you IAD for bringing so much Joy to Santa Cruz county!

an excellently choreographed and performed ballet, with lots of different dances, beautiful and…read morecreative costumes, and a bit of Halloween added to the mix. There was audience participation, which is always fun, and all of dancers, young and old, gave us a wonderful show and experience.