We love Star Dance! My daughter has danced there for the last 6 years (age9-15) and plans to…read morecontinue through high school. We moved to Star Dance because she wanted the opportunity to take a variety of dance styles at one studio. She has taken Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical, and all have been great experiences. She's made great friends while really advancing as a dancer. The teachers are wonderful and very conscientious about the health and enjoyment of the students. The end-of-year show at Herbst Theater is really special. And, bonus, I've been loving the adult classes, too. Highly recommend this neighborhood gem!

The Pros to this studio is that the teacher we had was very good and the studio makes an effort to…read moreput on a really nice end of the year performance. The kids feel proud of their accomplishment. For me, however, this is overshadowed by the very strict policies. You pay for the entire year up front, so you want to make sure your kid will want to do the entire year. The first year we went here, this worked out OK. However, the second year my 7 yr old was not enjoying the class at all--to the point she would leave the class early crying. We were a couple months in at this point (but before winter break or the beginning of performance dance practices). We were told that we could leave the class but would not be entitled to any refund of the tuition (more than half the year at that point). We were also not allowed to try out another class to see if we could find one my child would like better. I felt this was extraordinarily rigid for a 7 year old. To not even work with a family to try and find a better fit in dance class says to me they are not concerned with the dancer's experience. Our only options were to eat the half year tuition, or force our child to continue a class she really did not like. Perhaps this policy is OK for older kids who know what activities they like, but for younger children I find it inappropriate. Parents should also be aware that the kids are required to wear specific clothing to all practices, so there is an additional cost as you need to order specific dance leotards, tights, shoes, etc.

My 9-year-old daughter has been taking ballet classes with Ms. Byrne since before she and Mrs…read more Petty opened this school. Ms. Byrne is an artist and a gifted educator -- she is a wonderful choreographer and always makes sure that the instruction is age-appropriate *and* fun. Not to mention she is kind, caring, and has a very peaceful way about her. The kids LOVE her! This school is great for families who want to give their children an artistic and healthy outlet for their creativity, to learn self-discipline, and to help them develop confidence and self-esteem. The founders have cultivated a supportive, positive atmosphere and you never really feel that it is a "business" per se (as can be the case at other studios in town), but rather, a welcoming place that truly cares about children and instilling the love of dance. If you're looking for an intensive studio that is focused on grooming hyper-competitive dancers for professional careers, this may not be the right place....but that said, there are MANY talented students at the school who wow me at every recital. To the 1-star reviewer below, the venomous rage in the post is puzzling to me. Most art/dance/music schools have unusual hours. It should be obvious that a dance studio is not like your typical storefront (i.e., coffeeshop, grocery store) so it's common sense to call ahead before making the trip over. Angry people suck.

Ive tried out several dance centers in the city for my now 6 year old daughter and this one has…read morebeen the best so far. They are all kind and encouraging here. And the most amazing part is that my daughter goes to class excited and comes out of class just beaming with joy. The price is excellent compared to the other options we've tried as well.

I brought my daughter here when she was a baby and she loved it. We stopped coming for a little bit…read moredue to scheduling but returned this summer and she absolutely loves coming here. The unlimited summer has been wonderful because she's been able to find her favorite teachers - Miss Michelle, Jayla and Sophia! The teachers are so patient and kind- 5 stars!

I've enjoyed the Tutu School for my daughter so far. The first class we did together, she hated it…read more But ever since then, she has really enjoyed going and doing the ballet. For her age group, she's not exactly learning ballet, but it's more of a developmental learning for her age group, and fun activities. They do different things each class, but usually there's a round of bubbles, wands, ribbons, circle time, coloring, story time, stomping, tip toeing, and lots of twirling. The teachers are great (Crystal and Marissa are the ones I've met so far), accepting of kids being kids, especially when they're not having it. I really appreciate their incredible patience! I love the policy for their ballet classes too. You buy monthly subscription, and for every class you can't attend, they will just add it to your makeup session, and you can come attend (choose online) a make up class with your child's age group. So easy! Unlimited classes the first month, which was great. The school itself is pretty clean, and cute. They have a cute store which the occasionally offer discounts for their nicely curated leotards with tutus, and ballet shoes. I ended up just buying some here because they were so much cuter than ones I could find at Target or Amazon. They also have cute little chairs here for the little girls to sit on to help them put on their ballet shoes! Adorable.

Point of view of an adult student: The teacher Angela Yuen…read moreUyeda is patient & very good at explaining concepts visually and verbally. You can see her Youtube at https://dancingwithangela.com/about/dance-with-me/ According to her LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-yuen-uyeda-639b9130 , she has been teaching young to adult students for many years. One of my classmates has been her student for 10 years. Being precise and technically strong, she articulates well to give students something to aim for / to refine and correct. Providing a vivid picture, she is willing to demonstrate correct AND incorrect moves, answer questions. In a small class, I get personal attention for very helpful corrections. What I really like about her is that she often relates what we practice at the barre to center work; giving me a mission and thing(s) to work/focus on. Her encouragement makes the class fun and enjoyable. Classmates and I laughed/smiled quite a bit. What a cheerful class!

An amazing dance studio. Staff is very friendly and talented! Facilities are clean and lessons are…read moreaffordable. Definitely recommend for people of all skill level to learn dance! Truly a hidden gem of the neighborhood. A wonderful place to send your kids or to try dance lessons as an adult! Can't believe I'm the first person to review--more people need to know about this place!

The annual production of The Nutcracker by the Westlake School for the Performing Arts (WSPA)…read morestands out as one of the Bay Area's premier youth holiday traditions. Co-presented with the non-profit Artists in Motion Bay Area (AIMBA), this full-length ballet highlights the rigorous training and technical discipline of its student dancers. It serves as a rite of passage where young performers progress sequentially through roles--from playful mice and graceful angels to snowflakes and, ultimately, coveted principal parts like the Sugar Plum Fairy. Production & Choreography Under the artistic direction of Malu Rivera-Peoples (https://www.activityhero.com/biz/184-westlake-school-for-the-performing-arts-daly-city-ca), the choreography respects the demands of classical ballet while keeping the performance lively and engaging for audiences of all ages. The school frequently pushes classic boundaries by incorporating diverse performance styles, including a highly praised hip-hop adaptation that reimagines Clara's journey into an energetic, contemporary wonderland. Technical Execution Though it features a youth cast, the production values are entirely professional. The synchronization during complex ensemble numbers--such as the Waltz of the Snowflakes--reveals the extensive, tireless rehearsal hours the students commit to the stage. The costumes are vibrant and meticulously tailored, complementing elaborate set pieces that capture the whimsical magic of Tchaikovsky's timeless narrative. Venue & Atmosphere While historically staged at major venues like San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts Theater, recent seasons have found a magnificent home at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center (https://www.wspadance.com/nutcracker). The theater provides excellent sightlines and acoustics, amplifying the community-centered, warm holiday spirit that WSPA infuses into every performance. Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5 An inspiring showcase of youth talent that blends discipline with pure festive joy, making it a highly recommended alternative to professional resident company productions for families across the Bay Area.

My daughter has been attending WSPA since she was 4 years old, starting with ballet and tap before…read moreeventually finding her true passion in Polynesian dance with Te Orama. She's now 8, and we truly couldn't love our Te Orama community more! In the three short years she's been part of Te Orama, she's been fortunate enough to learn from nearly every instructor in the halau. Each teacher brings something special to the table, and their dedication, patience, and passion for what they do are truly remarkable. What makes them even more impressive is their ability to connect with and teach dancers of all ages and skill levels, from the littlest beginners to the most experienced performers. It really speaks volumes about the quality of instruction and the heart behind this amazing group. Beyond the dancing, what makes Te Orama so special is the incredible camaraderie among the students and parents. There's such a genuine sense of community, encouragement, and support. Everyone celebrates one another, and the friendships formed extend well beyond the dance floor. Te Orama feels less like a dance company and more like an ʻohana, a family. We came for the dancing, but we stayed for the people, the culture, and the sense of belonging. Watching our daughter grow not only as a dancer but also in confidence, friendship, and appreciation for Polynesian culture has been such a gift. We are so grateful to be part of this beautiful ʻohana and look forward to many more years of dancing, making memories, and growing together. Te Orama isn't just where our daughter dances. It's where she belongs.

I have several kids, grandkids and nieces who attend this school and they really like it. They…read morehave diverse dance instruction, the staff is very enthusiastic and the kids genuinely have fun Their Nut Cracker December 2022 program was very nice, was delightful and all dancers were thoroughly engaged and proudly performed. It is located in a very busy intersection 24th & Mission streets, parking can be a bit of a challenge, but there is a parking close by. Give yourself extra time before your class.

I've been taking Tika's classes on and off (mostly off) for around 15 years now and I'm done. She…read moreis just so abrasive, abusive and hostile to her students. She insults them when she spats at the entire class, baiting them with "WHY ARE YOU HERE?? NO ONE KNOWS WHY THEY'RE HERE!!".... She places beginning students deep in the back row, giving b.s. excuses like she does that so they're able to follow experienced students better. This could be helpful but even the experienced students are a little off from Tika at times. And then she yells "ARE YOU EVEN PAYING ATTENTION?" at the beginning students for not being able to follow her exactly. She stops the dance throughout class to berate the entire class. Everyone, as a whole, she talks down to. No one is goofing, chatting or not paying attention and she still flips out acting all insulted because we aren't understanding the cultural or historical significance of the dance. Meanwhile many, many of the dancers are of actual Latina or Caribbean descent and don't need to be scolded on our heritage. And she now speaks with a weird, b.s. fake accent. She didn't used to have one! I actually used to take samba classes with her, as students, back in the early 2000's. Same attitude, no accent. In a time in the world there is so much negativity and hostility towards others, this is the last thing I want to experience (and pay for) when going to dance. Can we all try to start with kindness, love and give the respect that we all deserve?

Amazing ballet program by Ms. Maria. She is wonderful and passionate about ballet. My god daughters…read morehave been dancing here since they were 5. I see the smile on their faces at drop off.

This is an exceptional ballet school tucked away in an unassuming location. The training here is…read moretop-notch. The instructors are extremely competent and educated. The artistic director is very impressive while also being approachable and kind. There is room here for dancers seeking pre-professional training as well as recreational dancers. More serious dancers have the opportunity to audition into the Bay Area Youth Ballet company. All dancers have great performance opportunities. And there's really great adult classes too. There's even PARKING. We drive down from SF to come here because it's an exceptional school and a very healthy, very positive environment. We love it.

Frolic is a hidden gem located inside of little Oceanauts. Teacher lauren is the best. My daughter…read morehas been taking her ballet class since last summer. Mila looks forward to her class every week. In fact She loves laurens class so much we attend twice a week. She is great with kids and makes it super playful and fun. I highly recommend you bring your child for a class.