This place has been around forever. My friends came here and my own kids. From what i know and here everyone is happy. My daughters have only good memories from here. But I hope they would also do classes more for modern dances. read more

Shin Dance Academy - Dance Studios Near Me - San Gabriel, California

This is the most amazing studio my daughter has been here since she was four and they really pay attention to what the kids need and they have really fun exercises for the kids to learn from read more

Really dislike how the teacher spends so much time talking about random things during the class instead of focusing her time on teaching. I once timed her, and she spent 48 minutes of class time bragging and glorifying her old-day history! Plus people in the Chinese dance classes are obnoxious, trying to correct your moves on the side while bullying you. They pretty much act like they are the teacher! It's pretty messed up in this learning environment where the teacher doesn't teach and that the students trying to show off their mediocre dance skills I don't think I can tolerate this kind of toxic learning environment much longer. I'm planning to quit after their upcoming performance. read more

Amazing dance place. My daughter learned so much. It is way better than any other dance schools she went to. This is a dance place not just for fun. Or jumping around. read more

Led by artistic director and dance instructor, Shin Yue Wang, this is the most professional and authentic Chinese dance / ballet company that I know about in California, and I've had more than my share of instructors since I was 12. I think what sets Wang Lao Shi apart from the rest is not only her very apparent passion for Chinese dance and dance technique, but also her love for the culture. A single class with her will expose you to the actual difficulty in perfecting even the most of basic Chinese dance positions, like nan hua sho, tuo jang, ahn jang, or even how to walk -- you can have years of experience in Chinese dance and come here and realize that you've been doing it incorrectly all along...crazy. Her class, in addition, will also expose you to the rich culture of China, as her lessons often lead to stories about her own experience as a student and dancer in a Beijing dance academy, or explanations of how Tibetan, Mongolian or Korean dance movements differ from Chinese and arose from their physical surroundings and ordinary interactions and demeanor as a result of those surroundings. She has eagle eyes, though she may not always critique you on the spot. What she seeks is improvement, effort, and a real passion for Chinese dance. The purpose, really, is to continue the tradition and pass on this aspect of the Chinese culture - in its correct form. She choreographs her own dances, works with the dancers, is kind and inspirational. The academy starts little dancers off first with American ballet - i think I've seen 3 year olds in there. As these little ones get older, they make the transition to Chinese dance with that ballet foundation. read more

These reviews are all up to date and still very much true! This Ballet / Chinese Dance studio is still the VERY best in not only the area but arguably all of LA ! Ballet is tough, but here it is structured and balanced with visible results! With caring and diligent teachers who MAKE CORRECTIONS!! HOW ELSE CAN YOU IMPROVE?! Great classes for kids for both beginning Ballet AND Chinese dance! Wonderfully intense workout in their adult Ballet classes! Everyone is attentive, caring and very sweet, it is a warm and welcoming environment for newcomers! read more

SO, You don't live in Westwood. You don't speak Russian; can't get ballet from the Boishoi dancers.....Where do you want to get an EXCELLENT BALLET experience??? You have got to come to this studio, serious. Look, I am not part of this studio, and am only a student here. I am not out to promote them, but let me tell you, I have had 9 years of ballet, but those teachers I had else where 10years ago probably are on par only as Madame Shin's students in her advance class. Madame is the real thing! What's more, one of the extremely lucky things for ballet dancers and students in this case is that, not only does this studio give great lessons to KIDS - there is actuaally a stringent ADULT BALLET program ....(three different schedules) I'm lucky that my schedule fits in with our principal's Friday morning class, so I get to have her as my coach. The other classes are really good,too, and are taught by excellent dancers. The studio is serious about dance; if you are too, you should come. Try a lesson at the discount try-out price. see if the lesson is for you. Victoria read more

I started dancing with Shin before she moved to her current facility. I can't recommend her. Sure, she's technically awesome. She's inventive and creative, and is definitely a master in her field. HOWEVER. She's also the type of teacher that will ridicule students for their weight, often shaming them in front of other parents and teachers. I had weight struggles while I was her student - from what I later discovered was an undiagnosed thyroid disease - and Shin routinely humiliated me and gossiped about my weight to other dancers and their parents. (And I'll be blunt: I wasn't overweight. My weight was perfectly acceptable for my height, and doctors were shocked that Shin was so hard on me.) I'll never forget the time that I happily brought Valentine's day cards with chocolate hearts for fellow students, only to have Shin remark - in front of my face - that "no wonder American students were fat and big boned." Her bullying got to the point where I began faking injury, so I could get out of class. And before you ask - no, I wasn't the best dancer. I absolutely acknowledge that. I'm built more like a swimmer with a longer torso and shorter legs, so I was never going to be the best in the class. However, I went to her dance class because I loved dance and I loved my culture, and Shin destroyed all of that for me. Seriously, guys. Send your kids here if you want them to develop an unhealthy relationship with food, and an unhealthy obsession with their weight. ETA: I think it's important to add that I wasn't the only one suffering from weight issues. Yes, I was the only who was bullied by Shin, because I was the only one who wasn't outwardly a stick-figure. However, a significant number of my classmates clearly felt the pressure to stay thin as well. Several of them would gossip in the changing room about the best ways to binge and purge. Others would starve themselves, to the point where they would be clutching their stomaches in pain, in order to remain thin. Shin would cheerfully tell us stories about when she was a dancer, how she and her classmates wouldn't drink water, in order not to gain weight. Is this a place where you really want to send your impressionable kids? read more

Four years ago, the moment I stepped in Shin Dance Academy, Shin's pretty touched me by her bright smile, sweet voice, and each movement. I was totally attracted by her elegance and talent. Dancing is my dream ever since I was a little girl. Never ever dare to imagine I still have chance to learn Chinese dance in US, don't mention to find such a great teacher. At very beginning, I was feeling like an ugly duckling bumping into swan team. Everyone else were flying while I was struggling to stand stably. Obviously, Shin noticed that. What she did is to provide me more chance to try, to practice. Even I failed, she always used her eye contact to encourage me keep on trying to reach the goal. Day by day, class by class, I am catching up, I am changing, not only just getting fit body shape, acquiring dancing skills, but also being more optimistic. How to accurately describe Shin? That is not easy. Everyone knows her official title is the artist director. For me, she is much more beyond that. She is super talented in dancing, no doubt about. A true master of dancing. It is such a blessing for us to find top level artist being our teacher at oversea. Different from any dancing instructors I have ever met, she blends rich cultural elements into her teaching. History, folk custom, calligraphy, poem, literature are all her topics to help us better understand the real meaning of each dance, to enlighten our true feeling for the dance. We all are really impressed by her wealth of knowledge and rich life experience. Her teaching style make our learning procedure very enjoyable. As adult student, advanced dancing technics are never our strength. However, Shin always say: "the most important is you have the heart for dance" . The longer time I learn from her, the more meanings I get from simple word"heart". That is the eagerness for dancing art, the respect for the teacher, the pursuit of dancing better, the persistence, never giving up, the trust of the whole team, the humble learning attitude, the sincere attitude toward the audience and much more. She is still a mystery for me and I always want to dig out how many more talents she has to surprise us. Designer probably is another proper way to describe her. Designing whole performance including choreography, stage, music, lights, rehearsal, even highlight custom by her own drawing. All these are from her creatives. Many times, after her magic touch, we finished a lot of "mission impossible". Coming to Shin dance, knowing Shin is one of my best blessings coming to US. If you love to dance, if you want to enjoy colorful Chinese Culture, if you want to see the most elegant artistic director, come to Shin Dance Family. Let's dance. read more

I have been dancing at Shin Dance over 10 years, from just came 1 hour a week to excercise to 5-6 hours a week to enjoy the joy of dancing. Teachers are professional and teach according to student's level. Now, my son comes to Shin Dance for his ballet class. He loves the teacher and his dance. Teacher always guide him in a nice way. I can see the improvement in just 2 months. We love Shin Dance. read more

Ballet isn't too great here, but chinese dance is pretty good. If you're looking for studio that teaches chinese dance, come here.

Well, I don't attend the Shin Dance Company, but do attend their performances. I am always impressed not only with the excellence of the dance...among gifted teachers, and students of all ages from child to mature adult... but also with the overall artistry: the choreography, staging, costumes, decor, lighting, music, etc.! Superb! Sumptuous. Thank you, Shin and Oscar. read more

my daughter has been with Shin Dance for 6 years and will keep going. Great dancing school for kids, youths and adults.

It is definitely a remarkable experience for my daughter and I learning dance at the Shin Dance Academy. During the past four years, with systematic training, we have had a huge improvement on our flexibility and coordination, which has helped us to dance better. More importantly, the history and the cultural aspect of the Chinese folk dance we learned in the classes have increased our understanding and gained greater insight of each ethnic dance and allowed us to portray the dance better when we performed on the stage. My daughter also received a bonus benefit due to her bilingual teachers, she also learned the oral Chinese language during her classes. The best school always includes best director and team members. Ms. Wang Shin Yue, the artistic director has been passing on her love and passion of Chinese folk dance and leading her Shin Dance teachers helping thousands of ordinary people who love dancing to pursue their passion on the art of Chinese dance and bring many wonderful performances to the public. We feel lucky and proud to be one of their students. read more

I love Shin Dance! BEST teachers and BEST school! The teachers are very professional not only in dancing skill but also in teaching. They give attentions to each individual and make sure the students understanding and doing right. I have been with Shin Dance for 3 years and I learned a lot not only dancing, but art, culture and passion. It's about 35 miles between the school and my house. I tried to find the dancing school closer. But I find out Shin Dance is the BEST! read more

Shin dance academy is the best at teaching ballet hip hop and many other dances all the other Studios are not as great but this is the best one out of most! read more

i have been dancing @ shin dance for nearly 8 years and it's now my second home. the teachers are great, there are any types of dancing taught at shin dance, and everyone is very nice read more