We love Star Dance! My daughter has danced there for the last 6 years (age9-15) and plans to continue 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! read more

The Pros to this studio is that the teacher we had was very good and the studio makes an effort to put 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. read more

I have friends whose children take classes here so I have gone to the annual recital at the Herbst Theater...3 times! We always enjoy their recitals. This year (2011) the theme was "Around the World." The 90 minute show had 33 numbers running 3 minutes or less. The teachers always do a great job of teaching, creating the choreography, selecting the beautiful costumes, & letting the kids shine. Each year the best performances vary. 3 years ago, 3 young men tap dancers were just phenomenal. This year the ballet & modern/contemporary numbers were my favorites. A tall angular young man was especially wonderful to watch...smooth, graceful, strong, rhythmic...better than many professionals I have seen! I am often surprised by the abilities of children who do not have traditional willowy dancer shapes. This year the bigger girls really excelled in the modern & ballet numbers. Their technique, movement, & energy were a pleasure to watch. The younger children are a treat. They often miss something & their reactions are so cute & funny. This year when another dancer stood on her spot on the stage 1 little girl gently pushed the other toward her proper spot, pointed, & mouthed..."you go there!" The price was reasonable...Less than $30 for middle range seats. Much less than what we last paid for a seat at the opera. read more

Star Dance Studio - World Tour recital program - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

My kid is enjoying Hip hop and Breakdancing in Star dance studio. Atmosphere is really good.

Not bad, but could definitely be better. No suggestion box or end-of-year survey. The best businesses make it a practice of asking for customer feedback. The studio head/director imposes punishments without clear warning or clear establishment of expectations. On the plus side, Julie is an excellent teacher. She helps the students set goals and creates a warm, supportive environment that is conducive to bonding. read more

I'm an adult who takes classes there, and I really enjoy the experience and workout I get with other adults. Tami is an excellent teacher who makes class fun and scores simple yet creative choreography. Though I feel like a slow learner, she is always supportive. I feel that my coordination, poise, and stamina have really improved as a result of the class. I also have two kids who have attended Star for years and they love it. read more

Ahhhhhh Star Dance i go there and it is.................................... ter......................amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's sooo fun you can learn Salsa,Hip Hop,Jazz,Tap,Ballet,Modern and others!!! The teachers are nice and helpful!!! Plus there is a recital every year and it has a theme every year such as: Around The World,Alice In Wonderland and others!!!!! The costumes are adorable! The costumes and shoes and leotards and such are kinda expensive but it's totally worth it!!! -Nikki read more

I am totally invested in this studio. Not only did I dance here for 16 years, both my daughters now dance at this amazing studio. They love it! My oldest daughter dances 5 days a week, and my 6 year old takes the magical, tap, ballet & acro class. They have made wonderful friends and this is a great community. The director, Micky Powell is a wonderful person and we love being a part of this community. read more

So my 3 year old niece had her first dance class yesterday. I have to admit before getting to the studio I asked myself how do you teach a 3 year old to dance? I mean how do you get them to stay engaged and keep focus. After all they are 3 years old. Well I found the answer when I went to the studio to watch my niece and three other 3 year olds in the class. In 45 minutes teacher Tami taught the four little girls so much more than dance. She got the quiet one in the group to become more out going. The loud one in the group to settle down, she taught them team work, how to be supportive, how to listen, how to stay motivated, to believe in themselves, how to respect other dancers while they are on stage, even found out what all their favorite cartoons were. Oh yes and they learned some dancing as well. I was very impressed. Even got a chance to speak with Mickey, the creator of Star Dance Studios. She thanked us all for coming in. I would definitely suggest bringing your child to Star Dance. It is a very family oriented environment that can not only teach them dance but teach them about the positive characteristics in life that many adults may not even understand. read more

My daughter has been at Star Dance for almost 12 months and we absolutely love her teacher, Sonly. We also just had my daughter's birthday party there and it was a huge success. Some of the things I really like about the studio, besides this teacher, is the way they limit parent observation to 1x per month. I think this teaches the children independence and also they feel so proud when they finally get to show you what they have learned. I also like the large span of ages taught there, the way the older students help with younger students classes, and the big shows they put on. I was involved in a similar studio when I was young and have very fond memories of working all year toward a big show that all my family and friends would attend. I understand some of the other parents' concerns, especially the one about paying for the whole year in advance, as young children can be so fickle. As for buying "two pairs of shoes", there is a class for up to 5 year olds which just does the ballet and tumbling, not the tap. In addition they make very available a binder to help parents sell used shoes, because as we all know kids grow fast and don't wear them out. I think you have to evaluate whether the studio is a good fit for both the parents and the children, and maybe try a class somewhere else first to evalutate your child's ability to make a commitment. My daughter also enjoyed dance classes with Amy at the YMCA when she was younger, which are much less "rigid". Overall I think Star Dance delivers very high quality teaching, commitment to children, and a family atmosphere without the "clickishness" of some of the other studios in the more northern parts of SF. read more

Where do I start. My daughter has attended Star Dance Studio since she was a little girl. She started with one class and now takes Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern and Lyrical. My daughter has learned so much from this dance school. The grace of dance, discipline, responsibility and I know this sounds corny, but sisterhood. This relationship that my daughter has had with the teachers and fellow dancers has continued so that now she is a senior in high school, getting straight A's and offers from all of the colleges that she sent admissions to. And what is the one thing that is a must at the college that she will chose? That they offer dance in their classes. No, she does not want to be a dancer for her career. However, dance is such a major part of who she is as a person, she wants--needs to continue this love by taking classes in college. Star Dance Studio, with its wonderful owner Micky Powell who has guided, nurtured and yes definitely disciplined my passionate and sometimes difficult daughter, is a wonderful school. The teachers treat each girl (or boy) as a special person and instill the love of dance in each of them. The end of the year performances are incredibly professional and very entertaining--well worth the money for the costumes that parents have to pay for, as well as the classes. With reading the reviews by those that gave Star Dance Studio a poor rating, I do acknowledge that Star Dance is not for everyone. Some personalities just won't fit in and maybe their hearts really were not into dancing in the first place. But, parents this dance school would be such a gift to your daughter or son. If you are considering to send your child to a dance school, seriously consider one thing, although we each think that our child is very special--he or she is not truly destined to be a ballerina. Other schools are strictly goal oriented and not about the child's self esteem. Star Dance offers something that is rare these days. A loving, nurturing environment where your child can discover herself, learn how to dance, learn how to get along with others, and be taught discipline and come out with incredibly wonderful memories of a childhood that you gifted to her or him. read more

It seems very clear that the two previous reviewers have distinct "axes to grind" over their isolated experiences. I've been acquainted with this studio for several years and can tell you those two are the exception, not the rule! It is professionally run (professionalism which some people obviously confuse with arrogance) with high standards for their students. The annual dance shows are pretty impressive, I can understand why the same kids keep coming back every year. I've taken several adult classes here and found the teaching staff to be talented and helpful. They have a core strengthening class that is awesome, also took adult ballet. Dance is like any other hobby which requires an investment in equipment and accessories...I don't know why parents would expect otherwise. I think this is a great place to learn the discipline (ahem) of dance from a talented group of people. read more

I have had a profile on this site for 1 1/2 and haven't written a single review. Until reading these two reviews. Now I feel compelled to offer another opinion. My daughter has been going to Star Dance since pre-school and yes there are expectations and standards and tap shoes. Discipline is an important part of dance and life (well, maybe not the tap shoes part). It is a family run business and has been since the 1950's. It is very much a part of the community and has been in the same location for 25 years. At the end of the year show the graduating seniors are always honored with a solo performance and a trophy. Most of the girls have been dancing at Star Dance since they were 5 years old. Star Dance is a warm, welcoming, neighborhood dance school that I am happy my daughter is a part of. read more

Star dance is a great place to learn skills like team scills and team performance and great dance highly recommended.

Stardance studio is what helped my dreams come true. I spent 16 years there and every time I went to class I was welcomed with open arms and love. I am now a dance teacher in LA and I have Stardance to thank for that. Micky became a mother figure for me the moment I began dancing at the studio. Yes she can be intense and some people can find her to be mean but having Micky in my life has been a blessing, her intensity made me work that much harder. Micky taught me how to be accountable, honest, hardworking and an amazing dancer. Julie was my teacher for many years and even when I was going through an extremely tough time and became mean and disrespectful she never gave up on me. She taught me how to accept who I am and love myself no matter what. Having people like that in your life is extremely rare and I feel so blessed to have had the studio stand by my side through both the good and bad times. read more

Star Dance Studio - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tami is great! The Contemporary Dance class is wonderful. Tami makes it accessible for beginners like me and great for people with dance experience. I was looking for a class to tap into more self-expression and this was it! She works to get you strong and work muscles that modern-day life neglects. And street parking is easy - never had to park more than 1 block away. read more

Terrible place, rude owner, and arrogant (and over weight) instructor Sonali....yelled at my four year old so bad that she does not want to go in the direction of the terrible studio. I asked her how was your day at the dance studio...my daughter replied: "Mommy my teacher yelled at me but I didnt cry." and then she started crying. We stopped sending her there and now she is happy. read more

Wish I could give this place negative stars. My daughters both went there at great expense for a number of years. My older daughter, when she was 6 years old, practiced hard for the year-end dance recital. The arrogant owner (couldn't agree more with previous post) and the arrogant teacher made us purchase a very expensive costume for the show. That's alright -- my girl was really into it and having fun. We were told not to worry about a silly blue feather hat that came with the costume. We were told to buy very expensive tickets to this show, which just happened to be over Father's Day. So I bought tickets for my whole family, grandparents and all. I knocked myself out to get my daughter to the rehearsals downtown, and we were all ready for the big day. The NIGHT BEFORE the show, her arrogant teacher and the arrogant owner told us my daughter couldn't perform without the hat that they themselves had deemed "silly" and not needed. Suddenly it was important. So much so that they told a 6 year old girl that she couldn't be in the show. I had to threaten to take them to small claims court, but eventually after Micky the owner called to give me all sorts of reasons why this was really my fault and not hers, she sent me a check for a couple of hundred dollars. It was the least she could do. My poor girls. They are still very little and every time we are forced to drive by this stupid school they both say "mommy why is that school so stupid and why were they so mean?" A number of their friends still go there, and it really hurts us to hear them talk about dance and ballet and how much fun it is. My girls feel like we did something wrong. What a tough lesson for two little girls to learn. That there are some very very mean and rotten people in the world. Someone please tell Star Dance to get over itself. They are dealing with little children, not the Bolshoi Ballet. read more

Extremely unprofessional, hard to deal with, unpleasant and the place needs a make over big time!!

Star Dance is AMAZING! I graduated from here in 2015 after 14 or so years of dancing! I am so happy with the dancer I've become and we truly are one big family. You really bond with your dance classmates and become just like sisters! The teachers are amazingly talented and super sweet! They are amazing role models! Micky Powell is like a second mom to me and while dancing was and will always be a huge commitment the reward is even better! I love my dance family! Following the rules at any dance studio is important but the teachers not only remind you in a fun and positive way but they also make sure you still have fun because without fostering our creativity, you are only half a dancer. Dancing here is not just about making sure you get the exercise you need to improve, but dancing here also fosters a lot of creativity that is finally culminated in your senior solo! Dancing at Star Dance was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish with all my heart! Love to you all!!! read more

STAR DANCE is the absolute "BEST" Dance School in San Francisco!!! We love the performances, staff, teaches and the director!!! It is very well organized. It's amazing how a small to medium size school can turn out so many beautiful dancers!!! Keep up the great work, looking forward to many more performances!!! I wish I could rate you 100 stars instead of just 5. read more

I have been affiliated with Star Dance Studio and its owner in several ways for almost 34 years (since I was 3). Since then I have developed a valuable friendship with the owner of Star Dance (Micky).I can't remotely relate to the critical comments posted by several other reviewers. For example, when I was 6 I broke my elbow doing a cartwheel during dance class. Oddly enough, one of my best childhood memories occurred during that accident. I was waiting for my mom to pick me up. Micky's reaction to my injury was to enfold me in her lap and hug me until my mother arrived. I felt very safe and loved, which made the pain bearable. Thirty years later I remember that profound feeling of safety as if it were yesterday. In fact, it has been a model for comforting vulnerable, broken people throughout my adult life. When I was a teenager Micky was appropriately hard on us when necessary, yet her love was always a balancing factor in her critique of our sometimes deplorable behavior. Micky knows that irritable adolescents need to re-learn boundaries. She is an expert instructor in this regard (and a really good dance teacher). Here are some of the things that I learned during my 14 years under Micky's tutelage: that you can't put a price tag on learning to take personal responsibility for your actions, that respect for one's body, peers and teachers will take you far, that dance is one of the many creative outlets that will carry a person through tough times, and most importantly, that life-ling relationships can be sustained through nurturance, honesty and commitment. If these are the values that you want to instill in your children, you will be well-served by what Star Dance Studio has to offer. This will require that you, the parent, must be willing to follow a set of rules. In my opinion, the expectations are perfectly reasonable, and offer an appropriate model for the formation of healthy adults. I would not have taken the initiative to cultivate a meaningful friendship with Micky in my adult life if I did not fully believe in the values that she instills in children and the integrity with which she leads her life and the school she loves. read more