I am an intermediate adult dancer and ballet instructor who was on vacation with the in-laws in Palm Desert. When faced with having to go to the gym to get exercise while abroad, I perused the internet looking for a dance studio and was pleased to find Starlight nearby. Amber welcomed me upon arrival and showed me around the studio, so I was able to seamlessly enmesh myself into my first class. I took 3 adult classes that week--Basic and Intermediate, and enjoyed myself AND got to skip the gym! Patty has a great sense of humor and her class was easy to follow along with. The other adults were very warm and welcoming, and easy to chat with after class. I'll be back next time I visit from San Francisco! read more

I haven't even been here for a year and I can already tell this is not the place for me. Although I made many friends there is literally only one teacher that is nice in this whole place (which is Mrs. Kat) . The parents are extremely rude and give no respect to the kids neither the parents. For rehearsals at the studio during tech week, they make it way too much. It may be tech week but show some respect, the moms are telling us to shut up and that's not ok. Also the fact that in the program for the show, they only give shine to the ballet and not at all the 2nd Act, everyone deserves shine and respect. Also the fact that musical theatre only gets 15 minutes to perform a show, that isn't musical theatre that's just a disgrace to musical theatre. At least give us an hour. I was really happy when I joined the studio, I got the lead role in the musical theatre production, I made many friends, I loved my teacher but it wasn't a space where I could feel comfortable doing something that I love. Despite everything I've mentioned, I'm willing to give this studio another chance because I truly do love performing, I've made great friends here, and I care about the program. I believe this studio has a lot of potential if more respect is shown to all students and every department is given appreciation and opportunities to shine. I hope that in the future, everyone's voices are heard and positive changes are made so every student can have the best experience possible. read more

STARLIGHT DANCE CENTER - Performing Arts Near Me - Palm Desert, California

This place is AMAZING and I definitely recommend it I have Been going going here 5+ years and every single day is great very clean and they put a lot of work in provide snacks have a lot of party's and when we have new people we celebrate and welcome them and make sure they make new friends!!! read more

My daughter has pneumonia and it is over 100 degrees outside. Another mom (parents are forced to "volunteer") scolded my daughter and took away her Gatorade because it could spill and stain. I understand the policy but am so uncomfortable that this happened. Definitely not a nurturing environment for confidence and growth. After six months of ballet she will not be returning. We gave it a chance despite bad reviews via word of mouth but the OWNER was standing right there when this happened and did not stick up for my daughter or give her another drink or even return my call to discuss the situation. Also tickets for performances have to be purchased by parents AND they are well over my $17 expectation. Unfortunately because parents are volunteered to help behind stage most of the performance will be missed anyways I deleted this review because I felt guilty but need to share this information because the cost of young girls confidence is too precious. At no lesson were students even introduced to each other, there was no socialization or group effort. Although her dance has progressed the structure of this studio is not worth it. There are so many others nearby that are cheaper with more staff that have better social emotional skills. Also nobody is ever at the front desk, paper work hanging is outdated and facility is dirty. As a special education teacher I will be sure to share my experience with parents read more

Starlight Dance Center poses a serious health risk to children. For the last several months, Starlight has exposed children to the COVID 19 virus by not requiring masks indoors. As an education facility acting in loco parentis, Starlight must protect the health and safety of its young students. Because Starlight willfully disregards California law, it had at least one serious COVID 19 outbreak which infected the only teacher for young children. When asked why Starlight was not requiring masks, the teachers and management shrug their shoulders and appear to be vacuous bovines. The threat of COVID infection is increased because Starlight management never cleans the facilities. As several previous reviews stated, the floors are filthy and the bathrooms are never sanitized. There are dead cockroaches and other vermin in the areas where children are taught. The staff responds to the dead bugs with, "Oh. We'll get it later." This is simply not good enough. The children of Coachella Valley deserve better. read more

My 5 year old daughter has been in ballet for over a year now and she loves it! The teachers are very friendly and patient. This place makes me want to enroll in a adult class! I danced for many years as a child and love to see so many kids enjoy the love of dance. They offer so many classes, there's something for everyone! There is also apparel for sale in the lobby, which is great since there are zero dance wear stores in the desert. I always find my daughters ballet slipper size, and if they don't have them, the studio will order them for me. My only issue with this studio is they close for the summer, and I have to re enroll her every Fall and hope there's a spot available. Other than that, this is a great dance studio! read more

STARLIGHT DANCE CENTER - My beautiful ballerina - Performing Arts Near Me - Palm Desert, California

one of the best adult ballet classes i've ever been to. patty was a great instructor and was able to make the class accessible to the varying levels/abilities of the students. and the regular adult students were impressive athletes! look forward to coming to class again next visit to the desert. read more

UPDATE TO MY REVIEW BELOW: Went there again. And once again... FILTHY floor. All the kids feet and the teacher's socks just black and filthy. Why can't anyone take a few minutes to clean this place? Especially since it's a business for kids? How long does it take to run a steam mop over a floor... 10 minutes maybe? Maybe 20 if you use a Swiffer to pick up all the hair and dirt first? Come on... whoever owns this place should be ashamed. Pigs. ========== This review concerns the cleanliness of the children's music class. The class itself is fine, but the floor is FILTHY. The teacher's socks are black by the end of class... you can see big hunks of hair and dirt and dust on the floor which scatter about if you just blow on it... and the kids (who must be barefooted) get horribly dirty feet just walking around. Come on, people. This is a class for little kids... many less than 2 years old... can't you at least clean the floors? No excuse for this... especially since the kids are sitting/playing on the floor much of the time. Hair... dirt... dust... filth from the shoes of the adults who used the room before. Disgusting. Clean up your act! read more

I have a 5 year old who has been dancing here for about a year and a half and we have really enjoyed Amber and Cori's classes, and performing in the nutcracker. read more

The studio is ridiculously expensive with all sorts of hidden fees. For the rehearsal, it was $90 for the costume, $25 just to be in it, and $50 per ticket to get in and see it. I have two children which came out to $330 just for them to dance it and for my husband and I to see it. Also, even though they say they are a family place, we never get greeted or feel like a part of anything. My girls did dance at their preschool but I wanted to do something more formal; Now they are begging me to go back. They say they don't like dancing anymore! The teachers are usually too distracted trying to help other kids with something and do not notice when the kids need pointers. Overall, it is pricey, the teachers are not efficient, the place is only semi-clean, it is full of the teacher's kids who just run around like they own the place, and the classes are silly and they do not learn much. I would not recommend this place at all. One star is too much! read more

Would you be interested in a teacher who doubted your abilities? Or one who insults you by telling you you are not capable of doing something? I am not, hence me sharing this review with you. Charlotte is incapable of being a teacher I deem worth of paying my time, attention, and money to because of these reasons. I spoke to Patty, the owner of Starlight Dance Center, who arrived to our scheduled meeting 20 minutes late, unsure of who I was. She forgot my name (which I included in my three messages the same day prior to our meeting, as well as shaking her hand and stating my name a forth time.) She felt that Charlotte, the teacher, is not a reflection of her business. Patty insinuated that me being unsatisfied with the class and the teacher's degrading attitude is a reflection of my skills and experience, instead of taking accountability. I made it clear that the beautiful quote she has posted at the front of the studio (about inspiring students, and some other beautiful words) was the exact opposite of Charlotte's teaching style. I asked for a full refund, and Patty was only willing to refund a partial payment. She was only willing to send a check via mail, at the end of the week, four days from now. In closing, I'll be taking my business elsewhere and supporting people who care about others and their passions, truly. read more

My daughter has been going here for the past year. Haven't seen the issues that the reviewer from 2012 did so they must have made changes. Great teachers, great program, fun entertaining shows. They use their space well. Nice lounge area for students waiting/ doing homework/ etc... read more

I LOVE Starlight Dance Center. The teachers are great and are good at helping the kids learn AND have fun doing it. They put on wonderful performances with opportunities for everyone to get involved, giving the place a nice family feel. They also love and encourage adults of all ages in all forms of dance from ballet to tap to salsa. Both myself and my young daughter dance there and I wouldn't have it any other way. In response to the comment below on cleanliness, every night I'm there (which is at least three nights a week) I see the teens helping out and cleaning. I believe the studio takes cleaning seriously. There are classes and rehearsals going on there all the time. It is a studio with CONSTANT foot traffic, a nice sitting area with couches that is always in use by student(s) or a waiting parent. That being said, there will be dirty floors and dust from outside. They do the best they can given that situation. The bathrooms are always clean, and they keep everything else as clean as possible. It's the kind of studio that if you see something not getting done, hey, jump in and offer to help out! Like I said, family feel. read more

If you are seeking adult classes, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and more, this is the place. I haven't found any studio in the desert that offers this much on so many levels for adults. read more

The dance instructors seem very knowledgeable and organized. Only down side is that the studios aren't kept clean. I rented out a studio for an important event and had to clean the mirrors and floor myself. Which cut the time shorter on the rental. If someone is paying for a studio to be rented, it should be ready to go since it's being rented by the hour. read more

Not a place to send your children. Instructors use foul language and scream at your children. My daughters refused to dance for a few years after this experience. Finally found a new studio but this place left a black mark on them for a long time. I would not recommend this place. read more

My kids just completed their 3rd year at Starlight Dance Center. This is a phenomenal studio. Patty Williams deserves to be small business owner of the year for what she is able to accomplish at this Dance Studio. The Wizard of Oz Ballet at the McCallum (performed by Starlight Dance Center) was a huge success giving once in a lifetime opportunities to many many kids. If you have an interest in dance, ballet or musical theater; I highly recommend you contact Starlight Dance Center. All the instructors are top notch. read more