I have 2 daughters and they have both danced at the Next Step for over 10 years and loved it. They strike a fantastic balance between dance technique and fun. Please don't listen to the parents that complain about the policies. With young girls, they are a Godsend and very well thought-out to reduce drama and increase the time the instructors have to teach the girls, which is what they should be doing. I wish Lori started a consulting company and taught other organizations how to run a business smoothly because there are several other kids/teens activities we have been involved in that I have wished had her policies! After 10 years, I can tell you that Lori loves the girls and everything she does is for them first. Her own daughters went through the studio, so she knows what parents and kids want and she does everything possible to make that happen. The result for us has been a lot of great friends and great memories at events, competitions, Disneyland, a cruise, Europe, and charity performances everywhere. And still the kids have the ability to do other activities because Lori even works closely with the local high schools' dance, cheer, and leadership departments. Can't recommend Next Step enough! Regarding the auto-enroll policiy, don't complain. There are limited spots in a dance room, so say thank you to them for saving a spot for your kid. Most of Danville just leaves you to fend for yourself! read more

Very un professional , they don't give the opportunity to new dancers and they place them where ever they want !

Make a commitment and you will be rewarded! A strong and engaging dance studio that drives your child to be their best! At the same time teaches them responsibility, timeliness and dedication. Thank you for helping me raise my child! read more

The Next Step Dance Studio - Dance recital end of year. - Dance Schools Near Me - Danville, California

My little girl Hailey had the best experience in Tippy Toes during Co-vid times. Lori and her helpers were phenomenal and supportive all year!! They showed such grace and kindness with the whole class. Thank you!!!! read more

Thank you so much for the great year my daughter had at The Next Step! She wanted to take dance classes so I did some research, and found your studio in the Blackhawk Plaza. I was impressed with the location, the teacher's enthusiasm and the excitement I saw on my child's face each week after class. I signed her up to participate in your annual recital and was very pleased with the organization of it; information emailed home, tickets purchased on-line, seats reserved, students chaperoned and a big smile on my dancer's face! Both my daughter and I were so happy to have an extra performance opportunity at the local Senior Living Center as well, teaching her about giving back to the community was a valuable lesson. Keep up the great work Next Step! We will definitely be back for more fun dance classes. read more

My daughter loves dancing with The Next Step Studio, and has been on competitive dance teams the last couple years. There are a number of rules to follow, along with additional time, expense, and parent involvement as they progress onto teams, but this makes sense in the context of running a quality program, which is evident at recitals and competitions. She has grown a lot as a dancer and has come to appreciate the hard work and dedication that it takes to be part of a company team. Her teachers at Next Step have helped her find her passion! read more

The Next Step is the best dance studio for all ages. I take a hip-hop class (Dance Mom's 10 year old daughter) with Momo LeBeau and I love it! All the classes are awesome and the teachers are super nice! It is a great way for your child to have fun! The recitals are also well organized and very professional. If you are looking for a dance studio for your child (girl or boy), I suggest The Next Step! read more

The Next Step Dance Studio - Hip Hop with Momo LeBeau, the coolest hip hop teacher around! - Dance Schools Near Me - Danville, California

Since they clearly can't respond to emails and phone calls regarding a charge that wasn't suppose to take place or confirming a cancellation maybe a bad review will get their attention. Signed up my 10 year old daughter for a jazz dance class and dropped that when the office called and said there was an opening for contemporary class. Didn't advise that It was for 12-16 yos. She attended one class and I called to drop that as well. All within their policy of notifying them before the 15th of the month; this was in October. Low and behold they charge me for November go back a couple times through email and now no response. It's been a week. Really disappointed in how they've handled things so far. They're really quick to call you to let you know they have openings but fail to communicate when it's not in their favor. If I could give ZERO stars. I would. read more

I don't really feel like I've had enough real interaction with the studio to give them a true review, which is why I have been hesitant to review but now that we are going into our second season, I feel that I need to at least give them a review for our current experience. I don't know if we get more involved if it will change but for now, we are enjoying it. My 7 year old took the Jr. Hip Hop/jazz combo at Blackhawk with Miss Charissa. She is amazing and starts teaching them the dance at the very beginning so that by showtime you can the difference in her rec classes vs. other teachers. I love that about her. My daughter loved her as well. This year we switched to a 7-9 year old hip hop/jazz combo at the Grange Hall because Miss Charissa is only teaching a pure hip hop class in her age. We were definitely sad to have to change, but my daughter really wanted the jazz. We got to Miss Lauren and she seems to be great. Unfortunately, it's just a room in the hall and there is no where for parents to watch at all. I'm pretty bummed that this class is still only 45 minutes. I thought after the Jr. classes, they went up to 1 hour. It seems like they made it only 45 minutes just because that's what fit in the schedule. While I love that there are multiple locations, it does make you feel a little like an outsider when you aren't at the main location. There is little interaction with anyone from the studio, including the teacher. We were a member of another studio before, which has it's own set of issues, but I will say there is a big difference in the level of dancer ability at the competition level at the recital. It's a good place for right now, but I feel that if she were to continue and want to join a competitive team we would probably go to another studio. read more

I spent 15 years at The Next Step and loved every minute of it. I started recreationally and later joined their competitive teams for 10 years. I also taught for the studio which was a great honor and so much fun. The teachers, staff, and coaches are wonderful and know what it takes to give dancers the fundamentals they need in order to succeed in this art form. The Next Step was like a second home to me while I was growing up, and I still think of the studio and staff often. Throughout my career at the Next Step, I not only grew as a dancer, but as a person. I continued my dancing career in college and would have never had made the company had it not been for my training at The Next Step. The studio is perfect for recreational classes as well as competitive teams. No matter what you're looking for, they have an option for you - take it from a former student, teacher, and friend. read more

I really don't like the way they do things, with a set of rules that are unbreakable. They make you feel like a number, and that you can't have any individuality for you dancer. They have MUST ATTEND auditions, but there are secret ones held for some chosen dancers. Sudden openings on certain dance teams appeared miraculously when we let them know we were not interested in continuing our relationship. Next Step is clearly a business, in it for the money only, and not interested in furthering the success of all dancers. The three studios in all different directions will drive a mother nuts! why can't they figure out one larger facility if they are so successful? read more

I have mixed emotions about the NDSD. My daughter has danced there seven years, the last two on a team. She loves it. I love that she loves it. But there is much I dislike about the studio operations. First, the studio is a business and it is run like a business. As a professional woman, I get that and I believe that every business owner deserves to make a fair profit. That being said, when you work with consumers in a community, there is a human element that Lori seems to be lacking. Her front office staff tuns over often. The last two receptionists stayed less than a year. The one before that was about a year. My child tells me that Lori pays them peanuts and is not nice to them. I disagree with the policy that you have to withdraw your child from class or you are auto-enrolled for the next year. That seems to be laziness and revenue optimization on Lori's part. Who wants their kids in the same class year after year?! The studio does publicize its policies widely but honestly, it sends out way too much poorly written email to keep up, even to the recreational dance families! The dance team parents are cliquey. The cliquey dancers have clearly learned that from their Meanie Moms. A number of talented dancers have left for other studios because they have been bullied in class and Lori has made it clear that she won't do anything about girl drama. Lori absolutely plays favorites but that's how it is in every sport -- the better athletes get more play time. It would be better if the teams were smaller because then they would do better in competitions. Lori makes a financial decision to keep them large. Since Dance Moms came out on TV the bar has been raised in dancing and the NSDS is no longer the best local studio on the circuit. One review on yelp said that the studio forces the dancers to vote for Best of the East Bay before going into a class. There has been a computer there the last two years and people have been asked to vote. But force -- absolutely not. There are many, many positive reviews here on yelp from Dance Team parents. I find it funny that those are the same moms who sit around and complain about the studio and its policies. read more

We had such a great experience with Lori and Next Step, our daughter started with Next Step at seven. She loved her time with the teams, many long term friendships from her early classes remain toady . We especially loved attending the recitals for my parents and extended family. We are big fans of the Next Step and recommend them completely! It's a Danville staple. read more

My daughter has been going to next step for almost 3 years ! I'm very impressed with the teachers and how organized everything is. I will keep on going as long as my daughter is willing to dance! read more

My daughter has danced Hip Hop for about 6 years. The past 2 were at Next Step. She loved it and her teacher, Ms. Corissa, at Blackhawk. The level of professionalism is at it's highest and this is especially evident in their yearly show/recital. You definitely feel like no corners are cut and that they want it to be a true professional show experience for the students and the audience. We have now moved out of state and have found a new dance studio. My daughter says "its ok", but she's definitely not as happy as she was at The Next Step. We miss it... read more

I highly recommend The Next Step Dance Studio! This is the first year my daughter Maria is on dance team and she is having the time of her life! Lori runs a very well organized, professional and fun dance studio. My daughter absolutely loves all the classes and is excited to go to the studio. The dance instructors are terrific and make it so much fun for the kids while teaching them. The Next Step Dance Studio is the best! read more

This is a wonderful dance studio filled with amazing dance teachers and very happy students and parents. The Next Step puts on the most fabulous recitals I have ever seen. Keep up the good work! read more

We came upon the Next Step about 13 years ago, and I can not say enough how very thankful I am to have had all 5 of our daughters dance here throughout the years! We have had 4 of our girls on dance team, and I can honestly say that Lori and her studio have had the most positive impact on our daughters developing in areas well beyond dance. My one super shy preschooler grew into this strong, graceful and confident person and I truly thank Lori, Kelly, Rachel and the Next Step for their hand in who she has become. If you are ever thinking of your daughter doing dance, Cheer or Pom in high school, invest their time in dance and Lori's Performing Teams! They learn not only to perform and audition well, but they develop an amazing network of families and friends that support them through their teen years. Lori is great at taking care of the youngest dancers and helping them grow into amazing, confident, polite and kind teenagers who end up filling the dance, cheer and pom lines in both Monte Vista and San Ramon High. In seeing these other reviews, I have to give my perspective...Lori does NOT favor nor even place the girls in their lines for teams. Lori pays for choreographers from across the country to come out and teach the girls numbers (one dance, for example, was taught to one of the Next Step teams, and then was featured in So You Think You Can Dance). It is the choreographers who place the girls, not Lori. In addition, if any parent or dancer has any concern or worry, I know from experience that we have been able to call, go in and talk with her and Lori has always been extremely understanding and willing to work with us. Yes, I hear about a few of these less than kind moms/daughters too, but we are going to find that anywhere, and it's certainly not the fault of the Next Step ~ as a rule, just keep your distance from unkind people, smile and move on! Those mean moms/daughters are going to find things awfully lonely and maybe they will learn from others to be kind. Regardless, not Lori's fault and that's an element we sadly find everywhere. Personally, I have found some of my very favorite, wonderful, sweet, lifelong friends here, as have my girls. Yes, things are mandatory, but as kids get older and start participating in higher level/high school sports and activities, the Next Step is no more mandatory than anything else. These dancers learn discipline and commitment, and as a parent I am grateful to always know exactly what to expect. Everything is very well communicated, and multiple emails and calendars remind us all of what's going on. They do auto-enroll as a courtesy to us ~ it is well explained for weeks in advance, and just takes a call to change. Additionally, the older these girls get, the more flexibility Lori offers them to be able to do all they want to do in high school ~ she is super understanding and changes things around to allow them to do dance team along with dance at high school, cheer, pom, NCL, leadership, etc. It has always seemed to me that she takes care of her dancers and genuinely wants them to be successful in high school and beyond...and they are! These dancers who graduate from her teams leave the Next Step with so much more than dance: They end up with confidence, discipline, poise and time management. They have not only the ability to perform and audition well, but to communicate well and to get along with various ages (great buddy system of older dancers taking care of younger dancers). They end up as leaders who have been trained to be kind and courteous to adults and their peers. The older my daughters get the more I appreciate the professional way Lori conducts her studio and can not imagine going anywhere else! The Next Step is an amazing place to grow your dancer in so many areas that will benefit them in life ~ it has become another family for us and a home-away-from home for the girls on a weekly basis. Lori does a top-notch job here at the Next Step and it's the best I've ever seen. I can only say how sad I will be when my girls graduate high school and will no longer be dancing here! Thank you Lori for all you have done for our daughters throughout the years! (: read more

I'm writing this review as my daughter prepares to end her 10 years at The Next Step Dance Studio. I know that she is going to miss the other dancers, the teachers, and the lessons that she has learned at Next Step. She has made amazing friends (those who she dances with in teams, as well as both older and younger girls). The confidence and skills that she has obtained speak for themselves when you meet her. Next Step is a well run business but they do care about their dancers and provide opportunities for the parents to connect as well. I have nothing but positives to say about The Next Step Dance Studio. read more

Small class rooms large classes huge competition teams and no feedback on how your child is doing. Will not move your child to the next level if she has improved like other studios do. The years we have gone here you are not the customer nor are you treated like a customer you are just a number to the bottom line. Definitely do not recommend this studio read more

My daughter is on her fourth year on the company performance teams at Next Step and is currently a 6th grade. The team experience is not for the faint of heart: it is extremely time consuming, expensive and requires much family and parent help. However the payoffs are worth it. My daughter has learned a new level of responsibility, commitment and drive. She has become confident on a stage and has learned team sports in a way we never expected. She has also had to become humble. Lori Buffalow , the owner of the studio, is extremely hands on and dedicated and has built a wonderful group of teachers. They are a good balance of warm and tough which is required to perform at the level we do. Any negativity I have had about NSDS or dance has faded over the years as I have become more understanding of the sport and process. We have so much fun and I get to spend a lot of quality time with my daughter at our competitions. And so we keep on dancing!! read more

My daughter loves NSDS. Miss Lori is her teacher for the Tippy Toes Ballet/Tap/Jazz combo class and she couldn't be any happier to come to class every week! They have 2 recitals which we love and it's a lot of fun! I totally recommend it to anyone who's child is energetic and loves to dance! read more

This is a well organized dance studio that can be a lot of fun for children. Unfortunately it is very "clique" oriented for both children and parents. My daughter attended for several years and greatly improved her dance skills. read more

Beware! I signed up for a class for my daughter this spring. They have continued to bill my credit card every month since then. I have requested multiple times, both over the phone and in writing to cancel but the billing continues. A total racket!! read more

My child has only been with them for a few months and I am not liking the way they treat people. This place is a very bad place to have your child spend their childhood. Their policies make you feel like a prisoner...very unreasonable and senseless. Their impromptu weekend rehearsals that you cannot absolutely miss messes up family time and vacation plans. They are very inconsiderate and like what the previous post said that they are only in for the money. read more

My daughter discovered dance later than most. She signed up for a recreational hip-hop dance class with the next step and fell in love. She spent the rest of her middle school years and high school years participating in both recreational and competitive dance teams with next step. One aspect I really appreciate as a mom was that next step offered competitive dance team experience for older girls at a beginner/intermediate level. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the weekends spent with her dance buddies at competitions and of course the trips down to Disneyland where they performed at the park. As a mom, I also enjoyed being able to join her during these dance adventures and watch the performances while developing friendships with the other parents. One aspect I appreciated about the annual dance recitals was that there were several individual shows performed on dance recital days. This allowed parents to choose which show to go see. Each show involved dancers at the beginning level. The little dancers (ie. often only five years old) were adorable to watch. But of course we parents also wanted to see the more advanced competitive team girls perform. Each recital show was a good combination of both. One final comment... I'm a board member of a local charity group that offers scholarships to amazing, financially challenged, Contra Costa women looking to pursue education at a four-year college/university. This year, the next step dance studio put on a charity event in which the proceeds went to our organization. Lori Buffalow and her dancers worked so hard to raise money for our charity. I can't tell you what a difference their efforts will make to our organization. Thank you next step dance studio! read more

Small dance room crams as many kids into a small space. No feedback given on how your child is progressing. Would not recommend this studio no personalized attention at all. read more

I danced at The Next Step for 12 years and participated in the competitive teams for 9 years. I absolutely loved every minute that I spent at the studio, the staff and dancers are absolutely incredible. I definitely found my best friends there and it was my home away from home. Now that I have graduated and don't attend the studio anymore, I find myself missing the faculty, the dancers and the studio as a whole. They provided such an incredible foundation for me and I could not have been happier dancing there. Dance has been so important to me in my life and I don't think I would have as much love for dance if it wasn't for The Next Step! Thank you!!! I would recommend this studio to anyone who wants a fun, interactive and nurturing place to grow as a person and as a dancer. read more

I highly recommend the Next Step Dance studio. My daughter has taken dance at the Next Step for the past 7 years. The teachers are not only highly trained but relate well to children. Dancing at the Next Step has given my daughter confidence that has made her comfortable in performing in front of audiences. She has built strong friendships. As a member of several of the competitive teams, she has been exposed to many styles of dance: ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and hip hop. Every year, she looks forward to dancing at Disneyland. The experiences and lessons she is gaining at the Next Step, I believe will last a lifetime. read more

I love the Next Step. Yes, you pay fees, there are mandatory rehearsals, as mentioned below, but lets face it, all those comments apply to a competitive dance team. How much is soccer?? They have to have rules in place to keep danville mommies under control! The rec classes are great, including Momo's high energy hip hop classes. Boys and girls love to be in his class! He is full of life and draws so much out of each dancer. This has been a very consistent program, the competitive teachers really draw the best out of your dancer. Wow is all I can say about Rachel and Lori's classes. We actually left for awhile, regretted it, and came back. My daughter has danced a total of seven years here, we are thrilled to be a part of the next step family-and we do think of it like a family-I guess you get out of it what you put into it. The best part- you know that if your dancer has earned a spot on a team, she did it all by herself, with her own hard work. I don't know about you, but the lessons she's learning here are life skills I want her to have for the future. read more

We attended a dance review the other night, and it was excellent. The dancers were very energetic and well rehearsed, and the dance numbers were well choreographed. And the kids looked like they were having fun. It was especially impressive that they were able to make it look effortless, given the tight space at the Blackhawk Museum. We were also impressed that the evening was benefitting a non-profit, CASA of Contra Costa County, which trains advocates for children under court protection (mostly foster children). Not too many dance studios are good community supporters, too! First rate organization! read more

Great camps! My son loved the tap camp this summer. The teacher was wonderful.

The Next Step is a great place to learn to dance whether your child wants to dance competitively or just for fun. The teachers are excellent. My son has been dancing with the Next Step for ten years and loves it. I highly recommend the studio. read more

I danced with this studio for around 5 years when I was in middle and high school. I did recreational as well as competitive dance. I appreciated that they offered classes for every level, as I did start later in life. I loved it! It was such a big part of my childhood. Everyone at this studio was so nice and professional. Some of my favorite memories were of the performances and travelling with the team to competitions. I would highly recommend to any parent to send their child to Next Step! read more

I was so impressed with Next Step Dance Studio. The level of talent and production was amazing. I attended the fundraiser that they have every year at the Blackhawk Museum and was excited to see so many enthusiastic young students from all ages. I found Lori Buffalo so professional and would highly recommend the Next Step Dance Studio. The generosity she has to the community is truly amazing. read more

Very disappointed by this dance studio!!!! I totally agree with all the other negative reviews on this place. I hate that they have 3 locations and you never feel like a family and most importantly if you decide to not dance there the following year MAKE SURE you call them to cancel. I'm totally fighting with these people now b/c we decided we were leaving last year and find another studio having no idea you have to call to cancel-----who ever just signs students up and charges your credit card for the following year without you agreeing to any class schedule. We were new to area and once we decided we weren't gonna dance there anymore, emails I got over the summer I deleted. Now they are charging my credit card for $154 for classes I never agreed to and won't reverse the charges. The owner won't even call me back. Completely crazy she's willing to lose all the negative publicity on her business over $154 in charges when my daughter NEVER showed up this year. I'm sorry but when running a business you should always make exceptions to rules to keep customers happy----I will spread the word---never go here!!!!!!!! read more

My daughter danced here for several years, and enjoyed it. As a parent, however, I was not impressed with The Next Step. I understand that they are a business; that being said, I found their excessive nickel-and-diming to be extremely annoying. You pay excessively to attend each one of your child's dance recitals, and then are forced to listen to non-stop promotion of The Next Step (summer camps, etc) during the performance. Should you try to leave a phone message (which most likely will not be returned), you must listen to 3 minutes of ads about the studio's summer camps. You pay for your child to try out for a dance team (which, if they make, you will continue to be nickel-and-dimed for, for every minor expense!) It seems very clear that Lori Buffalow and her team are much more interested in soliciting and attracting new clientele than they are in supporting the clients that they currently have. The Next Step seems to have a run on the Danville area market, but you will be doing yourself a huge favor to consider some of the other local dance studios. read more