Alicia is an amazing dance teacher! Pre-COVID I went to her in-person classes and during COVID she…read moreled my zoom birthday dance party. She is so fun and talented and inspirational - even friends who thought they hated dancing had a blast!

Alicia teaches such a fun and soul-nourishing dance class! I'm new to the Oakland area and felt so…read morewelcomed by her dance community of incredible people. Not only was the class really good, it was so uplifting, Alicia's class and her personality will leave you feeling like you could tackle anything!

Our 6yo has been going here for several months and it's been great. The kids all seem so happy to…read morebe there and our daughter loves it. They did a choreographed recital for both kids and adults in a nice little theater in Oakland and it was soooo goood. The classes are fun but also take dance seriously as an artistic skill. There's a sense of community there that we're happy to be a part of. I asked my daughter what she liked about it and here's what she said: "she teaches us the different positions and the names [she then started to show us all the positions] First, second, third... [now she's dancing for us]." Whenever she gets home from class, she keeps dancing. We went to a couple different classes in the area before starting here and this is a VERY different result and we're all very happy about it.

My toddler and I loved our dance classes with Teresa! She's a master with little people, fluidly…read moremanaging demonstrations, imitation, games, and adjustments to their sudden whims. She does everything with ease, grace, and humor. Plus, the classes are diverse and welcoming, which is a wonderful introduction to dance for all children.

I have two daughters who have many treasured memories from taking gymnastics, aerial arts, dance,…read moreand musical theater at Kids N Dance since they were little. They both developed innumerable skills and grew emotionally in countless ways under the supportive guidance and encouragement from all of the staff there, and especially from the owners. One of my daughters joined the Cirque Masquerade troupe (Expression Arts) in 2023, when she was 16. As in previous years, she has only positive things to say about Esme, Kris, and Marielle during her time in Cirque Masquerade. Like everywhere else in life, we have found at Kids N Dance that while things may not always be perfect, the staff there are all highly skilled at what they do, are compassionate and sincere, and very open to communication. As in other situations in life, rather than avoiding communication, it is always better to reach out with an open mind towards understanding the other's perspective instead of lashing out with negative reviews. Esme is brilliant, caring, and highly skilled, and like all of us, also human and not yet perfect. In our experience, it should be and is possible for mature adults to hold concerns about a perceived problem, and at the same time still recognize and show appreciation for the incredibly hard work that Esme, Kris, and Marielle have all done in order for our kids to be able to put on these magnificent shows. And let us remind ourselves that in situations where we demand curiosity from others, we should hold ourselves to the same standard and demonstrate the same curiosity towards them.

It is unfortunate that I must write this review, but we do so for the benefit of future families…read morethat may be considering Kids n Dance or Expression Arts as an outlet for their children. A little about our experience. Our daughter has taken many classes at Kids n Dance (owned and managed by the same persons who own and manage Expression Arts). As she grew older and developed a passion and skill for circus, she joined Expression Arts and was part of their circus troupe for 3 seasons. For a time, circus was a haven for our child. She built a community with the peer troupers and truly enjoyed the challenge and art of circus. Over the past two seasons, we have increasingly heard of concerns by our daughter about the environment at Expression Arts. While we were receptive to her concerns, we initially tried to ask our daughter to trust the program, embrace the challenges as opportunities to learn, and to believe in the positive intent of Esme, Kris, and Marielle. But over the past season the concerns and experiences have escalated. Numerous troupe members have come forward to raise awareness of troubling experiences endured over the course of years. Some of the concerns raised by troupe members and our daughter directly: Unsafe Physical Environment-Troupe members raised concerns of inadequate warm-up, inadequate breaks, extended time upside-down, and a persistent culture of pushing through pain and injury. During the lead up to performances, the children are often at practice for 6+ hours. Practice increases in frequency until the final few weeks preceding shows, where practice is nearly every day. During the two weeks of performances, troupers were initially asked to do 1 show on Friday, 2 shows on Saturday, and 3 shows on Sunday. Each show is ~2.25 hours. It was only after there were serious concerns raised in a parent conference with Kris and Marielle, that the 3rd performance on Sunday was cancelled. The standards, rigorous schedule, and high-risk performance are a dangerous recipe for the safety of the troupe members. Emotional Manipulation and Inappropriate Behavior- Esme often drifts between friend and coach with the troupe members. This relationship is confusing for the troupe members, with Esme using this bond to instill her values on the children and also playing favorites. Multiple troupe members have noted that Esme can be erratic in her behavior, switching between positive behavior and disparaging and belittling language. In one incident, Esme told our daughter that she must have "ADD" after our daughter offered to help with transitions. In another incident, Esme commented on the body figure of a trouper. And in another incident, she told a group of troupe members that their act was "stupid". In isolation these incidents may be explainable (and Kris and Marielle have attempted to rationalize all of the incidents), but what can't be explained or rationalized is how widespread and consistent the experiences are amongst the troupe members. After a senior troupe member sent a note to the troupe parents about her own traumatic experiences with Expression Arts, numerous troupe members came forward and shared consistent and repeated experiences. What is most concerning about our experience with Expression Arts is not the negligence of Esme, Kris, and Marielle, it is the complete lack of accountability and curiosity to do something about the numerous concerns raised by the troupe members and families. It is our belief that Esme, Kris, and Marielle have the best of intent. We believe they want to provide a safe place for children and to cultivate a thriving community built around circus. We also believe they are wholly incompetent and untrained in how to create this place. The incompetence can be addressed, there are programs like SafeSport which, coupled with Esme's passion for the art, could transform the space. But Esme, Kris, and Marielle first need to face the root of the issue and take the concerns seriously. After the senior troupe member raised concerns about her own experiences, she was abruptly removed from the troupe and essentially called a liar. The parents of the troupe then demanded a conference with Esme, Kris, and Marielle. Esme did not attend, but Kris and Marielle spent the bulk of 90 minutes deflecting and taking no ownership or corrective measures. Despite her initial love and passion for circus arts, our daughter has decided to close this chapter of her life and move on. Despite everything we note above, our sincerest hope is that Expression Arts and Kids n Dance thrives and can be a safe place for our youth to grow and express themselves. For this to happen, two things are needed: 1) Esme, Kris, and Marielle need to be curious, vulnerable, and accountable for the harm they are causing to the children. No more deflection. 2) Esme, Kris, and Marielle need to pursue the ongoing training to equip themselves to appropriately and safely engage with children and young adults.

We love miss Bonnie. My 3 year old was shy and just warmed up to kids Bonnie. She is like your…read moregrandmother and the kids magically all listen to her somehow. It's that old school dance school that is just filled with love and 90s Disney music classics. My daughter just loves it and can't wait to see her friends and teacher at dance. Also, the after school and school break programs at clutch. Thanks miss Bonnie!

Both kids had a great time and showed me their new dance routines and moves when they got home.read more

I have been dancing at this studio on and off for 15 years in their adult classes, and I now get to…read morejoyfully take classes alongside my teenage ballet dancer. I have also danced as an adult at half a dozen other studios here in the Bay Area. Conservatory of Classical Ballet is a truly exceptional studio for children and adults alike to learn and practice the art of dance. The quality of instruction, the standard of the curriculum, the inclusiveness, and the kind atmosphere are unmatched. CCB produces professional level dancers, and also gently nudges the most entry level students into the fold of poise and grace that result from consistent classes, not to mention the strength and agility you can't help but develop. Adults and children alike will find a home in the classes here. Their welcoming and patient energy makes nervous beginner dancers feel at home, while their more advanced classes are challenging and productive for even professional dancers. They also offer Pilates classes, Ms. Sarah who teaches it is fab. Ms. Ann and her crew of wonderful teachers are a gift to the community of Bay Area dancers.

This studio is life-changing!…read more If you thought you were too old to start ballet all I can say is....come join us and prove yourself wrong! I began taking classes several years ago when I was north of 40 and only wish I started sooner. I was looking for a way to gain flexibility, improve my posture, learn a technique that had a rich history and ideally combine all of the above with a practice that would bring focus and mental clarity. I had taken yoga but wasn't hooked and considered marital arts but was afraid of getting injured (already having suffered several broken ribs and a chipped a tooth from Kung Fu years earlier). Other techniques, like Pilates, didn't seem to have the rich history I was searching for. Then a friend mentioned she had been taking ballet classes. Voila! I always thought that if one didn't start ballet by age 5, it was too late. So as a middle-aged newbie, I wasn't sure what to expect. I started with the Saturday beginning adult class with Miss Deborah once a week. I highly recommend this particular class for those who have never taken ballet. She teaches the classical Vaganova method and starts at the very beginning going through positions, how to point one's foot and posture. Fast forward many years later, I now take class several times a week, have participated in The Nutcracker performances and even own pointe shoes! Ballet has taught me patience, practice and perseverance. Some days are definitely better than others. It's challenging, it can hurt, but it's so worth it. Looking back on the progress made is so rewarding and the friendships built along the way are an added bonus. Miss Ann brings years of experience as a professional ballet dancer to her studio. Her choreography is brilliant and she excels at providing the most subtle corrections that bring vast improvements. You will learn proper technique no matter what level. She and the other instructors all bring their own unique style and creativity, and with each class there is always something new to learn. I can't recommend this studio enough. There are classes for every level and every age, so don't be shy. Ballet is for everyone!

Fell in love with this amazing studio. Such a warm, welcoming and supportive environment. Quality…read moreteachers, lots of performance opportunities and an opportunity to compete when children are ready! After all we'd been through in the past, we are blessed to have found the right match for my daughter.

NOTHING BUT GREAT THINGS TO SAY about our dance studio! We LOVE B*Dazzled. My daughter is 7 and has…read morebeen dancing at this studio for 2 years now. I have always been impressed by how organized they are and how they keep us parents informed and up to date with everything our dancers have going on. From their monthly newsletters, to consistently sending us cute photos/videos on the Band app, down to how neatly labeled and packaged the costumes are when sent home, I have no idea how they keep up.. but they do! The teachers are very sweet, talented and dedicated- I love the fact that most of the teachers have been dancing at B*Dazzled since they were little and are still so involved. I also knew this was a great place to be once I met the director and learned that she actually knows her dancers. I can email her, ask her questions, and she is able to give me feedback as to what classes she thinks my daughter should be in. She has grown so much in her technique and confidence. She knows and loves all of her dance teachers and dance friends. My daughter used to be SO nervous before performing- to the point where she would get nauseated. But this year after recital was over, she said, "Mommy! I don't want to stop performing, I want to stay and keep dancing!!" If you are looking for a new dance studio that your child could grow in, build lasting friendships and make great memories at.. Look no more!

We loved working with Steps on Toes for our wedding first dance. The lessons were warm, fun, and…read morelow-pressure, and our instructor made us feel comfortable from the start. They broke everything down in a way that was easy to follow and helped us feel much more confident for the big day. Highly recommend for any couple preparing for their first dance!

My wife and I had an amazing experience with LaurieAnn just last year! She helped prepare us for…read moreour wedding's first dance. Neither of us were knowledgeable about dance, but LaurieAnn taught with grace and understanding. We were able to find our way through mental barrier's like counting on the beat. LaurieAnn is a gem of boundless knowledge when it comes to dance, and is very adaptable when it comes to working with people.

There are so many reasons I love this place for my girls, but the biggest one is how comfortable…read morethe teachers make my children feel when they dance. I've got a kiddo with major anxiety, who loves to dance. Her first few classes were spent crying in the corner. The teachers were AMAZING and went at her pace, didn't pressure her, and didn't give up on her! Now she runs into the studio with joy everytime it's dance day. Other reasons I Love B'Dazzled: Super fun classes Affordable My kids learn and excel without feeling pressure to be perfect Professional set up with shows, costumes, performances etc! The teachers and staff are the best around!

I love dancing at B*Dazzled! It is such a warm-friendly feeling when I'm with everybody. We are…read moresuch a tight group yet super inviting! The teachers are amazing and loving.I have danced here for twelve years and it's became my second home. I couldn't imagine dancing at a better studio.