Really horrible ballet experience! It's my first time to see a teacher can ask a kid ( no more than 9 years old) to do demonstrations. I pay money for qualified teacher not pay for a girl who is still learning ballet. I took so many ballet class and never see this situation happens in steps in Broadway, Ballet East academy, NYCB, ballet arts and so on. After I pointed this out, the teacher attitude is really unfriendly. Also, we didnt' have have any warm up, we started to do combination at center without bar. The floor is wood. I guess they don't care if students get hurt. The studio is too small. The class called adult beginner class but actually mixed kids and adults. read more

Talented caring teachers! The Director of the studio is so responsive and works hard to make sure they deliver excellent lessons online too (pandemic time). read more

For groupon for a 5 sessions. Cons: 1) floor is bad; 2) dark; 3) mirrors are dirty; 4) hot; 5) hard to find. Pros: 1) cheap by groupon. read more

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I have just started an adult absolute beginner workshop. Valerie is super nice and very encouraging. The ballet school is located inside of the players theater on the second floor. The room used for the class is multifunctional with a Working air conditioner and bars for class. I found the school on Groupon but purchased the workshop since it was not included in the Groupon. I will use the Groupon later. There is also a deal from yelp for checking in and discounts if you pay via yelp. I was very nervous the first time I came to class. It was my very first ballet class ever. Valerie had told me not to worry about the ballet outfit that any snug fitting clothing was sufficient. I still wanted the ballet shoes so Valerie recommended sansha and they were very helpful. During my first class one of the girls had the ballet leotard on. So today for my second class I had the pink leotard also. And next week another girl will wear it as well. I am yelp elite and when I do something I do it fully - the elite way. Currently I am a wrinkle ballet dancer but he workouts are great and I plan to continue so let's see what happens over the next year. My little class of four is becoming very friendly so I may even make some friends taking his class!! Thank you ALB!! ‍ read more

I grew up practicing classical ballet, and had both good and very bad experiences. I took a break, and re-started in college and then on and off for the past few years. When I come to an adult ballet class, regardless of the level, I expect a certain amount of humility and community amongst the group. The mood of this class was bizarre. The class that I signed up for was INTERMEDIATE adult ballet. The class was comprised of about five students that I am guessing were either regular adult students that participate in performances with the company or company members, and three of us who were completely new to the space. It felt like I was entering the lunchroom and trying to sit with the mean girls...not the type of attitude that I am used to with an adult class. It's a very small space and it was a small group, so I understand that there will be some chatter and people who know each other well, but it felt like the class was completely tailored towards the regulars. Joan, the instructor, seems like a sweet person but was very unwilling to adjust the class based on the group. I understand that it was an intermediate and not beginner class, but in my experience of taking MANY adult ballet classes, the instructor should at least demonstrate a combination when a student asks (something that she refused to do a couple of times when a very sweet newcomer asked her). Joan seemed to get a sense of glee from introducing very advanced footwork and combinations at the beginning of the class and then refusing to demonstrate it more than once or twice. It was surreal. This isn't the Bolshoi or New York City Ballet, people. As for the studio...I'm all for homegrown and grassroots, and I know that it is fairly new, but let's just say you get what you pay for (it was very cheap on classpass). If you know you have a dinky studio, at least have the humility to demonstrate a combination. read more

I've been coming here regularly for the adult ballet classes for a few months now, and I absolutely love this place. While it's small and not as fancy as bigger studios, the teachers here are absolutely fantastic. After coming here regularly, I have improved a lot more than I had been at my previous school. One of my favorite things about this school is that the classes are small, so the corrections are more individualized. Moreover, it's a more relaxed and fun environment, which keeps me coming back. They also offer a lot of classes throughout the week, so even if you have a packed schedule, you can still find time to come. The classes are meant to be beginner classes, but I would say they're more open-leveled and can change depending on the experience of other students in the class. It's nice, since faster-paced classes allow you to learn more, while slower classes allow you to focus on improving on the basics. I will say that it definitely helps to have some experience in ballet before attending the classes, as they tend to not be absolute beginner classes. You don't have to be a pro, but knowing the positions and some barre steps goes a long way. However, they do offer a ballet workshop for people who have never taken ballet before. They also offer jazz classes as well, which are super duper fun! read more

I have never felt compelled to right a review before. But after taking this class, I left in a state of shock and disbelief of how a teacher could act so bored and disconnected to a class for an hour and a half that I had to say something. I don't know if she was having a bad day but from the minute I walked in I was ready to walk out. For starters it was hard to find the place. Thank goodness for the random woman who doesn't work for the company asking me if she could help me find where I was going. When I figured out where to go. I walk in and there are 3 girls sitting down and stretching. They all just stared at me. So I start to take my coat off and a few seconds go by before one of them gets up and asks me if I'm there through classpass or groupon and tells me to sign this piece of paper. Turns out the girl I thought was a student was the instructor. She asks me to sign the paper but she was just so odd. She couldn't make eye contact, she was fidgeting around, and then she just went back and sat down. So I just started stretching. Again the room is not cozy. And it is small. My socks were filthy afterwards. I dont know, come summer time that will be a a problem. Anyway class started and I just felt that for a beginner class she could have explained the motions better. Fortunately, I have a ballet background from when I was younger and have been taking several ballet classes the passed year. But for people who haven't before they would have no idea what she's talking about. The whole experience was just uncomfortable. I felt like she didnt want to be there. She mentioned she had pulled her hamstring so maybe the pain was really bad but she didnt look like she was in pain. She just looked sad and like she would rather be anywhere else than there. Oh and she made everyone stretch for 2 minutes on there own. Which I did not like at all. This is a BEGINNER class! I love it when I learn new stretches... Because each instructor is always different. Needless to say. I will not be going back until they get a new space and a new instructor. read more

Came with a Gropuon, stayed for the fun. Valerie is an amazing ballet teacher. Her style is very personal and fun, which is different from the very strict and serious ballet teachers I've had in the past. I know ballet is all about form and accuracy, but Valerie and the teachers at ALB deliver the same high standard technique and form in a warm, friendly manner. They are very encouraging, relaxed, and helpful. The studio itself is a bit small and older, but I don't mind it too much. I had the opportunity to dance with them in their production of the Nutcracker (they do a fun spin-off so it's NY themed) last winter, and I had an amazing time! If you have the chance to join one of their dance numbers (they do a performance every summer and winter), I would highly recommend it. I was an extra essentially, playing the role of a rat in the evil Queen Rat's posse. I danced in 3 different numbers, and the costumes that they made for us were really cute. I still go back for dance classes whenever I can. read more

Valerie is a great choreographer and teacher. She is wonderful with both professionals and beginning students. She creates a very relaxed and joyful atmosphere. This is a great place to start or continue your ballet studies and it is centrally located. You will have a great time. Rob S read more

Valerie is an extremely talented professional and thoughtful teacher! I highly recommend her classes for students and dancers of all levels. Even if you're just starting out, you will definitely feel welcome and receive the personalized attention that you might not find at some of the larger NYC studios. It's an encouraging and fun environment all around. In addition to the school, Valerie directs a professional company, Pink Pig Ballet. Their shows are really fun with great creative storytelling. Check it out: pinkpigballet.com. read more

Valerie is a very warm and welcoming teacher. She caters her classes to the levels of the dancers and does a great job of making her classes challenging whether you're a novice, returning to dance or a professional. In the dance world in NYC Valerie's school is a rare gem. You'll get individual attention in a professional and caring environment. In addition, there are performance opportunities with her company Pink Pig Ballet if you are interested in performing. Win win! read more

Valerie gives classes that are both fun and technically detailed! She works with different levels in her beginner classes, and gives lots of one on one attention (room and class are small, but this is the plus side to that). She's got a sunny disposition and a good work ethic. I highly recommend this class. read more

It is an absolute joy to study ballet with Valerie Mae. She is a gifted, nurturing teacher who knows how to inspire her students. It's clear that she has a strong grounding in classical ballet in the way that she sequences her barre and center combinations and thereby allows her students to warm up and develop as dancers in class in a way that is healthy and upholds the long tradition of classical ballet. She is also beautiful to watch (those legs!) and has a great facility for dance so it is easy to learn the combinations from following her. Finally, she welcomes and treats her students equally regardless of technical expertise which I believe is very important in this sometimes rarified and intimidating art form. I highly recommend taking classes with her!! read more

Valerie is a great teacher. I come back over and over again for her. She puts her heart in when teaching. I had a class with a young male teacher which was not that great. He seemed disengaged during the session. Maybe it was the way he carries himself, but it did not feel like a well thought through session. He was wearing his street clothes and felt like he was passing by the theatre and just happened to walk us through a few random combos on top of his head. As a student, I was so well prepared with my outfit, attitude and everything. And it felt disrespectful to have a teacher who can't even do the minimum to show he cared (I actually don't think he did). I will not complain too much given the price of class was very low. But when I dedicate myself to travel a long way for a class I am looking forward to, it still sucked to encounter this type of instructor. But I will still come back for Valerie and one other teacher that I heard had great energy in class. I don't get bothered by the facilities as much when I enjoy the class and learn a great deal. read more