This was a spur-of-the-moment activity, but a friend of mine wanted to try a ballet class to see if…read moreshe might get back into dance as a hobby. Another friend had taken classes at this academy before and highly recommended it, so the three of us booked an Introduction to Ballet class on Sunday at 12:00. Check-in was quick and easy. The class was $25 for an hour and a half, which I think is very reasonable considering it's from an actual ballet school. There's no strict dress code, which worked out well since none of us owned ballet attire -- we just wore regular workout clothes and socks, and it was perfectly fine. The instructor was wonderful. She started by asking who had never taken ballet before, then positioned the newer students between people with experience so it would be easier to follow along. I really appreciated that, as I have no dance background and definitely found myself lost more than once. Having people around me to follow made it much less intimidating. The class itself was energetic and fun. The instructor was patient, encouraging, and made sure to keep things approachable for beginners. I'm sure my form was atrocious and I messed up plenty of times, but nobody cared -- the atmosphere was supportive and welcoming, and everyone was just there to enjoy themselves and keep trying. The class had people of all different skill levels and abilities, and it felt very inclusive. Overall, this was a great introduction class, especially for someone nervous about trying something new. I never once felt self-conscious, and I genuinely had fun. I'd highly recommend this academy to anyone looking to take dance classes, whether you have experience or not. If I were interested in pursuing ballet, I would definitely come back.

Was screamed at and laughed at during my first time in the weekend morning adult beginner class by…read morethe instructor (blonde woman) and made a bad example of. Class was too packed, instructor seemed rushed and angry with equipment and pianist. Humiliating. Stay away.

This studio is amazing is upsetting to see some negative reviews here. My 2 girls 14yrs and 8yrs…read moreold attend here this is their 3rd yr with them. Both on competition teams now and I can't being to express how much I have seen them grow. Not taking away anything from other studio we been to, but the unity these teachers provide is priceless. Their technique training, ballet, hip hop, contemporary and jazz isn't your ordinary classes, its training. Best studio and I definitely recommend it.

Horrible group of people working here... they choose favorites and alienate the other kids. Truly a…read morenasty staff.. they even told my daughter she was too chubby to be in the photos they take & feature on here... really broke her spirit :( I relocated to the dance studio that was formerly Dawns, also on bergen blvd. Such a nice group of people compared to here.

LOVE coming here for dance classes! The instructors are fantastic, the staff is very friendly and…read morehelpful, and the facilities are large and clean. They have a variety of classes available in studio or online, and a wide range of levels. I've taken Absolute Beginner Contemporary, Horton, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Vogue - all classes I'd readily take again. Such a fun way to work out and learn some new moves!

The ladies at Ailey Extension cancelled me from the Judith Jamieson memorial later plus any classes…read morein all of Alvin Ailey. I was going to take one later, saying I violated protocols. They are violating protocols with cancel culture, and no specific provable accusations. Being "negative" when we are free to be any way and I don't know what that means and who if anyone complained, is BS. No apology for being contacted on a Sunday is the same. I am glad to be able to take lessons all over the world in environments not full of BS cancel culture like this one. Thanks for saving me from an environment not up to par to who I am and integrity, at least involving a few in power, since I cannot speak for everyone there and have had some great times there with many and various people. Thankfully, I saved money and watched a better show, the Country Musis Awards. Wonderful artists and amazing lyrics

SCAM. DO NOT order a Groupon class from them. They do not answer their phones and completely ghost…read moreyou, yet when Groupon reaches out on my behalf they respond to Groupon saying "tell her to call, we are open". The website for them linked from Groupon is not functional. This has also happened to other people as well-- check out review posted by Annette on the Groupon site. Hoping that Groupon shuts down this operation.

Not sure why Michele below had such a tough time, as I have gone to Karisma both…read moreregularly/irregularly for over a year and a half now. Victor is very patient and teaches fun and danceable/leadable turn patterns. He rotates the class and is extremely patient explaining technique and the execution of moves. At the end of the partnerwork class each student "performs" the turn pattern in a pair in front of the class, which can seem mortifying at first but is a good way to get used to practicing moves and going out where you will be dancing in front of people. Gretel is absolutely amazing. She has so much soul and fire to her personality and dancing style. I can honestly say she is one of the best instructors for ladies styling-she comes up with fun and innovative routines/choreography, but is very patient at explaining styling technique and dance technique. She is also a complete sweetheart and very down to earth. The spinning classes on Saturday are well worth checking out, as they have improved my spinning drastically. Feel free to ask Victor for help on what you specifically need to improve, and he is always happy to assist. Overall, a great studio, dedicated instructors, and complete sweethearts of people.

This is a long, long overdue review so what I'm about to write may no longer apply…read more.. Anyway, way back in the day I was REALLY into salsa. This would have been in the timeframe of 2007-2010 perhaps... I had already taken classes at lots of other dance schools in Manhattan. I would say I was at a high intermediate level. I took my dancing very seriously, and I was more inclined to like the 'dancer's dancer' type studios....where it was all about carrying oneself like a professionally trained dancer. Eventually, of course, Santo Rico came onto my radar and I decided one day to brave it, and go for a group lesson there, all on my own. Now I'd already heard this would be a 'tough school', but....I was so not prepared for what I encountered. Perhaps I should first say that I already knew that the NYC ON-2 scene could be extremely competitive. I'd attended classes and socials at all the usual places...Carlos... Jimmy...Joe...Frankie....YSBD, etc., and had a few privates with Magna, Griselle, etc. When I first walked into Santo Rico, I naturally saw a bunch of other dancers in the studio who'd either just finished a class or were there for the next class. You could have cut the tension with a knife. (Or was I simply projecting, based upon what I'd already heard about this place??) Anyway, when it was time, I joined my group lesson. I recall the group was on the smaller side...there were maybe just six or so women and a more or less equal number of men. The teacher was a young latin male....perhaps in his late 20s at the time? As they say, a female salsa dancer is only as good as her lead. ;-) The man is supposed to give clear cues, and the woman is supposed to know how to interpret them. Up until this point, I normally had never had problems in group classes. But with this instructor, when it came time for us to rotate partners, and HE became my partner, it seemed that during our routine practice, I didn't 'interpret' a cue that he'd given me, 'correctly'. Most would say that HE was in the wrong...that he must not be a very good lead. But he, being the very small-minded man that he apparently was, actually 'yelled' at me, saying something like 'why did you do that....I didn't want you to turn!' (or something like that). I was so embarrassed and shocked that...I probably just blurted out something like '...I thought that's what you wanted me to do...'. In retrospect, his behavior was brutish, inappropriate and uncalled for. I, being so immersed in the NYC salsa scene at that time, however, allowed myself to feel embarrassed... as if maybe I DID do something wrong. But in fact, that's why we supposedly attend such schools...to LEARN. And I mean, it WAS my first time there, as this instructor full well knew. I understand that Santo Rico is all about creating the best of the best salsa dancers...that it's all about precision...and that their female dancers can spin on a dime. (It was their 'gangster' video from around 2008 or so, that inspired me to want to train there.) But, you can still try to create an atmosphere of excellence without having to be mean and embarrassing students. My experience there was such that I had no desire to return.

Love this place . My cousinbrought me here in the early 2000s. Great place to learn . My cousin…read moreused to dance for them and went on to perform with tito nieves and Mark Anthony . You won't be disappointed . Sign up . The classes are fun , and the teachers are on point .

Excellent staff and teachers.Professional and Great with the kids. Organized. I heard owners are…read morewell known professional dancers ...

Tutu is absolutely wonderful. The instructors are exceptional at making every child feel supported…read more Classes are small allowing for each child to get the attention they need. I couldn't recommend tutu more!

After many experiences in deferent dance schools my daughter finally found the perfect one! My…read moredaughter absolutely loves to dance, but she is 6 years old so I don't expect much. She was going to different schools since she was three and honestly she didn't like any and hated many teachers. Mostly because it felt that teachers didn't really want to put any effort in teaching little kids because they knew there would be no showing off any successful dance or participating in competitions, children are too little. But in Alma dance academy I feel like teacher just loves to teach, she is absolutely fantastic at it and she just loves the process and loves kids. I see her with my daughter who is 6, see her with 2 year olds and 12 year olds - she is an incredible teacher to all of them - patient, motivating, energetic and just pure joy to be around. Thank you for teaching my daughter flamenco, she keeps saying how much she loves her teacher and the dancing. All thanks to Alma dance academy. Hope you prosper and be happy here in Cliffside Park and we love having you as a part of our community. Grateful mom of a dancing 6 year old girl.

From the owner: “Building a Legacy, one dancer at a time”…read more Our physical location offers in studio and online classes via our Virtual Dance Studio. At Alma, we strive to pass on our passion of dance into bringing joy to every dancers heart. We specialize in Technique, Ballet , Jazz dance and Contemporary. Our master instructor in Hip Hop generates amazing classes and our Ballet program is part of the DEA Ballet Medallion Achievement program beginning September 2018. Our passion is dance, and that is what we are about.

Loved their classes, staff and campus. No complaints…read moreNo problems No stress Just beautiful instructors that care and teach flawless theater and emotion. Can't beat it.

attended today's free Piano Music at 1p.m. While the playing was superb and selections diverse, the…read morestudents were short-changed by the pathetic program. it offered no biographical info at all about the players (plus not 1 sentence about each composer). afterward, I happen to see one of the students and told him the program cheated them from becoming known. he replied: "yes, i was surprised that we weren't asked for our biographies to be used for the program." Shame on the responsible Juilliard person--irresponsible, unprofessional!