Blackbird Dance Company is amazing! Alexandra Blackbird De Ochoa is one of the most professional and positive people I have ever met. Her knowledge of dance is incomparable and she is extremely patient and kind. I always leave the studio feeling empowered and like I have been pushed to my fullest potential, as a dancer! There are a variety of classes for ALL ages and dance styles. Whether you are an experienced ballerina or a novice dancer/mover, you can find what you need at Blackbird Dance Company. They even have great Yoga classes if you are just looking to center yourself and learn to breathe. You can also explore their troops. They have an ALL STAR Kids Team and an adult company. They have regular cabaret style performances in the studio and you can also book private one-on-ones or group classes. One only has to go to their website and see the long list of A-List Celebrities who have taken from Alex and Blackbird Dance! So prance on down to the studio today and start getting in shape and feeling great!! read more

Blackbird Dance - Sassy Dancer! - Dance Schools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I took a circus aerial class here. When I first came, drop-ins were $5! It's more expensive now, but still very affordable. When I started, I wasn't sure what to expect. There was 1 silk, 2 lyra, and 1 pole for ~4 students, but there also seemed to be one of the instructor's kids (?) playing around too? There was a group led warm-up with yoga mats, but then it took the form of more open aerial then a directed class. I mainly did my own thing on silks, but then later asked for some help on lyra since the instructor seemed most knowledgeable about that. For the amount of money spent, I think it was a decent use of time. I think this place has a lot of potential, however, it didn't really seem like a class, or even serious training time. Everyone else there seemed relatively new to aerial. Other: * Parking can be a bitch in this area. * The studio is a bit smaller than I thought it would be, probably because of all the studio mirror angles in the pictures. * Class times are mainly during 9-5 business hours. read more

So the classes here can be great, but the studio is sorely in need of redecorating. Black walls AND black drapes, which considering how much direct sun the studio is exposed to, raises the temperature inside the studio by at least 10 degrees compared to outside (not to mention, it's ugly and off-putting). I can't convince my friends to join me for class here, or to bring their kids, because the common complaint is that it looks like the inside of a coffin. Seriously, white walls with white curtains. Put a few black bird decal silhouettes on the walls instead. And if possible, a marley floor would make a big difference; I tore a leotard on the nails coming out of the floor the other day. read more

I was thrilled when Blackbird dance moved to Fairfax! And $5 drop-in classes? Unheard of! They offer an amazing variety of classes. I loved Circus Fit with Hope. She is an incredibly talented and dedicated teacher! Blackbird is lucky to have her. I also took a couple of ballet classes with Alexandria, the owner and loved those as well! Overall, this is an incredibly welcoming and fun studio. I've never taken an evening class there, but its in my neighborhood and when I walk by, its always packed and everyone looks like they're having a great time! I love it! A true gem in Los Angeles! I do have one big BUT, and I don't even know if this teacher is there anymore and I don't even know her name, BUT, the entire reason I started taking dance here was because they offered ballet classes. Like I said, I took a couple with Alexandria, and they were great, simple, fun and straight-forward. However, I showed up for a Ballet class that was supposed to start at 11am, taught by another teacher. She didn't show up until 11:20am, didn't start until almost 11:30, was obviously unprepared, and didn't seem like she wanted to be there. Her barre combinations were poorly crafted were not timed well with the music she chose. AND she complained the whole time that "no one ever comes to ballet. She (Alexandria, the owner) should just cancel it." ME! I would always come to ballet if you showed up on time and taught a decent class!! I left at noon when the class was supposed to end. I said I had somewhere to be and didn't plan on staying past noon, but really, I just didn't want to take the awful class anymore. I'm sure she is a very talented dancer and a nice person, but it left a bad impression on a newbie to the studio. The point is, I guess when classes are $5 you can't expect them all to be amazing. Unfortunately, I never went back to ballet because I never could be sure I'd get a good teacher or if it would even start on time. Hopefully, she doesn't teach there anymore. Doesn't sound like she wanted to anyway. read more

The studio was smaller than I expected, but that didn't stop us from having fun! I took the open-level tap class with Alex and it was great. I expected there to be people in there with no tap experience, but everyone seemed to know there was around a tap class. We did simple moves and then more complicated moves, which was fun too. Alex was really energetic and positive and never had a negative thing to say. I loved it! read more

They are SO great. Alex arranged for two of her male instructors to come to our son's 6th birthday party. They danced and gave the kids some lessons. Was a BLAST. Alex was so helpful and the guys were so professional, great with the kids and beyond polite. Big hit. Will definitely sign my boys up for a class at the studio. read more

Wow this place is amazing. If you are a parent looking for a low cost but totally professional dance studio that teaches all the dances for your kids then THIS IS IT!! Amazing, inexpensive, nurturing and has all the different kids of dance, even hip hope and break dancing. Run , run and let the kiddies experience dance. read more

My 6 year old daughter had been taking classes here for a month now and I couldn't be happier. Affordable caring instructors in a great location! Im ready for an adult class soon! read more

My two girls (5 1/2 and 8 years old) went for summer camp and loved it. Especially the circus time was so much fun. As a mom I liked the fact that they offer healthy food and that my two girls could be in the same camp together. Kudos to Alex and her "I can achieve anything" mentality. I will definitely sign up next summer again. read more

I love this studio, it's a gem in this community! I have been able to work on my craft, make new networking opportunities, and have a new family! This is the place to be for you if you want to grow in your craft there is every style and each individual brings something special to the space! Blackbird Dance instills a passion not just a hobby into your life. read more

We love this dance studio! Our 7 year old daughter takes every class they offer for her age group. She especially likes the circus classes. All she wanted for Christmas was silks so she could practice the things she was learning in class. We are so grateful we found this neighborhood studio. read more

Alex helped is choreograph our first dance for our wedding and was wonderful - went to write this and wasn't surprised at all that blackbird has perfect five star reviews. I'm not a great dancer and we were pretty last minute, and as such we had a few uncertain moments along the way. We started with a super complicated concept (not my idea), almost ditched the idea of a choreographed dance halfway through, ended up at a midpoint and in the process switched songs twice. So basically we were the worst. Alex was consistently chill, funny, and flexible. Her sunny energy made what could have been a stressful experience a total joy. Would highly recommend her for wedding first dance situations if you decide you want or even think you may want help sorting out a first dance. read more

My daughter took 2 classes today. She did a hip hop class and the circus class. Both heaps of fun for her! We will definitely be back! Great teachers, great students! We felt very warm and welcome! Mr. James and Jace were awesome! And Alex the owner too! Lastly, classes are very reasonably priced!! Highly recommend! And I was actually recommended by a good friend! Oh! And great selection for kids!! read more

You can't beat a $5 dance class. The instructors are very well informed and you get lots of one on one attention. One downside- the floor is laminated, not wood or Marley, so it can be very slippery depending on the class you are taking. Bring/wear shoes accordingly. read more

Wow! My friend and I decided it would be a kick to take tap dance classes. How lucky that we found Alex and Blackbird dance!! We enrolled in semi-private classes and had a ball! Great cardio workout, fantastic for balance and what a fun way to spend an hour! Can't wait to go back. Alexandra is patient, warm, fun, encouraging and a fantastic teacher. Thank you Blackbird Dance! read more

I struggled to give even a three star rating after my last experience at blackbird. The only reason I opted to give a two star review is because the first SEVERAL times I came to blackbird I had an amazing time. The instructor for beginners hip hop the first few times was kind, gracious, fun, and understanding. Not to mention very talented. Upon our last time coming into this class I was surprised to see so many new attendees. I soon realized after hearing remarks being made these people were actually part of blackbird. This was initially intimidating at first to see experienced dancers in the class but then I thought "hey if we learn something from them I am all for it" that's what I thought until I realized I was experiencing an episode out of "mean girls". We were in the back and they came and stood behind us and said "no u go to the front" They all sat in the back and laughed and said "omg like give us some more space go to the front. Move!!". Then they proceeded to tell the dance instructor to "omg like go faster" even though the only four paying customers in the class were not understanding the choreography completely yet. The instructor then proceeded to ask for solos and put us in groups and perform in front of everyone. When we felt uncomfortable we said "we don't understand yet I don't feel comfortable" they proceeded to get even more rude and even the owner pressured us and said "what's the big deal it's 45 seconds of your life... Get off of my glass".... The rest of the black bird team proceeded to take the rest of the class in their own hands and dance around showing off and making just faces in the mirror while spinning around while we just sat there feeling like we wasted our time and money. Might I add that we were doing the most feminine display of sexy ballet and we were certainly so far off from dancing hip hop I was not even sure I showed up at the right time. By far the most awkward and caddy experience I have had since moving to Los Angeles. Never again. read more

My husband and I went to $5 salsa nights twice and had a blast. Alex is a great instructor and you really can't beat the price!

I've been away for a while, but I am one of Hope Rosemary's Sunrise Yoga students. I met her months ago during a tumultuous time in my past. She talked me into joining her for a chat, tea & meditation, followed by a Yoga class at Blackbird Dance Company. I'm an athlete, and at the time, I was working very hard to gain more muscle mass. My flexibility was awful and I was afraid of becoming a hulked out gym rat with a limited range of motion. Hope is an athlete too (as well as many other things) and her teachings really helped to loosen me up- mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I proceeded to tell all my friends about her (and anybody else I thought could benefit from her teachings). Everybody I know, including myself, are very happy after their sessions with Hope. I'm proud to call her my friend as well as Yogi. And I plan on returning to her classes as soon as I work through the kinks of my new intense training regimen. Namaste. read more

I came to Blackbird Dance after trying several other studios in the area. Blackbird is by far the best. I take private lessons with Alex Blackbird, who is a great teacher, and I couldn't be happier. Not only am I progressing much faster than I did at my old studio, but I'm also saving a ton of money. I give Blackbird Dance the highest possible recommendation. read more

We've been going to blackbird for several years and absolutely love Alex , her teachers, her style and philosophy. She has a deep personal commitment to run a studio with heart and soul. She shows love, compassion and support for her students. read more

When I first moved to LA I was looking for a studio where I could feel comfortable while improving my art and exploring new styles. I'm so glad I found blackbird! Everyone is so fun and supportive. I didn't just find a new dance studio. I found a new dance family! In the past few months I've taken everything from hip hop, salsa, ballet, and pole dancing. I've never had a boring class, watching the clock for when it's over. Every class is fun in its own way! read more

We have not been at Blackbird long but after my daughters went there for a week they were hooked. It's such a fun atmosphere and offers so many different styles for a very affordable price. My daughter is part of their allstars team and is so happy on dance days - she dances 4+ hours some days and all with a smile on her face. Alex and her team are fantastic, I can tell she loves dance and what it does for people's lives and that is reflected on everyone there. We look forward to being part of the Blackbird family for a very long time :) read more

This review is long overdue. As a professional dancer, and established dance teacher, I take my daughter's dance education very seriously. From growing up in a dance studio that felt like a second home myself, to seeing the positive benefits that dance has had on hundreds of my own students, I have been seeking the best start for my young daughter. I directed a studio in OC, where she first started taking ballet and tap classes at age 2, and had her first recital at 2 and a half. When we moved up to LA for another teaching opportunity, I was overwhelmed with all the studio options. I carefully researched each studio, and asked all of my LA dancer friends what they knew about kids studios. I came upon Blackbird several times on yelp, and when my daughter turned 4, I was ready to supplement her ballet training with tap, jazz, gymnastics and hip hop. Being unsatisfied with the gymnastics program for her age group in Burbank (50 minute class and they barely did any stretching or strength building), I decided to drop in and observe a circus fit class to see exactly what that was. I was literally amazed at what these children were able to do. First off, they begin each class reciting "the rules," beginning with Rule #1, HAVE FUN. Watching these children joyously and proudly stating these rules is the first glimpse into the world that is created for them here. I can say so many things about this studio, since I have sat through countless classes since April, while savoring the time that I could be there to support my daughter, knowing that my maternity leave would end in August and I would be back to being a full-time teacher, and my time lingering around the studio to see her develop and progress would be a memory. The most important things that I can share are that through her time at Blackbird, under the guidance of one of the most patient human beings I have ever met (owner, Miss Alex), she has become stronger (both physically and mentally), more confident, part of a community of caring and supportive teachers, peers and parents, and more responsible (now that I am back to work, she packs her own dance bag without reminders). Being at Blackbird has given her an outlook on life that will carry her wherever she goes (one of the class rules is that you are not allowed to say the C word--CAN'T because you actually CAN do anything you put your mind to). She has shared that rule with her preschool friends, including the penalty of 5 pushups if you say the C word. Her physical strength has developed steadily, so that she can do the head stands, back bends, splits and is so proud to show off her aerial silk climbing. Our goal was to get her cartwheel solid by the end of the summer, and that has happened along with so many more measurable successes. Students take risks each and every class (under careful supervision), whether it's holding the splits for a little bit longer than the class before, climbing higher than they feel comfortable, learning a new tumbling move, or solo free styling in the breakdancing class (she does that too). All that risk taking has developed her character in a way that I never could have anticipated. I hesitated to write down my assessment of the studio until I had been around long enough, and partially because I know how invaluable small class sizes are, but I want to see the studio grow and thrive as much as my daughter has in the past 5 months. Miss Alex (Alexandra Blackbird) is 100% heart. She loves each and every student, not for what they can do, but for who they are. How many people do you know in your child's life like that? She is offering an unparalleled experience to our community....and my kid LOVES dancing and learning circus arts there. Give your kid the chance to grow with this studio. I'm sure we will see you there. :) read more