Let me start with this: I need to eat my humble pie…read more I chanced upon this school years ago (old location, pre pandemic) - took some classes and was underwhelemed because it was a bit different from what I was used to. Then, I enrolled my child here. I watched their improvement and growth in dance. Guidance and corrections sprinkled with love and kindness. I watched advanced students perform and showcase their OWN work and was blown away by their talent. Suffice to say, comparision is the thief of joy and clearsighted-ness. You need to understand the environment before even making a comment or judgement. Also, and this is VERY important - - I LOVE and APPRECIATE that their advanced students dont have a homogenous "look". They come in all heights, shapes and sizes. One of my biggest fears about classical ballet schools/non competition dance schools is that you will see a clear "standard look" once you go past a certain level. I cant imagine how jarring that might be for an impressionable child who is growing into their body. I feel that seeing that GOOD dancers can come in all shapes and sizes is a testament on its own and a quiet, but powerful positive message that gets relayed to the younger students. Thankful to be part of this community! Thank you to the admin and staff for making this community welcoming and safe on top having a wonderful space to learn and grow as a dancer/performer!

We came to this dance school by word of mouth. And we are so glad that we had!…read more We took a 30-min private lesson ($35) to access which class would fit her best and tried the creative dance class! At Dance Connection Performing Arts Center in Concord, our 3.5 yo daughter was escorted a number of times out of her intro to ballet and tap class for 2.5 to 4 yo for "not listening." So we ditched that studio and tried this one! (But we did try a kinder teacher at DCPAC before leaving.) The Creative Dance class (single drop-in for $25, 10-class pack for $185) at The Ballet School is perfect for her, especially since she has a slow-to-warm-up temperament and is sensitive to loud sounds (ie. music, flushing toilets, leaf blowers, etc.). The value for these drop-in creative dance classes is excellent because we are willing to pay a few dollars more for our little one to have a positive experience with dance. Drop-in means that they are understanding that some days the littles aren't having a good enough day to join class and/or sick. (Btw, $45 one-time registration fee) Regarding the rest of the school, I can tell that there is a huge selection of classes including music. As a music teacher working at a music academy, I can't access the quality. However, I know there is a department near the entrance way. If you haven't tried this school, just know it supports Healthy Dance, and are a part of Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited. This was a huge factor of why we chose this school for our daughter.

This is a wonderful studio of caring and supportive teachers and dancers! Thank you to Ace Dance…read moreAcademy for fostering my daughter's love for dance!

Most of the positive reviews are from when this place was co-owned…read more It's telling of a human and therefore, their business when the only review to which they respond, and a lengthy response at that, is to a negative one. There's zero accountability in apologizing and then saying something to the effect of, "what a rough year it was and our side of the story..." I know the story. I saw and heard kids get crushed. I can't rewrite history, but I wish I had said things in the moment rather than play nice and just listen. Many of us do this all to often (stay quiet). Speak up when we hear something not right. I wish I had. There was no rhyme or reason to the way they placed kids in different levels. For multiple reasons, one of my kids who loved danced and was only encouraged and pushed at the previous studio, was knocked down repeatedly. By the time we left, the confidence they had once had in dance was gone. With ACE not allowing child 3 to be challenged, their technique suffered. I saw their skills slowly decline until I pulled them from ACE and put them in a studio that once again believed in my kid. My youngest kid, whom I thought was in dance just for fun, left the studio and holy bananas. I had no idea my kid was capable of doing the stuff that kid did. Technique improved exponentially within months of leaving ACE. My youngest thankfully was never crushed by their words or glares. But they did feel proud of their accomplishments after leaving, often saying, "I'd never be able to do that at ACE!" I pulled my kids 2.5 years ago but seeing as they lost a ton more kids this year, I'm guessing they haven't changed. They've lost countless "ensemble" - their version of team members over the past few years. Their pay structure for ensemble is a joke. If you're considering this studio for a team, compare it to others (and other pay structures). That's it for now. I may revise it, but it won't be for the better.

I've been taking adult ballet classes here for 10 years and I love it. The teachers are…read moreknowledgeable and patient.

I LOVED the Beginning and Back to Basics Ballet classes with Hiroko! I've been searching for adult…read morebeginner ballet classes in the area, but it was hard to find one truly tailored for adult beginners--where I could learn proper positions and fundamental techniques. I'm so glad I found Hiroko's classes. She genuinely cares about each student's form and takes the time to correct our poses and steps. I really appreciate her patience and understanding. I only wish they can add more Back to Basics class options on weekends or in the evenings so I could attend after work. Thank you, Hiroko, for reigniting my passion for ballet!

Arthur Murray dance studio runs like a car salesmanship. I understand being friendly to your…read morecustomers but the instructors were so over-the-top that it felt completely fake and smarmy, from how they say hi to you to how they sell you a packet of $550 introductory dance lessons -- 4 45 min "lessons" that only cover the bare minimum where they refuse to correct your dance moves (big red flag if you want to learn dance) and they five high you every 5 minutes like you're a toddler or otherwise just retarded... Amongst the intro packet was the 2 group lessons coupled with 2 more subsequent "party" dance sessions where all the students dance w each other but the way it was being lead, it felt more like a cheerleading/glee club. Please actuallt teach us some moves! Im not here to be part of a cheering squad and to be everybody's bff! Josh, a dancer who doubles as their sales guy, was goading me into buying more group packets for an unbelievable amount of money after completing the bare minimum in the equally expensive introductory dance packet -- talking to you as though you affirmed to him that you wanna buy super expensive packets for when I never even implied that! Before then, when I asked about paying for individual lessons...well, I'm going to quote the last reviewer who said it best here when she expressed uncertainty : "he acted all offended and said, 'when someone doesn't want to buy it means that they didn't understand what I was explaining.'" Basically same thing here but also refusing to answer the question in my case. Finally, when I asked for references to other dance studios that dedicate more time to individualized dance lessons (like if you wanna focus on just tango as opposed to all of the ballroom dances), he went on about how "Well, Arthur Murray does it as well! You like our dance studio though, RIGHT, Tiffs?" Yeah I know, that's why I asked -- if you weren't trying so hard to sell yourself like I'm just another product, I wouldn't have asked. I found another class that is worth your buck and teaches you more in one lesson than 10 Arthur Murray lessons combined. In fact, my other peers were also there precisely because of their experience with Arthur Murray as well. And, due to the last reviewer actually affirming my previous experience, I think I'm on point. Do not buy Arthur Murray classes! They are a scam!! Worst dance studio I've ever been in, and I've gone through several myself! Edit: Yelp removed my last review from Arthur Murray, but I didn't break any review rules; I did not slander anyone personally, reinforce stereotypes, or threaten with violence. Part of me suspects that this removal was at the behest of Arthur Murray dance company so that they do not look bad in other people's eyes. Well, I'm back! And I'm not going to stop telling the truth about this company to let honest people decide for themselves if they want to go through the same horrible experience with this dance studio as I did!

The staff were so friendly and I loved the community of the studio. I would totally recommend!read more

My daughter has been attending Tutu School Walnut Creek for nearly half a year now--and she…read moreabsolutely loves it! She's becoming more skillful, more confident, and genuinely looks forward to each class with so much joy. What truly makes the experience so special are the instructors, especially Ms. Tina. I can't thank her enough for her patience, expertise, and dedication. She is incredibly thorough in her instruction and deeply attentive to each child. Her calm, gentle demeanor works like magic--the children stay focused and engaged, even when there are occasional distractions, whether from other students or a parent on the phone. Thanks to teachers like Ms. Tina, my daughter will continue her ballet journey here. Not only is Ms. Tina a fantastic instructor for the kids, but she's also a wonderful mentor to the newly hired teachers--no wonder the entire team is so exceptional. Thank you, Ms. Tina, for everything you do. My daughter and all the little ballerinas are so lucky to learn from you!

Very cute school! We recently visited and found it to be a pleasant surprise. The teachers seem…read morelovely, the studio is beautiful, and they even have a little store. My only complaint was that parking was difficult. I had to drive around for nearly 15 minutes before I found a spot.

We have been coming to Funkmode for a few years now! My daughter started in the 3-5 class and…read morerecently transitioned to Mighty's 5-10 class. She always speaks so highly of her instructors, and it has been wonderful watching her passion for dance blossom. Now, my son is in the 3-5 class. It's been so fun watching his confidence grow alongside making new friends. The instructors--Mighty, JRae, Arya, and TJ--are incredible at what they do, teaching both dance technique and self-confidence. The kids adore them and genuinely look forward to every class. The environment is energetic, welcoming, and family-friendly. We especially loved the community Funkmode Block Party--you can truly feel the warmth and care they pour into every dance student. Funkmode isn't just a great dance studio; it feels like a big family. We love Funkmode and 100% recommend it to everyone!

I'm in my second session of Twerk dance class at Funkmode. I found this studio when I moved to…read moreConcord from Oakland quite a few months ago. I was just in a dance recital, and got to dress up. I always feel included and empowered. Love my teacher, Angel. This a very inclusive and accepting environment. They have kids, teens, and adult classes with a variety of themes and teachers. I'm so happy to be a part of the dance crew. I also get to be in their pride performance in June!

Wonderful dance studio! The owner treats everyone like their own family. The show dances and…read morecompetitions are amazing. Highly recommend for any parent who wants to bring their child to ballroom dance!

My daughter has been in the studio since she was 4, she turned 13 this summer. Ever since she has…read morejoined it's been a place for her to express herself, it's a place of happiness for her, and anything that brings her joy brings me joy. The school is the best experience my daughter has been in. Whenever it's the weekend she asks me, "Mommy when will I have dance again?" Even though she is 13, she is still very enthusiastic about the school.The instructors are very welcoming and open to new students. The instructors teach them in a way for them to understand and have fun at the same time. They are very dedicated to their work and all the students work very hard and it shows the dancers are all very talented thanks to the amazing teachings by Ms. Goldman. I recommend this school to all parents looking for the best ballroom dancing school in the East Bay. Goodnight lovelies

We walked in with our relative to see if my boys could watch their performance class, the lady said…read moreNO!! Are you serious. We could be their customer and here my kids got refuse to absorb the place and they don't want to join place like that at all. She said they didn't get notified!!!! She didnt ask any question, any interest to make us feel welcome at all. They are not welcoming new people and they are not friendly!!! My boys are disappointed and upset that, they couldn't be with their cousin !!! If you will walk in to know more about this place you will get kicked out :( I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE!!!!

Our daughter had her first experience with Lamorinda Theatre Academy this summer for one of their…read moresummer camps. She loved it and she really wants to come back for classes in the fall! It was a 3 week camp, 4 hours a day. In that short time, they produced a kids play...The Jungle Book...from start to finish, complete with singing, dancing, costumes and sets. It was amazing what they were able to accomplish. And the quality of that production was impressive...much higher than any of the other school plays or park district programs we have seen. Each day, the kids took "classes" in acting, singing, and dancing, but with plenty of time for play, games, and camp type activities. Renee, Rena, and Amy are very good with the kids. And the amount of care, creativity, and love that they put into their business really shows. The difference it made in our daughter, after just 3 weeks was amazing. She made new friends that she wants to keep in touch with. She is a little less shy than she used to be. And she sings and dances a lot more, even when she knows people are watching. I think it will be the highlight of her summer. And I think Lamorinda Theatre Academy's program will be a very good influence on her growth, poise, and confidence, and will be a lot of fun for her!

Alice is a wonderful dance teacher. She knows her stuff and is great at communicating what you need…read moreto do. My husband and I took 5 lessons from her to prepare for our first dance for our wedding. Thanks to her lessons we absolutely nailed it and our guests were very impressed. Another great thing about Alice is that she's not afraid to tell you when a move looks different than you may have intended and is flexible on changing up the routine to better suit you. This is important in an instructor! We miss our lessons and after such a fantastic experience, we're planning to find some local dancing spots.

NOW TEACHING IN DUBLIN…read more FOLLOWERS WANTED FOR SALSA TUESDAY'S CLASS: 7:30pm doors open. Lesson starts at 7:45. $20 Don't need a partner. (Lot more leaders than followers) 7220 Regional in Dublin For Class. It's in a dance classroom/school

This a great local resource for woodworkers. The Mt. Diablo Adult Education program offers may…read moreadult woodworking classes for beginners to advances woodworkers, along with open shop classes. The woodworking 1 class is a great introduction to all the equipment through the process of building a beautiful step stool. The day and night classes include men and women of all ages. The fees are very reasonable to get access to great equipment. The teachers are knowledgeable and very willing to help. For more info: https://mdae.mdusd.org/

I'm taking a woodworking class here, and I'm thoroughly satisfied with the level and quality of…read moreinstruction. The tools in the wood shop are great, and the instructors really know their stuff. What's more, those guys sure know how to keep a sharp edge on their equipment. Tuition is, in my opinion, up to what one would expect to pay in today's economy, especially considering that everyone is scrambling for cash to stay afloat, even the local government and its affiliated programs. The registration process on the archaic website is a touch on the byzantine side, though. It looks a lot like the very first website I ever coded when I was 16 years old. Uhh, now that I think about it, it looks like the website I designed a few years ago. But I'm no web designer, so hah! Point being, you're gonna have to dig around a little bit to find what you're looking for, but once you've found it, the actual act of registering for a class is pretty straightforward. Now, back to the woodworking instructors: Between the Bill and Dave, they've got about 70 years experience, 20 fingers, 20 toes, and 8 eyes (they both wear glasses). So I trust them to teach me the ways. I don't know if I'll ever be able to snatch the pebble from their hands, but I'm confident that they're showing me how to keep all my phalanges and body parts so that I could snatch that pebble, even if only in theory. I plan on taking many more courses here, especially in the "Working with Wood" category of classes. Now go forth and learn something new!