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

I have twin daughters who are almost nine, and we're now wrapping up our third season at Dance…read moreConnection--and our first year on company. When we were choosing a studio, I was intentional about finding a place that offered strong technique across all styles, fostered a healthy environment, and pushed my girls to grow. Dance Connection continues to deliver on all of these. We commute to the studio, and it has been worth every mile. Our dance family has grown so much, and the positivity in this community has been incredible for my kids. After trying multiple studios, I can confidently say that Dance Connection's ballet program is genuinely fun, the tap instruction is unmatched, and the way the older dancers support the younger ones is truly uplifting. My daughters have gained so much confidence performing, and they absolutely love being in class. The studio manager, Camille, also deserves special recognition. With my husband gone frequently for work, I'm often juggling the girls' dance schedules with my youngest in tow. Camille is responsive, highly organized, and always willing to step in when help is needed. Her support makes a meaningful difference for families like mine, and I'm truly grateful for all she does.

Watching all the performances, you definitely see all the efforts and emphasis that the instructors…read moreput into the class. The discipline, and training provided is worth all the money. My granddaughter started at 4 years old. She started with Miss Camille. I can't say enough of Miss Camille. She set the bar high for the young girls. My granddaughter is now 8 years old. Up to now the enthusiasm and discipline Miss Camille instilled in these students are evident in the way the students perform in the class with other instructors.

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!

If zero stars were an option, I would choose it…read more We enrolled our 3-year-old in an introductory dance class expecting a supportive and age-appropriate environment. What we experienced was the opposite. During the 4:30pm "Intro to Dance" class on 1/30/26, our child was separated from the group for ~ 15 minutes after a minor balance-related accident during a circle activity. From direct observation through the classroom window, she appeared shocked and not crying at first, but her distress began only after being pulled aside and instructed to sit alone. She remained isolated for the rest of the session, including routine end-of-class activities. When we attempted to discuss the situation afterward, the teacher characterized the incident as "intentional" without providing any factual explanation. Later written communication from studio owner denied that any isolation or disciplinary action had occurred, and also denied that the teacher had described the incident as "intentional." which directly conflicted with what we personally witnessed. We understand that toddlers lose balance and accidents happen. What is concerning is not the accident itself, but the lack of transparency, inconsistent accounts, and absence of clear behavioral management standards for very young children. We withdrew immediately. If you are looking for an environment that treats young children with dignity and values honest communication with parents, I suggest looking elsewhere.

We love CVDA! My daughter has been coming here for the past 5 years. She is now on the competition…read moreteam and has fallen in love with dance. We do not have much experience with other dance studios, but I have heard from several other parents that CVDA is more welcoming than other studios and like a family (it is!). I feel so lucky to have found the perfect studio for us. I am even dancing now!

I have spent a long time debating whether to write this review because Starlight was once a place…read moremy child genuinely loved. Unfortunately, many of the issues that ultimately led us to leave were not isolated incidents, they were patterns that existed for years and appeared to worsen as the owner took on more stress. Constructive criticism is not an attack. Honest feedback is not disloyalty. The common denominator throughout the concerns many families raised was leadership. Communication problems were present long before the recent turmoil, but they became significantly more noticeable as the program grew. Important information was often delayed, incomplete, changed without explanation, or communicated differently to different groups of people. Parents frequently found themselves piecing together information from rumors, social media, group texts, and other families rather than receiving clear and consistent communication directly from leadership. The situation surrounding the temporary location (without heat/AC and wall) and construction delays was particularly frustrating. Families were repeatedly given timelines and explanations that changed over time, creating confusion and eroding trust. We were told at one point that construction was halted due to human remains being found, this was false. As a parent of a neurodivergent child, I was also disappointed by decisions that appeared to overlook the needs of many students in the program. Despite the owner stating that Starlight is "inclusive and welcoming to all". The owner even going as far as stating "LGBTQ and neurodivergent kids are my specialty". One example was the creation of a teen group chat used for communication while excluding parents from those conversations. Most of the students involved were freshman, many of whom are neurodivergent and rely on adult support to manage schedules, stay organized, and process information. Removing parents from those communications created unnecessary barriers and left families struggling to ensure their children had accurate information. I was further troubled by comments made about students and families. Hearing a neurodivergent child who was struggling emotionally described as "throwing a hissy fit" demonstrated a lack of understanding and compassion that I would expect from a youth program serving diverse learners. I watched as students were guilted into taking on more responsibilities/roles than they wanted despite their feelings being clearly communicated. Likewise, hearing concerned parents characterized as "entitled" was disheartening. Parents were not asking for special treatment,they were asking for transparency, consistency, and accountability after investing significant time, money, and trust into the organization. The saddest part is that the students were often caught in the middle of adult decisions and conflicts. The children showed up to learn, perform, build friendships, and pursue something they loved. They deserved stability, professionalism, and leadership that modeled healthy communication and accountability. The students deserve nothing less. One of the most frustrating aspects of this experience is that many of the concerns raised by families over the years have never seemed to be genuinely acknowledged. Instead, there appears to be a pattern where criticism is immediately dismissed, explained away, or attributed to misunderstandings rather than treated as an opportunity for reflection and growth. Even when families take the time to leave thoughtful feedback or reviews, the response often seems focused on defending decisions, challenging the person's account, or explaining why their experience wasn't valid rather than recognizing that multiple families may be raising similar concerns. When every concern is attributed to a misunderstanding, a disgruntled parent, or someone who simply doesn't know the full story, it becomes difficult to believe that meaningful accountability is taking place. At some point, when the same themes continue to emerge from multiple families over multiple years communication issues, lack of transparency, shifting narratives, exclusion of parents, and dismissive responses to concerns. It is worth considering whether those concerns deserve genuine reflection rather than another explanation for why they aren't true. Again, constructive criticism is not an attack. Honest feedback is not disloyalty. Families who speak up are often doing so because they care deeply about the students and want the organization to succeed. Unfortunately, too often it felt like those voices were viewed as a threat rather than an opportunity to improve.

My daughter has been part of this incredible program for nearly six years, beginning as a 1st…read moregrader in the "Minis" program. After a pause during COVID, she returned to participate in a couple of shows with the Kids program, then successfully auditioned for the Junior Competitive theater program in 4th grade. Now entering 7th grade, the growth we've seen in her has been nothing short of remarkable. Her singing, acting, and dancing have all improved exponentially--but even more importantly, the program has helped transform her natural confidence into real poise and presence. She's also built lasting friendships along the way. As part of the competitive theater program, she not only performs with a team but has also chosen to do solo competitions, which have helped her grow as an individual artist. These experiences have pushed her in the best way and have taught her discipline, collaboration, and how to shine on stage. I'm so grateful for the leadership of Chelsea and the entire team. The amount of care and effort they pour into the students and the productions is truly impressive. From "SpongeBob the Musical" to "Alice in Wonderland," the quality of these youth performances is extraordinary--complete with fantastic costumes, imaginative sets, and professional-caliber direction. The instructors are passionate, talented, and committed, and it's inspiring to see former students--many of whom have gone on to study theater in college--return to help with current productions. If she ever tires of theater, they have a solid dance program that offers competition opportunities as well! I'm so glad my daughter has the opportunity to grow within such a creative, supportive, and high-quality program for years to come.

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.

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!

Studio A has been home to my dancer since she was three years old. The teachers and director foster…read morea family environment where you feel you belong. Whether it's just taking rec classes or you are a veteran company dancer, people are treated the same. We have been very happy with our Studio A family.

This is my first season here at Studio A, my daughter has been dancing for 12 seasons and this is…read moreby far the BEST season she's had! It's been so great, my younger daughter also wanted to start taking classes as well! All of the kids and parents are warm and welcoming. You can really tell that Aggie loves and cares for the kids and families who come here! The kids have fun here in addition to their great training and choreography. My daughter's confidence has soared this season! This is exactly the type of environment we were looking for when we signed up for dance!! Not to mention they offer adult dance class as well that I am a part of. We've had a blast this season and can't wait for next season to start!

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!

My daughter started attending Ace 3 years ago. She previously attended dance class at another…read morestudio. The teachers were never consistent there and were not very engaging for the children. I was worried that my daughter would lose her interest in dance. Luckily, as soon as she started Ace it was a wonderful experience. The teachers are warm and really care about the kids. They make dance fun! The front desk staff is also top notch. They are so responsive and attentive - I'm super impressed by their customer service. My son just started taking a class at Ace and he absolutely loves it. I'm so grateful to Ace for making dance class a positive experience for both of my children.

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.