BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO. This dance academy is not only professional and well organized, they also plan…read morethe BEST Ballet Recitals ever. First year with this academy and first of many more. Our daughter loves Ms. Andrea and she's learned a lot over this year. We can't wait for next ballet season!

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.

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

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!

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 (10 years old) recently joined a Starlight theater for the second time. First time, she…read moreloved, however her experience with the new audition process this time was very disappointing and traumatizing. Because of this, we will not be coming back, and my daughter has decided to drop out. The program now uses a new "audition without auditioning" model. But from a child's point of view, this was not clearly explained at all. My daughter thought she was coming to her first class to get to know the teacher and other kids, not hidden audition that would decide casting. It was also her first class, which is already stressful for a child, especially who needs a bit of time to get familiar with new situation. After I raised my concerns with the management, they told me that this was my fault because I was "notified" by email about their new system. But notified of what, exactly? A 10-year-old does not read emails. My daughter was never told directly that she was being auditioned for casting. When she later found out that those activities were actually her audition, she was very upset! This was not about the role she got. She has auditioned before and understands disappointment. What hurt her was feeling unprepared and misled and cheated. It felt like sending a child to their first day of school and then telling them afterward that they just took an important test that will decide their grade for the whole semester. That kind of surprise is unfair and very stressful for a child. We are not comfortable continuing in a program where expectations are not explained directly to the children and are instead pushed onto parents to manage. Our money and time was wasted, and even a partial refund was DENIED. I am glad that I got to enrol my child at great Berkeley Playhouse for the spring and her schedule is not completely waisted.

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!

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.

My daughter absolutely loves Jackie! Jackie is absolutely amazing with all her students, you can…read morereally see she takes the time for each one! Hip hop class is remarkable my daughter can't stop won't stop dancing and practicing all her new and old moves! This is the first time my daughter has ever been super excited to go to dance and super pumped after she leaves wanted more! Highly recommended this studio! Thank you Jackie!

The older dancers lead by bad example, not respectful.read more

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.

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!

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.

Highly recommended! Your dancer will come away with an immense amount of technical knowledge and…read moreskill and make many friends in the process!