This place is clean, modern and great to take dance classes. A little disorganized handling the dance performances for the amateurs and heard cds of the performance take 4-6 months to produce after it's ordered but that's why you get a friend to tape it for you. It's a little pricey but they have so many options for both amateur and advanced dancers. I took two classes there and I loved it. If only they lowered the cost of their classes, I'd still be attending. read more

I've taken a lot more classes here now: Hip Hop Jazz with ChristiAnn (sp?), Contemporary/modern on saturday mornings, ballet saturday mornings, and Yoga on tues/thurs mornings. Like everyone says: the front desk isn't the GREATEST. I've had more than one frustrating moment with them but I don't think they intend to be so slow, frustrating, and often times semi rude. And it doesn't dampen my dancing buzz. Beginning classes are really great. I've never done a lot of these things before and let me tell you, my body just is not made for it. Yet I feel challenged, supported, and never at a total loss. If I catch on easily then there's room to REALLY push it, and if I can't seem to get the steps, there's no one making me feel bad about it. I'd suggest it for all ranges of dancing ability! read more

Went here for a beginning salsa class. Liked the whole vibe: from the clean, bright dance room to the friendly, unintimidating instructor. The class made an effort to mix up the partners -- which if you're looking to meet people is a nice way to get the ball rolling. I kind of felt like my fellow classmates were a little too stuffy, but maybe another class would be better for meeting people. read more

Nice place, great for dancing. I went for the first time yesterday to a begining tribal belly dancing class. It was $12. It started a little late, and it was not with the instructor who was supposed to teach it. I don't remember the name of the woman who lead the class. She was obviously a good belly dancer, but she could use a little more practice with teaching. The CD's skipped all through the class, and the music was too loud to hear her instruction from the back of the room. The class was also very full, so the music really needed to be turned down because we couldn't even follow along by watching in the mirrors. Other than that , it was a very good intro class. When asked, she gave a very good breakdown of the movements, and descriptions of how to do things. The facilities are alright, but not too swanky. The place smells like feet, and the mirrors along the wall in the classroom we were in are all mounted slightly off so if you are standing in front of a seam you may not even be able to see yourself. Personally, I probably won't be back because I'm not really into dance that much, and I live far away... read more

The ODC Commons are where most of the dance classes are held. The GPS might take you to a smaller building down the street appropriately named 'studio' The space is absolutely giant and gorgeous. They have a healthy dance doctor on site who takes appointments. There is always a person staffing the reception area to help you with any questions you may have and your first class ever is offered at a discounted rate! If you have one bad experience from one dance teacher I recommend not giving up! It is a gift to have this many adult drop-in dance classes under one roof and you're sure to find multiples that suit you. I was an out of town guest and I took the Advanced Beginning Contemporary class and loved it. Taking classes here is a great way to work out, gain a new skill set and support a local nonprofit dance company all in one visit! read more

The Rhythm and Motion Classes on the week-end are a bit like going to a service in the coolest most soulful congregation in town. The fusion of Ballet, African Rhythm, Prince and Bhangra give me extra bounce in my step for the whole week. read more

I've been taking lessons @ Rhythm & Motion back when the studio was located on Mission Street & 7th. I've loved R&M back then, I love i even more now that R&M is housed at ODC. The studios are large, well-lit and the teachers are supportive and inviting! I can't get enough of Micaya's hiphop classes or any of the fusion rhythm classes. Dance, people, dance! read more

LOVE this place! I have been taking classes with Christiane Crawford: Hip-Hop/ Jazz (mon/wed 8pm) for over two years now... She is the best! She breaks down the routines each class and explains everything really well. And the choreography is a lot of fun, so is the music she picks. Everyone can do it :) I have also tried other classes at the ODC: Modern, etc. Every single one was good and fun. I highly recommend this studio! read more

Have taken several dance classes here and they have always exceeded my expectations. Great ethnic dance program and also enjoy their swing dance nights. Their online class credit system is a bit quirky but functional. read more

This is my go-to dance center. If you're anything like me and hate the torturous hours on the stair-climbers down at 24 fitness, then dance is the perfect workout for you. ODC offers a free first-class to newcomers. And while you're there waiting for your class to start, you can take a seat on the sofa in the zen lounge, reading dance magazines. You may get out of class drenched in sweat and dark circles on the back of your shirt, but the newly-remodeled showers will clean you up. I've personally never hit the showers there, but its complete with stalls and lockers for your clothes. I've taken hip-hop classes with Micaya and she is amazing. This class is the perfect blend of working out and stand-up comedy. I have also tried other classes: Contemporary, Ballet, Yoga etc. All were great and I highly recommend it! So go pick yourself up a schedule. read more

Recently, I've been taking salsa classes at ODC. The salsa class is offered on Friday nights and Sundays. Friday is the most popular time to take salsa. There are four levels of salsa classes from beginners to advanced. It's a great place to go if you just want to try out a dance class or two or come regularly. All skill levels and ages are present and welcome, it's literally a melting pot. From my experience all the teachers are very knowledgeable and passionate about dance. In addition to salsa there are a wide range of other classes offered at ODC, I've seen glimpses of the hip hop class and I will definitely try it out soon. read more

Best run studio I have ever seen. The space, the offerings, and from what I hear all the teachers are wonderful. I was in SF for Aug only and took tap with Bruce. Senior Tap is free with senior rates of $8 for other classes. WOW, as my friends said, I found the only thing in SF that was cheaper there than where I live. They seem to have the administration in place. Love the sign in kiosk and there is always someone at the desk if I have a question. read more

A most excellent combination of world-class instruction and welcoming atmosphere. The studios are clean and inviting. The prices are great. ODC is da bomb! read more

The facilities are nice and the rooms are generally big. I like Micaya's hip-hop class (she also teaches at other schools by the way). Found the Front Desk folks a little cold, lacking in people skills. read more

I took a ballet class and one lady was so territorial with her section of the bar, acting like it was her property. She was so rude honestly it ruined my experience taking class. It turned out that she was a really bad dancer, which got me thinking that she was acting like this because she's insecure about her dancing abilities. But either way, it's not pleasant to be in class with people like that. There are just a lot of bitter and righteous ladies taking class here and it's not like that in other dance studios in this area. read more

I have been dancing/teaching at this institution since it opened and am honored to attest to its greatness. From the impeccable and ever-expanding facility itself to the variety of movement styles to the actual neighborhood quality enhancement and community it continues to foment, from the quality instruction and welcoming staff it strives to offer to the vision of its creators it is one of San Francisco's true GEMS!! No matter the age, whether you've danced before or are an avid professional, not only is it a place to go but it is a place to be, to meet interesting people and keep your mind, body and soul THRIVING! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!!!!!! read more

The classes themselves are amazing and for the most part, the teachers are very bright and inspiring, and great professional dancers. The quality of classes are top notch, and the selection of dance classes varied. However - the front desk staff has a lot of attitude and act like they're doing you a favor by checking you in. I started to avoid them by checking myself in. One time the front desk lady directed me to the wrong location, and I ended up taking a Fusion class. When I came back to inform her which class I really took, since the teachers get paid by the students, she gave me an attitude that it was my fault for confusing her. Also- I joined a class that was not what I expected. So I left to switch to another class, and the front desk ladies, if you can call them that, again tried to give me a guilt trip for being in the class for what they say is 1/2 hour, when I was really in there for 15 minutes, and that I couldn't switch. They accused me of exploiting a class for 1/2 hour even though it was 15 minutes, and even if it was 1/2 hour, it's not the worst thing in the world. For being a local community space, the vibe there is very snobbish and uptight, for no good reason at all! They act as if it's an Alvin Ailey studio. The old lady teaching Modern Jazz Blues on Thursday evening is totally rude, with her snobby students. For a mere $14, you too can join the cult of snobbish wannabe dancers. read more

Why did I wait so long to come here? I was intimidated by the dancery ness but I'm an idiot. Sure I'm uncoordinated but that's why they have beginner classes, so welcome and friendly and the light airy studios are never to full even with big classes like hip hop. $5 for first class to! Hip hop is amazing, energizing, fun and fast and even two left foot types like me can do ok. Dance teacher Micaya is the sweetest to! read more

I have to say despite my recent experience with the samba class, I continue to come here on Wednesday afternoons and the front desk staff has always been so nice and friendly. I appreciate that. read more

Really great, clean dance studio with a lot of great options. I've taken the Monday Hip Hop class and the Thursday Intermediate Hip Hop class with Micaya. My first time there, I loved peeking in on the different sessions. You can tell that the instructors are professional and that they teach well. I will say though that the Monday Hip Hop class is more like Hip Hop Cardio than it is a hip hop technique class. It said that it's for all levels...but it is really like an intro-level hip hop class. The warm up was very long/repetitive and there was an ab workout section. I was a bit perplexed, to say the least, for my first introduction to ODC. However, I gave ODC another chance and took Micaya's Intermediate class. This is definitely a more true intermediate class although I will say that Micaya's style is a bit more commercial than say, some of the City Dance hip hop instructors which are a bit more technical and style-specific. Micaya's class is popular and she taught fast but clearly. Micaya teaches through 8-counts while most of the City Dance instructors I have taken classes teach off of sound effects that I have to interpret from the track. She also was not shy to call people out and give them advice to adjust their form. At first this was a bit intimidating but actually, if you really want to improve as a dancer, you need to be open to direct feedback. Sometimes though, given the size of the class, this one-on-one attention can be limited. Overall, it was a great and challenging class. read more

Pilates? Dance? Movement? Fitness? ODC has everything and their classes are actually affordable. Shockingly so. Just going into the building makes you feel like a "real" dancer, and the level of instruction (most of the teachers are professional dancers, many with decades of experience) is phenomenal. I can't believe I have lived here for so many years and attended numerous ODC company performances without knowing about their classes. ODC is one of the city's cultural treasures. read more

Woohoo! after much procrastination and Yelp lurking, I am finally getting around to writing my first ever review: ODC. It is probably the center of modern contemporary dance in the city, and therefore the reason I am still living here. The new building opened just last fall and is beautiful, open and airy, with a "town hall" lounge area, studio theater, a pilates studio, FREE healthy dancer's clinic staffed by trainers and doctors from UCSF and locker room (with showers!) Favorite teachers: Janice Garrett (fantastic, my fav- go on Thursdays when SF musician Daniel Berkman accompanies), Kathleen Hermesdorf (crazy, fun release), Mary Carbonara, Bliss Kohlmeyer. If ballet is your thing, Augusta Moore teaches a great class with a Feldenkrais influence -and she has a tiny dog named Lovechild who also attends class. Just go. It's great. I promise. read more

This is the most beautiful dance center I've ever seen. Sky lights, plush newish sofas, oriental carpets, exposed wood beams, seamless floors. WOW! I went for a beginning ballet class today with Augusta Moore. I'm usually intimidated by new classes but instead I felt like I was in an episode of Romper Room. "Hug your grandma", she said repeatedly to indicate the shape our arms should take during a port de bras. This was a really great class for technique. She carefully demonstrated all the posture mistakes beginners make and other subtle techniques that I take for granted after years of ballet. I'll be back for an advanced beginning class. Come here just to see the beautiful studios, lovely! read more

oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!! i'm a little slow on the uptake, but i've gotta give mad mad props to the new odc/r&m space. there is nary a pubic hair to be found on the floor (or stuck to your face after rolling around in class) (i'm looking at YOU sfdc!) the studios are huge and airy and modernly beautiful. there is also toilet paper in the bathrooms (glances at dance mission). i know they have tons of money (or i'm assuming) and that is how they can keep the place lookin so fly. big love to dudley, my most favoritist dance workout teacher. seriously, if you like shaking your ass at the club, take this class. fun music and you get REALLY sweaty. BONUS: if you are a dancer this class will lift your spirits in a way that staring in a mirror trying to achieve perfect turnout, or the loftiest handstand can never do. (or at least it does so for me) other favorite teachers: janet, kenny and bliss. YAY ODC! read more

if you want to dance/exercise, this is the place to go. i've only been here once for a belly dancing class.. but would definitely come back to take other lessons. the space is very modern, high ceilings, spacious, and feels clean.. *ding -- sparkle may get pricey .. read more

micaya's saturday hip hop class is off the chain! i must say i'm a disciple of allan frias' class during this time at dance mission, but i had to check this place out. micaya breaks down the moves in a very easy, hip hop by numbers kind of way. if you're a beginner, she'll have you crunkin' all hi-fi by the end of the hour. you'll even understand what that last sentence meant, after you take her class. her vivacious personality and description of the dance moves will keep you laughing the entire time. for example, there's no "ball change" it's "slap it and rub it down". her use of the horizontal and vertical plane of the dance floor, and her music selection from E-40 to adina howard will have you entertained and club-ready in 60 minutes. read more

An amazingly warm and welcoming dance community provides fun and fitness for any dorky, fitness-minded, two-left feet, rhythm-challenged, uncoordinated person. Primarily me. And maybe you, too? I'm a graceful dancer, but only in my head. I'm truly dorky, but my bf is strangely okay with that. Thank you to all those who smiled at me when I got in their way during the Rhythm and Motion class, because I was feeling absolutely out of my element, and even more thanks for those who tried to help me along. Good times! read more

amazing teachers and environment. i'm loving every day spent there. my son studies there for 3 years and we won't stop !

I have only been to ODC twice. Both times I came for the Afro-Haitian dance class on Friday nights. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. I love the facility. I love the instructor (this tiny lady who can dance her booty off). I love the live drums. I am really happy I found ODC (and thank my friend Yolanda for the introduction). The prices are more than reasonable, especially for San Francisco. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to get into the city to take classes on a regular basis, but I plan to get in there as often as possible! read more

ODC Dance Commons is a pure embodiment of "Labor Of Love." It is my favorite building and space in which to take dance classes. I spend my time here in love: dancing! it's a haven for all dancers. Since ODC and Rhythm & Motion have merged, there is an abundance of classes for anyone at any level to enjoy. "Hip" hop onto the ODC train! My three biggest reasons to be at ODC: Janice Garrett, Bliss Kohlmyer Dowman and Dudley Flores. No, there's no train really. read more

I'm ready to hit the club and show off my new moves! I've always wanted to take a hip hop class, and ODC didn't disappoint. The instructor made the class really fun. My next goal is to bust out the routine at a club. read more

3.5 stars. The studios where the classes are held are all clean, bright and spacious. They offer a ton of classes; I've taken classes like ballet, bellydancing, and some sort of hip-hop dance workout. However, I haven't been in the last 6 months-- the classes are usually quite large and there is very little personal attention (it feels like you are just following along to a video) and in a few adult ballet classes with Augusta Moore, I felt she was arrogant, at times a bit mean, and intimidated students. The professional students seemed to like her, but I felt that she treated adults who are not at professional levels and just want to dance for recreation condescendingly. On the other hand, Sandra Chinn (also ballet) leads a great class, giving direct helpful corrections and constructive criticism. The students that come here are generally friendly and supportive. read more

This review is based on the ballet classes: I highly recommend this studio; it's one of the best I've been to. The instructors are professional and challenging while remaining attentive to students' abilities and positive. I especially recommend Sandra Chin and Lee-wei Chao. The other dancers provide a supportive atmosphere. The space is beautiful and well-built and staff welcoming. The studio's near several bus routes and BART, and there's street and paid lot parking. read more

Look, it's like this. Nancy Rubin, who teaches the Rhythm and Motion "Essential Rhythms" dance exercise class, f------ rocks. Basically, at 10am sharp on Sundays, this powerhouse known as Nancy Rubin makes her entrance in a room of 30 or so women of all ages (and a few men), puts on her music, and instructs us in fun but amazingly tiring moves for over an hour. We sweat as she somehow does all the moves with us while shouting all the instructions over the music. I don't know if my 20-yr old self could have kept up with her. Maybe my 12-year old self. My, this middle-aged woman puts me to shame! She goes even longer than the allotted 1hr 15min and ends the class with cooldown and strength exercises, many of which are familiar from my Pilates class. It's absolutely great. And at $12/drop-in fee (or $10 each in the 8 class pack), that's not too bad. The local pool (where I should be swimming but haven't in a long time) is about $4/drop-in, which you can't beat, but there's no one to instruct and motivate you like this. The building is clean, light, and airy, they provide mats, the bathrooms are nice, the space is pleasant, and the neighborhood cheery. The people at the front desk are a little terse but only a minor footnote on an otherwise excellent fitness experience so far. Update: Since my original post I've had the pleasure of attending classes led by Ken Scott, Terry McGlone, Danica Sena, Elizabeth Soberanes, Dudley Flores, Amara Tabor-Smith, and Peter Rothblatt. They're all pretty good and most are awesome! So positive and exuberant, really gets your day going. Can't wait to try the rest of the instructors. read more

Got the same love for Rhythm and Motion Program. Tried Amara's class for the first time - she is now DEFINITELY one of my favorite teachers ever!!! That makes it for me for Fusion Rhythms class, Rena, Wendy, Amara and Eyla. You can't go wrong with any of them if you love dancing and getting a workout!!! read more

This dance studio is so amazing! I have been going since the time when they were on mission street. The current location is nice, spacious and beautiful. The variety of classes is just wonderful. I am too busy to take advantage of the studio fully now, but I really appreicate its existence here in SF. LOVE LOVE LOVE! read more

rhythm and motion would have gotten only four stars from me in their former civic center location. the fault for that would have laid in the lack of changing area, the musti/dustiness, and the small amount of confusion that the less-than-straightforward layout created for new students. but despite all those problems, the classes and teachers were (and still are) outstanding and competitively priced. but now i can drop the past perfect and say that they get all five stars from me! they merged with ODC, a move which took them just one BART stop away - and landed them smack in the middle of one of the most beautiful private studio complexes that i've ever seen. errrr, not that i've seen that many. but still. it's pristine, they do regular repair work, no strange invisible wet carpet spots, and there's even a clean shower/locker room. among many other things! i think they even have some kind of medical consultation service there that you can make appointments with, altho i've never used it. the studios themselves are gorgeous. good flooring, well-ventilated and brightly lit (with skylights!!!), plenty of mirror real estate for OCD alignment checkers like me. the classes i've taken there so far have been well-assigned to their studio space - not overly crowded, nor a waste of space for too few students. not that dancers ever shun extra space ;) all in all, good stuff...i am impressed! check it out: http://www.odcschool.org/v5/home.html click on "school" to find the class schedule, "commons" for info on the space itself. read more

I first attended a dance class at R&M about 4 years ago when they were located on Mission Street, SOMA. I remember desperately trying to follow a sequence and suddenly noticing a crackhead outside watching us through the barred first-floor windows. And, yes, the bathrooms reeked. I can't imagine what the men's bathroom must have smelled like. But now R&M has merged with ODC (and moved to Shotwell, the Mission) and the studio is amazing. Modern, open, clean....same great variety of classes, same great instructors. Try Afro-Brazilian...it'll make you sweat, I promise. read more

my girlfriend and i wanted to get active so we decided on dance. the two classes we took have been great! afro-brazilian and beginning salsa; the former quite difficult and awesome, and the latter excellent. the only qualm was that during the salsa class we split into "men" and "women" instead of leader and follower - for two girls this is crappy. THIS IS SF - GET WITH IT! read more

Caveat: this is specifically a review of the essential rhythms class, not the whole school. What can I say. If you're looking for an aerobics format workout that's more dance steps based, this is the class. Not what I was looking for. I thought it was a dance class that would be good for someone like me who hasn't done a dance class in many years, but who appreciates dance a lot. This was not it. No actual teaching of technique or choreography went on. I mean none. The instructor (maybe leader is a better term here) just does his moves, tries to yell over the music a little, and smiles wide. You, the new student, just jumps in and tries to make some sense of the madness. (Peeve: It doesn't help when you're leader keeps turning around to face the other way in the middle of dance moves, except the turns are not part of the choreography so you get all fucked up.) The moves are simple and you could definitely get it down after a few classes...if you're interested in that. At one point, perhaps i should call it the crescendo of the class, we were suddenly supposed to be vaguely leaping around the room in a great swirl of a collective circle. I hate to be snarky when folks are clearly having a good time - so i'll hold back - but i dont fucking get it. One star for making me break a sweat and some fun music. One star for effort, or being the right thing for someone else; clearly some of the people there were super into it. (another peeve: exuberance - lotsa smiling and waving instead of instruction- call me a grouch) But if you're interested in trying to learn some dance technique and subtlety, rather than just waving your body around and breaking a sweat, don't pony up the $12 here. I'd like to try for better luck with a different kind of dance class there, maybe a hip hop or jazz class for beginners - and i'll edit my review if i have anything better to say from that. read more