As an adult beginner I initially wasn't sure where to go and tried a few different studios in the area. This place was tremendously welcoming and I got so much support from all of the staff as well as other students that had been coming for a while. I *absolutely* recommend this place and always look forward to my weekly classes! 10/10, 5 stars read more

They have good teachers and they have bad teachers. Regardless of the quality of the teaching, this is not a place for hard core ballet instruction/learning. It's kind of a notch up from places that moms send their daughters to go trot around a studio and have fun. But this is definitely not a place anyone who wants to become accomplished in dancing would come to. My daughter has been here with this school for 3 years. We're staying, FOR THE TIME BEING, because I don't think she's going for anything more than just leisure dancing and getting a nice posture. However, as she is getting older, I am considering moving her to another school where there are better teachers. Before I talk about the bad, let me say that Vinny Jones and Ommi Pipit-Suksun are AWESOME. They are the only saving grace why I am still sending my daughter to this place. There's however one other teacher that is nice but it's a complete waste of time to be in her class. Unfortunately, we are "forced" to take her class. You see, up to a certain level, students must take at least 2 classes per week and so we are stuck with her class. Honestly, at least 5 moms that I have talked to and their daughters (the students) simply hated that class with her. We're simply there to fulfill the 2-class requirement so as to stay being matriculated in the school. This teacher, B.A., is too old and not physically able to dance anymore. So, all lessons are simply "verbal" instructions, without any demonstration of how a dance move should be. Plus, she plays favorites ... If this school cannot offer enough classes with good teachers and continues to force parents to have to take a certain minimum number of classes per week, we are going to have to find another school. We don't have that much money and time to throw away. Just salaried folks here. read more

We recently had the pleasure of watching students from Pacific Ballet Academy perform to Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite while attending Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra's Holiday Extravaganza. We thoroughly enjoyed the lovely choreography and costumes. They added variety and beauty to the program, and were a delight to watch. read more

This, IMHO is the best ballet school in the area. The owners are a wonderful couple who really take things seriously and at the same time are able to create classes for the little 4 year olds that are perfect. The most important thing about this school is that the owners instill a mentoring system for the kids. The older ballerinas help teacher the classes (the professional instructors are so wonderful) and they also mentor the kids through performances. My daughter still knows the girls that were her "big angels" from 4 years ago. I love that they insist on all the girls to wear pink tights and place leotards. It takes the guessing game out of the creepy sequined things you see at the stores. The other thing I think is great is that EVERYONE gets to participate in shows. They do an amazing Nutcracker at the Mountain View Performing Arts Center over Thanksgiving. They are also great for girls body image. Everyone looks like themselves and look like ballerina's and get to not just participate, if they are good, they get to star. read more

Our kid joined the Christmas show. At first they told us you need to buy 4 tickets if you want to place your kid in the show. That is fine, but in November they suddenly change that to 12 tickets, which is over $350 for just a few minutes on the stage! This is ridiculous, dishonest and unacceptable. We won't go to this place again. read more

I love this school!!!!!! I have a BFA in dance from ASU and tried many adult programs in the Bay Area. They are the only school with Adult classes that are at times a working girl can actully go to. My instructor is Kim she is Wounderful!!! She is also a Pilates instructor and she actually makes efforts to know your name and get to know you as a person. Other schools I have been to don't make any efforts to know your name or any other information like, knee injuries, ankle, etc, etc. I have seen the other levels and the school has an excellent dance training program for the youth and pre-professianl levels. If your looking for a great caring school for your children; or are an adult that wants to gain strength and flexability, are a retired dancer that just wants to stay in shape, then this is the place for you. read more

I used a few of my ClassPass credits on this ballet school because my sister and her friends had been a few times so I had heard about it. The only class that's available on ClassPass is the Beginner I class on Sunday mornings, which is worthy to note if you're a church goer. The teacher was extremely patient, high energy, and encouraging. I've forgotten her name, but she is also the Director of the studio. Beginner I is suitable for people who have never taken ballet classes before to people who have taken ballet before but who need to review the basics of footwork before moving onto a more advanced class. I'm an ex-gymnast who's been dancing ballet on and off for 5 years unprofessionally and non competitively and I found this class just mildly challenging. She even offered her phone number for the students to text her if they had any questions. Very helpful and resourceful. She told the class that usually she gives out a sheet with ballet terminology (which I was highly interested in since I had always learned the steps but could never remember their proper pronunciation). I'm interested in going to this class at least 3 more times to get the sheet info from her and practice the basics before I try the Beginner II class. read more

After waiting too long to get back into the practice, I am thrilled to experience such a great class with such a charming instructor. Eric makes it enjoyable and takes the time to make sure everyone is grasping proper technique. I look forward to each class! A+++ read more

Fantastic classes for adults, Anton is definitely more challenging, more of the "just go for it, I expect to see you do doubles" kind of instructor. The studio is very welcoming of adult students of all levels in their classes. I highly recommend this studio! read more

Spoke with the Director after an unhappy event. She was willing to listen and take suggestions into consideration. We are back to the classes and I can definitely see the instructor adjusting her communication strategy and making an effort to listen and respond. It was a relief to see my little 5 year old smiling and eager to practice all the ballet moves. Thank you for working with us to make this a great place for the future ballerinas. read more

This studio is very good for adults. I enjoy Aly's classes a lot. I highly recommend adult beginner who want to have a good workout come here. :) read more

Both my daughters received their ballet training at Pacific Ballet Academy. Daughter #1 spent 18 months in New York dancing in various venues before heading for college. Daughter #2 is presently a member of the San Francisco Ballet Company. This school offers top ballet training. A great place for your young dancer. read more

Karen Dycaico is a wonderful instructor and so patient with young children. She is kind and so supportive of their creativity. You can opt to not join the nutcracker performance if you don't want to commit to buying four tickets but it is worth it. There are at least 6 Clara's in their performances and I have found them to be ethnically diverse and of different body types. Also like the older girls mentoring younger ones. They also do a lovely spring showcase if you don't want to do the nutcracker. Like that this school is only ballet. read more

I do not know anything about the adult program, but I love this school for my daughters. PBA have a wonderful program for children as young as 4, and they continue to teach through high-school level. The approach is very positive and professional, and they help develop and maintain a good self-image for all children. Performances are twice each year, with a Spring Review and Nutcracker over Thanksgiving weekend. This is very much a 'family' affair, with parents helping manage security, dancers, tickets sales, advertising, photography, videography, and so on through the rehearsal and performance process. Some parents participate as actors/dancers during the opening Party scene of Nutcracker. PBA has a sense of community, and a rich offering of classes that would fit just about any schedule. They are very helpful if a family has a conflict with other activities and allow make-up classes. They also use a 'mentoring' system where more experienced students help in the classroom with the little ones. For communication, I recommend e-mail vs. telephone, but dropping in works too. read more

Our daughter started at 8 years, in 2003, just some steps of ballet taken in her previous ballet experience. Mrs Chaeff welcomed her at the door, today, in 2012, she is graduating as Sugar Plum in the Nutcracker from one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. read more

I was a student here for many years and though I LOVED many of the teachers, recently the school has gone quite downhill. Two of the best teachers, Kim (mentioned in a previous review) and Amanda are both no longer teaching but the directors have done almost nothing to replace these incredible teachers. Half of the lower level classes (pre ballet - level 2) are now taught by two teenage girls and and another girl who is actually still in high school and therefore still a student. She teaches, alone, a few classes--this is not what I consider training by professional teachers as is advertised by their website, etc. Also, within my last couple years there I learned that the director is not as nice as she may originally seem. At the end of my 8th grade year I sprained my ankle very, very badly. I however was in denial about how bad the sprain was and did the end of the year showcase anyway. Eventually I learned the ankle never properly healed and at the beginning of freshman year I was taken off any physical activity for two months to allow the ankle to heal, along with attendance of physical therapy. By doing this I made a full recovery and actually almost ended up stronger in that ankle than I had been originally and returned to dance. Unfortunately, 3 years later, I found out that the director thought I was not a strong dancer and thinks of me as being "injured all the time" although I was only injured that one time. However, this was never the impression she gave me to my face. She is someone who will tell you whatever she can to get you to do what she wants, but once she has found a new favorite she throws you to the side and forgets who you are. If the teaching faculty returns to its previous high calibur and the director decides it is time for her daughter (now an assistant director) to take over, this school could return to a gold star school, but until then I would go to another school in the area. read more