I enjoy the Ballet I class here for adults taught by Holly. Derek was previously teaching it. Both are excellent professional teachers and dancers! Their personalities are approachable, friendly, and helpful! The class is typically of 15 - 20 pupils yet individual attention from the instructors are still received about form/technique. Every session is challenging and building skill on top of the previous classes, so it's definitely going to be tough to jump into the middle of the semester. Be assured that it is a low-stress environment. On the first of March, I sprained my ankle and so was not permitted activity for 4 weeks. The school allows 5 make-ups and typically by the end of the month. However, due to the limitation that a level one student can take and schedule restrictions, the school permitted that I do the make-ups by the end of the semester. I am glad about that! read more

Miss Tori is the greatest thing to happen on this planet since photosynthesis. She is the entire package. She is a woman who has passion that loves teaching, and it shows on all of the faces of her students. She is priceless to our local community and is to be commended for helping the next generation of dancers excel and exceed. read more

Thank god for this studio I "retired" from dance and gymnastics about 5 years ago or so. I was always nervous to go back. Afraid I was too old. Afraid I wouldn't be good enough anymore. Afraid I wouldn't have time etc. etc. This place is so welcoming. It really has a family feel. A lot of the kids, adults and teachers have been there for years and they are more then open to allowing others join the fam : ) I feel good about myself because of the encouragement I have received from Nichole and Byron (tumbling and jazz teachers) They are fun and make coming after a long day of work exciting for me. It's nice to feel that I have nothing to be afraid of anymore, a lot in due part to the environment, schedule and variety of classes offered. read more

I have a lot of experience in knowing a good dance school when I see one. Technique is so important to me in preventing injury and making sure I'm paying for my daughter to be taught right. The teachers are so good with her and I was really impressed by their skill read more

SRVDA is a wonderful studio for all levels of dancers. The SRVDA faculty is made up of seasoned, current and former professional dancers. The SRVDA instructors bring the students through the levels slowly so as to teach a solid technical foundation and avoid injury. This bustling studio provides a nurturing environment for dancers who wish to pursue professional careers in dance, plus intimidation-free classes for adults of all skill levels who wish to attend classes for fitness and camaraderie. Holly, Gayle, and Byron are exceptional at giving explanations in common-sense and often humorous terms so the student can understand the logic of dance form and placement. A great recent addition to the staff, Derek, is a current professional dancer that brings his down-to-earth attitude and sense of humor to teaching the classes. He relates well to both the young teens and adults, demonstrating the routines twice if necessary and making sure everyone understands. Students have a good time in this class! It is evident that the instructors here genuinely love dance and teaching and are not just pushing students through recitals and competitions. read more

Love taking my adult ballet 1 class here and also mistakenly did a make up in jazz 3 adults haha! Great teachers, I just wish they had a beginning tap class for adults. read more

I've been dancing here for 7 years, it's an amazing dance school for everyone! The teachers are so friendly, and there's a great variety of classes offered. read more

My daughter has attended a summer camp in July and is currently enrolled in a weekly ballet class. Being a previous dancer, I am impressed by the professionalism of the teachers and the quality of the choreographies at the end-of-year show. Nonetheless I have a concern with the premises, which I find old and unsafe. The studios A/C systems have apparent fiber glass that is unprotected, therefore particles get released into the air. Numerous studies show that fiber glass is known to cause lungs/skin issues, as well as cancer. I have contacted both the owner and the city to bring this issue to their attention. They have responded with immediate attention and open communication. The fiber glass should either be carefully encapsulated or they should place a lower ceiling in between the room and the A/C system. Until this work is being done, I will maintain my 3 stars, otherwise it would be a 5 star rating without hesitation. read more

I took the Adult Beginning Ballet class at SRVDA and was not impressed. The front desk staff told me it was a great class for adults who had never before taken a ballet class, or who were returning to ballet after a long hiatus. I have many previous years of ballet training and wanted something that would keep me in condition but not injure me. After 3 sessions, I dropped the class because it was too fast paced, too aggressive and geared too much toward teenage dancers. There's no way a novice adult student would be able to keep up in this class; and anyone over 30 taking this class will probably find themselves with stress injuries within about a month's time. The teacher gave no care to helping the students break-down and work through the combinations, no mind to musicality, and had vastly unrealistic expectations about what novice dancers would be able to handle (e.g. Demi-pointe balances, on one leg, for 30 seconds? Seriously? A back cambre arabesque stretch on the barre? Ouch!) He whizzed through the combinations one after the other, with no attention given to executing the movements with care or precision. Everybody looked completely lost and frustrated, except for a couple of more advanced students who had joined the class to... I don't know, show off? One student was even wearing pointe shoes, and obviously didn't have the strength to handle them. Ridiculous! A good teacher would NEVER allow a beginning-level student to go up on pointe. I might have put up with the bad teaching if the class were cheaper (say $5 per session). But at ~$15 per session, no way. I'd suggest looking around at other ballet schools in the Tri-Valley area. I found another one in Dublin that offers a great Adult Beginning Ballet class, with a wonderful teacher. read more

I am a parent of an ex student of the Academy who has recently graduated college with honors at a top performing arts school in the east coast. I was with her as she auditioned for placement at various institutions across the country. She did very well in each audition and was accepted to further her studies as a dance major at the school of her choice. If it had not been for the most professional staff and excellent training in dance technique from her teachers at the academy she would not have done so well. I give the highest praise and recommendation to the staff at the San Ramon Dance Academy for preparing her for her carrer as a professional dancer. Keep up the great work with your students. read more

Love, Love, Love this Dance Academy. Go SRVDA !!! After moving to this area, I started looking for a good dance studio for my daughter. After a couple of searches we tried this one. It did not disappoint! My daughter (a teenager) has taken hip-hop with Kory last year and is taking jazz with Tori this year. I'm very happy to see the joy it brings her. Every time after class, she is glowing from happiness. I had danced all the way from kindergarten to college, and absolutely loved it. I did not dance after that for many years and I was a little bit scared to start attending a Teen/Adult class. I enrolled myself and my daughter into a Teen/Adult Ballet class, level 1. Wow ! It is a great pleasure to be in this class ! Great classical music, well put together dance combinations, a warm and friendly environment. Our teacher, Derek, doesn't just demonstrate the moves, he also gives attention to all students to ensure everyone is executing them correctly. One thing I love most is how happy and cheerful everyone, including Derek, always is. No matter what, you will get a laugh or smile out of that class. It feels like such a safe and enjoyable place to learn. Over all, I would highly recommend San Ramon Valley Dance Academy and their great, caring and knowledgeable teachers. read more

I have enrolled each of my two daughters in two separate programs at SRVDA. This place may be okay for young children who are taking dance for the fun of it. Not so great on technique, though. The office staff is inconsistent. Some are professional, but I had an issue with a receptionist last summer who made our family feel like we were not important and made some remarks that I felt inappropriate. There are so many dance and gymnastics studios to chose from, I just as soon go somewhere else. read more

As both a parent and a past student at SRVDA, I have nothing but heartfelt praise and support for this amazing place. My daughter has been dancing here for nine years, and her experiences at the San Ramon Valley Dance Academy have been warm and wonderful. She has not only developed and honed skills and techniques in jazz, tap and ballet, but she has grown tremendously in character and fortitude. The values that they espouse at this organization are honorable: integrity, hard work, dedication, kindness, humility, honor for oneself and others. The faculty here is remarkably talented as teachers, choreographers and dancers themselves. They are accomplished at what they do and it shows! The focus on the art and love of dance is palpable, exciting and rewarding. I cannot say enough about the family and community we have found here! The office staff is always so bright and caring and cheerful. It is unique. I wish it for anyone--child or adult--desiring a place to create, to be inspired, to dance!! read more

I take a teen adult ballet class from Derek and he is excellent! Not only does he provide a fun, open environment but also gives one on one advice and attention. read more

I love this dance studio. Taking Beginners Jazz with Byron. He's such an excellent teacher - very motivating and really wants the students to learn. Front desk is super nice too. read more

I've attended several hip hop classes for the adult age bracket here, and I liked the classes a lot. The instructors were helpful and friendly, and I do feel like I became a better dancer here. I'd recommend this place as far as adult classes go. read more

I'm really sad to see bad reviews. I love my teacher and my classmates. Any time a student has a question about a step, move, technique etc. the teacher spends as much time as needed to explain and demonstrate. After class the instructor even stays after in case anybody if for some reason they want additional help. Students from other classes can also take the class as a make up class. It's always nice to see the talent that comes out of this school. :-) I recommend this class to anybody looking for a beginners ballet class. Every student and the teacher are very supportive and motivate each other. read more

Had a horrible experience with the office personnel and the owner of the company recently regarding a peformance in June. I was told I could not have my Granddaughter in the peformance because we were 2 weeks late in ordering a costume which supposedly they had the students measured for. I assumed the costumes were custom made by the way they sounded. My Granddaughter was devastated as she had been in the class for approx 7 months and really wanted to be in the performance. The following week the instructor gave my Granddaughter a print out of the costume and where to get it. So they were not custom made after all. They came in sizes s,m.l.xl. I called the company and I could order the costume on-line and receive within 4 days. Went back to the SRVDA and they said that the instructor should not have given me this information and that the owner would call me. I never heard from her, so I went back down there and she came storming up to the front desk in front of my Grandkids and said that my Granddaughter could not be in the performance and that the instructor was way out of line in giving me the costume information and that it was my fault that I didn't know the costumes were to be ordered in Februrary. I have never in my life been treated by anyone the way these people treated me. It would have been different if this was a custom made outfit but it wasn't. It could have come within 4 days. I guess the instructor was the only person in this whole situation who actually cared about his student. I would never recommend this place to anyone because of there rudeness and total uncaring attitude. read more

This is a HORRIBLE school. The teachers are rude not only to the parents but sometimes just plain mean to the kids. If they do not like kids, they should not be teaching kids. A total waste of money if you are serious about learning ballet or gymnastics. There are much better schools out there. Found out that my daughter was told to "get out, I don't owe you any make-up classes" on the last day. That's a terrible thing to say to a child. Should of talked to me instead. The only nice people are the ladies who work behind the counter and the jazz teacher Ms. Tori. read more

If you are looking for a dance studio, this place is top-knotch. The teachers truly know their art and come with a variety of dance background. Students from the studio have gone on to study at Juliard and dance on Broadway and other professional theatre venues. While they have competition dance companies, their focus is on the art of dance, ensuring technique is taught properly and instilling a true appreciation for the beauty of dance in their students. The students and the parents are also amazing. Even the students with skills that would blow your socks off, are amazingly graceful and kind to their fellow students and act as supurb role models for the younger kids. The teachers can be tough on the kids, as the students progress to the upper levels, but tough in the kindest way and only for the purpose of motivating the kids and inspiring them to push themselves to their full potential. I have met each teacher, some of whom my daughters have had the priviledge to learn from, others whom I have just met through being there so often, and each one of the dance teachers is golden. From hip hop to ballet (which the students truly enjoy going to - unlike at some other studios where it's just a necessary class to be allowed to compete in jazz or hip hop), the teachers and students are cream of the crop. Your child may not learn to be a booty shaking rap video dancer, but your child will learn solid technique and grow like you couldn't imagine! And yes, I write this as a parent - I am not a teacher and in no way benefit financially from giving a good review - I just truly believe in this studio!! For more info - here's some helpful links. website: http://www.srvda.com/index.php Video page: http://www.srvda.com/videos.php read more

My daughter totally loves this class. The building is kind of old but the teachers are great and they keep the place neat. Really a great time for the kids. read more

My girls love it here, they dance just for fun but I believe there is a track for kids who want to go professional. Teachers here are great with the kids and teachers stay, i like the consistency. We have been here for a few years and we plan on staying:) read more

We were looking for a studio where the instructors are passionate about ballet but not necessarily passionate about turning every single student into a ballerina. My daughter is taking ballet for poise and flexibility. She wants to make progress without feeling pressured to be a ballerina. This is my daughter's third year at the Dance Academy and we have been extremely happy. The instructors are very passionate about ballet but you get to decide how many times a week you want to be in class! You audition for the Nutcracker. The End of the Year Performance is only every other year and it is not required. There is only one extra rehearsal for the performance. And by the way, we have done two End of the Year Performances, and we have been impressed with the Performances that showcase all the dance disciplines and my daughter had a lot of fun performing. The office staff is very helpful and friendly. The Dance Academy also has an extensive tap dance, jazz, and acrobatic program. And if you do want to be a ballerina, you can take as many classes as you can fit into your schedule! This is a large dance school but it feels welcoming and supportive. read more