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.

This dance academy is so organized, it is nothing short of impressive. Lynn replies to all…read morequestions and all emails. And that what we call a good manager. Teachers teach well consequently it works like clock work. It is located in a pleasant plaza with ample parking , the different studios are kept clean, tidy. So far my ballet one student is delighted. It has taught her a thing or two about posture , movement, breathing and music. All this in a supportive and committed way which I appreciate. The cost of the full hour class is very reasonable and the Lyme ta are managed well. Could not be happier.

My daughter and I had been a nanny to a family that has been attending CAPA Dance Academy for last…read more8 years. When quite young these two girls took lessons at a dance studio in the area however, they weren't really being trained to dance ‍, they just looked cute dancing around. Since going to CAPA, we've seen such growth and maturity in these two now pre teen and teen aged young ladies; and as for dance, in these 8 years, they've gone from running around a dance class to absolute professional dancers. We enjoy both the Summer Showcase and the holiday Nutcracker performance in December. Now we bring my 8 year old granddaughter and she truly loves seeing her friends up on stage. Growing up in the 1960's I trained at the San Francisco Ballet and another dance studio for Tap; and as great as they were, I wish CAPA were around then...it's got EVERYTHING right there in one place. These students walk in on the first day not knowing what to expect and they come out Professional Dancers ready to hit "Broadway" when they graduate. Well done, to all who contributes to this academy, WELL DONE.

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!

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

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 girls both worked with Chelsea in her theater and dance studio for years! Our experience was…read morephenomenal. She always provided a space for them to feel accepted, celebrated and supported! I can't imagine their teen years without her.

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!

I was enrolled in an adult ballet class taught by Hiroko Shabuya. Though she seemed nice, it was a…read morewaste of money. She selected a few of the best ballet dancers in the class to act as lead dancers for a production we were to perform as a class. The rest of us were relegated to be background dancers. This meant most of us waited around for her attention or practiced simple movements, while Hiroko focused on teaching the main dancers their roles. I felt like my money was wasted since her focus was on a few of the best dancers and teaching them their intricate choreography, while the rest of us did not get much individual attention.

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!

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.