My daughter started here when she was 4. It has changed her life in many positive ways. At her 18th birthday, yesterday, she went to lunch with her two best friends, girls she met at her first class when she was 4. This is simply a great dance studio. She is considering a dance major in college. read more

When I was 5 I joined this dance center and now my daughters go here.This place is so fun my kids love it

I love the new floors and updated paint. The studio looks fabulous. I also like the chairs to sit while waiting for our kids in the waiting area. They did a much needed revamp. The kids love it. The entrance has a cool photo booth wall to snap pics of the kids in front of. Also there is a tv with last years recital movie playing, great addition. Everyone is super friendly here. My only issue is the parking can be tough on the weekends, but this is not their fault. read more

The Joy of Dancing - New picture wall, my kids felt like a celebrity. - Arts & Entertainment Near Me - San Jose, California

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This place was recommend to us by friends. My 5 year old has been coming here since the start of the school year. And really enjoys dancing here. They practice social distance in the studio. I like how Ms Nicki is fun but also firm. Make Up lessons was also easy for us reschedule. Highly recommend. read more

great place :) I have a few friends that dance here and its amazing. For their dance team they really try to bring in a younger crowd so that they can really progress and start off strong. The atmosphere is so positive and would be a great place for anyone to experience the art of dancing. read more

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My daughter loves her ballet class! The teachers are very patient especially when it comes to the 2yr old class. Knowing how 2yr olds get, their expansion time quickly gets tiresome. Great school to start off you kids in dancing along with building their social skills. :) read more

The Joy of Dancing - Halloween week! - Arts & Entertainment Near Me - San Jose, California

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My daughter just finished her fifth year at Joy of Dancing, and has taken a variety of classes: ballet/tap (when she was really little), jazz, and hip hop. Over the years, sports has steadily taken over her interests and she has done less and less dance. She continued with her classes at Joy of Dancing for the last couple of years because she really liked the teachers there. The staff at Joy of Dancing is very supportive and encouraging. I've never seen any of them be super-strict (like a stereotypical dance instructor that you might see on TV or in the movies), and they seem to enjoy teaching and dancing, themselves. They are talented dancers and choreographers, and most of them are in Joy of Dancing's competitive dance group. The school year at Joy of Dancing is 10-months long, and the first 5 months, the students focus on learning their skills. During the last 5 months, the classes are primarily to learn their recital number and practice -- so it's very important that they don't miss at least the last 5 months (something to keep in mind if your child has a lot of other activities going on). After the recital, there are 5 weeks of summer classes (included with the yearly tuition). I appreciate that Joy of Dancing has multiple skill levels for their classes, and students at different levels aren't grouped together -- which I imagine can be difficult to teach. Beginning students get plenty of help learning the basics, and more advanced students work on more complex choreography. Bottom line is that your child is given the opportunity to actively grow his or her dance skills throughout the years, while learning to love dancing! read more

*~*~*~* UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT *~*~*~*~*~*~* Ever since the new Director Nikki Day took over the studio last year, the level of customer service has significantly gone down. It feels like this is a money hungry type of business with the integrity down the hole. Don't dare to be late for a payment, or you will hear the wrath of Ms. Day!!! Also, it's absurd how much they charge for recital tickets here and the production is so-so. I would advise for you to shop elsewhere for another dance studio before you select this one. read more

I registered the first week of September but didn't know there was a check-in deal then for $10 off registration. Just asked them today if that discount could be applied to next month's tuition and they said no. That's not cool, I am a new customer who found them through yelp. Considering its about $70 a month, almost $850 a year, does the $10 really make a difference, other than to my impression? Did you know you are forced to pay for a month in the summer even if you will be away too? That's just how they roll here. If the owner could have been a bit apologetic about it, I wouldn't be as offended. I am happy with the teachers and the times of classes. The facility is okay, bigger inside than you would think from the exterior. read more

I danced at JOD from age 6-18 until I moved away for college. The studios are bright and clean, the teachers are "JOD lifers" who are passionate about what they do, and you can't beat the sheer variety of classes. In my 12 years with the studio, I trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz and tap, traveled overseas, competed in dance competitions, and performed before thousands of people. I have continued to dance and perform in college and beyond, and I owe that passion to the experiences and friendships I formed at the Joy of Dancing. If you're looking for a professional training program, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a fun, supportive community where you can learn a wide variety of dance styles, JOD is the place. There's a reason the studio has been around for over 35 years. read more

I owe it to this dance studio for my 6 years of dance experience which includes lyrical, pointe, jazz, and tap. I always wanted to be a ballerina since I was little and this let me live up to that little dream when I was here especially when I got my pointe shoes. I wish I did take a Hip Hop class when they started it. I'm no professional dancer but this studio gave me a pretty good eye with dancers whenever I go see a performance. I have some flexibility today but not what I used to have when I was in dance, which was back in my grade school to beginning of my high school years. Ms. Nikki is skilled in her dancing. I don't know if she's still there but she was one of my instructors that I liked. The location they are at now is a lot smaller than the one that I was at for the 5 years. There are recitals in June held at Flint Center. There are videos too if you want. I have videos from some of my recitals and I have some of my costumes. My brother made fun of me when I had this one costume and it was neon yellow. He said I looked like a banana on stage. I still get shit for that whenever "The Tide is High" song comes on. Writing this review made me miss dancing. I don't know how it is now but my time spent there was from '95-'01. read more

I remember spending hours here learning how to dance. It's not a super hardcore studio that will churn out NY Ballet level skills, but it was a great place for me to learn when I was young. Ballet, Jazz, and Tap classes galore! read more

I have been dancing here since I was able to walk on my own two feet. I learned so much from JOD and it is not a pushy environment but a fun and family oriented studio. We love to have fun but we incorporate fun in dance so that it isn't something that we become tired of. I became obsessed with dancing that I'd either sprint to class if I knew I was going to be late since my parents were running late, no way would I ever miss a class. I'd take the lightrail from Almaden all the way over if I didn't have a ride. Wait 3 hours for my class, just so I wouldn't miss a single day. It is that kind of studio. The dancers always just WANT to be there, and for most of the advanced dancers, when we have a day without dance, it just doesn't feel right. The teachers are great and really care for all their dancers! I love them all. I have shopped around when I left for college in San Diego and there was just not one studio that seemed to be able to compare to the family/fun/loving atmosphere that Joy of Dancing gives. After a couple years away, I had to come back! read more

When register the first time, this school charges you two months fee: the upcoming month plus the summer semester which is one year later, and you can't withdraw the summer class no matter what. So you are signed up with some class next year and couldn't get away with it. For the recital, if your kid is big enough to perform in the theater, they will require each family to purchase at least 4 tickets, even if you don't bring that many people. And they are really good at making every opportunity to sell you more, like the dress of the recital(you have to rent), the picture week, the 10+ different kind of fundraiser. To be honest, I'd rather they charge me more each class instead of dealing with these extra costs here and there. And they should really put all those thoughts on how to better teach the student. I wouldn't recommend to go for this one. read more

I have many memories of dancing here. I danced here for 12 years, from when I was 6 to my last year in high school, 92'-04'. I was actually in many of Charissa P's classes, and that is where we met when we were little and are still friends to this day. I took the tap/ballet combo when I was little, then I continued on to take pointe, hip hop, lyrical, and jazz. This place really brought out my love for dance, as it helped me later on participate in other school activities, such as Cheer leading at Notre Dame (which was really dancing) and eventually teaching some dance classes at a local community center. I will never forget the basics of dance that I have learned here. JOD was my dance foundation and I do miss being part of the community that has such a passion for dance. read more

Both my daughters attend this dance studio- they absolutely LOVE this place! Today was my 3 year old daughter recital and Miss Nicky and Miss Maline are absolutely wonderful! Both my daughters enjoy attending this dance studio- super friendly, comfortable, clean place. Miss Nicky has helped my older daughter (8 and super shy) come out of her shell she has a new confidence in her and I am so happy and thankful for that. Great place! read more

Local, neighborhood dance studio that teaches more than tap.... Sure, there are fancier studios with possibly more trophies and awards. But is your child a prodigy, or just someone who would love to learn to dance in a warm and friendly environment? If you want a place that can nurture your ballerina-to-be, provide them with friendships and mentoring from really good role models and show them old fashioned work ethics for their improvement, then this is your studio. I hear some travel from all over the South Bay to dance here, but if you're lucky enough to live in the Berryessa area, then I can't think of a better way for your child to learn to love the art of dance. read more

My daughter has been dancing at "The Joy of Dancing" for five years now, and just loves it! She began taking a combination ballet/tap class for young school aged children, and really enjoyed it. The classes build up to a grand finale, which is an annual recital at the Flint Center, and after that, she was "hooked". Each year she has added on more classes, and now takes ballet/jazz, tap and hip hop and became a member of their dance performance team, "Dynamics", which has been an especially wonderful experience for her. Students have a choice of taking just one class a week, making room for other extra curricular activities, or making it a big part of their life, such as my daughter, who is now at the studio at least 10 hours a week. I truly can't think of a better way for a teenager to spend their free time--being in a safe environment, exercising, making friends, having fun, and building self esteem! We are grateful to be a part of the Joy of Dancing family and look forward to many more years together! read more

Both of my daughters attend The Joy of Dancing and have been there since they were babies. The productions they put on, the education and passion they pass on to the girls is evident as my girls come home and are always eager to show their latest moves. Love this place as it's local and a figure in my girls lives. Thanks so much. read more

My 6 yr old daughter really enjoying her hip hop class. The Class starts on time. Instructor is friendly and always smiling . The choice of music is awesome . read more

Wonderful teachers and studio! My daughter starting dancing there at age 2 and she is now 15. She has had 13 wonderful years learning the joy of dance and meeting new friends. Everyone is so friendly and the atmosphere is quite relaxed. Always enjoy the Christmas production of the Nutcracker each and every year along with the summer recital. To this day I still get choked up when I see my daughter dance :) ! read more

My daughter has been dancing for more than five year, and she loves it! She has classes for five days and she has more energyevery time she come to class. Every day she always think of her class and she stated every time, she think of her dance class it give her energy. I work with Nikki and her mother for mamy year and they are very understanding and helpful to all the parent and student. read more

My daughter's daycare takes the children here once a week, so there is no choice in the enrollment package deal, but I sure wish there was. She loves dancing and used to live for "dance days." Now she keeps asking to be sent back to one of the other dance schools she went to when we lived in other parts of San Jose because learning it here is just no fun ("Joy" was the founder's first name and has absolutely nothing to do with the prevailing feeling at this school.) The place itself is a dingy hole-in-the-wall affair in a rundown little shopping strip, but the staff couldn't have a haughtier and snootier attitude if they were the Bolshoi Ballet itself. Some of their dress code policies are unreasonable for all but professional primaballerinas (no underwear! Ballet slippers from the department store outlawed! Any hair must be shorn off or tied up so brutally it hurts!) Come on, these are little five year olds - one would think Target dancewear and a ponytail would suffice. Request for payment receipt is met with rolled eyes and a snippy "we don't usually." Simple customer service, what an alien concept. About once a month, a flyer comes home in the grumpiest tone imaginable, making one wish they wouldn't send any. We'll grudgingly let you visit at some to see your kid's progress (at some inconvenient middle-of-the-workday time, of course) but as an unwanted intruder, we'll reserve the right to kick you out at any time. So inviting, it sums up the dubitable "joy" of enrollent at this sorry place. read more