My kid has been coming here for a few weeks and he's having a blast in the hip hop class. The class…read moreis great for his age, 5.5 and the instructor Chris is A+. We had a few substitute teachers and all were wonderful except for one. We had an issue where one of the other students was causing trouble, but the sub didn't care. I didn't mind too much since I knew it was just a one off class that day. For the young class, they do some warm ups, learn some moves and have fun at the end. This is a great intro to performance and all the kids seem to enjoy it.

I came in for a free trial to see if it was the right fit for my son ( definitely wasn't the right…read morefit) all they did was stretch and play hide n seek. (They definitely did play hide and seek I stayed the whole time and watched so don't say I'm making accusations. ) Thank you. I then let them know that I will think about it. I then was harassed and kept getting phone calls DAILY. and voicemails about that class. If someone doesn't answer the phone 2 days in a row stop calling. I literally had to block their number.

This place has amazing communication and very clearly stated rules. I love that it has a rich…read morehistory in ballet and the teacher Ms. Emily is an awesome teacher. I also love that the policy on masks is that they are allowed in class AND allowed in performances as long as they are of an appropriate style. So for the families where this is important, this is a place to go! There is plenty of parking around the studio and lots of different classes and times to choose from. You can watch the students dance from a tv in the waiting lobby. The staff is friendly and they provide you the costumes for each performance. The only thing that kind of bothers me is the very long flight of stairs that you need to walk to get to the studio but it just means I get to actually get some exercise in! lol

I like Miss Emily, as far as I can tell super consistent, great with kids, enthusiastic, and…read morecommunicative. She really sets an exemplary standard for children and I really like the boundaries she sets for parents and the students. This also applies to Miss Diane in front usually handling mostly administrative. If you are going to miss a class make sure to communicate to their office, the school will allow makeups that can be exchanged to any class they offer. Keep in mind the make up needs to be scheduled within 30 days (this does not mean that the scheduled class occurs in 30 days, just that you have set an agreed date in a class with capacity). If you are visiting for the first time keep in mind that the entrance is up the flight of stairs in the mini alley way. It does not face directly out to huntington drive.

While there are some negative reviews on here that are not completely false, I def have to disagree…read morethat this place is not worth it. Far from it!! My daughter had been in pre-ballet at another studio for almost 4 years (ages 5-8.75) and once she was moved up to ballet 1 and schedule changed, I had to find another studio with a more suitable schedule (due to my work schedule) that was worth the $ and time. Then I found this place and met Mr. Ling, while my daughter attended the Sunday class on trial that Lily was teaching. That was over 4 years ago! And even though the schedule was also inconvenient as was the 30min commute, I made arrangements with a family member to be able to drive my daughter there for a long time so that she can continue to receive the ballet training that is provided there. My daughter had done trial classes in several other places but the attention to technique and form was unmatched anywhere else. Mr. Ling, his daughter, and Lily corrected the students to the point where my daughter felt targeted. My daughter had to learn not to take things personal and to apply correction when given. Now she feels ignored if there is no criticism. It turns out, my daughter learned very little in her previous years in dance (it was more performance based) and in the years since she's been there, she has improved TREMENDOUSLY! Not only is she learning proper technique, I have learned so much from Mr. Ling that I appreciate the dance form so much more because I understand it so much better now! She is still not a great dancer and one of those that struggles more than the others but she has become such a strong and disciplined young lady. I frequently receive many compliments on how graceful and well behaved she is. I feel it is mostly because of the culture and values instilled at Elite Ballet. Mrs. Ling is a Yumiko seller=15% discount+free shipping), they are very supportive of one another and help each other to improve and the summer intensive classes are really impressive as well as reg class and there's not one day my daughter doesn't come out sweating! Yes, there were unexpected costs for performances but you quickly learn that after ur first time. Nothing is for free and still in comparison to other studios, Elite is very reasonably priced. They actually just increased slightly but is still far more affordable than other places. Do the math. And yes, they do insist on purchasing whatever they suggest but really, Mr. Ling is top-notch! As a former ABT principal dancer, he knows his stuff! Most places will understandably deter a student from taking other classes from other places only because it can cause confusion or create injuries. This place is strictly classical ballet and for those who are passionate about becoming good ballet dancers. It is the foundation for all dance forms.

Our kids had class in this school for couple years. When I first talked to the owner, he seemed to…read morehave passion about the ballet. After a while, I realized that it's all about money. The class usually have about 20 students especially the beginning class. There's only 1 instructor without any assistant. He rarely would tell you what went wrong when the student made a mistake in ballet steps. He expected the students to follow others & correct their own mistakes. To be honest, they're small kids, they'd not know what went wrong unless you told them. Also a lot of time, he'd just have his 15 or 16 year old daughter to teach Ballet I class. It's fine if she worked as an assistant but not as an instructor. Also if you don't go to their summer intensive class which is 3 hours/ day for Sat & Sun in summer. They'd just ignore your kids, won't tell them if they're doing good or not and not even dare to remember their name. Also the students would never be able to promote to an advanced class if you don't go to the summer camp. They only have 1 show a year through audition so the younger kids rarely have chance to be on stage. Other schools usually have at least 2 shows a year with 1 show be the showcase and all the kids could participate. I definitely don't recommend this ballet school.

On July 25, 2025, I brought my 4-year-old daughter to her 4:00 PM gymnastics class. We arrived at…read more3:59 PM and, as directed by the front desk, walked through the ballet room to get there. The ballet class was already past its scheduled end time, so we waited until the students finished before passing through. Halfway across the room, the ballet teacher suddenly began yelling at us aggressively. My daughter was terrified. I calmly asked her to lower her voice, but she continued screaming--following us into the gymnastics room in front of dozens of children. I have a heart condition and began feeling unwell from the stress, yet she would not stop. No staff intervened. I assumed the school would handle it properly, but I was wrong. Later, the owner defended the teacher, accused me of being a "criminal," and took zero responsibility. The real victims were my daughter and the many children who witnessed this unprovoked outburst. Parents should be aware of three serious concerns: 1. Poor safety - No security, unattended front desk, and children can easily wander outside to the street. I personally saw a 6-year-old disappear for 20 minutes. 2. Emotionally unstable ballet teacher - Multiple online reviews mention her history of yelling at kids when parents aren't present. 3. Unprofessional management - Canceled classes without notice, no accountability, and intimidation tactics from the owner, Serge. I regret not calling the police that day. If I had, maybe fewer children would be subjected to this behavior. Parents, please protect your children. A school should be a safe, nurturing place--not one where kids are traumatized and parents are threatened.

My 7 yo daughter has been here for just over a year now and we've really enjoyed our time here. She…read morehas learned so much at the grand academy already and has absolutely loved every second of it. The instructors are great with the kids - firm but kind. My daughter has had classes with Marina, Yelena, and Taylor and they're all wonderful. I've also taken some adult beginner classes with Marina and Yelena that I really enjoyed. The owner, Serge, is easily accessible and always willing to listen to any feedback or concerns I have. Operationally, there's some room for improvement but overall we've been really happy here and have seen a lot of progress over the last year.

Preston is AMAZING! He cultivates such a beautiful community in his class. Peston is such a…read moretalented teacher with grace and a sense of humor. If you're an adult looking for classes, I highly recommend his classes. I'm just returning to ballet after almost 10 years & after a month or two, I've made progress with his help. I LOVE IT! I'm always learning and he always knows just the right things to say and pint point areas to work on. Come & try it. You won't be disappointed!

One of the best ballet teachers I know. He is technically excellent and very artistic. He is full…read moreof energy and patient with us mature students. He pushes us to improve regardless of our many excuses and challenges our memories constantly. If you come to his classes, you can definitely avoid getting alzheimer disease . Preston is definitely the most diligent and devoted dance teacher around. I'm so blessed to have a teacher like him!

I extremely recommend this studio, because they are make you the best that you can be. The owner of…read morethe studio Ms.Christina she is so nice and respect your choice. Sometimes she can be hard, but it just to make you a better dancer. The teachers are so nice and hard working that every time when I go there I feel welcomed and it feels like my second home. The students are very caring and kind to each other. Since we are in a pandemic, she makes use safe and cleans the studio. She does whatever she can do to keep the studio clean. I think that this is the best studio that I ever went to, and I highly recommend!

The owner is professional, great location, and dance space. Dancers going there are bound to get…read morevery technically strong, and the owner pushes students to try other styles that usually are not offered in other competition studios. Their awards speak for themselves. They are all very strong, passionate and talented.

We have been part of the SMDC family since 2018 when my daughter was 6 and it's been a 2nd home…read more Being a woman (and mom!) owned and ran business, everyone there really focuses on helping our children grow up into good people, not just great dancers. The studio recently won the Sportsmanship award at a recent competition and that really showcases the values of the studio. Not only that, they focus on my daughter's growth. When all the pressure of being a teenager hits, I can meet with the studio owner and get help working through it...whether it be taking a break from dance classes for a week, or great mom advice. It's also a great dance school.

We've been part of SMDC for almost 10 years, and it has truly been an incredible experience for our…read morefamily. My daughter has trained in a wide range of styles--jazz, lyrical, tap, and ballet--and the quality of instruction across the board has been outstanding. The teachers and staff are not only highly knowledgeable, but also genuinely warm and supportive. They create an environment where dancers feel encouraged, challenged, and valued. Being part of the competitive dance team has been especially meaningful. It's helped my daughter grow tremendously--not just as a dancer, but as a person. She's gained confidence, discipline, and lasting friendships. One of her absolute favorite experiences each year is performing in The Nutcracker. It's such a special opportunity, and SMDC makes it feel magical while still maintaining a nurturing, positive atmosphere. We're so grateful to be part of such a loving and dedicated dance community. I highly recommend SMDC to anyone looking for a studio that combines excellent training with heart.

Great personal- understanding and with care (our teacher Page is amazing)! My daughter likes all…read morethe attebtion on her, and Page has such patence! I love how they do their best with each child to help them succeed in tiny steps!!

Attending Tutu School was my daughter's first extra curriculum activity and she looked forward to…read moreher class every week. Miss Genay's class was always fun and absolutely adorable to watch.

Grace is a super patient and nice kpop dance tutor I have ever had, and they have Sunday lessons…read morethat works for my schedule.

The best dance studio In Pasadena Their teacher so…read moreprofessional,so nice Wonderful experience there