This is "the place" for dance lessons in Boston. Liz Nania is amazing and I'd give her 6 stars if…read moreI could. My partner and I started taking lessons this winter, and with Liz's help I've gone from avoiding the dance floor to looking forward to dance in just a few sessions. She is knowledgeable and patient, and focuses on what you are doing right before moving on to ideas to make you even better. Her class is the perfect end/beginning to the work week, and it seems she also has a strange telekinetic ability to attract some of the nicest people I have ever met to her classes. :-) In addition, her rates are extremely affordable and she offers discounts for taking more than one class in a term.

I have zero dance skills. I saw liz for a basic intro dance class so that I could get onto the…read moredance floor with my friends for once. One hour with Liz and I left feeling like I actually could get on the dance floor without being totally humiliated. She is so great! Makes you feel so comfortable - talking and dancing with her! Love love love her and would highly recommend her for all levels of dance. You won't regard a class with her!

During a long summer trip my teen daughter was missing dance team practices and intensives. She…read moretook some drop in's in both contemporary and hip hop at Urbanity. The classes were fun yet challenging. The teachers and students were all pleasant and welcoming. Overall it was great experience. Definitely recommend.

I hired 4 lyrical dancers from Urbanity Dance to perform freestyle solos as part of a surprise…read moreflash mob proposal for my partner, and I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. The dancers were super professional, dressed elegantly, and really breathed life into the song that the orchestra (hired from a separate company) played. I paid a flat rate per dancer, which included the performance and 50 minutes of rehearsal time before the proposal to give the dancers a chance to rehearse with the orchestra since they had not worked together before; Urbanity Dance was worth every penny and then some! The final performance was exactly what I had envisioned, and I especially appreciated that the dancer who performed last (Joy) finished her solo with a "lyrical invitation" for my partner and I to follow her to the predetermined proposal spot - this aligned perfectly with the music as it was fading out, and allowed for perfect photography/videography coverage - plus the two of us were in such a daze as everything was happening that we definitely needed the clear guidance Joy provided. Big big thank you to my POC, Cayley, and each of the dancers who made this possible: Genny, Katie, Haley, and Joy.

YELP - this business at 82 Boylston St., Brookline, MA has closed. There is no web site available…read more They ran an excellent dance studio for adults.

I went to an open class after years of taking off dance. There were quite a few people in a small…read morespace. The class was difficult but I kept up somewhat. Most were younger adults (where I'm almost 50). Everyone was nice and the instructor choreographed a beautiful routine. I just wish I was in better "dance shape" to have kept up. I mistook "open" for beginner and I would not say it was a beginner class. You need to know basic terminology of dance to keep up at all. If they ever offer a beginner class I'd be apt to come back.

These guys are great. Yes, they do ask for cash for some stuff (not all, by any means) but they are…read morevery patient, and there are ATM's in West Roxbury (one of them is about 40 yards from the dance studio) so it's not really a deal breaker. Classes are great, recitals are amazing, and the whole place - teachers, students and families - very welcoming :)

I grew up dancing ballet, tap, modern and jazz, and have a good sense of what to look for in a…read morestudio. We've tried other local studios, and in my opinion, Julianne's cannot be beat. The price is right, much less than other schools, and the children are taught to dance. My girls are young, so the true hallmark of a good studio is this "How are the older girls dancing?" The older teens at Julianne's far surpass the dancers at other studios, where it's all about learning rote steps. Julianne's students learn musicality and performance and artistry. I'm very pleased and look forward to staying with this school long term.

I have always wanted to try ballet but I've never danced in my life. I started taking the absolute…read morebeginner adult ballet classes and I've greatly enjoyed the 2 sessions (completed 16 weeks) so far. I would recommend taking the class more than once before progressing because I felt like I learned so much the second time. I took the class with instructor Isobel Chang and enjoyed her teaching style. There are all ages and all body types and all genders, with no problems. So if you're interested, go for it

I'm not sure what compelled me to try ballet after years and years of sports and a failed audition…read moreat a middle school play of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Perhaps, it was my love of all things spandex or the need to finally live up to the Abba song my parents still sing to me, "Nina, the Pretty Ballerina," but I made the leap (pun intended) and signed up for the adult absolute beginner class. This class will not disappoint! The instructor, Claire, is a magic maker. She took a girl (ahem..me) whose lack of coordination has resulted in two broken arms (mind you, at the same time) and numerous other embarrassing moments and turned her into a girl who can now plie in front of a mirror without laughing at herself. I wish I wasn't moving this summer otherwise I would definitely continue the classes. Here's the low-down: Attire ~ Think yoga. You don't have rock the leotard like Beyonce but you can if you want. I wore spandex on bottom and a shirt or tank top on top. Show your calves and your feet. It helps to wear different colors - one on top and a different one on the bottom. This will allow your instructor (and you) to see when parts of your body move that shouldn't (i.e. hips). They sell ballet slippers at the studio. You can buy them there but you will have to sew the straps on at home. Color choices: pink and black. Demographics ~ As mentioned above I had none, I mean zilch experience with ballet or dance. There were people in the class who had some gymnastics/ice skating/ballet/cheer-leading/jazz dance etc... Ages range from high school students to happy retired people. Class sizes are usually around 10 but will vary. Mainly ladies who take the class but men are definitely welcome (there was one guy in the first series of classes I took and he was way better than me). Cost ~ I think I paid around $120 for 8 weeks or something like that. Well worth the money. Add the cost of ballet slippers if you don't have them. I was like this girl when I started: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7fAvXH25Ng so if I can do it...anyone can do it!

Great for youth kung fu. Excellent instructors with knowledge of martial arts. They are great at…read morehelping students focus and master techniques. Would definitely recommend.

I have been training with Ben Warner for almost two years now. I first came to Kettlebell JP to…read morehelp with my long distance running. I saw great results; my times were faster and I was gaining strength. Eventually I traded in my running shoes for a try at heavier lifting, which I am loving. Whether you attend the fun-filled, sweat-inducing weekday classes or his one-on-one detailed, private instruction, you'll be sure to become hooked on kettlebells! I can't believe I spent so many years wasting time on boring ellipticals that hardly garner any results. Now I'm stronger than ever and have a great time doing it. Every class is different, all levels are welcome.

What a great theater nestled in a cute little neighborhood! My daughter gifted us tickets so off…read morethe JP we went. There is on street parking and a municipal lot behind the main street business. Enter through the side door and you're in the main waiting area with plenty of historic pictures and local art. The theater upstairs and you're transported to another time. Local theater is so important. The production was good and we loved seeing local actors. Would recommend.

What a special place this is! I did not realize that this group had been in operation for 100 years…read moreuntil I attended the performance yesterday. The building is a beautiful historic building. It is also wheelchair accessible. The performance of Miss Holmes was really good. Good acting, and the set was really clever and creative. They also had snacks during intermission. Only a dollar for a bag of chips or a soda! The ticket price was also very reasonable. I can't wait to see their next play!

It was our first time going to a ballet - the Swan Lake at the Opera house was such a magical…read moreproduction. The costumes, the set, the dancers, the orchestra - just everything, was so impressive. The Opera house was a perfect setting as well. I'm now definitely a fan of the ballet now :)

What a show!! You…read morecan always count on The Nutcracker to put you in the holiday spirit. The lobby alone will do that for ya. I mean look at this lobby! Christmas trees, chandeliers, nutcrackers, lights, balconies, ugh I just love the elegance and quintessential Christmas energy. Talk about TALENT. This show is no joke. This is ballet at its truest and finest form. These artists make ballet look easy (and it is far from it) so I applaud every single person in this show. Boston Ballet performers are absolutely phenomenal. What's so amazing, aside from the show, is watching people file in and noticing the crowd ranges anywhere from 7 year olds to 70 year olds. Anyone can come, watch, and enjoy. Truly a perfect outing for you and your whole family, with friends, or solo! Highly recommend catching The Nutcracker!

An old friend is a prominent member and instructor, Dale Savit. This past fall we drove east for…read morefall colors, clam chowder,and a couple of Dale's pieces. This is a great place to visit if you can, and hey, it's across a parking lot from Sam Adams brewery too!

I always stop in here during the JP Open Studios and this past weekend (Sept 2012) I actually…read morebought a small installation. Extremely fair price. You can wonder around the whole studio and see pieces in various states of creation. You can't miss the giant sculptures outside. If I ever have unlimited cash, I'll be back to buy one or two of those things. Check it out if you have any interest in metalworks. They have classes too! The piece I bought was by Walter Clark at outsideartist@live.com and www.outsideartist-inside2.com. I also uploaded a pic of the framed metal woman's head to encourage you to check them out!