Berkeley Parents Network: Dance Classes for Kids

Berkeley Parents Network

Dance Classes for Kids

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Dance > Dance Classes for Kids

Questions

Dance and Singing Classes for 2nd Grader

July 2007

I am looking for dance (type is flexible) or singing classes for my entering 2nd grade daughter. She is talented in both activities and we are wanting some afternoon classes for her to enjoy. Any assistance will be appreciated. Thank-you. Lisa

Kids 'N Dance in the Laurel District has a variety of dance classes and they have fabulous musical theater classes. We went to a recent production of ''Grease'' with kids from 6-11 years old. The script was appropriately modified and the kids pulled off a totally entertaining show. Worth checking out. They have a website:kidsndance.com. anon

Class for 5-year-old in Lamorinda

Sept 2004

I'd appreciate recommendations for a dance class in the Lamorinda area (or Walnut Creek) on Saturdays or Sundays for my 5 year old daughter. We know about Kids-N-Dance in Lafayette, and we'd love names of some additional places to try. Thanks! Maryanne

Lamorinda Ballet Center (LBC) in Moraga at the Rheem Shopping Center has Saturday morning ballet classes. Their number is (925) 376-0661-Lynne is the owner. It's next to the Child Day School. The Rheem Shoppping Center is at the intersection of Moraga Road and Rheem Blvd and it's a nice place to hang out while you wait-there's a Starbucks, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, benches, etc. dancemom

Classes for 11-year-old

26 Apr 96

RE; Tall, 11 yr old daughter: She's definitely not too tall or too old. SHe may be around some 8 yr old beginners, but she'll learn fast. And that's better than being around other 11 yr old children who've been practicing for 3 years. So the rough part, subjectively, will be being tall. But if you tell her that good posture means being as tall as possible for everyone, then she may feel positive.

26 Apr 1996

Re: the dance inquiry for an 11-year-old: it's definitely not too late to start! Once again, I recommend observing a class at the school you're interested in to get a feel for the teacher and the atmosphere. The dance studio I mentioned before, Luna, serves a diverse population of kids and adults and the owner, Patricia Reedy, believes very strongly in "life-long dancing" (any age, any body type).

Other Classes

There is a creative movement class at the Albany Y for children who are between 3 and 6. They wear leotards, or leotards with tutus attached (it seemed that the outfit was an essential part of your daughter's consideration.)It is on Tuesday afternoon. The teacher is dynamic, and the movement/dance seems very age appropriate. If the time and/or place aren't convenient for you, maybe the teacher, Katherine, teaches at other sites. C.D.

I've also heard good things about Little Dancing Feet for 2-4 year olds offered by the University Village Recreation Department in Albany Village. Call 524-4926 for specifics.

another more expensive option is the dance class offered for kids at Studio J in Berkeley on 8th Street near Parker. The adult jazz classes are terrific and have heard the class that's appropriate for 2 1/2 and up is a lot of fun. It's pricier though--it may be as much as $10-15/class. (Studio J is now The Beat)

For all of you looking for dance-type classes, we did Windmill Gymnastics in Richmond for a few years (my daughter was not interested in dance) and that seemed another good way to work toward style and grace in movement. Also, I don't know if she is still there but they had an instructor, Maureen, who has her own dance classes in the area and I'll bet they are really good. Maureen did all the choreography for the gymnasts and it was well done.

Dance Arts Project

Re: Dance classes for 7-year-old BOY (Feb 2005)
My daughter has been going to Dance Arts Project (ballet & modern), Alameda, for 4 years. She is now 13. The director, Michaela, has the best philosophy I have ever encountered: have fun, enjoy dance, while you learn. This is not a formal, French/ Russian style ballet school. All shapes and sizes are welcome, and boys are 1/2 price. No one is scorned for being too old (when my daughter was 10 she was too old to start at the school in Berkeley), or anything else. My daughter has learned so much grace and poise, and she's given a chance to express her creativity. She has the most fun doing it. Located on the corner of Encinal and Chestnut in Alameda. ada

El Cerrito Community Center

From: Rose (9/97)

Check out the El Cerrito Community Center. Rosalyn Jordan teaches ballet and tap in the afternoons. Classes are open to residents and non-residents and tend to be small. Also Katie's Dance Studio on San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito has combination jazz, tap and tumbling classes for 3 1/2 - 6 yr. olds on Monday nights and Wednesday afternoons. Call them at 524-1310 to get a current class schedule. Their classes tend to be larger, especially the Saturday ones, which tend to be too large.

Rose

Albany Community Center

From: Denise (3/98)

You asked about dance and music classes for your 3-yr-old. The Albany Community Center offers a class called "Barefoot Dancers" to residents and non-residents for 2-3 and 4-5 year-olds. They are usually on Monday afternoons 4:30-5 and saturdays from 10:30-11 and $6/drop-in or less if you sign up for the session. It's taught by Patricia d'Ottillie. Call 524-9283.

Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 09:01:52 -0800

I had my daughter take ballet lessons at the Albany Community Center when she was 4-ish. It was quite good. Reasonable in cost, 1/2 hour classes, good location for us, and was" ballet" enough, (leotards, dance shoes and french names for the dance steps) but not overly strict. It also only required a 6-week (I think) commitment, as opposed to many of the more formal dance schools where classes are for an academic year. We found it age-appropriate at the time. Good luck. Judy Chess

Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 09:04:19 -0800

A note on Albany Community Center: Mary Lyons the ballet teacher is only available on Fridays -- she teaches other days at other less age-appropriate places. These classes have become very popular and at 12 kids are now really too large to be very ideal for anyone. I guess I'll have to give up on the place.

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