Berkeley Parents Network: Kids 'N Dance

Berkeley Parents Network

Kids 'N Dance

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Dance > Kids 'N Dance

website for Kids 'N Dance: www.Kidsndance.com

Also see Dance Classes for Preschoolers for more reviews.

May 2008

Re: Ballet classes for six year old Richmond
KIDS N DANCE! It's on MacArthur, in Oakland's Laurel District (with another studio in Lafayette). If you are in Richmond, it would be a bit of a drive for a ballet class, but in our opinion, well worth it! We've met families there who drive from Richmond, Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, San Leandro, Hayward, etc. They offer a wide range of dance and movement (as well as musical theater) classes. Our daughter started taking classes there last year and just LOVES the classes, and all the teachers. I can't say enough about how wonderful this place is for children. Steps, positions, technique, etc. are taught using imaginative play and creative movement, so the emphasis is on having FUN while learning. They use costumes and props for ''theme'' dances and have a blast-- getting exercise, using their imaginations, and learning dance all at the same time. At the end of the approx. 11 week session, each class has a performance that all the adults are invited in to the room to watch.!

All the teachers we've met are not only great dance instructors, but also great with kids. Our daughter is very shy around unfamiliar adults, and hesitant to try new things, but she has really blossomed there. The teachers have done an amazing job at not only teaching her, but also helping to build her confidence and self-esteem. The woman who runs it, Kris, is also wonderful. I could go on and on, but I'll stop. They have a website, Kidsndance.com, but the best thing is to experience it first-hand and go check it out. You can watch the class going on in the adjacent room on a big monitor, and you can hear it, too. And you'll see how happy the kids are! Ok, I'll stop. The phone number is 510 531 4400. It's a great place.

April 2008

Re: Summer camp for 4 1/2 year old?
Last year our 4 year old daughter went to several camps at Kids 'N Dance in Oakland. She did a musical theater camp (Lion King) and two dance camps (Happy Feet and Diego). She had an absolute BLAST! The teachers were great, crafts were creative and fun for the kids to do, and the shows at the end of each were adorable and impressive considering the age of the kids. In each class there always seemed to be at least a couple of boys. This might be exactly what you are looking for.

Dec 2007

It's not exactly summer yet, but time to start thinking ahead . . . My 6-year-old daughter, who has no discernible singing or acting expertise, has been asking me to find her a singing or acting camp for this coming summer. Most such programs seem to be for the 8+ set, but I just noticed an ad for Kids 'n Dance, which has programs for much younger kids. I've read the BPN reviews, but didn't see anything specific to their summer-camp THEATER programs. I'd love to hear your opinion, especially if you are the parent of a youngish kid who does not at first glance seem Broadway-bound. (Also, I'd happily listen to any other recommendations for a 6-year-old.) Thanks! Anonymous

In response to your question about Kids N' Dance, while I do not have any experience with their summer camp, I can very enthusiastically recommend their theatre arts program! The director, Kris Mueller, is quite talented and just wonderful with the kids. My daughter has been in the program for one year, starting when she was six, and she has really blossomed -- starting out rather shy and asking for a chorus role only, but now has no fear of singing and dancing solos in front of an audience. They learn so much, too! Much more than just acting and singing and dancing -- they learn to work together, support one another, focus/not be distracted by the audience, be quiet when backstage (not easy!), memorize their lines, etc. etc. Our experience with Kids N' Dance has given us much more than I was expecting and I highly recommend it! Brenda

Kids 'n Dance is a wonderful, nurturing place for curious kids to experiment with theater and dance. ALL of the teachers are fabulous with kids, and have this wonderful ability to keep even the youngest children enticed and on task. There is no pressure for children to be anything other than themselves, and it is pure FUN. My kids have not participated in the theater classes but we have gone to the theater performances for both the 4-6 year group and the older kids group, and it is fabulous with costumes, set design and everything! As for the dance classes, my girls (3 and 4.5) would be sorely disappointed if we discontinued, it's the highlight of their week. Try it, you won't be disappointed. Kristen

My daughter has participated in Kids N Dance for almost three years. Mostly these are the afterschool programs, but also some of the summer programs. Kris Mueller, the director, deserves alot of credit for including all of the children despite their differing temperments. It is a no-pressure environment focused on having fun. There are no prima donna attitudes. I have really come to appreciate the important educational benefits of theatre arts through KND. The kids learn to speak before a group, the value of practice, and working together in coordinated fashion. I recommend it.

Re: Dance or Drama Class for 7.5-year-old boy (Nov 2004)
My daughter has taken dance and theater at Kids N Dance and really loves it. They do shows like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Sound of Music, Peter Pan. The teachers are all wonderful, it's amazing how much they could get out of the kids. The shows are fun to watch and the kids really enjoy themselves!! They also have hip hop, jazz, tap there. My daughter took the ballet/modern when she was 7 year olds and there was one boy in it. There dance is very playful, fun and imaginative. They pretend to be Queens and Dragons, cats, Dalmations, and dressed up too. During the class they did some structured dancing too and at the end they preform on stage. The dance show my daughter did was called Cirque Du Soliel and they had glow in the dark clothes and danced with red lights on a string. They have a web site Kidsndance.com Hope that helps you. anon

June 2006

Re: Ballet classes in Orinda for 3.5 year old girl
Kids 'n Dance in Lafayette has wonderful, fun oriented, non stressful classes for kids from preschool on up. They also run classes at the Orinda Community Center. Kris, the owner is very child and process centered as opposed to strict technique, although technique is taught at developmentally appropriate levels. Good luck, Sindy

Jan 2006

I have been looking for a dance studio for creative movement for my 2yr old and have passed by this new studio on MacArthur (sort of near High St. in Oakland). Their website looks pretty good, but I would love to hear if anyone out has had any experience with the teachers there. anon

Look no further - it's absolutely lovely. We've been doing dance with teacher Sara since they opened. I can't speak highly enough of her. Her manner with the kids is warm and age appropriate, and the facility offers an imaginative approach to dance classes complete with costumes that change weekly. My older daughter did their drama program, and I was knocked out (as was she) by what they were able to accomplish in a short time. The kids had fun, everyone felt included even if they didn't have a 'main' role, and they learned a lot. The staff as well as the owner, has been warm, flexible and friendly. There is even a nearby coffee shop to grab a cup while class is in session. If you're fast, you can even do your marketing at wonderful Farmer Joe's down the street. Sign me... ...a happy dance & drama mama

My daughter takes a Creative Movement class at Kids N Dance and she LOVES it!! Her teacher Sara is patient, and great with the kids. I have other friends whose children take other classes at Kids N Dance they too love it. Sylvia

We discovered this as an alternative to the structured ballet classes that my daughter seemed stifled by, but she really wanted to move & dance. It's really pretty fun. My 3 yr old loves it! and I've been to the younger class,a nd they have lots of fun too! 2 yr olds have a Mommy & me type class, with lots of fun movement, dance, gymnastics things to do. The teacher that we've been to is fun, imaginative, creative, enthusiastic. My only complaints about the place are that the space is small, and the transition area between classes, with kids & parents coming & going, can sometimes be really cramped. Also, I kind of wish the studio space was a little bigger, but it's actually fine for everything they do with the kids. They have a 4-class pass if you want to try it out, and I understand you can also do dropin. If you sign up for one class you can do makeup in another class if needed, and if there's room in the class (which seems to change from a moment to moment basis on the Saturday classes). The weekday classes are less busy. Oh, and most importantly, you really need to check in with them to make sure that the class you want to do is actually offered. They have an extensive schedule, but sometimes no one signs up for a class so it isn't actually offered. Most of the morning classes seem to be offered, but many of the afternoon/early evening classes aren't open despite the listing on the schedule. janet

My 2.5 year old son took the introductory 4 week session of the Mommy and Me Creative Movement class at the new location in Oakland at Kids N Dance. I can recommend it. He enjoyed it, the teacher was very good with the kids (I think her name was Nicole) and the studio was clean and bright. It is very convenient to where we live, so we will probably take a few more classes in the future - but at this point he is more into running and jumping! I am very happy that they are in the Laurel and want to support them so they will stay in business. Valerie

I have just started my second session of the ''Mommie and Me'' class at Kids-n-Dance in the Laurel. This is the class for 20 month to 3 year old kids. My son is now 2 and 1/2 and LOVES the class. We do it on Friday morning with Nicole. Nicole is energetic with the kids and keeps the energy of the class lively and fun. We've done a couple makeup classes and found the other teachers great as well. Chris is the woman who owns the studio and she's there alot and makes us feel welcome when we come.

I plan on keeping him in the class until he's too old for it. My son asks to go to ''dance class'' and has a blast when we're there.

I highly recommend the class and would just say try to get into a class that isn't totally full. His Friday class has about 5 kids in it and with the adults there's 10 of us and that feels perfect. See ya there! monica

1999

My 5yearold takes "preballet/modern dance" at Kids 'N Dance in Lafayette. the kids are taught a few basic movements, and the empahsis is on incorporating those movements into a different short dance skit each week, with costumes. It is very much geared to the short attention span and physical coordination of the 45 age group. And quite fun! The Saturday teacher, Christina, is very good and patient. Nancy

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