Top Ballet schools in San Jose, United States

My daughter want to dance with Maximo everyday 😃~~~~

New Ballet is a fantastic ballet school and company. We love that they actively promote inclusivity and positive image. The teachers are wonderful and caring. Their productions of ballet are great opportunities for children to get acquainted with the art form. We are very glad to be part of the New Ballet family. Highly recommended for every family to check it out.

Terrific dance studio, welcomed my beginner teenager and fed the passion for dance.

My daughter loved her school and her teacher!

The only ABT curriculum ballet school in the west coast.

I had my daughter enrolled in this school , we decided to cancel on the week of January 13th we got the withdrawal form and signed it right away , you would think that this is sufficient for my membership to be canceled and not be charged for February, anyway I called them and this girl answered and hang up on me twice and she was giggling like this whole situation was funny to her . I'm officially requested a refund since my daughter hasn't been attending class since the week of January 10th . I hope the owner of this place takes this as a training and ethical experience charging people after they expressed to you they want to cancel it's unethical and shady.

My husband and I went for the first time to the Center for the Performing Arts at 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95113 on Saturday Dec 11th 2021, to enjoy the Nutcracker, when buying tickets, we selected the green area, 2 seats that were about 3 -4 rows away from the stage, but when we arrived, our seats said they were literally in the first row, it was the worst position to appreciate the performance, since there is a wood wall in front of you, small people can not even see the floor of the stage been sitting on first row. We realized everything that was happening behind the curtains, which distracted us. A row is so close to the other, so every time people passed behind us, made us uncomfortable to feel them touching our heads, it is not pleasant to have to experience that situation paying the price we paid, we value the effort and performance of each member of the Nutcracker, but it is also necessary to share our experience so that future viewers are not surprised!

Cool studio

My daughter has been learning dance at this studio for 6+ years. She has grown to learn and love more than one form of dance and they slowly but surely inculcate the love of dance in their students and without any pressure. The staff and administrations are always professional and accommodative. A great dance studio overall!

East West Music and Dance is by far the BEST music and dance studio! My oldest daughter started in 2014 as a tiny tot and now is part of the performing company. Her sister started dancing at East West Music and Dance a couple of years ago and also loves it. The studio is family-owned, led by Ms. Pam and Ms. Erin. Both are an absolute joy to work with and give personalized attention and recommendations to their students. They are also both great communicators! I truly feel like part of their dance family. What I like most about the studio is that it not only does an excellent job teaching different dance styles and techniques, it does so in a nurturing, caring and inclusive environment that promotes confidence and self esteem. I feel so fortunate to have found East West Music and Dance. It is definitely a gem.

What I love about EWMD:

- Teachers!  All of the teachers are high caliber, each bringing their unique styles and love of dance to the students. It's like a second family. Throughout the years, I see former students come back and teach. I love that.

- Fun performances. There is a yearly show held in a theater with theme, staging, lights, and more. The younger students get excited to be on a stage with costumes. The older students work as a team and showcase their techniques and artistry. The excitement starts to build in February for the June show! What's really cool is that EWMD recognizes high school seniors who graduate each year at their shows.

- My child has grown up with EWMD. I love the exposure to the various forms of dance (ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop) at a young age. My child had her favorite styles of dance, and as she grew, she decided on her own schedule and pursued the styles she enjoyed. She learned to time manage dance with her school. There are a few other long time students at EWMD, and it's neat to see them all grow up together.

- EWMD has a performing company where students are part of a team at their age and level. The performing company offers more opportunities to dance at community events, extra shows, dance workshops, and more. It seems that EWMD is a place for everyone - a young child exploring dance to see if they like it, a child who wants to learn different forms of dance, a more experienced dancer who wants to perform on stage.

- Dance is an outlet for my child to be creative and to get exercise and flexibility. During COVID, I was impressed with how fast and easy EWMD pivoted to "Zoom" virtual classes. They communicated well, followed all the county guidelines, and gave their students a way to keep moving while at home. This past June, they rented and put up an outdoor stage and filmed a show with students in masks (allowable by the county). I can't thank EWMD enough for being there.

EWMD also offers private music lessons. Very convenient to schedule around the dance classes since it's offered by the same studio. Theory is also taught.

Highly recommend EWMD!  One more thing - EWMD offers summer classes - it's a great way to see if your child likes dance or wants to try out a new form of dance. I am so glad that I found EWMD so many years ago and gave them a call!

My daughter goes to this ballet school. They have amazing teachers, very professional and patient!

Purdance offers a variety of adult classes which is hard to find since most studios are geared only to kids. Class packs are easy to purchase on their website and booking classes is just as easy.

I have taken several classes from a few different instructors and they are all welcoming and encouraging for all different levels. The front desk staff is helpful and they take COVID protocols seriously.

Sheila's Broadway Jazz on Thursday's is my favorite class. She does an exceptional job at breaking down choreography and gives helpful corrections throughout the class.

Nice facility with nice staffs!

Amazing dance studio in San Jose. 100% recommend if you're looking to take classes for fitness, learn how to dance, improve your skills, and make friends!!!

I have been attending the New Ballet School for their summer intensive for 3 years now. I am proud to say that I have grown so much with my technique thanks to the professional ABT certified faculty. I have made life long friendships with people I am still in contact with every day. I have been thriving in ballet classes ever since.

Fast and friendly

My daughter has taken classes here for years and loves it! Ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, tumbling - you name it, they have great instructors for all of the classes. Even on-line after COVID-19 the staff is engaged and keeping it fun during a truly challenging time-it's been great for staying connected.

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Amazing both my daughter's had great experiences during summer intensive 2019 wonderful Instructors, great classes, and their technique improved so much would highly recommend for outstanding ballet classes for all levels of experience

Professional, organized, two big shows for dancers to showcase their skills, one in the winter and one in the spring. My daughter has been dancing for 11 months and we are very pleased with the instruction that she received from a variety of teachers It is conveniently located close to public transportation and many nice restaurants in downtown.

My daughter is loving her ballet lessons. She is coming along quickly with friendly instructors and great home advice/assignments for rapid learning.

Great staff.

San Jose Dance Theatre's Nutcracker is a San Jose tradition. While other companies have come and gone San Jose Dance Theatre has always been here for us. They bring in high caliber guest artist in leading roles and the students of the academy make up the rest of the cast. I am always impressed by the caliber of dance in the show and the storytelling that is woven throughout the ballet. Highlighting the talent of our community in a family friendly setting while presenting a professional performance has made this a holiday tradition for our family for over 30 years. Whenever I've tried a different show with students, I'm disappointed in skill or presentation. The sets, lighting, live orchestra, costumes, and dancers are worthy of the Center for Performing Arts!

I've watched the Nutcracker here many times. First as a parent of a dancer and now as a family tradition. Always top-notch world-class professional ballet dancers combine with local Bay area dancers to put on great show. Highly recommend for family fun!

It's really amazing to watch a person grow from a 3 - 4 year old to an adult.
Dance, when taught in a family friendly environment, is such a gift to be given to that young person. Besides enhancing physical and mental health, the student realizes confidence, healthy friendships, and team building!
East West Music and Dance is an amazing gift to give to your child. Visit this wonderful studio, and see the pure joy of creative movement, art and accomplishment written across the smiles of the students who learn there.
I am privileged to have spent some time there, witnessing what dance taught in this wholesome environment can bring to a child. The ability to be their best self!

Needing to really improve her ballet technique, my daughter attended SJDT’s summer open classes and another ballet academy’s summer camp prior to her senior year in high school. She then accepted Miss Linda’s invitation to join SJDT for her entire senior year. That was absolutely the right decision! My daughter’s ballet skills improved to the point where she won an award for ballet at a multi-genre dance convention and was accepted into multiple college dance major programs!
My wife and I are grateful to amazing instructors Miss Sian, Mister David, Miss Mariana and, of course, Artistic Director Linda Hurkmans for helping our daughter succeed in her dance goals.
My family and I highly recommend San José Dance Theatre!

Excellent dance company for classical ballet training for kids and adults. I have two girls dancing here for 3 years. They both love the teachers, friends and staff in the studio. Teachers are caring and experienced. They learn a lot ranging from ballet techniques to professional ballet production such as the Nutcracker performance.

Excellent place to Dance ! Helpful caring staff especially Ms.Hannah. I have had my daughter here for 2 seasons. This year she has 3 classes a week. To watch her grow and gain focus ,agility, and self-confidence for a tween is exceptional.
I would highly recommend and I do.

Piano Lessons going good
My son was upset tht his first teacher suddenly quit. The second teacher is good too but kinda busy so absent and he deals with lot of substitute teachers therefore
Great if this can be minimal”

I have got to say this, Max, the instructor, he really has a passion for teaching his students. He had the patience to teach the youngest and the displeased to track the older kids. I don't think we would pick another studio or instructor. Our kids really like him and he helps them understand and find the one thing inside them to get better and better at ballet.

Flexible hours, fantastic teachers and staff, and I like that there are a lot of programs and incentives for young learners.

My daughter has seen such tremendous growth in her dancing in the past year and half since coming to East West Music and Dance. She especially loves dancing with the performing company. My son just started his first piano lessons and is really enjoying it too. I love that I can schedule both of my kids at the same time!

This is the place of a dancer's dream. I have been here for a number of years and am still mesmerized by the dance moves that are taught at the academy. The classes keep me in shape and are quite entertaining. They're even therapeutic for me countless times. I believe it is not just my personal experiences. You can ask the other dancers or maybe just come and see for yourself!

This is the best traditional ballet school outside of SF. It is the only school where all faculty is trained and certified by ABT. Perhaps most importantly, health and appropriate development is focused, with a Psychologist on staff.

If you compare to many other schools, make sure the others don’t start on pointe too early. NBS makes sure each child is ready, but doesn’t let it hold them back from progressing to higher levels.

Great place to learn various dance styles. They have kpop, hip hop,locking,Jazz, popping etc... if there’s a dance style you dance you can probably find a class here for it!

My grandmother was a tap teacher for as long as I can remember - started in the 50's. So when I was ready to sign up my 2 1/2 year old for tap, I searched around the South San Jose area and had very high expectations. Surprisingly, there were quite a few dance schools. After calling about 3 studios, I decided to give Infinity Dance Studio a try. We went for our free first class and my daughter had fun (what 2 1/2 year old doesn't like making tap sounds) and we decided to sign up. Fast forward 5 years later, we are still there, even though we moved 45 minutes south 2 years ago. It's obvious the owner does this because she loves it, she is encouraging and so sweet with the students. We have loved every single one of the teachers that have taught my daughter and I am so thankful that they are sharing their love of dance with her and all the students. It really is a big family at Infinity, from the owner, teachers, staff and volunteers, we are one big OHANA!

I have two young daughters and wish I had never chosen such a dirty and mismanaged dance studio. Truth be told, it was the closest place to my home. What I found was a gross rundown one room studio.

At the Spring/Summer 2017 rehearsal recital parents were expected to wait outside for 3 plus hours. No parents allowed in the theater during rehearsal. Parents of preschoolers were allowed to watch their little ones, then yelled at several times by different staff. Apparently some staff didn't read the email that went out to all parents telling them they could be in the theater if they had a child 5 or under. We were shuffled around by various divas claiming to be in charge. As a child mental health professional for more than 10 years, I would not recommend this place for any child.

Our daughter, who is 10 now, has been going to the academy for 1.5 years. She had very little experience from before. Everybody were very welcoming and nice. It felt like family from day one. I like their main values which are about learning through very supportive environment and family matters the most. Corrections and guidance is given in a way that it's understandable and age appropriate. I have seen huge growth of confidence in my daughter. She came in as rather shy, but is just smiling and fully enjoying herself on the stage now.

We love that the school is providing wide variety of trainings which all support becoming even a professional dancer. Linda Hurkmans is excellent classical ballet teacher, Kim Gardner is very knowledgeable in conditioning and injury preventing and Sian Ferguson is giving contemporary classes which are adding much needed broader skills to the dancers. I'm just naming the people with whom my girl is working with right now, but there are many other excellent teachers there. Occasional masters classes add even more variety to the mix.

The school has great new facilities. There are large class rooms and appropriate equipment for the dancers. I'm enjoying the big break room where I can work while waiting or dancers can do homework and eat, too.

The school has also great performance possibilities. They have at least 2 performance a year and the occasions increase as dancer grows to higher levels. The legendary The Nutcracker which is held at San Jose Center of Preforming Arts is excellent change to part of something bigger. It's running two weekends with 9 shows in a theater for about 2500 people. As a parent I totally love that I can actually be part of the school by volunteering. I have been helping as stage crew volunteer which has been so much fun and I get to share my experience with my dancing daughter.

This school offers high quality adult ballet training. They really focus on the technical details which I highly appreciate. I am very happy to have found this school.

We have been here for 2 years and we love it! I very much appreciate the classical ballet training they offer and the warm and professional staff. Best school for classic ballet in the area, we are lucky to be a part of it.

I do not recommend this place it's a wasting time and money They charge too much for nothing My daughter hates.

my daughter has been going there 5 years and she loves is it. Focus is on child health and development, very Professional faculty, live piano music, great performances, exposure to professional dancers

Great place with a broad spectrum of teachers for many styles. Good selection of adult classes. Chris's beg/int hip hop class is especially good

I am really disappointed with this school, the people who work in purdance are not professional and not friendly, today I have really bad experience in the photo studio, my daughter has a different color in tights and they saw her about one hour with this by the time they are going to take the photo they want to chance the tights, I think? Really if they saw my daughter before. Why they didn't tell me? but the most bad think is that they didn't tell me they tell to my daughter, I am sorry but I am not recommended this school. I haved bad experience too in other things... = (

They have several great programs here, with several different styles.

Update: they now are also a yoga studio, and offer yoga classes several times during the week and on weekends.

We have known Santa Teresa Academy of Music and Dance Directors Craig Lynch and Shirley Veloro (Craig's wife), for approximately four years now. During this time period, two of our sons have received piano instruction from Craig and violin instruction from Miss Cristy. It has been an absolutely wonderful experience for our boys and both of them have learned an immense amount about not only their respective instruments, but also about the responsibility that comes with taking music lessons. They have also learned about key aspects of music appreciation and performance. Craig, Shirley and their wonderful staff are all VERY compassionate in their interactions with their students and families. In our case, we expressed that performance skills were less important to us as a family, as our one son has extreme anxiety issues and doesn't enjoy performance in front of large crowds. We simply wanted a gentle and compassionate violin teacher who could help nurture a love of the instrument within him, rather than have him dread practicing or playing the violin. We are amazed every time he picks up his violin to play. It is such an accomplishment for a child like him and it has enhanced his self-esteem. As for our piano playing son, he started working with Craig in his mid-teens. Even though his lessons had to stop due to preparation for college this past year, he still returns to play the piano on his own. Craig did such a wonderful job working with him and teaching him not only how to sight read, but also how to dissect a piece of music and put it all back together. We find our son going to the piano now, as a source of enjoyment and relaxation. In our mind, that is absolute success when it comes to the question as to whether or not it was worth the financial investment and time commitment to giving our sons music lessons. We have seen Santa Teresa Academy of Music and Dance grow from it's very beginnings and now it truly is a hub of creative arts!!! Dancers, and musicians of all ages gather in this studio to creatively express themselves and it is such a positive vibe that Shirley and Craig have created. THANK YOU for the love of music that you have instilled within our children and also for the wonderful standard of music instruction that you provide to the San Jose community!!!

San Jose Dance Theatre's ballet academy is THE place to study classical ballet with exceptional teachers whose attention to detail is matched only by the care given to each student's progress. After many years of searching for a studio that teaches all levels with exceptional technique and artistic nuance, I am thrilled to study with Linda Hurkmans and her faculty.
I cannot speak highly enough of this studio (which is hard to find but worth the search). Located on Brokaw between Coleman and Martin, near the Quakes new soccer stadium off Hwy 880.

I have been charged without my acceptance and I didnt get the refund please do it now

I've learnt dance from about 8 different places around the world... Purdance is definitely one of the best. Most importantly they have amazing teachers that are some of the best in the country. A friendly gang of people too.