Van Der Zwaan Studios

My 7-​year-​old daughter has been taking ballet with Miss Paula since she was 3, over half her life! I have seen this studio grow from a small neighborhood one to a vibrant community where young dancers can watch the older ones learn and practice and improve. Miss Paula is wonderful with the kids — she’s patient and imaginative, yet keeps them engaged and focused. I am impressed with the discipline my daughter is cultivating there — and the recitals are soooo much fun!

I felt at first to give this a 3 star rating but after a few sessions I decided to hold off, and I’m glad I did.
The instructor is very patient with the kids and is usually on time. She seems to always have a smile, and handles all the children well.
It seems like all of the girls are getting better and better each week, and I love the fact tap and ballet are back to back in 1 hr.
Only real issue now is class size. When the class is full there seems to be a lot of «traffic jams». But besides that I would definitely recommend giving this studio a try.

So grateful we found Paula and van der zwaan studio! Our 3.5 year old had been talking about ballet so we tried it out last spring session. We’re back for fall and Our little is as excited as ever about class :) Paula is a rare gem of a teacher, but from last spring recital it’s clear all the staff are very inspirational, qualified, patient and engaging for children of all ages. So grateful!

Our daughter has been studying ballet with Ms. Paula and Santia for years now. She loves it! The teachers are very supportive, it’s a great location, and River is always in a good mood after class.

When Paula merely walks toward you, you can see immediately that she is a highly trained prima ballerina. But what’s more, she is a highly experienced and sensitive teacher for young children, one who knows how to engage all temperaments, whether super-​shy or impulsive. Paula makes ballet super fun for little ones while still teaching some actual fundamentals.
The fact that she has a big glass window between the studio and the waiting room, so that the newest little students can get visual reassurance during class from parents was crucial for my daughter. It took my little one many weeks before she would participate in the free improv parts of the class, but Paula accepted her choices without pushing, and then it all came together in the right time. My daughter now loves dance classes. If you have a shy child who loves to dance, this is the place — but you may want to start with Paula before moving to one of the younger teachers’ classes.

Our daughter has had an amazing experience at Van Der Zwaan Studios… fun, positive and nurturing environment, developmentally appropriate and engaging. Paula is a beautiful, talented dancer and knows how to connect well with kids of all ages. We feel so lucky to have found this studio!!!

One Stop, All «Happy»
As the mother of active 6 year old, home schooled, twins, I needed one place for my dancer and my acrobat to do the things they love, I found it here.
The elder of my twins was taking aikido at Aikido Shusekai, and the sansai there suggested Van der Zwaan Dance studio in Berkeley, I am so glad that she did.
Van der Zwaan, offers ballet, Hip Hop, and gymnastics classes for youngsters, toddlers and their Moms, teens and adults.
My elder twin is rather kinetic and takes gymnastics and Hip Hop, while the younger is more reserved. My baby has taken ballet there for almost 2 years and now takes gymnastics. The twin’s teachers, Ms. Paula, Ms Santia and Ms. B, are present, professional, patient and highly skilled. These wonderful teachers, bring out the best in their young charges while making sure that the routines are learned and order is kept. If you have been in the presence of 10 to 12 youngsters ranging in age from 2 to 8 years, then you know just how amazing that is.
We, my twin daughters and myself, would like to give Van der Zwaan Studios the highest rating of 5 Stars! Twin tested, twin approved! :-) :-)

Wonderful dance studio for children AND adults.
My 1^st grader is thriving in this class. Great instruction, real technique, appreciation for musicality, and tons of fun.
The Adult Ballet class is impressive. The instructor tailors it for the class and is wonderful. It is never the same lesson twice — each class builds on the previous, yet keeps is manageable, fun, and challenging. Wonderful low-​impact workout, with conditioning and stretching. Plus, I get to brush up on my French ;)
Highly recommend!
BONUS: 2^nd class discounted if you sign up for more than 1 class — perfect for both you & your child.

So happy with Van Der Zwaan Studios! Great for beginning ballet. I can’t believe that teacher SImone can keep 10 3 – 5 year olds totally focused and engaged for 50 minutes.

We absolutely love teacher Paula! From the moment my little one met teacher Paula they had an instant connection and it became a wonderful relationship from then on! I suppose it happens with all of teacher Paula’s students. What’s not to love? She is patient, nurturing, loves to teach, and she is always smiling! She also provides serious instruction but makes it fun for the little ones to learn. Her studio is immaculate, warm, and inviting and her rates are beyond reasonable. The trek from SF to Cal is annoying but well worth it!