The Next Step Dance Studio

My daughter has been going to next step for almost 3 years ! I’m very impressed with the teachers and how organized everything is. I will keep on going as long as my daughter is willing to dance!

I don’t really feel like I’ve had enough real interaction with the studio to give them a true review, which is why I have been hesitant to review but now that we are going into our second season, I feel that I need to at least give them a review for our current experience.
I don’t know if we get more involved if it will change but for now, we are enjoying it.
My 7 year old took the Jr. Hip Hop/​jazz combo at Blackhawk with Miss Charissa. She is amazing and starts teaching them the dance at the very beginning so that by showtime you can the difference in her rec classes vs. other teachers. I love that about her. My daughter loved her as well.
This year we switched to a 7 – 9 year old hip hop/​jazz combo at the Grange Hall because Miss Charissa is only teaching a pure hip hop class in her age. We were definitely sad to have to change, but my daughter really wanted the jazz. We got to Miss Lauren and she seems to be great. Unfortunately, it’s just a room in the hall and there is no where for parents to watch at all. I’m pretty bummed that this class is still only 45 minutes. I thought after the Jr. classes, they went up to 1 hour. It seems like they made it only 45 minutes just because that’s what fit in the schedule.
While I love that there are multiple locations, it does make you feel a little like an outsider when you aren’t at the main location. There is little interaction with anyone from the studio, including the teacher.
We were a member of another studio before, which has it’s own set of issues, but I will say there is a big difference in the level of dancer ability at the competition level at the recital.
It’s a good place for right now, but I feel that if she were to continue and want to join a competitive team we would probably go to another studio.

We came upon the Next Step about 13 years ago, and I can not say enough how very thankful I am to have had all 5 of our daughters dance here throughout the years! We have had 4 of our girls on dance team, and I can honestly say that Lori and her studio have had the most positive impact on our daughters developing in areas well beyond dance. My one super shy preschooler grew into this strong, graceful and confident person and I truly thank Lori, Kelly, Rachel and the Next Step for their hand in who she has become.
If you are ever thinking of your daughter doing dance, Cheer or Pom in high school, invest their time in dance and Lori’s Performing Teams! They learn not only to perform and audition well, but they develop an amazing network of families and friends that support them through their teen years. Lori is great at taking care of the youngest dancers and helping them grow into amazing, confident, polite and kind teenagers who end up filling the dance, cheer and pom lines in both Monte Vista and San Ramon High.
In seeing these other reviews, I have to give my perspective… Lori does NOT favor nor even place the girls in their lines for teams. Lori pays for choreographers from across the country to come out and teach the girls numbers (one dance, for example, was taught to one of the Next Step teams, and then was featured in So You Think You Can Dance). It is the choreographers who place the girls, not Lori.
In addition, if any parent or dancer has any concern or worry, I know from experience that we have been able to call, go in and talk with her and Lori has always been extremely understanding and willing to work with us. Yes, I hear about a few of these less than kind moms/​daughters too, but we are going to find that anywhere, and it’s certainly not the fault of the Next Step ~ as a rule, just keep your distance from unkind people, smile and move on! Those mean moms/​daughters are going to find things awfully lonely and maybe they will learn from others to be kind. Regardless, not Lori’s fault and that’s an element we sadly find everywhere. Personally, I have found some of my very favorite, wonderful, sweet, lifelong friends here, as have my girls.
Yes, things are mandatory, but as kids get older and start participating in higher level/​high school sports and activities, the Next Step is no more mandatory than anything else. These dancers learn discipline and commitment, and as a parent I am grateful to always know exactly what to expect. Everything is very well communicated, and multiple emails and calendars remind us all of what’s going on. They do auto-​enroll as a courtesy to us ~ it is well explained for weeks in advance, and just takes a call to change.
Additionally, the older these girls get, the more flexibility Lori offers them to be able to do all they want to do in high school ~ she is super understanding and changes things around to allow them to do dance team along with dance at high school, cheer, pom, NCL, leadership, etc. It has always seemed to me that she takes care of her dancers and genuinely wants them to be successful in high school and beyond… and they are!
These dancers who graduate from her teams leave the Next Step with so much more than dance: They end up with confidence, discipline, poise and time management. They have not only the ability to perform and audition well, but to communicate well and to get along with various ages (great buddy system of older dancers taking care of younger dancers). They end up as leaders who have been trained to be kind and courteous to adults and their peers. The older my daughters get the more I appreciate the professional way Lori conducts her studio and can not imagine going anywhere else!
The Next Step is an amazing place to grow your dancer in so many areas that will benefit them in life ~ it has become another family for us and a home-​away-​from home for the girls on a weekly basis. Lori does a top-​notch job here at the Next Step and it’s the best I’ve ever seen. I can only say how sad I will be when my girls graduate high school and will no longer be dancing here! Thank you Lori for all you have done for our daughters throughout the years! (:

I have mixed emotions about the NDSD. My daughter has danced there seven years, the last two on a team. She loves it. I love that she loves it. But there is much I dislike about the studio operations.
First, the studio is a business and it is run like a business. As a professional woman, I get that and I believe that every business owner deserves to make a fair profit. That being said, when you work with consumers in a community, there is a human element that Lori seems to be lacking. Her front office staff tuns over often. The last two receptionists stayed less than a year. The one before that was about a year. My child tells me that Lori pays them peanuts and is not nice to them.
I disagree with the policy that you have to withdraw your child from class or you are auto-​enrolled for the next year. That seems to be laziness and revenue optimization on Lori’s part. Who wants their kids in the same class year after year?!
The studio does publicize its policies widely but honestly, it sends out way too much poorly written email to keep up, even to the recreational dance families!
The dance team parents are cliquey. The cliquey dancers have clearly learned that from their Meanie Moms. A number of talented dancers have left for other studios because they have been bullied in class and Lori has made it clear that she won’t do anything about girl drama.
Lori absolutely plays favorites but that’s how it is in every sport — the better athletes get more play time. It would be better if the teams were smaller because then they would do better in competitions. Lori makes a financial decision to keep them large. Since Dance Moms came out on TV the bar has been raised in dancing and the NSDS is no longer the best local studio on the circuit.
One review on Unilocal said that the studio forces the dancers to vote for Best of the East Bay before going into a class. There has been a computer there the last two years and people have been asked to vote. But force — absolutely not.
There are many, many positive reviews here on Unilocal from Dance Team parents. I find it funny that those are the same moms who sit around and complain about the studio and its policies.

The Next Step is the best dance studio for all ages. I take a hip-​hop class (Dance Mom’s 10 year old daughter) with Momo LeBeau and I love it! All the classes are awesome and the teachers are super nice! It is a great way for your child to have fun! The recitals are also well organized and very professional. If you are looking for a dance studio for your child (girl or boy), I suggest The Next Step!

Very disappointed by this dance studio!!! I totally agree with all the other negative reviews on this place. I hate that they have 3 locations and you never feel like a family and most importantly if you decide to not dance there the following year MAKE SURE you call them to cancel. I’m totally fighting with these people now b/​c we decided we were leaving last year and find another studio having no idea you have to call to cancel — –who ever just signs students up and charges your credit card for the following year without you agreeing to any class schedule. We were new to area and once we decided we weren’t gonna dance there anymore, emails I got over the summer I deleted. Now they are charging my credit card for $ 154 for classes I never agreed to and won’t reverse the charges. The owner won’t even call me back. Completely crazy she’s willing to lose all the negative publicity on her business over $ 154 in charges when my daughter NEVER showed up this year. I’m sorry but when running a business you should always make exceptions to rules to keep customers happy — -I will spread the word — never go here!!!

My daughter has danced Hip Hop for about 6 years. The past 2 were at Next Step. She loved it and her teacher, Ms. Corissa, at Blackhawk. The level of professionalism is at it’s highest and this is especially evident in their yearly show/​recital. You definitely feel like no corners are cut and that they want it to be a true professional show experience for the students and the audience. We have now moved out of state and have found a new dance studio. My daughter says «its ok», but she’s definitely not as happy as she was at The Next Step. We miss it…

Thank you so much for the great year my daughter had at The Next Step! She wanted to take dance classes so I did some research, and found your studio in the Blackhawk Plaza.
I was impressed with the location, the teacher’s enthusiasm and the excitement I saw on my child’s face each week after class. I signed her up to participate in your annual recital and was very pleased with the organization of it; information emailed home, tickets purchased on-​line, seats reserved, students chaperoned and a big smile on my dancer’s face! Both my daughter and I were so happy to have an extra performance opportunity at the local Senior Living Center as well, teaching her about
giving back to the community was a valuable lesson.
Keep up the great work Next Step! We will definitely be back for more fun dance classes.

I really don’t like the way they do things, with a set of rules that are unbreakable. They make you feel like a number, and that you can’t have any individuality for you dancer. They have MUST ATTEND auditions, but there are secret ones held for some chosen dancers. Sudden openings on certain dance teams appeared miraculously when we let them know we were not interested in continuing our relationship. Next Step is clearly a business, in it for the money only, and not interested in furthering the success of all dancers. The three studios in all different directions will drive a mother nuts! why can’t they figure out one larger facility if they are so successful?

This is a well organized dance studio that can be a lot of fun for children. Unfortunately it is very «clique» oriented for both children and parents. My daughter attended for several years and greatly improved her dance skills.

My son has been dancing at The Next Step Dance Studio for 5 years, on their performing teams for the last three. He has grown as both a dancer and a young man learning life skills such as time management, goal setting, and responsibility. He has formed wonderful friendships, and developed a strong love for dance thanks to his team directors and class instructors. I highly recommend The Next Step Dance Studio to all dancers of any interest or ability!

I danced at The Next Step for 12 years and participated in the competitive teams for 9 years. I absolutely loved every minute that I spent at the studio, the staff and dancers are absolutely incredible. I definitely found my best friends there and it was my home away from home. Now that I have graduated and don’t attend the studio anymore, I find myself missing the faculty, the dancers and the studio as a whole. They provided such an incredible foundation for me and I could not have been happier dancing there. Dance has been so important to me in my life and I don’t think I would have as much love for dance if it wasn’t for The Next Step! Thank you!!! I would recommend this studio to anyone who wants a fun, interactive and nurturing place to grow as a person and as a dancer.

I spent 15 years at The Next Step and loved every minute of it. I started recreationally and later joined their competitive teams for 10 years. I also taught for the studio which was a great honor and so much fun.
The teachers, staff, and coaches are wonderful and know what it takes to give dancers the fundamentals they need in order to succeed in this art form.
The Next Step was like a second home to me while I was growing up, and I still think of the studio and staff often. Throughout my career at the Next Step, I not only grew as a dancer, but as a person. I continued my dancing career in college and would have never had made the company had it not been for my training at The Next Step.
The studio is perfect for recreational classes as well as competitive teams. No matter what you’re looking for, they have an option for you — take it from a former student, teacher, and friend.

In her 5 years at The Next Step, my daughter has developed a love for dance that is unparalleled. Not only has she learned from some of the best instructors and choreographers, but she has gained strong friendships that will last a lifetime. There is no other studio around with such cutting-​edge style and technique — so much so that we travel to Danville from Pleasanton so that my daughter can benefit from being on the competitive teams! We highly recommend The Next Step!

This is a wonderful dance studio filled with amazing dance teachers and very happy students and parents. The Next Step puts on the most fabulous recitals I have ever seen. Keep up the good work!