Livermore School of Dance

So far I am really impressed with this dance school! (I take my 3 year old, so we’ve just started dance life). I LOVE how they aren’t pagentry and are fun based.
Everyone is really nice and prices are good too!

I have three daughters (9 year old twins and a 5 year old) who wanted to take dance class. The twins signed up for a tap class and my 5 year old was in a tap and ballet combination class. The twins class was 45 minutes, once per week. The combination class was 1 hour, once per week. Their jazz division has grown a lot within the past couple of years. Some of Miss Amy’s classes fill up quickly.
Throughout the season, my girls learned and worked on technique. Miss Amy has very structured classes. It’s still fun, while learning and growing. Everyone that is at the studio is really nice — the office lady, Mickey is great. They send out everything via e-​mail to keep you updated. The co-​owner Liz is also very nice. They have a lot of space for parents to sit and watch the classes. But it’s also located in downtown Livermore. I usually walk a couple blocks down to get some coffee from Panama.
They don’t focus on competitions at this studio. They have their shows and dance at a lot of local community events. My girls aren’t highly competitive and just love dancing, which is perfect at this studio. I recommend it to anyone that is looking for dance classes. They cater to all ages and levels. And their tuition rates are very competitive. They were the best priced in the area that I found. My girls take two classes EACH per week now because it is so reasonably priced.

My daughter is in her second year of Creative Movement class at the school, and I am very pleased with the quality of instruction. The classes are fun and age appropriate, focusing on imagination and play. The recital at the Bankhead Theater was a wonderful experience for all the students and I enjoyed watching the performance. I also recently watched the Mardi Gras jazz performance by the studio and it was a fabulous show.
I also take adult ballet at the school, and I enjoy the class very much. It is a class for all levels and is a great alternative to other fitness options. The studio also recently won an award for «Business of the Year» from the Livermore Downtown Association. I recommend the school to anyone looking for a great dance experience.

Our family has been involved with LSOD (in the ballet division) since 2009 and I really should have rated the school before now. We aren’t associated with LSOD other than having our daughter in classes, so this is the closest thing to an unbiased customer review that we can provide. I will attempt to give a very detailed and clear review — the kind I’m looking for when I’m visiting Unilocal to get information. :) Since we haven’t been involved with the jazz division, I am mostly only commenting about the ballet division as far as the specifics.
LSOD is an extremely professionally-​run dance studio that maintains a friendly family atmosphere and is flexible and inclusive (i.e. no one is excluded from dancing in a show as long as they participate in classes and rehearsals and do their best — they welcome special needs students as well). Classes are offered for all ages from 2 ½ to adults. We homeschool and appreciate that the studio has proven to be very accommodating of homeschooling families.
Both directors (Shelly in ballet and Liz in jazz) are talented, creative and caring individuals who have a love for dance and for the students they teach. They are very encouraging, kind and nurturing, as are the other teachers and helpers that they employ. Classes are structured to teach skills and technique while remaining fun and interesting. Students at LSOD learn first and foremost to love dancing, as well as developing the skill, strength and grace that good dance requires. The aim with younger students in particular is to develop a zest, joy and confidence in dancing — costumes, props, stories and music are combined to make each class a magical time for these little ones, who may not even realize they are learning while they’re having fun.
Other points of interest about LSOD:
Their new studio at L and 2^nd St. is beautiful! It’s conveniently located, very bright and clean, and the students enjoy being there. Parents are welcome to stay and view classes from the waiting areas, or can feel comfortable in dropping off their children while they do errands or grab a coffee for an hour.
LSOD productions are renowned for their originality, energy, variety and sheer beauty; they are very professionally staged in all aspects (including stage sets, costuming, musical scores, and of course the choreography and performers) and many patrons have commented that the quality of their shows at the Bankhead is equal to what can be found in San Francisco theatres. Costumes are tasteful, attractive and original, and the directors work to keep costume fees low.
Many opportunities are provided for dancers to learn and excel year-​round, and during the summer a variety of guest instructors may be invited to teach advanced classes for those who are interested. Also, LSOD has a ballet company, «Le Tableau Magnifique» which offers motivated students the chance for additional growth and development of dance skills and techniques, as well as the chance to experience more performance opportunities in the local area. It is managed and run like a professional ballet company, so participants get a taste of what that may be like.
LSOD works to keep fees reasonable, and has a tuition scale that works to help families with multiple dancers or who may have one dancer who is taking multiple classes. They have converted to a completely online payment system which makes paying tuition very convenient, effortless and secure. Performance dates are set well in advance (the yearly calendar has all dates for classes, holidays and performances) which I appreciate when I am planning our family’s yearly calendar.
I noticed that one person (Lauren F) posted a very unhappy review because she couldn’t locate a staff member who could help them get information. I’m sorry to hear that happened. When classes are going on, it’s not usually a time when a director or teacher will be readily available (if that is who was being sought). I wonder if the person you encountered was an instructor, a dancer, or even a parent? The office is located upstairs and is not always accessible to walk-​in traffic. LSOD does employ a very helpful office administrator but the office hours are variable as far as I can tell, which makes sense since the dance studio class hours also vary.
I know that Shelly and Liz would be sorry to hear of your frustration, and I would like to suggest that you try again to contact LSOD. Walking in is always a chancy way to try and obtain detailed information from a dance studio, beyond being able to pick up a printed schedule (the 2012 – 2013 class schedules are now available on a rack to the left in the entryway to the waiting area). I would suggest telephoning 925÷245−9322 and leaving a detailed voice mail if your call is not answered, and you can also visit their webpage at
to find out more information or contact them via email. Hope this helps!

LSOD put on the most beautiful and fun show of The Wizard Of Oz at the Bankhead Theater.
The costumes and the sets were great.
The BEST PART WAS THE DANCERS!!!
All smiling and excited everyone was so positive.
We are so happy to be apart of such a wonderful dance company.
The Creative Movement class put on the most wonderful show too.
My younger daughter had so much fun being in the Madeline Celebrates The Seasons.
Shelly is so loving and nurturing… THANK YOU LSOD!!!

I went into this dance studio to get some information and see about putting my girls in classes here and after wandering around looking for someone to talk to for quite a bit I finally saw someone and she was less than helpful, couldn’t really give me much information and left me feeling unwanted and as if I was in the way. No way on earth would I send my girls here!

My daughter has been in Ms. Amy’s class for about 4 months and absolutely loves it. Amy gives one on one attention and is very patient with all the girls. I highly recommend this school to anyone interested in Dance.

DD takes Creative Movement here… it’s a ballet class geared to the preschool (2.5−4 years) set. Ms. Shelley is a wonderful instructor and she incorporates play into the class. We can’t wait for her first recital in June!

We heart LSOD!
My daughter has been going here for 2 years now. We previously attended another dance school in town but it wasn’t really a fit for us.
We found a home at Livermore School of Dance. The focus is on improving and learning with the emphasis on the kid’s experience in class and at the recitals.
We love Liz (Jazz), and Melissa (Jazz Tumbling – awesome class!)
Also LSOD really tries to keep costumes pricing as low as possible. At least for the Jazz Division. We haven’t dance in the Ballet Division so I can’t speak to that. :)

We were in the market for a music/​dance activity for DGD… and my daughter found the program here.
Both my daughter and I studied ballet… she lasted for many more years than I did.
My grandaughter is 2.5 years old, and her class is just perfect for her age group. I view this as dance and movement appreciation.
Miss Shelly is very engaging, she and her staff encourage the students participation. Props and costumes help facilitate the stories. Children this age just don’t have the attention span for serious dance yet, and this program understands that.
Today they read the story of the Nutcracker ballet, and acted out some scenes from the ballet… it was a so cute!!!
This is truly the place for her… I can’t wait for the recital!

Livermore School of Dance is a wonderful dance school! My daughter is younger, and what I really love about the program is that the children are encouraged to do free dancing and not just stand at the barre the entire class. There is a lot of emphasis on learning about body awareness and creativity. They are also learning the beginning fundamentals of dance. My daughter’s coodination has really improved since starting dance. Miss Shelly is a great teacher — very patient and creative. The recitals are very age appropriate. All of the costumes are tasteful and cute — not like other dance studios I’ve seen. A fantastic program all around!