Los Gatos Ballet

I love this dance school! The adult classes are so great. The instructor is very aware of people’s abilities and goals. The studio is professional and clean. Think this a great atmosphere for beginners and advance dancers. It’s nice that there is not attitude that some schools can have.

I love Los Gatos Ballet and I am so grateful to have such a lovely ballet school right here in Los Gatos.
My daughter has enjoyed 6 years of learning the beautiful art of ballet at Los Gatos Ballet. First, with Christine as a little girl of 5 and for the last couple of years from Raul as well as other wonderful teachers that have added their own expertise, like Pilates and Yoga, during summer intensive programs. Now that she is on pointe, she is excited to take class with Marcie as well. The discipline, grace and flexibility that she has found in herself is amazing.
Marcie is the director and our fearless leader. I say this as a proud member of an amazing team that is giving so much to the community. With the Annual Spring Shows and our Nutcracker every December, Los Gatos Ballet is inspiring young artists to work hard and master themselves as they strive to do the best they can in a demanding art form. From the youngest of aspiring artists to our high school seniors, they all take pride and gain so much from dancing on a big stage like The Flint Center for Nutcracker and during productions of Cinderella or Alice in Wonderland, just to name a few of the spring productions. Los Gatos Ballet also collaborates with the San Jose Youth Symphony, and has special guests from San Francisco Ballet and Silicon Valley Ballet for their Nutcracker and Spring Shows.
We are happy to support our daughter and our community at Los Gatos Ballet with the volunteering that helps to put on these amazing performances. Some families do not have time for the volunteering, so it is wonderful that they have a buy out option. It is easy and fun to be a part of the shows and when the kids are younger the parents volunteer less, so that is very fair.
When you sit in the audience with family and friends, it is such an amazing experience to watch and be entertained by these fine young artists, and families can also take pride in helping to put on these wonderful shows that inspire and entertain so many.
The studios are beautiful and clean with great floors and mirrors and when it is time to prepare for the shows a lot of the rehearsals happen during class times, which is very convenient. Sarah, in the office is very organized and helpful with everything from ordering T-​shirts to paying for tuition.
A new studio has just been added, so it is a very exciting time for the growing school and I am very happy to recommend Los Gatos Ballet.
The confidence that is developed and the relationships that are built in this community are priceless.
My daughter loves her classes, her teachers and working hard to put on these amazing shows, and of course being on stage and dancing with her friends!
I have taken the adult ballet classes as well with Andrea, and I highly recommend her class for those that wish to add ballet to their routines or those that once danced and wish to feel that poise again.
Andrea is a great teacher and will work with all levels. Beginners are welcome, but experienced dancers will also be challenged.
Ballet is a great way to build confidence, improve posture, flexibility, grace, balance and strength.
Ballet teaches you Grace for Life!

Los Gatos Ballet is a place for dancers who love ballet and parents who are committed to support their children’s passion. Parent volunteering is a huge reason for the success of the performances but time commitment is a serious factor. It is not a recreational dance school for sure. Parents should check it out before signing up.
My daughter has been dancing since 2009 when she was 6. We have been in every performance except one season of Nutcracker. The rehearsals and shows are hand work but age appropriate. She and her friends enjoy the experience and the bonding during rehearsals and backstage. The experience of performance develop the dancers as artists and show them what they could achieve today and in future years.
As to parent volunteering, we set time aside for that time of the year. It was overwhelming the first year, but once we got a hang of it no hardship at all even though I am a working mom. Recently LGB started Volunteering buy out so parents have options. Through volunteering I got to know parents, teachers and other kids and built friendship and support system. I am glad to know the community where my daughter will be spending lots of time during her teenage years.
Marcie and her teachers are wonderful. My daughter looks up to the senior girls as role models. They are accomplished dancers, well adjusted teenagers and many go on to good colleges.
I support LGB not just for obligation but also for my gratitude!

This review is for the pre-​ballet program only since we don’t have experience with the more advanced classes. Christine is an amazing teacher. Other dance and movement classes I’ve seen for young children are free-​for-​alls designed to keep the kids moving and happy and out of their parents’ hair for 45 minutes. Christine is able to keep the kids moving and happy while also teaching discipline, respect for the space and each other, and the fundamentals of ballet. She’s encouraging and sets high standards for the kids, and her classes are fun. The studio is beautiful. We’ve had a few small communication issues with LGB, but they’re always responsive and accommodating, and we’ve been able to clear up any misunderstandings with a quick email. They have also been understanding about the enrollment whims of 4 – 5 year olds, which I appreciate.

Pros:
There is one lovely teacher who walks the very delicate line between making sure class is lots of fun but also disciplined. My child learned quite a bit in this class.
Cons:
There is an expectation that LGB be your life. All students are expected to be part of the spring and fall ballets which include more than 6 days of performances/​rehearsals (completely inappropriate for the 11 and under children). Plus the ballets cost extra money for costumes (many of which are reused) and participation. Additionally, you have to do 30 hours of volunteer hours, many of which are offered in 2 – 3 hour slots. It is completely unrealistic and vastly overpriced!
And if you don’t want to do the big ballet, then your child gets to hear about it every week and be left out of the choreography and costume trying on. Further, none of thus was made clear to us before the semester began, or we wouldn’t have joined in the first place. What happened to letting children perform a dance they learned in class at a showcase?
Communication is poor and disorganized. The owner is not responsive to inquiries.
I can’t speak to the older children but for the 11 year old and under child this studio could suck the love for ballet out of child and parent who would love it. I am very disappointed. I would give it 1 star except we do like the one teacher. We will not return after this semester.

I took an adult ballet class in the evening with Andrea. Really sweet teacher, she was great about adjusting the class to differing levels and really open to absolute beginner students. I highly recommend this class if you’re an absolute beginner, or haven’t had ballet class in a long time and want to get back to the studio – and looking for a pressure-​free fun ballet class where you get to move.
The studio is beautiful with new marley floors.