The Performing Arts Center

I know that its not fair to give this place a one star since their instructors are over the top wonderful but they are losing my business and my niece’s business because of their rude receptionist. I am a manager and we would be closed down if I had a front desk with that kind of attitude both in person and on the phone. In the age of customer service and social media and with so many peope looking for jobs, how they can still keep her there is beyond my comprehension. Their recitals can also be better. We pay $ 10 a ticket (which the receptionist sells grudgingly) but everything looks old and tired. Its too bad. Please get someone else on the front desk. I know this isn’t the first time you’ve heard this.

Dancing as an adult, I’ve found it difficult to find a place where I could develop and improve. Most dance studios that offer adult ballet classes just give class, they don’t teach, and that makes it nearly impossible to get any better or reach higher levels of dancing. Jackie is an incredible teacher who can bring out the dancer in you, and help you reach higher levels.
PAC’s dance program is great for kids and teens too, but it’s rare to find a place, and find a teacher, who offers the opportunity for an adult to really grow as dancer. Jackie’s Saturday morning adult ballet class is a technique driven class that can transform your dancing if you allow it to. Her thorough understanding of anatomy gives her the ability to identify and correct what you individually need to adjust, in order to create the ballet line with your body. She works from the inside out, helping the students learn to find and activate the specific muscles needed to achieve the movement quality and line. She’s truly a gift to those who want to dance and want to improve.
I have taken several classes from different instructors at PAC and the people, the studio, the classes are terrific. I have to give PAC nothing less than 5 stars. If you’re looking for a fantastic adult ballet class, take Jackie’s class!

we love Ms. Tamara. Period.

My 2 year old daughter has been going here since August and I love it. The rude receptionist warms up to you… eventually. She’s very friendly now and Miss Tamara (the instructor) is exceptional. My daughter looks forward to it every week and she has learned a lot. Theres always parking in front and a parking lot behind the building. You definitely get your monies worth. Love this place, highly recommend it.

I came to this 2 years ago studio based on Paulina K’s 5 star rating and I am giving five stars for all the same reasons. My review will also based upon experience the adult ballet classes taught by Candy Sherwin.
First off, decent facilities, ample street parking (at least at night there is), plenty of studios, seating, and there is a live pianist to play for the ballet classes. Trust me, live music is a big deal. And their rates are very affordable. (Cash or Check only)
Yes, I agree that the regular receptionist isn’t the sweetest but you get used to it and even warm up to it after a while. It’s never so bad that she deters you from this studio. I can say have a nice evening and she’ll say the same back with a smile.
MOST IMPORTANTLY,
Let me tell you, no one, and I mean NO ONE can come close to the quality instruction that Candy Sherwin provides. She is absolutely lovely. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you just can’t go wrong learning under Candy’s ever-​knowledgeable wing. All newcomers are welcomed with open arms. She sincerely takes the time to get to know you over a few classes and will always remember a face, even if you’ve only gone to class once or twice. She’s very understanding and pays close attention to each person’s progress. She perfectly explains technique, posture, and performance. She pushes you hard but she will never be out to embarrass you or pick on you. There is also absolutely no favoritism with her. There are friendships and relationships that are clearly apparent but absolutely no favoritism. No one understands ballet and teaching like Candy does, seriously. Did I mention she’s hilarious?
I came to this studio a complete beginner and two years later, I’m much better versed in technique and have had the privilege of knowing Candy, one of the most beautiful human beings there are. I can call her class home.

my 3 ½ year old loves miss Tamara, she is great with kids. patient, gives easy directions for children to follow. What I really like is when other kids are acting up in her class, she gives them a small break (time out) outside of her class, so they do not interrupt the other students! I like her! I however cannot stand the old rude lady at the front! horrible manners, very impatient with the kids seems she is always in a rush and hates answering questions from parents! get ride of her and you will get a better review!

ZERO STARS: I just got off the phone. This woman was rude. They will lose my business over it.

I wish I could give them 0 stars. I called 4 times and left 4 messages with the front desk because I wanted my 2 ½ year old daughter to try out a class. They said she can’t try out until I speak to the director. I said I called and left her a message she won’t call me back. Oh well, she’s busy, she’ll call you but you can’t just show up. I guess they just don’t want business because this lady never called back. I eventually went to Miss Melodee in Tarzana which is wonderful! The class only has 5 girls in it. Miss Melodee teaches the classes. My daughter loves it, they always respond right away to emails and calls and they actually LISTEN. You guys suck Performing Arts Center!

I’m giving this place five stars for their extremely reasonable price. They are worth driving a little out of the way for, for legitimate dance instruction that does not try to gouge you at every turn. We have only had one teacher so far, for a year – Miss Karina – she is absolutely perfect with the little kids. But we often watch the older kids classes through the windows, and they all seem to be excellent, professionally-​taught classes.
For little girls, taking dance classes is often all about working up to the dance recital and the costume, and unfortunately the studios seem to know this. We have been charged up to $ 80 for the cheap costume and then asked to pay $ 30 a ticket for the recital after we had been paying for classes for a year and a half! PAC seems to be about the dancing – the recital is secondary.
(I will agree with another reviewer that the people at the front desk are pretty unfriendly. But whatever. Don’t really need to deal with them much.)

I should preface that my dance background consists of sporadic classes in college, so my goal was to scope out a Beginning Hip Hop class for adults in the Valley, which I found in the evening class with Lindsey.
Lindsey instructs kids as well as some introductory adult classes, so she has an array of fun mnemonics to describe moves that are very helpful for you to remember and get into the feel of them if you’re either rusty in dance or not familiar with that type of style. I do wish there were more corrections on form, or that there was a consistent level in energy (rather than marking the movement) so that I could improve myself throughout. Overall she is a very friendly and accommodating instructor at about the perfect level for a newbie.
The PAC Van Nuys itself is small but clean, and good for the price. 3 ½ stars.

The front desk receptionist at «The Annex» location is annoyingly rude. I don’t know why but I guess she’s like that with everyone. Miss Tamera Grey is so nice and so great with my little four year old. My daughter absolutely loves her ballet/​jazz tap class and she said «Miss Tamera is so nice and so PRETTY!» I felt a little uneasy leaving my four year old with another adult but you have complete access to a window to the studio which makes me a lot more at ease. I will give a re-​review of this place once I get to know it a little better and I see that my daughter is learning (She has only been her first class at the time of this review).

I’m giving this studio 5 stars based on ADULT BALLET class.
If you’re an adult dancer, you’ll probably agree that finding excellent ballet instruction for adults isn’t easy…
There are tons of classes for kids, but when you’re an adult many instructors don’t take you seriously and won’t comment or correct you unless you’re already a Prima Ballerina.
In my opinion, Candy Sherwin is an extremely gifted instructor for adults. She is attentive to everyone, her barre and floor combos rock, and she seems to posses x-​ray vision when it comes to the body and it’s workings. If your technique is off or you have a movement issue, Candy will know exactly what’s causing it and how to correct it.
After consistently taking her class I’ve improved faster and more noticeably than with any other teacher I’ve had. In fact, I’m now working on pointe (something I never dreamed of before!).
This is a pleasant studio overall (despite the marley floor), but in all honesty I would go anywhere to take class from Candy!