Anyone have suggestions as to where is a good studio to take my 3-year-old daughter to learn
pre-ballet?
COMMENT 88645
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2010-07-11 01:01 PM |
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Both my girls adored Miss Gina at GVCC School of Ballet. The Pre-Primary class generally starts kids at four years old. They have a beautiful website with a ton of info.
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COMMENT 88646
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2010-07-11 01:08 PM |
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Gustafson Dance starts kids as young as 2-1/2. My daughter (now 5) started at 2-1/2 and loves it. I think the City of Santa Barbara has a dance program in the Carrillo Center downtown.
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COMMENT 88648
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2010-07-11 01:29 PM |
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Our daughter went to Gustafson at age 3... the real requirement is to be out of diapers and potty trained. Our daughter loved it and has gone on to love ballet.
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COMMENT 88678
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2010-07-11 04:13 PM |
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Miss Emmy Lou at Santa Barbara Ballet center! She does wonderful pre-ballet and creative dance classes. She is particularly good about making sure children learn movement and dance that is developmentally appropriate for their bodies.
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COMMENT 88715
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2010-07-11 08:04 PM |
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Thank you all for the suggestions. Now I have three great schools to investigate.
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COMMENT 88763
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2010-07-12 07:53 AM |
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My family has been very pleased with the gentle yet professional nature of Montecito School of Ballet.
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COMMENT 88773
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2010-07-12 08:26 AM |
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What about boys?! I have a perfectly masculine four year old who would love to go to a dance class but they're full of pretty, pink tutus. Anyone know of a fun, creative dance class for pre-school boys (and girls)?
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COMMENT 88783
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2010-07-12 08:53 AM |
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We love Miss Gina at Goleta Valley Ballet School!
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COMMENT 88784
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2010-07-12 08:57 AM |
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Miss Nancy taught our granddaughter and was very good. She used to teach out of the Montecito Y.
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COMMENT 88785
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2010-07-12 08:58 AM |
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Santa Barbara Dance Arts, at 1 N. Cesar Chavez in the funk zone, Steven Lovelace and Alana Tillim are wonderful! They and their teachers offer dance classes for preschool thru adult
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COMMENT 88788
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2010-07-12 09:24 AM |
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Forget "pre-ballet". At 3 they should be doing creative expression. Marilee Krause at the City Parks and Rec does a lovely job with them. She combines art and dance and endeavors to create the love of dance. Steven Lovelace is fabulous too.
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COMMENT 88790
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2010-07-12 09:24 AM |
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Our daughter, now 15, has been with studying ballet (& jazz & modern) at Gustafson since the age of 5. They also have terrific pre-ballet classes in a brand new facility off Las Positas & 101. Very good classic school, but quite pricey (but I guess they are all similarly expensive in that regard).
Also great for boys! They put on at least 2 performances for the little kids / year, which is an important part of the experience.
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COMMENT 88815
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2010-07-12 10:33 AM |
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I second (or third) the recommendation of Gina at the Goleta Community Center. She is amazing with little kids, gave my daughter a lifelong love of ballet and dance.
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COMMENT 88836
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2010-07-12 11:10 AM |
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My daughter is 4 and we have been going to the Parks and Rec class with Susan. Now located at the Louise Davis center downtown. Susan is great, with the right amount of formality and firmness but keeps it fun. It's about $10 per lesson for residents and you can drop in. When my daugther is 5 or 6, we plan to switch to a formal studio. Good luck.
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COMMENT 88890
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2010-07-12 01:23 PM |
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Another vote for the informal fun at Parks and Rec, we felt several of the others were really uptight for a 4 yr old. Having to wear specific tights in specific colors...and on top of that she didn't have much fun. Switched to Ms. Susan and she loves it now, and there are boys in the class too sometimes.
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COMMENT 88963
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2010-07-12 04:41 PM |
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Agree with 88890, about having fun.. If a child is in a class in which she does not "have fun" or enjoy, it becomes a miserable experience. I think that the create expression classes make a lot of sense for toddlers. And there should not be competition at that age, but just little performances. Keep it simple.
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COMMENT 89100
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2010-07-13 09:12 AM |
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I second the recommendation for Gina at Goleta Valley CC - my daughter stayed with their program for eight years. They create a real family/community feeling while imparting - with love - the necessary basics.
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