Ariel Dance Productions

I used to enjoy hip hop dancing and performing when I was younger. Then I had kids. So I didn’t do this for 10 years. When the kids got old enough to learn dance, I started looking for a good place for the kids and myself to take classes. I found Ariel through using a GROUPON deal. I enjoyed it so much I continued. Great classes! The kids enjoyed learning Hip hop from Ms. Lisa and I took dance class with Richard. I liked it cuz it was unintimidating and Richard was a great teacher. Performing again was fun.

If you are looking for a place to dance or looking to get back to dance, Ariel Dance productions is the place for you!
Staff
The staff is super friendly and welcoming. I was super scared to come into the studio because I hadn’t danced in a while, but the staff made my experience comfortable. The owner Oanh is so approachable and warm hearted. She truly cares about the studio and everyone that comes through it. She treats everyone like family.
Environment
Family friendly environment! The studio is appropriate for anyone of any age. Whether you are 2 years old, 22, years old, or 82 years old you will feel at home. There are dancers with all different types of experience and the instructors will work with you no matter what level you are at while still meeting everyones needs. I love that the adult/​teen classes are offered after work and school hours. Studio is clean and well kept.
Instructors
The instructors are great and there are a variety of classes offered: Bolly-​hop, Jazz, hip-​hop, contemporary, ballet, modern, belly dance, and much more. The instructors have varying degrees of experience and provide a great amount of technique in classes. You will surely get a workout as well as high quality dance instruction and attention.
Price
Before I found Ariel, I searched for many dance studios in the south bay and Ariel prices are as good as they get. Dance in general is expensive, but I think this studio does a great job at providing pricing that works for the pockets.
Overall
I love Ariel. I definitely did not expect everything that came my way when I joined this dance studio. I love my new dance family and am fortunate to have found this rare gem!

I first tried Ariel after a friend of mine recommended the Groupon deal. I’ve been taking classes here for two years now, and love it!
They offer a huge variety of classes, including my favorite, lyrical jazz/​ballet. The rates are very affordable; I usually pay monthly or per class. It’s very flexible for a busy professional like me. Classes are offered in the evenings, so those of us with full-​time jobs can still participate.
What I love most about Ariel is the low-​pressure, passion-​driven environment. You’re given plenty of opportunities to grow and show your skills (4 shows per year, all optional), but you don’t feel pressure to compete or compare yourself to other dancers. I’ve felt that pressure at other studios, but don’t at Ariel. I love that I can be myself — and I love that the Ariel community (a strong and loving one!) has welcomed me in.

Love this place. Professional, fun, and friendly! High quality instructors and choreographers. Lovely environment too if you are looking for connections. The director, Oanh does an amazing job running the business as well as bringing everyone together.

I put my daughter here at dancing classes for a couple of months. People here are very friendly. I did not let her continue as I do not see much of progress on her dancing skills. She had lots of fun but I do not think she learned much.

I really love this studio, I like how things are month to month. This is great for a busy individual like myself, some months I am much busier then others. They also have the option for drop in classes, if you don’t want to pay unlimited.
I did unlimited classes my first month, just to take a bunch of classes to see which one was my favorite!
My favorite class is the belly dance class. I also like Richards Hip Hop class.
I wish they had a beginning tap class later in the evening. I would love to try tap, but unfortunately I am still working when that class is going on! That being said, all the other amazing classes make up for the fact!
I highly recommend this studio!

Ariel has been a bliss to me. I joined Ariel more than two years ago as an absolute beginner to ballet techniques, contemporary and jazz dance style. My first contemporary teacher-​Kelsey was amazing and very very patient. The Ariel owner and also dance Teacher, Oanh is remarkable at making a person feel comfortable in the class and guiding to stretch one’s individual limits at the same time. She pays attention to minute details to work on, that one feels a better dancer every day. Whether it is a stretching session or learning her choreography, it is phenomenal. I’ve also taken Jenny’s theatrical Jazz, she is an amazing person, so full of energy and her pieces are really really creative to work in. The best part about Ariel is that we are free to take and try any class of the week. I’ve tried Swap’s Bollyhop, Valerie’s jazz and they are great as well.
Almost every 3 to 6 months, we have a show which gives me a unique experience as a performer on stage. I just love to be part of the shows, which are super fun and extremely memorable.
Ariel has given me an opportunity to know beautiful people, who are so appreciative. Its like a family where all instructors and dancers are so passionate about dancing, giving me all the room to learn. I would highly highly recommend Ariel to the dance lovers.

My daughter is in Ms. Lauren’s Monday Pre-​Ballet Class. She has been going here for at least 6 months and we only have good things to say. Class start on time and end on time. Teacher is very patient and kind.
The owner Oanh is also very friendly and each time that I have emailed her, she has emailed back within 24 hours.
I highly recommend this studio to any parent who may be considering a pre-​ballet class for their child. Prices are very reasonable. I would have also added my daughter into the tumbling class but unfortunately, we will be moving out of the area.

This is a wonderful studio that with a family friendly environment. My daughter has been taking classes there for about a year. She is learning a lot and has increased her flexibility. She looks forward to going to class. There is always a place for parents to sit or they are free to run errands in the plaza. Check the schedule, some children classes occur at the same time as adult classes. Everyone can take a class at the same time. Check it out!

This studio seems not very suitable for beginners and new students.
I have tried the hiphop class on Monday, belly dance classes and some other classes and I found that:
1. The hiphop instructor is nice but she teaches the steps that have been taught several times before. So all the old students just review the steps and she teaches VERY fast. This is UNFAIR for new comers.
2. Belly teachers are not focusing on teaching you how to wave or drill, so sometimes we just didn’t know what she is doing. Looks like she assumes we are all intermediate students.
I have known 3 new comers including me decide not to continue after several classes. The main reason is the pace is too fast and we cannot learn much. I have switch to other studios that are more suitable for new comers.

Ariel dance productions is such an amazing place. The owner, the instructors, the dancers are all wonderful and talented people. Kids and adults have a blast dancing their hearts out here. I love Ariel!!!

After starting my «dance life» in college with a ridiculous amount of ballroom and a little bit of ballet, I knew I wanted more. I knew enough to take care of myself in terms of ballroom, but I knew I wanted to continue to take classes in ballet. As you can expect, though, it’s hard to find adult classes for beginners, and I was ecstatic to find the groupon deal for Ariel years ago.
From the very first class, I felt like I had found my new dance family. Everyone there is so nice and talented. It’s an amazing gift to have teachers whom I can ask «be hard on me! make me better!» and we can do that while laughing and enjoying ourselves.
The teachers are so knowledgeable, so helpful, and just so wonderfully talented. I’ve been coming to Ariel for years now, and I can’t imagine life without the teachers and fellow-​students I’ve met here. Oanh has managed to assemble a community of the most kind-​hearted and talented dancers you can imagine. There’s a class for whatever you’re looking for, and you’ll always be welcomed in with smiles and open arms.

I have danced at Ariel for 5 years now and am long overdue to give a review. Since I started dancing at Ariel, I have always felt welcome to participate in any class. The people are amazing and friendly, which is the main reason I have danced here for so many years. The students range no dance experience up to the competition level; however, the choreographers ensure that each student shines in their own way, whether it be on stage or in class.
Ariel Dance Studios is one of the very few studios in the South Bay that offer an array of dance classes for young professionals at convenient times, namely after work. Since dancing at Ariel, I have felt more confident and happy in my life, making new friends and finding new mentors for every aspect of my life. Come join the Ariel Family! No dance experience necessary! Just fun, young professionals!

My experiences at Ariel really increased my everyday joy during my workweek. Last year, I decided to search for a dance studio to enroll in because I have always wanted to try dance. I did martial arts for 7 – 8 years while growing up, but I have always wanted to learn how to dance and to perform somehow. I observed and dropped in on a few dance studios/​classes in the area, but I did not find anything I enjoyed enough to want to commit to. Many of the dance studios I found seemed to cater mostly to children and adolescents, or had limited class choices and performance opportunities for adults, especially adults who are beginning dancers. And as an adult who has never had any formal dance training, I felt a little nervous, intimidated, and frustrated. And as an adult who works full-​time, it was difficult to find a dance studio that offered classes that fit my schedule.
However, last September, I found Ariel, and I have had such a wonderful time since. I love how Ariel offers many classes throughout the week at different times and in different styles, including classes I was not able to find anywhere else (e.g., show choir, musical theatre, Bollywood, etc). I love how Ariel’s instructors work to accommodate individual students’ levels and needs, while also holding high expectations for each student. I love how Ariel provides many opportunities throughout the year to perform on a live stage, where I get to show my friends and family what I learn and love doing, and gained confidence. I love how Ariel has a very welcoming environment and community, and how Ariel’s director, instructors, staff, and students have always been so friendly, non-​discriminating, and encouraging. Oanh (the director) is so warm and responsive, and her studio really reflects her love for dance, creativity, and community.
It took me a long time to step foot inside a dance studio, but I am so grateful and happy I finally did! Ariel surely fostered a lifelong love and excitement for dance in me.

One thing on my to do list was to take a hip hop class. Ever since watching ABDC and seeing Jabbawockeez do their thing, I have been so fascinated with their movement and all those isolation goodies. I have never taken a dance class and I thought I would take advantage of the all day dance lessons for $ 5. Ariel Dance has had this event a few times throughout the year but I finally decided to yolo and check it out. I emailed them to RSVP me and a friend and when we got there, we just paid $ 5. The schedule will probably be different each time but beginner hip hop was the first class followed by dance and singing, beginner/​intermediate hip hop, beginner/​intermediate break dancing, and some type of belly dancing. I have had no dance experience so I was only going to do the beginner class. I thought I would venture out to beginner/​intermediate just for funsies, but after the class I knew I couldnt remember 8 counts at a time. Beginner does 4 counts at a time and that was already tough for me. The class had about 10 – 15 people so that was a good size so that no one could see me mess up.
It seemed like it was our instructor’s first time teaching since he didnt really have an itinerary and was making it up along the way. I actually didnt mind because I needed to repeat the moves over and over in order to grasp the move. Even then, I kept messing up but I still had a good time with my friend. He went at a good pace and the routine was not overly complicated so it was good experience. It pretty much is up to you to pick up the moves since there is no way to give you individual attention for an hour course. I would say the first 20 minutes is stretching and 40 minutes for learning a very basic routine that you will practice gradually.
The crowd was actually pretty diverse. There were some women in their 40s, one older man, some teenagers, and then my hip self among that group. Some people did have some prior dance experience but not at the intermediate level. People were pretty serious and I am the type of person who gets embarrassed easily so I laugh it off all the time. I am glad I had my buddy there or else the class would have been way too serious and intense and this was just a time to let loose and have fun.
I would definitely say to check it out if you have ever wanted to take a class or just to have an experience. I didnt stay for the other classes because I dont think I am capable of it and I thought an hour of dancing was sufficient. It was overall a great experience and I recommend those $ 5 days indeed! Just a note to the instructors, make sure you introduce yourself to the class and give some background. I would have liked to know more about the person since I would be with them for an hour. Also, I would show the entire routine at the beginning so the class would have an idea of what they were up for. Just some suggestions :)
**TIPS**
1) Attend one of the $ 5 all dance days and just get a kick out of it. It is really people of all ages and people are nice and do not judge. Just have fun!
2) RSVP through email. I bet since the classes are usually 10 – 15, you could drop by without a problem.
3) Enjoy!

It all started in 2010… I’d just moved to the bay area and I wanted to start taking dance classes. Most studios I found catered only to young children or experienced adults. Since I was in my late 20s having only taken a couple of college classes, I did not fit either of those categories.
Then I found Ariel. I attended one of their «$ 5 All you can dance days» and was hooked! This is the perfect place for someone like me who loves dancing, but isn’t at a professional level. The instructors are very supportive and do a great job of coming up with fun routines. This studio mostly offers weeknight and evening classes which is great for working professionals. The owner, Oanh, is super nice and easy to talk to and the prices are very reasonable. I look forward to all 3 of my weekly classes here (hip hop with Brandy, Tap and Jazz with Jenny) !! I also really enjoy performing at Hoover theater twice a year, it’s a blast!
Note: You don’t have to have tap shoes to try the tap class! I didn’t get mine until the second or third month of classes when I finally decided «I want to make noise too!!»

I’m not the type to write reviews but I feel compelled to write my first one for a place I have grown to love.
As a dancer of Ariel Dance Productions for three years, I have to say this place is the best studio I have been! And I have been to East West and Studio 10. I am a somewhat experienced dancer who started recently as a young adult, which is why I find Ariel to be a great fit for me. This place is ideal for those who are dance newbies or veterans — and don’t want to dance with a bunch of preteens. It’s very rare to find an adult studio that isn’t catered to high level adult dancers, but is still challenging, fun, and relaxed for all levels of participants.
Great variety of classes — jazz, ballet, hiphop, tap, even show choir, belly dance, contemporary, break dance, line dance, and yoga ballet blast. Every teacher (~20 staff members) have different styles so no class of the same genre should be the same. For example, Brandie does very girly, strong, and sexy hiphop, and Kento is very Bay Area hiphop. That way, I get to push beyond my comfort level and try all types of dance — which has been exciting and rewarding.
Some classes will be smaller than others — I have seen it vary from 5 to 20 people but the studio is spacious enough to accommodate this. Teachers are friendly and reach out to help each individual. It’s not at all a competitive environment.
Plenty of productions sprinkled throughout the year and it’s always a blast to be part of them! I was in six pieces for the Pulse show this year. Costumes required are very casual — sometimes you may have to go out to purchase say, a leopard print top, but most teachers generally try to use articles of clothing you already own.
As for the environment, the dancers are all very welcoming, warm, and personable. There are many laughs shared at Ariel and you never feel like you’re a detached student who walks in and out of the studio to simply learn. I’ve stayed here to chat and even go out to eat with some of the people after classes! It’s a family here at Ariel. As one of the younger members here (15 – 17 years old), I have never felt alienated by the adults who range from young 20s to 40s.
A small tip: Be open to try new teachers and genres! And ask for recommendations from the studio managers at the front desk. One class you may not like doesn’t mean the other classes of the same genre will be like that. After taking unlimited for several months, I like sticking with Kento, Brandie, Oanh, Dee, Meredith, and Elizabeth, but all other teachers are also good from my experience. And also, if Ariel is under production, be sure to ask which classes are technical or production. You can still dance in a production class!
Difficulty wise, if you have done jazz before and want to get those triple pirouettes or fouettes, I recommend taking Elizabeth’s Intermediate Jazz. But even if you can’t do those (like me, a beginning dancer), her choreo is flexible for all levels. She just sometimes features the trained dancers, which is a plus!
As for the prices, I think this studio is cheap given the tuition I had paid for past studios and other rates I’ve looked into. Some places charge $ 25 for drop-​in (DAU I think), but Ariel is $ 18.
Give this place a try, I have made a lot of great friends and grown substantially as a performer and dancer here.

I have been dancing with Ariel Dance Productions for about 7 years now, and the studio as well as the people who I dance with have been a very important part of my life. So this review is really long overdue!
I initially found Ariel through a Google search and started by taking a hip hop class. I had taken jazz dance classes on and off throughout my life, but I wanted to try something new. Lauren H. was my first hip hop teacher and she was awesome. I didn’t feel intimidated, since Lauren and the other students were so down to earth and friendly. And most importantly, I had fun!
Oanh, the director of the studio, couldn’t have been more welcoming. I got an immediate sense that she cares a lot about the students at her studio. She really puts her heart and soul into her work. I always tell people that Ariel isn’t just a dance studio — to me, this is my dance family!
I am currently taking classes on Thursday evening with Jenny (Intermediate Tap and Beginning/​Intermediate Musical Theatre) and I love it! I had no tap dance experience when I started taking tap 5 years ago, but Jenny patiently taught us. This is not your typical tap class — we are performing very creative pieces to a variety of songs. We have danced as stormtroopers from Star Wars, tightrope dancers in a circus, chimney sweeps from Mary Poppins, to spunky grandma’s in a retirement home… the list goes on.
I also like Jenny’s Musical Theatre class, because it allows us to be very expressive in our dancing and we have done a little bit of singing as well. We have danced to everything from Phantom of the Opera, characters from a museum painting coming alive, genies from Aladdin, to graceful space aliens. I love Jenny’s creativity and enthusiasm — if that’s something you enjoy, I highly recommend her classes!
I have made many friends at the studio throughout the years and performed in countless shows with my fellow dancers. There are non-​performing classes, if you don’t enjoy being on stage, but if you do want to be in a dance show (even if you have never been in one), you will love performing with us! We usually have 2 dance shows a year at a local theater, as well as a few smaller talent shows at the studio.
I have danced at other dance studios before where I have felt that people were competitive and where I didn’t feel good about my dancing. Ariel has a completely different atmosphere, with lots of support, encouragement, and a focus on the enjoyment of dancing. In the end, that’s what I think it is all about. I dance because I want to express myself and because it brings me joy. And here at Ariel, I can do that.
I am so happy that I found Ariel and can’t thank Oanh enough for creating such a wonderful community.
There are a lot of great instructors at Ariel, so I would encourage you to go and
try some classes to see what style and what teacher you enjoy the most! Hope to see you at the studio soon! =)

I have been dancing with Ariel for almost two years now and it has been such a positive and wonderful experience. I started out taking one hip hop class a week and have expanded to 4 – 5 classes a week in hip hop, jazz, and contemporary.
It may be intimidating to try something new because you are afraid of people judging you/​looking silly, but at Ariel everyone is very welcoming and encouraging. Even if you don’t get the move right the first time, the instructors break down the choreography and cater to all skill levels. I would also recommend taking any class, the instructors bring their own style and they are very knowledgeable and positive. I have learned so much from each of the classes I’ve taken and everyone wants you to improve and have fun.
The best aspect about this studio is the performance opportunities, which is unusual for a studio catered towards adults (most people are between 18 and 30). There are two main shows during the year done at the Hoover Theatre and two mini shows done at the dance studio. It is so awesome seeing the rehearsals and everyone’s hard work pay off!
Lastly, I would say Ariel Dance Productions is a wonderful community where you can be connected with fantastic people. The Director, Oanh, is lovely and she cares about every dancer/​instructor at her studio and the studio managers, Eric and Gaby, are super nice and friendly. Basically, if you are a seasoned dancer or if you are someone who has always wanted to try dance, come and check us out! I know you’ll love it as much as I do :)

Hello,
I have tried out several studios, and Ariel is certainly one of my favorites. Everyone is so friendly, but they also take their dancing seriously. A lot of ppl even have kids and still dance here all the time (That’ll be me someday!) Plus, It is not competitive at all, and you can pick from SO many amazing classes. I can never decide which ones to take because there are TONS I like them ALL! There is a big Performance 2X year about, so you will have the chance to shine on stage if you desire. :) Plus, unlike other dance studios/​teams, you get a chance to wear very cute costumes, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money on them (I maybe spent about $ 30, all-​in, per costume.) Yes, the last show in March was super engaging, I made so many friends, and my dancing really improved. I loved everything about it!
Kristy’s Monday class is super fun, the Tuesday and Thursday evening classes are great as well (7:45 and 9:00) I took Oanh’s Jazz and Contemporary and I loved them both. Jenny is a master and brilliant at her craft (such talent is so unfair!) and I can’t wait to take one of her classes when my schedule frees up.
Coming from latin dance (I’m still doing salsa with Couture Dance Alliance –which is also very good!)…contemporary is a challenge, but I’ve always wanted to try it. Seriously, I’m so glad that I did. Likewise, taking classes here gives you a great workout, and we regularly do ab. work and stretch. Take classes here instead of wasting money at the gym!
Try it! You’ll get probably hooked like me!
Cheers

This review is about two years overdue! I found Ariel via a Groupon deal in December 2010 and signed up because they offer something that is incredibly hard to find – adult tap dance. I hadn’t taken tap since college because it is so hard to find. After my first class, I was in love.
Now, almost two and a half years later, I take three classes every week (tap, jazz, and ballet). Because I pay for unlimited classes, I sometimes dabble in other classes. I took contemporary for a year and even tried belly dance one day with a friend. Every class I’ve tried is friendly and welcoming.
A couple things really keep me motivated. The most important part is the friendships I’ve made. Many of the other dancers are near my age, and I’ve met tons of wonderful people. It’s always scary going someplace new where you don’t know anyone, and that’s how it was at first, but now I know most of the regulars. The other thing that keeps me going are the performances. I love being on stage, and Ariel gives me the opportunity to do two big shows in a real theatre each year.
Give it a try, and you’ll have so much fun, you won’t even know you’re exercising!