The Lareen Fender Ballet School

This school is all about the child. Every child. Different children. Happy children. Talented Children. Not-​so-​talented children. Every shape, size, color, developmental level and gift. Enough said.

What a great place! My toddler just had her first class here and it was a great success. Miss Hailey was very high energy and so sweet with the kids, my daughter didn’t even hesitate to join in with the group! I enjoyed that there were good sized viewing windows so I could watch during class and there are benches outside of the two upstairs studios. I appreciate the flexibility of drop-​in class since the 2 – 3 year olds can be oh so finicky on any given day.
The students did several «warm-​ups» to get their wiggles out, then did a series of games/​dances that incorporated typical preschool fun like the Hokey Pokey as well as actual ballet. Well, as much actual ballet as a 2 year old is capable of! It was a lot of fun for the kids and so sweet to watch, my daughter can’t wait to go back to dance class.
No real cons here. I’m not sure if there are cubbies or whatnot for older dancers to store bags near those studios, but that could be convenient to have! I didn’t see any. There was enough seating for our small group of parents to wait, but I would imagine it difficult to sit and watch/​wait if the group was much bigger. There are plenty of things to do right in the area, so perhaps it is a non-​issue and other parents simply do drop-​offs? Either way :) I know there just isn’t a lot of room in general so it isn’t really a problem to be fixed, but it may be something to take note of if grandparents or others are sticking around and cannot stand for the duration of class.

I have so much love for the Ballet School. My five year old son takes piano classes here once a week and I take adult pilates and yoga classes. The staff are warm and inviting, and always make you feel like you’re one of the family. My son who is too young to take piano classes even loves to come here. It’s that magical.
I can’t express how much better I feel after coming to the Ballet School. The pilates and yoga instructor has transformed my practice — not only is she knowledgable and a great instructor, but she gets to know each person and creates an incredibly supportive environment. She empowers her students to feel good about themselves. I’m so glad our family found the Ballet School.

We have one daughter who has been at the Ballet School for almost eight years, and another entering her third year. This school has been and continues to be an important part of our lives and the lives of our daughters. They are learning not only how to be beautiful dancers, but about how to be strong, confident and expressive young women. The community that is The Ballet School is a wonderful home away from home for them. As the mom of a teenage daughter, that outlet and support system is vital for her as she navigates the turbulent waters of high school. The TBS community is always there for her, reminding her of her strength, her excellence and her passion. Thank you TBS!

The Ballet Scool used to be very nice. The focus now is on money. They cram too many girls into the classrooms. Also, my husband and I have noticed that the emphasis is really starting to just be on the Christmas program. We are looking into other schools in Walnut Creek and Lafayette. Our daughters aren’t learning as much any more. The teachers seem bored, and they just move more and more kids into the classes. It’s sad, but this school is going downhill and is turning into a greedy operation. Our kids have said there is much favoritism as well. Should be renamed now too, because it no longer feels like Lareen Fender Ballet School. I grew up dancing, and these classes are really too large for proper instructions. Overcrowded and expensive for what you get.

We attended the drop-​in classes for 2’s and up. My daughter thrived in this structured, caring environment. We like the punch card and flexibility it provided. Quality instruction with caring teachers.

I’ve only taken the Pilates classes here so far. Been coming on and off for 6 months and love it! Kelley the teacher is very good and helpful. One day I will get the courage to take an adult dance class and may take my niece to the drop in child class.

I can’t rate 2 ½ stars so I will rate it as 3.
Beginner Adult Ballet Class — I like how «relaxed» it is compared to the other classes I’ve attended, but the technique is not as «strong» as others — even comparing to a beginner class. If I had started taking my ballet classes here, then I would not be thinking this was too slow or technically weak. (I’m technically weak too so who am I kidding — –ha ha!) but the form, etc of the instructors and students here pale in comparison to the form and technique of beginner students I’ve had classes with in other studios.
But it’s good to go here if you want a slower paced, more relaxed ballet class.

This is our second dance school – and the one we are sticking with. It is AMAZING. My girls love it, and I am so impressed with the calibre of the teachers and the attention to detail. So incredibly happy our first experience with dance schools was a negative one because it led us to The Lareen Fender Ballet School – definitely a blessing in disguise!

Our daughters will be starting their third year here at The Ballet School.
It wasn’t until our girls asked to learn ballet that we even started them in dance. The teachers here are patient and are very knowledgeable and encouraging.
From the start we have felt like coming here was like becoming part of a large family. I sit through my daughters classes and have seen first hand how the older girls care for each other and the younger ones too and it does not feel competitive here between the dancers.
Everyone seems to sincerely care about the quality of instruction and it comes across in a very positive manner and you witness this when you attend the June Demonstration held at the Lesher Center.

I used to dance here as a child and I loved it so much. When my daughter was old enough to join, she too, experienced the joy of dance from the ballet school. I highly recommend this studio for you and your children. The teachers are so great and it’s like a family.

My daughter has been taking ballet classes here for 2.5 years now and she really likes it. It is a great place with wonderful teachers and Ms Jenny is the best! The kids are really learning ballet, the lessons are very serious here but at the same time they are a lot of fun. And every June we are looking forward to the end of the year Ballet School Demonstration!!!

I have been exposed to «The Ballet School» since 1985. As an young adult in the eighties, who longed for ballet, it was the perfect spot for me. I observed Lareen’s methodology first hand, and always watched the tiny dancers with enthusiasm. Young or old you felt enveloped by Lareen and her technique. I took class for many years and even was able to experience pointe. LOVED IT.
I have recently returned to «The Ballet School» after many years and I have found the environment has not changed… it is still a very positive, nurturing, experience. Jenny is a gem, of course, as she is following in Lareen’s footsteps and doing a great job. I have taken from three other instructors all with the same positive enthusiasm and skill developed from Lareen. I am still a little rusty but the instructors are so supportive and helpful. If you are interested in an experience that will last a lifetime, stop by «The Ballet School»!

My daughter has been taking ballet classes at The Ballet School for a few months now and we could not be happier! The teachers are knowledgeable and encouraging. We feel that coming here was like becoming part of a large family. Everyone seems to sincerely care about the quality of instruction and it comes across in a very positive manner.

The teachers are so great with the kids and I really like that the demonstration every June showcases what the students have learned in class. The Ballet School is family owned and all the staff and teachers there are exceptionally nice. My kids also participated in the Young Actor’s Studio (for ages 5 – 11) last summer where they had an opportunity to sing and dance on stage, and each student also had a monologue to perform. I was very impressed!

My daughter is 10 years old and has taken dance lessons at many different studios throughout the Tri Valley. In a nutshell, ballet is her «thing.» She can’t get enough of it. She is now starting her third academic year at The Ballet School and goes five times every week!
We live in the southern part of Danville and commute to The Ballet School because we have found it is the absolute best place for school aged children and teenagers to take ballet lessons. The technique instruction that The Ballet School provides is far superior than most other dance studios. Also, I have noticed that my daughter is more engaged with her instructors at The Ballet School than other dance studios and ballet companies. Because of her engagement in her lessons, she has developed an intense passion for ballet that has given her confidence, identity, and has carried over to school work by fostering ideas to read and write about.
This may be TMI for a Unilocal review, but I honestly can’t say enough about The Ballet School. If your son or daughter has an interest in ballet, do not bother with any other studio.

My daughter has taken 3 seasons of pre-​ballet in Walnut Creek with a different studio. Upon her last recital, we noticed that all the performers (from the age of 3 to adult) pretty much had bad form. The instructors were all really nice, wonderful ladies, who themselves had great form, and were absolutely elegant.
We needed to leave that studio and find one where my daughter could learn the fundamentals with proper form. We called around and checked reviews and it was between The Ballet School and another facility.
The Ballet School happened to have an opening for my daughter’s age, so it was perfect. I was impressed with the fact that the instructor has an assistant. The conditioning exercises are helpful and fun for the children. I was also very happy that I was able to watch my daughter practice through the viewing window. There are other dance studios out there that don’t allow for their children to be watched during instruction. Since she started, my daughter’s form and practice have exponentially improved. I am very happy with her move to The Ballet School.
The only thorn that I have is that the other parents of the pre-​ballet students can’t read the rules. School policy #7 explicitly states:
«Students should always wear clothes over their dancewear coming into the school and leaving the school. Students should also wear regular shoes coming and going into the school.»
I see too many children violating this rule. Seriously, there are not that many policies to adhere to, at least, try to read them.

I just started taking Jazz classes at the Ballet School (only 3 classes so far), but am loving the experience! The teacher, Corina, is very sweet and is not irritated with the fact that I’m not nearly as good as the other girls in the class. Most other girls in the class are much younger, flexible, and just much better dancers, so I need extra effort to do the same moves, but Corina encourages me to keep trying. So, overall it’s a challenging, but fun experience :)

I grew up dancing at The Ballet School, from age 5 through high school. I now happily attend classes as an adult, and the magical family feeling is still there as strong as ever. The studio has expanded in so many ways, and the new classes offered are so fun. Beyond ballet, I have enjoyed tap, musical theater dance, yoga, mat pilates, and Zumba! The teachers and staff are fun, and the place is always packed. Check it out — I think you’ll have a blast!

I am in love with this place. Staff are very professional and youth/​child friendly. Received excellent customer service from a handsome young man named Jason. I will definately recommend this place to everyone who wants to get their groove on.
This place offers classes in ballet, creative dance (for youth), pilates mat, tap classes, musical theatre dance, jazz, and Zumba which is a new addition.
Will definately come back and try to shake my little groove thang! Some them some love!