Oakland Ballet School

My daughter has been taking classes at Oakland Ballet school for over a year. The program is high quality and she has improved quite a bit as a dancer and performer. The instructors are professional dancers and balance high expectations with encouragement. Through the program she is learning responsibility, dedication and focus. And, she especially enjoys the opportunity to participate in two high caliber performances a year.

This place is absolutely wonderful. I was simply astonished to find so many negative reviews on yelp. Most of the previous reviews date several years back when Ron ran the studio.OBS is now run under Denise and Joral Schmalle, who are both professionally trained. They are doing a fantastic job. Denise is the main instructor at OBS and she is simply amazing.Words cannot explain how amazing of a teacher Denise is. You can truly tell that she is passionate about what she does and that's one of the most important components of being a great teacher and dancer. In addition to being very passionate, she is also very encouraging and friendly. I decided to start classes here as a way of improving my technique in other forms of dance last spring and have learned so much since then. The welcoming environment of the instructors and students here is what keeps me coming back since I cannot dance at OBS year round. Not only am I improving my skill and technique, I'm also enjoying every minute of it. Overall, OBS is a wonderful place to learn and will not disappoint. I would definitely recommend OBS to anyone who wishes to learn or improve on ballet. With the welcoming environment and wonderful teachers, what's not to love?They currently offer classes to the youth and adults. For more information, make sure to visit their website at www.oaklandballetschool.com

Ronn was my most favorite person in the world when I was a kid. Before class he'd be in the corner reading to us. He was such a great story teller that all the little children would cram next to each other to get a good seat. During warm-up he'd throw out math problems and count to ten in different languages. Throughout class he'd call us "love". After class he would shower us with stickers and candies.While turns across the floor were always my weakness...and I'd take extremely long bathroom breaks to avoid them...and the dressing room seemed always dark and creepy...and I dreaded being gingersnap in the Nutcracker every year...ballet was super important and set the stage for my dance "career". To say the least, Ronn and Oakland Ballet Academy had a huge profound impact on my life. His love and passion for life...his look that meant business...his patience and kindness. Now I use "love" as a term of endearment towards my friends and shower my students with stickers at the end of class. I think that his spirit and soul still lives in Oakland Ballet and would recommend everyone to experience it.

I've taken class here only once and that's enough for me. What is really lacking here is the discipline that usually comes along with ballet. I know this adult ballet but the class started an hour late! I'll admit when class finally started it was fun to dance, but the teacher gave no corrections or feedback.Maybe some people have unlimited time and just want a place to dance? Personally I like a class that starts on time and includes feedback from the instructor so I can better my technique.

I began dancing when I was the tender age of 4. My mom marched me over to the Ballet Academy where I observed dancers a-leaping and bending every which way. I started classes immediately. Over the course of my 10-year dance career (I stopped after high school began), I learned many things from Ronn. Those who attended classes regularly built a tight-knit community, and everyone knew everyone's first names. Most of the parents of the dancers were on the volunteer committee, who helped at performances, etc. My favorite part of the Oakland Ballet Company was the opportunity to perform in Paramount's annual The Nutcracker. I was a wee little gingersnap scrambling about on stage, and also a toy soldier as well. It was nothing short but exhilarating, to be that young and perform for thousands of people.Ronn is also one of the most kind-hearted, generous people I have ever met. He really cares about his dancers and forms strong relationships with the dancers and their parents. My ballet friends and I were extremely saddened to hear of his retirement, but congratulations to Ronn! I don't understand why previous reviewers complained so fervently after attending one class. I attended classes since I was four until I was fourteen years of age, and I never enjoyed anything more. If you want to attend a ballet academy with stern faced, listless instructors who don't make an effort to get to know you and your family, go for it; but Oakland Ballet Academy extended beyond that.

I've been taking adult ballet classes here for about a year now - would highly recommend for any adults looking to start their ballet journey! The atmosphere is supportive and welcoming - very friendly to complete beginners - and Denise are Joral are excellent instructors. As someone who didn't have any previous ballet training, the adult Introduction to Ballet series was great for building foundations, and the Beginning Ballet series is great for advancing those foundational skills. Repeating each series a few times has helped me to retain and apply what I've learned.

I'm simply amazed watching the Oakland Ballet School students perform! Their recent Hansel and Gretel Spring Recital performance was outstanding! I look forward to watching their Nutcrackers performances in December! I have to remind myself that these dancers are just students!

This is a school that provides true classic ballet training. The mid-year and Christmas performances are professional quality.

A very good school, demanding but balanced. Third year and my daughter has taken to it. It fulfills her desire to learn to become a ballerina and is still fun and social. Denise and Joral are excellent teachers and role models as artists and people.The performances, 2 each year, are very well done and show the students genuine skills. High standards in a balanced atmosphere.

I thoroughly enjoyed taking with Denise for the adult beginning/intermediate class. The studio is warm and you can feel the character of the space. Denise is absolutely lovely and so kind ! I regularly take at Berkeley Ballet Theater (IMO a high- caliber studio whereby few studios compare) and yet felt entirely at home at OBS. Denise is encouraging and gives excellent corrections. I struggle with turning and she was able to immediately help me correct the one ingredient I kept missing - spotting. I look forward to taking OBS adult again to supplement my regular class scheduleand plan to bring friends on my next visit. :)If you are local in the area don't hesitate to check out Oakland Ballet School adult classes!