The Beat

We love the Beat! I (and my husband Robert) have had nothing but fantastic experiences here and highly recommend it.Roger is so wonderful. He always has a kind word for everyone who enters and has the true soul of a dancer.Nick and Irina are also awesome teachers. It's crazy how much you learn and progress in even one class!

I came here to support my former teacher who was subbing a Brazilian dance class here and parking is free! The staff is welcoming and there are all sorts of classes here. The studio where the class was held is small but cozy enough for at least 8 people.

This place is great!!! Just not for beginners. I took the Latin Workout with Eddy. The first 15 minutes was so fun. He is an awesome, fluid dancer and was getting us into our bodies. Everyone was all smiles. Then he started a routine. At first it was easy. Then he incorporated a turn here and another move there. And he kept building on the routine. In 30 minutes, we were dancing a routine of about 6 minutes long. I couldn't remember the moves and couldn't keep up. I thought to myself, you have thirty more minutes... you can do it. But he kept adding more and more moves. So I left.If ever he teaches a class with 45 minutes of moves and 15 minutes of routine, I'm all in. PM me. I'll run down in a heart beat. Until then, I'm in search of a place where I can have fun moving without doing a complicated dance that I'll never perform anywhere, ever.

This place is amazing I love th atmosphere, great people and the classes are just amazing. Highly recommended

Still the best deal in town - high quality teachers for the price. I have a class card for 12 sessions so it amounts to $10 a class. I have been taking tap for the past 8-9 years mainly from Gregg Geoffroy, swing dance for the last 4-5 years from Nick and Irina, and recently added a Lindy hop class also taught by Nick and Irina.Still singing praises about all three instructors - Gregg, Irina and Nick. I want to make a pitch for the East Coast swing dance classes: Nick and Irina's Friday class at six p.m., and to mention that a beginner's class will be offered in the fall, at 7 p.m. Oh, yes, the Lindy hop on Saturdays at six could use a huge infusion of students too!The Adult East Coast swing class at six p.m. is usually a very small class with a small number of consistent attendees - maybe 4; and when one or two can't come, we're down to just a couple students and the instructors, unless new or former students randomly attend. Also, oftentimes when the knowledge level of the attendees is disparate, Nick and Irina are able to split up, one of them taking the beginners, and the other teaching the ones with more swing dance experience so that attendees don't feel overlooked. And, sometimes when there aren't enough leaders, one or both of their teenage sons rotate into the class; both know the steps so they are able to give us tips on how to improve. And Irina can lead as well as follow.In the fall, it should be announced on the Beat's website soon, Nick and Irina will be offering at beginner's class on a trial basis at 7pm on Friday nights to provide beginners with more focused time to learn the basics.Come on down and check it out - Irina and Nick are knowledgable, patient, and teach with a bit of humor. A great recipe for an enjoyable learning experience. I love that such high caliber dance instruction is so close to home.8/10/18 - Just wanted to update info on the start date of the Intro to East Coast Swing class - September 7 will be the first class, at 7pm, and from what I understand, the trial period is only going to be a month or so, so please think about going if you want to learn basic swing and have fun at the same time! Bring friends!11/6/18 - https://www.facebook.com/events/278160416167902/?ti=icl A new beginner series started on last Friday, 11/2/18 from 7-8 pm. Drop ins ok, no partner required. There are only a few students so far, so if you go, it will be like getting semi-private lessons with excellent teachers!

I was always curious about this place and finally went a few months ago. There are so many amazing dance teachers here, I wish I could quit my job and just live at the studio! After 20 years of not dancing, I took the dive (nervously) and tried a noon class. A few months later, now I'm an addict. Emanuel Colombo's dance class is SO much fun. He's an amazing dancer, a patient teacher, and radiates energy and vibrancy. Plus he's downright adorable. Whether you're a beginner or a dance connoisseur, this class is great! Challenging, but repetitious enough to give you a chance to get it. Plus a good workout for both mind and body. The Beat studio itself has a warm community feel. Very welcoming and friendly, whether you're shy or outgoing. So glad I finally checked it out.

Took a Wednesday night Brazilian Dance class here with some friends. I never tried this form of dance before and probably never will again because its not my thing. The teacher was pleasant enough although she did take her job rather seriously. My fellow dancers ranged in skill level with some being novices like me while others could probably teach this class. The price of $13 was very reasonable for the length of the class. I noticed they have all kinds of things going on here and most of the participants do not have two left feet so if dancing is not your thing stick to your local gym Zumba class.

The beat is supposed to be this great dance studio in Berkeley that even Gregory Hines taught at once. Its really sad the experience I had here.I practically got cussed out. Bullied for sure! You know, I planned my whole day just to come to this place after speaking to a nice young woman about my physical injuries. Coming here speaking with some one ELSE however was a different story starting my class and to spend money at you facility and be treated with such dis respect is beyond awful. Regardless of how great the talent or skills were nothing can compare to the incompetence, rudeness, and belittlement I experienced in just ONE DAY. If I experience all of that in just ONE day then imagine what one would experience longer. I don't regret coming here because now i KNOW. But i most definitely wont come back nor will i EVER suggest any one come here. Oh and they will refuse to give you a receipt. I wont feel any type of way once they go out of business that's for sure. If anything I'll say good

Best place in town to learn tap. This is Rhythm tap dance the way the old black gentlemen used to perform in the smokey jazz clubs. Popularized by Gregory Hines in our time. They also have classes in tango, hip hop, and other styles. The class pricing is pretty flexible. Different plans. They have regular jam nights which are a great party-like atmosphere that can be loads of fun. But the focus is on tap. If you think the usual tap dance "flappity, clunk, clunk, tappity, crappity" is inane and annoying, give rhythm tap a try. http://users.lmi.net/thebeat/

I have looked for a hip hop dance class with a great teacher in SF and now the East Bay for a while. I've found that the teachers, while great at the dance, suck at teaching. Until now.Sarah at The Beat on Tuesdays 6:30-8pm is great. Her class is a contemporary mix of hip hop, modern and jazz. She brings us up, down, changes the tempo, reminds us to perform, notices what needs improvement and tenderly makes suggestions. She's an awesome teacher, teaches a super fun class, and uses a variety of inspiring music from all genres.Plus the greeter, Roger, was very welcoming and a drop in is only $13 (bring cash for drop in fee cause you can only pay with a credit card for a pack).