Best Contemporary Dance Schools In San Francisco Near Me

4worldlovers: Geary Dance Center creates a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where dance becomes a part of a person’s life,

Whether as a recreational dancer, aspiring performer or enthusiastic audience member.

GDC offers classes in preschool movement, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Creative Movement, Contemporary, Funk, Jazz Funk, Musical Theater Jazz, Choreography, Character, Modern Dance and Adult Ballet. We specialize in introducing dance to children ages 2-6 with our FUNdamentals of Dance early education program, to children ages 5-18 with our syllabus driven classes, and to children ages 11-18 with our Teen Accelerated Learning Program (TAL). GDC also offers workshops, summer classes and summer camps for ages 4.5-7, 8-10 and 11-18 and adult classes.

CONTACT US with any questions or to schedule a trial class! Free trial class for preschoolers with enrollment! We offer discounts to new students, siblings, families enrolled in 4 or more classes a week and and an early bird discount exclusively for current students during our priority re-enrollment period for the following semester.

REGISTER HERE! Please note: Registration creates an account in our online registration portal and allows you to enroll in Summer Camps and beginning level classes only. Scheduling trial classes and placement into upper level classes and preschool FUN classes must go through our office.

Enrollment in a class or camp is confirmed only with payment in full of tuition and any associated fees.

4worldlovers: We inspire children and teens to experience joy through dance and motivate adults to stay active and exercise.

Our two studio spaces are available for the public to rent for workshops, personal use, and special events.

4worldlovers: Dance Mission Theater is an artist driven space dedicated to inclusiveness, fairness, and justice. We create, produce, present, and teach feminist and multicultural dance/theater, engaging a diverse group of Bay Area artists, audiences, and students. Many female, queer, racially mixed, and culturally specific ensembles consider Dance Mission Theater their artistic home, creating a thriving inter-generational community. Dance Mission Theater is also the home to Krissy Keefer’s Dance Brigade, San Francisco’s groundbreaking, social-change dance company and Grrrl Brigade, Dance Brigade’s youth leadership dance company.

4worldlovers: I am Lisa Brown, the owner of Sunset Academy of Dance. I have been teaching dance to all ages for over 38 years. I taught at many different dance studios throughout the Bay Area before opening my own studio in October 1997.

Sunset Academy offers exceptional dance training and education in a small studio environment. We offer classes in tap, jazz, hip hop and children’s combination classes. There are always exceptional and knowledgeable teachers who will inspire their students while teaching them great technique.

At Sunset Academy of Dance, we focus on developing confidence, coordination, musicality, rhythm, team work and a love for dance for our students.

Sunset Academy of Dance does an annual show in early June each year. It is a great opportunity for all the students to perform and experience being a part of a professional show. Click here to see our Photo Gallery from some of our past shows!

We also have opportunities for students who want to do more, such as competition groups who compete and perform at different venues. Our competition groups have won many top awards at numerous competitions. Click here to read our Testimonials!

4worldlovers: “Our dancers learn the joy of movement, teamwork, achievement and discipline in a supportive, loving environment.” – Micky Powell, Director

Ruth Jevarian, a professional ballet and Armenian folk dancer, opened Star Dance Studio in 1950. The studio was located briefly in the Haight Ashbury district before it was moved to the Inner Sunset.

Ruth’s students loved her — she was talented, creative and taught all forms of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics plus Armenian and other types of folk dancing. Her students performed around the city at special events, hospitals and senior centers, sharing the joy of dance with their audiences. She retired in 1974 and turned the studio over to her daughter, Micky Powell, the current school director.

Micky has managed the studio for the past 40+ years, and the school has flourished under her direction. Her daughter, Julie, taught at the studio for many decades and remains involved, helping the school thrive.

For 70+ years, Star Dance Studio has brought joy to thousands of children and adults. The lovely studio at 300 Moraga Street is dedicated to the memory of Ruth Jevarian.

Micky is the studio director and has dedicated her life to providing quality dance education to 1,000s of students. She has taught all levels of tap, jazz and ballet and developed the specialized dance programs for children currently in use at Star Dance. She is also an active member of Dance Masters of America.

Tami graduated from the San Francisco School of the Arts, holds a B.A. in Theater Arts & Dance and specializes in ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theater and hip-hop. Tami has performed with many hip hop and contemporary dance companies, including the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company.

Monique has danced and performed at Star Dance since the age of 5, and she began teaching in 2001. A certified member teacher of Dance Masters of America, she teaches children’s and adult classes, including ballet, jazz and tap and mentors teens who show interest in teaching.

Tim is a tap teacher and has been dancing since the age of 3. He’s studied with Benny Smith, Anne Garvin, Glenn Shipley, Roland duPree and others. Tim has performed professionally, taught at dance seminars & choreographed musicals.

Clare began dancing with Star Dance at the age of 4. She graduated from SDSU with a minor in dance and is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She has taught ages 4-22 and is passionate about all forms of dance, esp. tap, jazz, and hip hop!

Raine began dancing at the studio in 2015 and studies ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. She has held demonstrator and assistant teacher positions at the studio and excels at working with younger children. Raine is also a member of the Star Dance Company.

Maya joined Star Dance at age 4, and has been dancing for 11 years. She has been an assistant teacher for ages 4-12. Maya has participated in many kinds of dance, and focuses on ballet, tap, and jazz. She’s also a member of the Star Dance Company.

"Star Dance is AMAZING! I graduated from here in 2015, after 14 or so years of dancing! I am so happy with the dancer I've become, and we truly are one big family."

"Star Dance is a warm, welcoming, neighborhood dance school that I am happy my daughter is a part of."