Saratoga School of Dance

Lyrical: Complex - dynamic while subtle - set to popular songs - emotional - fluid - grace - leaps. Theatrical: Spectacle - character - audience - staged - entertainment - functional - dramatic

Slamm'n percussion - punctuating time, kicking rhythm, banging melody, crashing - listening - exhilarating - beat - jello muscles - sound - energy!

JAZZ: explosive, sensuous, rhythmic - no boundaries ! Hip-Hop: Urban - sic/snatched - syncopated - enthralling - aggressive - intricate styling - challenge! Dance/Culture!

Sea of feeling - sublime - body's poetry ; soul's expression - magical - theatrical - deep, intuitive , synchronized part of the whole - sacrifice - confidence - clarity - life, beauty , pain

Musical Theater dance classes are fun and high energy sessions that explore expressive styles. The foundation of basic theater dance movements are jumps, turns, progressions across the floor, and big stylized movements. This is the safe place for students to access their individuality and bring unique personality to their dancing.

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements.

Lyrical dance has been made popular by shows such as Cirque du Soleil and Dancing with the Stars. It’s very emotional style and it young dancers because they can relate to the emotional context. The style emphasizes being personal style and if you have a great teacher, the discipline and dancing foundation comes along. If you’ve never tried lyrical dance now is a great time to start. Your dancer will love their first class. If you have questions about placement or other dance classes we offer feel free to email or call.

This class continues the ballet student's development as a dancer. The focus is to refine posture, increase flexibility, gain strength, learn the vocabulary of ballet, and develop the dancer’s technique. Students work on their barre routines, stretching, and center work (including adagio , pirouettes , petite allegro , and grande allegro ). More dance elements are integrated into combinations (including port de pras , epaulment , musicality, and artistry). This environment allows young dancers to gain confidence and build self-esteem. The class may be also be suitable for experienced ballet dancers returning to ballet after a long break.

This class is a continuation of Beginning Ballet. We find fun ways to consistently repeat and build onto prior technique. Port de bras , pliés , tendues , and jetés are executed at a faster tempo and in 5th position. Frappés , fondues , and grands battements are added to the barre work. Sautés and échappés are first introduced at the barre and then later executed in the center floor work. Of course, we always stretch and rotate. Simple adagio exercises are added in center work and we combine steps to travel across the room. Our students' révérence is further developed and student confidence is enhanced.

This class is a great class option for the first time dancer. Students learn basic class etiquette: good listening, repeating motion, and an emphasis on body alignment. Basic technique are developed for proper execution of ballet steps. We slowly teach barre work ( pliés , tendues , jetés , and ronds de jambe ) so students safely develop muscles for strength, rotation, and flexibility. We stretch and perform center floor work such as: body placement, foot positions, and turns; students develop port de bra s (moving / posing arms), we introduce small jumps and teach a traditional révérence * . This beginner ballet class is perfect for all ages.

Lyrical dancers build on the foundation and discipline of ballet, then infuse the choreography with jazz movement to move beyond the structure and emote more. It’s usually danced to a popular song with lyrics. It’s more showy than ballet and less showy than jazz. SARATOGA SCHOOL of DANCE is the most complete and trusted ballet school for dance lessons and classes in the Bay Area. We make learning dance fun. Our curriculum encourages age appropriate creativity, musicality, and physicality. Your child will dance and have fun with an emphasis on their foundations. !

Students who have not previously studied tap or who would like a refresher before joining the class, may schedule private lessons by emailing Miss Valerie and she will help place you with the best instructor for you.

Our advanced jazz classes require a minimum of two years of training within the past four years and competency with your basic jazz steps. This class helps develop dancers who want to perform. As always you train strength, isolations, floor work, and develop tricks, jumps and turns. If you want high-energy, shak'n, leap'n and mov'n then Saratoga School of Dance’s advanced jazz classes is a good fit for you.

Intermediate jazz classes require prior training. Students will learn the basics (Pas de bourrée, Ball change, Grounding, Pirouette, Jazz Walk. Jazz Square, and the Flying Charleston). They learn dance is not a separated thing, but an expression of total life right now. If you are looking for fun and good exercise, Saratoga School of Dance’s jazz classes will be a fun fit for you.

Beginning and Kids jazz classes teach dancing with power and interpreting music by grounding and bending and isolating movements. They will move to upbeat music, dramatic themes and cool choreography. Your children will be welcomed in their first class. Sign up for a free trial class today!

Young Dancers Fulfill Their Potential in a Fun and Challenging Environment. Jazz is a high-energy dance style stressing creativity and expressiveness. Jazz’s roots belong to Africa’s folk dancing (and rich culture) blended with European dance, and improvisation. Jazz classes teach: Isolation movements, precise leg / arm / foot / shoulder / hip movements. Increasing coordination, rhythm, strength, expression, jumps, twists, contractions, and grounded movements. Jazz dance continues to evolve. In fact, hip-hop has evolved out of jazz… and continues in its own unique ways.

Students who have not previously studied tap or who would like a refresher before joining the class, may schedule private lessons by emailing Miss Valerie and she will help place you with the best instructor for you.

Our advanced tap classes require a minimum of two years of training within the past four years and competency with your time steps, crossing drawbacks, wings, syncopated tips and pullbacks. If you can turn while shuffling off to buffalo, Saratoga School of Dance’s intermediate tap classes is a good fit for you.

Intermediate tap classes require prior training. Students will learn the basics (singles, doubles, and triples), drawbacks, buffalos, maxi fords, paradiddles, and cramp rolls. If you are looking for fun and good exercise, Saratoga School of Dance’s beginning level tap classes will be a good fit for you.

Beginning and Kids tap classes are fun for the mind and body. While increasing fitness levels, tap lessons for kids also help with better creativity, posture and class etiquette. We offer different class options for different energy levels. Your little one will be welcomed in their first class. Sign up for a free trial class today!

Kids tap classes are a fun activity that exercises both the mind and body; they help with better creativity, posture and class etiquette. Tap classes focus on: Establishing strong tap technique Increasing coordination, rhythm, strength and endurance Learning tap vocabulary

This class continues the ballet student's development as a dancer. The focus is to refine posture, increase flexibility, gain strength, learn the vocabulary of ballet, and develop the dancer’s technique. Students work on their barre routines, stretching, and center work (including adagio , pirouettes , petite allegro , and grande allegro ). More dance elements are integrated into combinations (including port de pras , epaulment , musicality, and artistry). This environment allows young dancers to gain confidence and build self-esteem. The class may be also be suitable for experienced ballet dancers returning to ballet after a long break.

This class is a continuation of Beginning Ballet. We find fun ways to consistently repeat and build onto prior technique. Port de bras , pliés , tendues , and jetés are executed at a faster tempo and in 5th position. Frappés , fondues , and grands battements are added to the barre work. Sautés and échappés are first introduced at the barre and then later executed in the center floor work. Of course, we always stretch and rotate. Simple adagio exercises are added in center work and we combine steps to travel across the room. Our students' révérence is further developed and student confidence is enhanced.

This class is a great class option for the first time dancer. Students learn basic class etiquette: good listening, repeating motion, and an emphasis on body alignment. Basic technique are developed for proper execution of ballet steps. We slowly teach barre work ( pliés , tendues , jetés , and ronds de jambe ) so students safely develop muscles for strength, rotation, and flexibility. We stretch and perform center floor work such as: body placement, foot positions, and turns; students develop port de bra s (moving / posing arms), we introduce small jumps and teach a traditional révérence *. This beginner ballet class is perfect for all ages.

Saratoga School of Dance creates a positive learning environment where nurturing faculty teach ballet and pointe in the most effective, safe, and productive manner in a class setting.Our dance curriculum provides students, from ages 18 months to pre-professional, with lessons in strong technical foundation – producing dancers well-rounded in strength, stamina and flexibility while fostering their love of movement and confidence.

The Saratoga School of Dance’s ballet mission focuses on excellence in dance class lesson training and in nurturing children and young people. Our students learn patience, persistence, attention to detail, discipline, teamwork and self-motivation. Saratoga School of Dance has developed a reputation as one of the area’s top pre-professional Ballet training programs. The School’s goal is to produce classically trained, versatile dancers who are ready for work in the industry, Saratoga School of Dance’s exceptional faculty, individual attention and the success of its alumni attract dancers for lessons from around the South Bay.

Combining the artistry of ballet barre exercises for strength and conditioning, Saratoga School of Dance classes will incorporate Pilates, stretching, yoga, and more. This class will pull from multiple fitness techniques to help students achieve greater strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

Classical Ballet classes beginning at age 18 months and building to professional. The curriculum was created to encourage age appropriate creativity, musicality, and physicality. Your child will dance and have fun with an emphasis on the foundations of ballet. Dancers will be brought through creative movement and basic ballet steps and more! We offer students a homework lounge and parents are welcome to view classes from the back of the room.

Young Dancers Fulfill Their Potential in a Fun and Challenging Environment

A flowy, free-spirited, and expressive - often danced to music with lyrics.

Jazz dancers express power and interpret music - the art of real life.

Dance like you're on Broadway - character driven.

TAP, tap, tap some beautiful noise.

An intense urban dance style with intricate styling (new: B-boying, Breakdancing or Jazz Funk).

BALLET classes are perfect for all ages - dancers gain confidence and build self-esteem.

One can sing and dance. Or one can create an environment in which singers and dancers flourish. Everything changes when I dance... I am a taskmaster there. I am the creator. I am high on dance - my expression, body language... I am like a fire.

sjDANCEco stands firm in connecting community through the Splendor and Power of Dance as they have during 16+ seasons. They have brought World Class Dance to our city, region and world that speaks of shared experiences, hopes, dreams and fantasies.

Each year our students perform in the June Recital with theater with lighting, sound, costumes, and makeup. The audience is enthusiastic and comprised of mostly extended family and friends.

Dancing with a Professional, International Ballet Company.

Famous Ballet - which one? We Gotta Dance Too excited backstage to stand still

Dance classes are the perfect settings to make new friends with people having the same interests! Dance gives you something in common to talk about. Then, when you step up the pressure (performance / competition) , you see each other more often, discuss styles and techniques, help each other, trust more, and are sincerely delighted by their success - just as they are delighted in yours. GAIN NEW SKILLS.

High-Performance Teamwork means developing skills: involvement and empowerment - learning to negotiate the might of an individual and group cohesion - understanding their own contributions and balancing that with responsibility to the team. Each dancer has worked until they are highly skilled in their interactions and their movements are mutually compatible with the team. They have a place; they are respected and expected to do their part. The macro and micro body attention-communication is essential during every moment even with the audience's response. Working with others is essential in all areas of life and these valuable skills will last a lifetime.

Fully Blinged Tutu All in a Weekend's Work Although there are countless reasons, below are SEVEN of the most commonly recounted.

These are the different styles of dance that will be done at the audition for the competition team. Dancers should be proficient in these styles.

A required class for competition team members that will meet once a week for an hour. This class is in addition to two other dance classes.

This class can be chosen as the second required class for competition team members. Students may be enrolled in a ballet, tap, combo class, plus a Jazz/ hip-hop class.

One of the required classes for competition team members. Dancers must be enrolled in two dance classes per week, one of which must be ballet.

The professional crew comes to Saratoga School of Dance each season to recruit young dancers for its main-stage production of The Great Nutcracker. Young ballet dancers from Saratoga School of Dance and other schools perform alongside the professionals.

Young Dancers Fulfill Their Potential in a Fun and Challenging Environment. Young ballet dancers from Saratoga School of Dance and other schools perform alongside the professionals. Roles include Party Children, Small Mice, Snowflakes, and Snow Maidens. Auditions are led by the Saratoga School of Dance and a dancer from the NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET.

We've honed our technical skills at the same time we enjoyed our dance training via Zoom, which has worked quite well. Now, some of our classes have returned to limited in-person interaction and we continue to provide virtual classes and a variety of summer/school-break camps.

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet is looking for local ballet students to perform in children’s roles. Youths (ages 6 to 18) are invited to audition to be Party Children, Small Mice, Snowflakes, Snow Maidens and more roles through Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet’s community engagement “Dance with Us” program.

Peggy Page has been instructing at Saratoga School of Dance since the 1980’s. She primarily teaches adults and is a master of tap. Peggy has been dancing since the 1940’s and loves to help everyone keep moving and have fun doing it. Put on some tap shoes and come join the fun.

A dark fairy tale set in a “modern” world. It breaks your heart, but the dancing is worth it (ballet). Made in 1948. A good movie for a slow, rainy day.

This movie is the stuff of legends. I love the collaboration: it is the delicious and perfect combination of classical, modern, tap, and ballet. One dance is 17 minutes long!

Tap, tada tap, tada tap, tada tapiddy tap!

Miss Terry, the owner and principal instructor of Saratoga School of Dance, teaches tap. She has been performing and teaching in the Saratoga area since 1975. She sets the direction for the other instructors as well as teaching ballet, lyrical, and tap.

Miss Terry, the owner and principal instructor of Saratoga School of Dance, teaches lyrical. She has been performing and teaching in the Saratoga area since 1975. She sets the direction for the other instructors as well as teaching ballet, lyrical, and tap.

Miss Terry, the owner and principal instructor of Saratoga School of Dance, teaches ballet. She has been performing and teaching in the Saratoga area since 1975. She sets the direction for the other instructors as well as teaching ballet, lyrical, and tap.

Peggy Page has been instructing at Saratoga School of Dance since the 1980’s. She is a master of tap and primairly teaches adults. Peggy has been dancing since the 1940’s.

The years that my daughter has spent with Saratoga School of Dance have been so invaluable for her. They have taught her many skills and discipline. She has felt like she has been part of a family. Miss Valerie and Miss Terry are so passionate about their craft, and so supportive, that they really empower their students to perform at their best.

Annual recitals on the West Valley College stage, the Great Nutcracker! with the World Famous Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet and team dance competitions have instilled teamwork, pride, character and determination in these girls. After dancing with Miss Valerie and Miss Terry weekly for over a decade, they are truly like family.

My daughter cannot get enough dance classes! From ballet to tap to hip hop, jazz and theatrical – she loves it all. I have watched her grow from a shy and anxious budding dancer into a confident and passionate performer. So much credit goes to Miss Terry & Miss Valerie for supporting her and encouraging her for all these years.

It is such a positive and nurturing environment. My daughter couldn’t get enough and wanted to sign up for additional classes. She had found a place and a sport she loves. Per Miss Valerie’s recommendations she also signed up for ballet with Miss Terry. In a short time my daughter has grown and flourished in this wonderful environment. After just over a year at Saratoga School of Dance my daughter is now enrolled in Hip-Hop/Jazz, Ballet, Tap private lessons and a Tap invitational class. Miss Valerie and Miss Terry’s loving, enthusiastic, and professional guidance has inspired my daughter to excel tremendously in a short amount of time. Thank you!!!

It is such a positive and nurturing environment. My daughter couldn’t get enough and wanted to sign up for additional classes. She had found a place and a sport she loves. Per Miss Valerie’s recommendations she also signed up for ballet with Miss Terry. In a short time my daughter has grown and flourished in this wonderful environment. After just over a year at Saratoga School of Dance my daughter is now enrolled in Hip-Hop/Jazz, Ballet, Tap private lessons and a Tap invitational class. Miss Valerie and Miss Terry’s loving, enthusiastic, and professional guidance has inspired my daughter to excel tremendously in a short amount of time. Thank you!!!

It is such a positive and nurturing environment. My daughter couldn’t get enough and wanted to sign up for additional classes. She had found a place and a sport she loves. Per Miss Valerie’s recommendations she also signed up for ballet with Miss Terry. In a short time my daughter has grown and flourished in this wonderful environment. After just over a year at Saratoga School of Dance my daughter is now enrolled in Hip-Hop/Jazz, Ballet, Tap private lessons and a Tap invitational class. Miss Valerie and Miss Terry’s loving, enthusiastic, and professional guidance has inspired my daughter to excel tremendously in a short amount of time. Thank you!!!

It is such a positive and nurturing environment. My daughter couldn’t get enough and wanted to sign up for additional classes. She had found a place and a sport she loves. Per Miss Valerie’s recommendations she also signed up for ballet with Miss Terry. In a short time my daughter has grown and flourished in this wonderful environment. After just over a year at Saratoga School of Dance my daughter is now enrolled in Hip-Hop/Jazz, Ballet, Tap private lessons and a Tap invitational class. Miss Valerie and Miss Terry’s loving, enthusiastic, and professional guidance has inspired my daughter to excel tremendously in a short amount of time. Thank you!!!

All the teachers are amazing! Miss Terry, Miss Valerie and Miss Peggy are not only all phenomenal dance teachers but wonderful personal mentors. My daughters learned dance technique and music appreciation, as well as how to collaborate and listen to others. All the teachers are incredibly patient and knowledgeable. My daughters have very different personalities and they both found a home at Saratoga School of dance. I can't think of anyone else I would rather have teach my children.

Perform in front of audiences. Gain confidence, poise, discipline - for a life time.

We are passionate about providing the highest quality instruction in ballet, tap, lyrical, theater, jazz and hip-hop.

The Saratoga School of Dance provides a family oriented, child friendly environment for students from the age of 16 months to adults of all ages. We hold an annual recital in June. We actively seek other performance opportunities for our students. For example, we typically perform in the San Jose Dance Company Festival and dance with the Moscow Ballet in The Great Russian Nutcracker.

The Spring Festival brings the dance community together. Performances will last all day, with 15 minute classes interspersed. Ballet, Hip-Hop, K-Pop, Hula, Classical and more. And it’s free to attend.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER GLAM - oh, we have fun during these camps. There’s glittering grins, glamorous goo, good games... gaudy garnishes and... gadzooks! ... gallantry, gags, gabbing... oh, the gabbing, so much gabbing... and friendliness, civility, chumminess and gobs of fun. It's over-the-top, nurturing, and all of the nice parts of glamour.

Lots of arts, lots of giggles, lots of dance.

The youth cast is at the heart of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. Sign up your dancer now to audition and perform with the international ensemble. Auditions are open to student dancers ages 6-17 of any technical level! There’s a role for everyone! Sign up for this incredible opportunity to shine under the big lights!

Now, some of our classes have returned to limited in-person interaction and we continue to provide virtual classes and a variety of summer/school-break camps.

2020 and 2021 saw the beginning of virtual classes and pandemic-safe camps. We've honed our technical skills at the same time we enjoyed our dance training via Zoom, which has worked quite well. Now, some of our classes have returned to limited in-person interaction and we continue to provide virtual classes and a variety of summer/school-break camps.

During a normal summer (mid-June to the end of July) unencumbered by Covid-19, The Saratoga School of Dance offer 8 to 13 summer camps. The camps have different themes. For example, Dance and Art, Princess Dance Camp, Pamper Me Princess Camp, Glam Girls Camp, and others.

During a normal summer (mid-June to the end of July) unencumbered by Covid-19, The Saratoga School of Dance offer 8 to 13 summer camps. The camps have different themes. For example, Dance and Art, Princess Dance Camp, Pamper Me Princess Camp, Glam Girls Camp, and others.

During a normal summer (mid-June to the end of July) unencumbered by Covid-19, The Saratoga School of Dance offer 8 to 13 summer camps. The camps have different themes. For example, Dance and Art, Princess Dance Camp, Pamper Me Princess Camp, Glam Girls Camp, and others.

During a normal summer (mid-June to the end of July) unencumbered by Covid-19, The Saratoga School of Dance offer 8 to 13 summer camps. The camps have different themes. For example, Dance and Art, Princess Dance Camp, Pamper Me Princess Camp, Glam Girls Camp, and others.