You may have found this page cause you searched for hip hop dance classes in the Bay Area. Or you may have read this blog years ago and was interested in seeing what’s the latest.
Big explanation so you’re fully educated what this blog post is about.
Back in 2016-2017 I probably hit every hip hop class that was available in the Bay Area. I was a newbie obsessed with dance and wanted to know which teachers I liked more. This was super important to me because when I get obsessed I go all in.
It’s been quite some time since 2016. Alot of teachers have come and go. We had that little pandemic thing that wrecked everyone’s lives in ways we’re still trying to recover from.
Now we’re post pandemic, figuring out our dance lives. So if you’re like “Hey Elaine what classes should I take now?” I need you to understand I’m NOT hitting up EVERY HIP HOP DANCE CLASS IN THE BAY AREA. Why? Well, girl I’m old. And it’s cold. And the pandemic made me really love being in bed watching videos at 5pm till I eventually fall asleep. So I’m not going to every 8pm dance class in the city. It takes alot for me to go out now. It has to be super important for me to get out of my PJs.
The other big reason I can’t give you the definitive list of every hip hop class in the Bay Area is because, dude …. THERE’S ALOT. There are more dance classes now than 6 years ago. New studios, new teachers, new energy. With the push of social media, everyone wants to learn to dance and with that new businesses have popped up. At the same time, studios have closed down because of the changes in our city and our economy. So figuring out who’s come and gone takes a bit of work.
Take that into account as you read this blog. I am not the definitive word on hip hop dance classes in the Bay Area. Frankly there’s not one place that defines it all. Bopsidy is pretty damn close so definitely look at that site because they’re constantly looking for the latest and educating everyone what to take.
What I can offer you is a strong educated opinion of what classes I like or have heard about that I absolutely think you should take because these people will give you joy and happiness to your life. You’ll meet an amazing community of people and learn moves that will wow (or horrify) all your aunties and uncles at weddings. These are not Tik Tok dance moves classes. These are 60 minute – 2 hour choreography classes or foundation classes. Tik Tok dance moves are fine…but honestly I need more and these places give me what I need.
Big thanks to my friends who are going to the 8pm classes and trying all the different classes and are messaging me: girl get your Costco sweatpants on and come out to THIS SPECIFIC CLASS. Love you Ellen, Erica, Jennifer, Tanya, Jen, James, Kevin, and Josef. They’re the ones who are taking ALOT of classes and giving me the lowdown and the heads up on popups that are essential to my life.
The City
SF was where I really started taking all hip hop classes. And thankfully the biggies are still there along with a new place.
City Dance
If you were around in 2016 you experienced the original City Dance studios. Two big studios and one itty bitty one on the second floor. No AC, could get crowded as all hell, bathrooms were always busy, the marley floor was perfect for ballet but for hip hop you be stickin. Sandy and Jylly worked their asses off to keep City Dance alive and if you go now …. man you are in for a treat. They moved to a location close to their old spot and the main studio is cathedral size. I mean look at those ceilings.
Loads of dance space, loads of just open space above you. I usually wear a mask in class when it’s packed, but here I don’t worry as much cause honestly there’s so much space. They have two other smaller studios at this space and they’re both lovely. It’s SF street parking so you know what that means. Don’t leave anything in your car.
Girl. City Dance has a lot of teachers that are damn good. The ones I’ve taken who I’ve adored are:
Emerson Aquino, Andy Nguyen, JJ The Killah, Daniel Kang, Jepoy Papas, Julia Pereira, Lauren Benjamin, Robert Yu, Jay Chris Moore, Dillion Nguyen, Jeric Peregrino, Georgie Cormack, and Sila Poe Charukesnant. When I look at their listing of classes alot of the teachers I don’t know. That doesn’t mean they’re bad, it’s just they’re new and from the IG stories I’ve seen they are bringing more vitality and energy that we always need in dance. So do a double header: take one of the teachers i recommend and stack on one you’ve never heard. That’s how you find out who fits your disposition well because seriously some teachers will fit you like a glove and others like a itchy wool dress your Mom made you wear for Sunday school. You don’t know till you go.
There’s this amazing dance team in Daly City called The Company who has weekly spots at City Dance called CompanyFam Choreo and you absolutely should take a class with them. They don’t fuck around. This is not a beginner class. They will challenge you. So whoever they have booked in that slot, you are guaranteed a sweaty good time. The teachers I’ve taken from The Company are Jolo Cabrera, Alfred Remulla, Jepoy and Aggie Loyola. Here’s Eddie Mina showing you exactly how awesome the class can be.
For the newbies to City Dance, I always recommend Emerson Aquino first. He was my first City Dance teacher and I will always credit him for guiding me into the hip hop dance world. If you’re just starting out he gives you basic moves to ease your way in but at the same time those moves can be embellished for your more seasoned dancer. He works for both. The energy he exudes is always positive and welcoming. You will absolutely have a good time hanging out with Emerson for 90 minutes.
Cause I know alot of women ask me who to take for those femme empowering experiences and the first name that comes to mind at City Dance is Julia Pereira. Loads of hairography, moves that will make you feel like a goddamn goddess. Yeah Julia gots all of that for you.
Alan Frias in SF
I have to put him in his own category because if you know Allan, he’s kind of a big deal in the best possible way. Important note: currently he doesn’t live in the Bay Area. When he first announced he was leaving it shook alot of people. He’s been such a staple of the Bay Area dance community it was devastating to think of him being gone. But luckily he’s decided to commute here to teach pop up classes at City Dance and Uforia. He’s done it pretty regularly so if you want to take his class follow his account so you know when it’s happening.
When I first took Allan’s class I was intimidated as all hell. The people in his class all looked like they knew what they were doing and they were doing it well. With intensity. With passion. With power. It was alot. But after taking…oh I don’t know about 10 classes I finally figured out his moves and I can keep up with everyone else. And girl you want to keep up with everyone else because it is SUCH A GOOD TIME in his class. He says crazy things, he’s hilarious, he’s inappropriate in all the right ways. But the most important thing is he’s an excellent teacher. He will teach you moves that are super complicated but it fits so well on your body.
Lately he’s been doing popups in SF at City Dance and Uforia.
Dance Mission
God I love this studio. I love the brick walls. I love the big open windows. But the dance. Oh my god the dancing in this space is sooooooo good. The teachers I’ve taken or have been recommended to me by people who’s dance opinion I know to be true and correct include: Brandie Norris, Jocquese Whitfield, David Schrag, Kyle Limin, Trey Brice-Russell, Micaya, Tika Morgan.
Parking in the Mission is challenging but it’s worth it just for what’s happening in this space. They did major renovations on their studio and now they 2 big studios, 1 medium, and one tiny. And oh man the bathrooms are a dream compared to what they were back in 2016.
Lines Dance Center
I used to go to Lines ALOT pre pandemic when they had a bunch of hip hop dance offerings. Now as I look at their schedule their focus is more on ballet, modern, contemporary. It’s a great studio that reminds me of a proper NY studio with the big mirrors and the marley floors. I’ve taken Kathy Mata’s ballet class and that was a wonderful and eye opening and if I ever get into ballet seriously, Kathy is the class I’d take. The one person I majorly recommend at Lines is Dexandro Montalvo. That man shaped my hip hop dancing for several years. Now he focuses more on contemporary. I’ve taken that contemporary class and it killed me but oh my god you so want to nail those moves cause the lines, the drama, it’s so beautiful.
Learn more about Lines Dance Center here
ODC
This was the place I used to go to in my beginning years. It was here that Shereen Prince taught me my first grapevine. I was awkward as fuck in this class but after a year… it got less stupid. And that was thanks to Shereen. This class has alot of variety in their classes. They’ve got Contemporary, Salsa, Hula, Tai Chi, Ballet, Tap, Reggaeton, Pilates and more. They also have this class called Rhythm & Motion. I’ve taken that class with Dudley Flores and first of all he’s fantastic. Such a good soul.
It’s a dance work out class that kinda combines hip hop, contemporary, salsa, just a mix of alot of things. It can be overwhelming the first time but after the 2nd and 3rd you’ll get it and you’ll be going across the floor like a phoenix rising from the ashes. It can be a touch dramatic in that class but you want it to be that way.
Rae Studios
When I first met Jessica Rae, the owner and creator of Rae Studios. I was in awe. Here’s this stunning woman who is not only a great dancer, is strong as fuck, but also has created a business that not only teaches people how to dance but also make a living in the dance and entertainment industry. She’s a force that I am always like dammmm. I went to her studio in the early years and it was a cute little boutique space that was dying to grow. And she made it grow. After alot of renovations she’s created this impressive studio that is BUILT FOR IG MOMENTS.
They have two studios: one medium and one small. But they pack in alot of great classes there. Looking at their lineup of teachers the only ones I’ve taken are Jessica and JJ Ghera and both are femme fabulous fun. I’ve never taken Ki’s class but I’ve been in the same class with him and oh girl. He good. He real good.
Uforia Studios
I’m still heartbroken that they had to close down their Palo Alto studio but for you SF folks, you lucky bitches still got their Nob Hill location. I love this studio because it is pink explosion overload.
They have one big studio for dance and another studio for spinning. Uforia is not just a dance studio. They offer strength and cycling classes along with their dance schedule. I’ve tried all of their offerings and it’s great but my heart goes straight to their dance classes.
The teacher at Uforia that has my goddamn heart is Josef.
Just know, he’s a friend so I already knew he was amazing when we would take Allan Frias classes together. So when he started teaching at Uforia I was like that just makes good business sense. He gets paid to be amazing and you lovely SF people get to enjoy that on a weekly basis. For newbies, you will not be intimidated by his moves. He knows the moves you already doing in the clubs but he improves on it, embellishes it, makes ya look better. Positivity is the name of the game in his class so yeah. You should take his class and tell me how it made you feel. Because I always feel like a goddamn queen coming out of his class.
Important note: They have a lot of good popups planned for the year. So follow their IG so you know the latest and greatest. Popups are great because it exposes you to people you’ve never tried before in an environment you may be more comfortable with.
Popstar Booty Camp
I’ve known Carol Jay and this program for a long time. Carol hires dance teachers who can teach you the moves of popular dances. You wanna learn Jeon Kook’s Standing Next To You? Are you obsessed with Jungle’s dance opus and you wanna be that girl in that tiny vest? You wanna bring the pain like this that pink venom? Popstar has you covered.
Big caveat: Those dance videos that you adore are performed by professional dancers who’ve trained for many years and have rehearsed many many hours. Will you nail Jungle’s Back on 74 choreo in the first class? No. You won’t in the second or in the 10th class. Do not be disheartened. You will learn the moves and the essence of those videos you adore and sometimes that’s enough. And sometimes it will inspire you to take even more classes so you can nail that move with the intensity and power you always dreamed of.
Mood & Moves
I went to this studio very soon after the pandemic let up a little bit and studios started opening. It is a cute boutique studio very close to the SF Costco. (I’m an Asian lady into Costco, big surprise.) It is only one studio but they do a lot of fun things in there. Heels is a popular class in this space and you’ll see why. Clean wood floors, beautiful mirrors, and mood lighting.
I don’t do heels cause I’m 50, that shit hurts. But I appreciate the artistry involved in it and I know alot of my dancer friends love this space for heels. Street parking, you are going to be climbing stairs to the studio, it’s all good.
The Peninsula + San Jose
I’m from LA so I enjoy a suburb. I live in the Peninsula because it feels like home, it’s close to work, and I got two Costcos nearby (Again, I’m a 50 year old Asian lady). For the longest time, it was really hard to find a dance studio in this area. I don’t know if it’s the rent or Zumba just had a monopoly but getting a hip hop class in this area was really hard. That’s not the case anymore.
Peninsula Lively Arts
Across from Trader Joe’s in the old Circuit Building is a dance studio. It shocks me every time I go in there because I totally bought headphones and computer equipment in this space back in the day. Ballet is the dominant force in this studio but there is one Wednesday night hip hop class you should add to your calendar: Angela Barrera. I haven’t taken her class yet but I have many dance friends who have told me she’s fantastic and frankly from what I’ve seen I agree. She good.
Go here to register for classes https://www.peninsulalivelyarts.org/adult-ballet-class-schedule
Folau House
I’ve known George Folau for a while now and I know…. the dude has such great musicality and style. So when he started teaching regular classes at San Mateo I was like ooooo tell me more. It is a short class. But he packs in a lot in that hour. So definitely check him out because he’s loads of good times.
Groovitude
If daytime class are your vibe, this is the place for you. It’s in Palo Alto and there’s always parking. It’s run by Mandy and Lisa, two incredibly hardworking talented women who deliver great choreo week after week. The dancers in this studio have been there for several years, they are loyal and that’s because the community is so strong and welcoming. But most importantly the dancing is lively and joyful.
Learn more about Groovitude here
Yuko Lee
I’ve taken many classes with Yuko and she’s such a sweet, generous teacher. Her GROOV3 classes are always packed with people who are killing it. And if you’re like me…. a slightly older woman…. it’s nice to be around people your own age. Most of these studies are 35 and under. And that’s fine. But frankly I wanna be around women in their 60s doing the dougie and twerking…and I usually can see that in Yuko’s classes.
Follow her IG cause she teaches at a variety of locations.
Motion Arts Center
I just found this space in San Mateo and it’s so cute. Easy parking, clean wide open space, and the vibe was just good all around. I’ve taken Francesca’s intermediate hip hop dance class and she was positive and open to the beginners and the more intermediate dancers in the room. Her technique is spot on and there were alot of groovy moments I enjoyed dancing next to her.
Learn more about Motion Arts here
Can’t Stop The Drop
Palo Alto peeps, you don’t have to go far to get your groove on. Devi has created this space for you to figure out every fierce move you want. Outdoor classes with alot of groovy vibes and powerful hits. There are regular classes and workshops that definitely involve specific costume looks and a final video that you will want to share with all your friends.
Enjoy Dance Studio
Ok Cupertino. Were you aware that the most amazing dance studio is in your city? Because you’ve got the most amazing dance studio in your city. I have never seen anything like this. They invested in all the things a dancer dreams of for a studio. Big mirrors in the front and back. They have huge displays near the ceiling so even in packed classes a live camera is on the teacher so you can see the footwork on the teacher even if you’re the last person in the back of the class. They got dramatic lighting for dance concept videos. They have AC. Girl. They have AC. And the most important thing: they film groups in 4K and offer you a free download of the video within 6 hours. This is like a dream student dancer’s studio.
The teachers I’ve taken there that I adore: CZ, Mo, Nate, Leon, Brandon, and Ray.
So the registration system for Enjoy is going to confuse you. Especially since it’s written in Chinese. That’s ok. Just turn on Google translate and power through. It is worth it.
I will be taking more classes at Enjoy because the quality is so good. Yes their classes are a bit more expensive than other places but the tech they have put in this space is insane. It’s worth it. Parking is easy. Boba is a 6 minute drive away.
Montage Dance Productions
I love there space and even though I haven’t been in a while I’m stalking their IG and I keep seeing posts of all their cool dance classes. The classes I’ve enjoyed are with Lauren, Jaylen Pea, Chris Alcanices, and LQ. Easy, free parking. Vibe is cool. Overall great place.
On One Dance Studio
Do you remember Monday Night Workshop in 2015? It was the most insane dance class late nights on Monday at this studio. After much renovations and change in leadership, it is now On One and they’ve established themselves as one of the most popular dance studios in the area. I love the leadership here, I love the community, I love the easy parking and it’s right next to a Target so if you need a Gatorade for cheap its there. One big studio, one medium studio, and one tiny studio. Great wood-ish floors for easy gliding. Loads of space. The teachers I’ve taken here that I love or I haven’t taken yet but I know are fucking fabulous are: Monica Chan, Nate Souryasack, Tad Racca, Rhoville, Alyssa, Sila Poe, Jay Chris Moore, Kate Dimalanta, Jonathan Pham, Lauren Benjamin, Deziree Del Rosario, Eddie Mina, Darius Sparks.
The ones that have my heart the most are:
Monica Chan creates moves that just hit my brain is such a good way
Tad Racca cause his grooves are FIRE and his footwork is fantastically fast
Rho is always guaranteed fun and loads of hairography moments that will give you life
Nate has a flow that GAH just gives me so much joy
Alyssa Corpuz
The girl loves a pony move and so do I. Thus she is always my favorite. The best goddamn smile. The best goddamn teacher.
They have different people coming in from all of the world doing popups and again, if a popups happens go. Because it’s way cheaper to go here and take a class than flying to LA, renting a car, and taking a class in NoHo.
Susan & Kerry Fitness Classes
They call them fitness classes and true they do have fitness classes. But they teach GROOV3 and Hip Hop cardio and that’s alot of high energy dance. If you never done a grapevine and are really scared about taking hip hop, you must seek out these ladies. They will teach you basic easy moves and you will build upon on it until you are such a groove master. Even though I’ve progressed and taken much harder classes these days, I will return to their classes because it’s fun. Foundations are fun. And this community is so welcoming and joyful.
Oakland
For me to go to Oakland, the class has to be good. I’m going over a bridge that costs $7, I’m paying $4.25/gallon for gas. It has to be worthwhile for me to go to Oakland and there are two studios that will make me do the 80 mile round trip drive.
In the Groove
Leslie Pantichpakdi and Daniel Kang have created a space that is truly one of the best. The choreo in this place is so damn good. I’ve been taking Leslie’s classes for over 10+ years and so she is my favorite. If you look in my feed, I’m always figuring out her moves more than others.
I mean just look at Leslie’s choreo. How can you not love it.
Daniel Kang is just groovy joy. His vibe is so chill and then when makes us do the moves I’m like holy shit that’s alot. But it’s fun. You’re dying but it’s fun. They have several different dance teams out of this studio and because of this the quality is insane. They bring in popups all the time and these are dancers who are leaders in the hip hop dance community. It is the best place to go and you will have a good time.
The teachers I’ve taken that I’ve adored are obvi Leslie, Daniel, Julia Pereira
Learn more about In The Groove here
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT IN THE GROOVE
They’re expanding and you want to help them grow. Seriously they are going to make the most beautiful space for dance and if you help them with a little donation you will in return get such a fantastic place to dance. Here’s how you can support them.
Full Out Studios
I have left so much sweat on the floors of this studio. And I happily do it every time. They have three studios, 2 medium, 1 huge. Concrete floors so keep that in mind if you have delicate knees. It’s a dream for gliding. The people I love there are Emerson Aquino, Alli Fritz, Rocko Luciano, Georgie Carmack. The 401K dance team also has open classes there are yes you absolutely should go to those because they bring in some amazing choreographers to teach.
Learn more about Full Out here
re.DEFINE
The only studio I know of in Hayward also happens to be the best and that’s re.DEFINE. Lead by Michael “Mappy” Mappala and Margela Cruz they have cultivated a community that creates such beautiful dance while also being welcoming to anyone who’s interested in learning. The people I love there are obvi Mappy, Margela, Cole, and Anthony.
Girl Anthony makes my heart soar with the choreo he creates.
]]>Usually at the start of the year I would have posted an update to all the hip hop dance classes I recommend in the Bay Area. But as we’ve all experienced, the start of this year was not normal and I every time I would try to write about joyful dance experiences, it was just hard. I’ve been doing online dance classes for years and while I do enjoy it, I’ll be the first to say….it’s not the same as being in class with other people. It’s just not. It’s safer for sure and it’s on my own time. Where else could I take a hip hop dance class at 6am without a mask? It can only happen at home! But I miss being with people in class. I miss seeing the teacher in front of me. I miss the mirrors. I miss it all.
Now as the year has progressed and vaccines are becoming more and more available, we’re slowly coming out of our quarantined spaces and venturing out into the world. This makes me very excited because that means we are able to dance with one another.
HOWEVER.
I’m not ready to go inside. I know indoor studios are opening up with reduced capacity but I’m just not emotionally ready to do that. I’m including the studios I’ve known in the past who are opening indoor classes and that I trust are doing all the right things….but honestly the only classes I’m going to are outdoors and online.
I’ve gone to several outdoor classes and each time it’s been perfect. Air is flowing, people are distanced, the music is pumping, and I’m sneaker high-fiving and booty bumping with my dance friends again. Also note, I haven’t gone to every one of these outdoor classes, just a few. Why? Many reasons. Timing. I’m dead tired from roller skating. Life. I will only go to a outdoor dance class that has bathrooms nearby. So if you know of an outdoor class I must join, do tell.
So understand this list below is not as comprehensive as I would normally write. It’s my personal experience and if you feel I’ve missed somebody let me know and I’ll add them. If I’m more detailed about one space vs. another it’s because I’ve only gone to a few outdoor classes. I’m watching all these classes through IG and just salivating how good everyone is. And hoping one day we’ll all feel safe to be in a studio together indoors without masks.
Thankfully we live in the Bay Area which means you’re not taking outdoor class in the snow or in a hurricane settings. It’s typically extremely sunny so bring a hat, bring lots of sunscreen, and bring MULTIPLE MASKS. You do not want to be in class with one mask and end up accidentally waterboarding yourself with a sweat soaked mask. It will happen. Trust me. Bay Area microclimates are real so come out in layers but know you are going to be shedding them as the class progresses.
If you’re like me and you like to record, I have found that being in the back is ideal. You can setup the camera in front of you but you’re behind all the students. This solves the problem of other students who hate being recorded. Now the camera is only on you and also you can use your camera as a mirror. Which is great because usually in these outdoor classes, THERE’S NO MIRROR. I thought I would hate that but honestly having no mirror has become super liberating.
Masks I use for dance: Happy Mask | Boco Gear Performance X Mask
Hats ideal for dance in the sun: Visor with a wide brim | Vimhue hats with a hole for a ponytail
If you think wearing a big ol’ hat looks dorky and uncool that’s fine. You can continue sweating in the hot sun. I’m wearing it and I’m completely shaded and feeling wonderful.
You are dancing on concrete so take note of that especially if you haven’t danced in a while. Dancing on concrete is really hard on your body so if you remember being able to do three hours in studio, it feels very different on concrete. For me I felt like I got hit with a truck and it took me a few days to feel ok. Now I’m used to it but OOF THAT WAS ROUGH.
theDrop – Devi Hadsell
I’ve known Devi ever since she taught at Uforia so I knew she brought the fierceness every time. So when she announced that she’s doing silent disco hip hop dance I was like REALLY? TELL ME MORE? theDrop is the ONLY outdoor dance class that I’ve heard that provides headphones that have shared audio with the rest of the class. What this means is you can be in a huge park setting and you will be able to clearly hear the music and the instructor because you are wearing recently sterilized headphones. This is key because as you may have noticed in parks, there could be two Zumba classes nearby with speakers blasting different music but you’re only going to hear the music for Devi’s class along with her voice. The sound is actually better than in real classes because you can hear everything, even Devi heavily breathing as she’s teaching you one of her amazing choreos. Devi is the Co-Founder of theDrop and they provide not only hip hop classes from her and other great choreographers but they also do yoga.
This is what you look like dancing with headphones and a mask.
Classes are mostly based in Palo Alto but they do venture out to the city with special classes.
You need to sign up in advance so they have enough headphones for the entire class.
Website | IG
Allan Frias
Allan is a legend and there’s a reason for that. He’s the best teacher, he’s got the best dance moves, and he’s goddamn hilarious. If you took his indoor classes at Dance Mission you know why his classes were ALWAYS packed. No he’s not easy, but it doesn’t matter. You go because his choreography feels amazing on you and even if you don’t get it the first time, or the second, or the third you will still have a great time. I wasn’t sure how Allan’s classes were going to translate outdoors but after much urging from several dance friends, I took his class outdoors and I kicked myself for waiting too long. The vibe of his classes outdoors are just as good as when they were indoors. The speaker is loud enough for everyone to hear, the outdoor space at St Mary’s is big enough for people to move around wherever they want and still feel safely distanced. And the choreography!!! Oh my god girl, he has not let up on the quality and length. You will be given a 90 minute class that will challenge you and you will love it.
Video from one of my favorite Allan routines outdoors under the sun.
Book classes through Dance Mission Theater | IG
Roryography – Rory Davis
I first learned about Rory from his online class and let me tell you, BIG JOY. Look at my face, I’m so happy. The moves may be beginner but the joy is advanced level endorphin insanity. Rory has got an energy and light that you gravitate to even when it’s covered up in a mask. His online classes are great but his outdoor classes are even better.
Website | IG
On One Studios
I know On One brings out some of the most innovative dancers in the area and was worried that some of the intricate moves would be harder to learn outdoors. Especially since there are no mirrors. Plus you are dancing between the dance studio and a Target so how does it feel? IT FEELS GREAT. On Saturdays there’s two classes that are back to back and it’s worth going to both. I went to Max and Anthony’s classes and the time just flew by. The speakers are loud, the teachers are so helpful and generous, and the choreography = perfection.
What it looks like in an outdoor On One Studios class.
Website | IG
In the Groove Studios
This studio always has my heart because they are led by Leslie Panitchpakdi and Daniel Kang, two of the most talented choreographers in the area and they’re just lovely people. They have been going back indoors with limited capacity but they still do outdoor classes and they look amazing. Big distanced crowds, loud music, and fantastic choreography. I have not been because the distance is too far from me and COVID has changed me, I only feel comfortable doing classes in the morning. In the Groove classes are in the evening and all my dance friends who have gone LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT. I’m an old lady and just can’t go out after night falls. They’re young. I get it. So go and be bold and dance with some of the best choreographers in the area at In the Groove.
Website | IG
Full Out Studios
One of the first hip hop dance classes I ever took was with Emerson Aquino and he’s still holding strong at his studio in Oakland. They are doing select indoor classes but the majority I’ve seen is all outdoors in a space that is right next to their studio. They’ve got hip hop with Rocko Luciano, jazz funk with Alli Fritz, sass & grooves with Brandon Davis, and a bunch of pop up guests that visit them weekly. I haven’t gone to their outdoor classes but all my dance friends who have gone regularly to Full Out ADORE IT.
Website | IG
Uforia Studios
When COVID hit and studios started thinking about how to adjust to our new world, I wondered how Uforia was going to handle it. And oh my, they handled it very well. Sadly they don’t have classes any more in Palo Alto or the Mission, but classes are going strong at their Nob Hill location. And the reason for this is they have a driveway right in front of their space that allows them to not only host dance classes….but spinning classes. I don’t bike but I know this is important for my Peloton obsessed friends. The driveway is kind of on a slant and if you’re in the back middle spot there is a divot that’s not so great to be on. BUT it doesn’t matter. The dance classes there are solid and totally fun. they’ve got Ariel Krizack, Esteban Deleon, and my joy Joseph Lagare. The music is pumping, the choreo is fantastic, and you will definitely sweat.
Website | IG
Kristin Damrow
Ok, technically she’s not hip hop. She’s contemporary. Only does online classes but they’re worth every minute. You will be swirly and writhing in joy with her moves. I love her energy and everything she teaches me.
Website | IG
The list of studios that are hosting online/outdoor/indoor/hybrid classes that I know about are below.
City Dance (online only) – Website | IG
Dance Mission Theater (online and in person) Website | IG
Dancevibes (online only) – Website | IG
Esteban Deleon (online and in person) Website | IG
Funky Bees (online and in person ) Website | IG
JJ Ghera (in person) Website | IG
Lee Pazmino – BodyBeatz (in person and online) Website | IG
Lines Ballet – they don’t just do ballet. They do MORE (online) Website | IG
Liza Erpelo – U-Jam Fitness (outdoors and indoors) Facebook | IG
Montage Dance Productions (online and outdoors) Website | IG
Mood Studio (hybrid – virtual and in person, in person, and virtual) – Website | IG
ODC (online) Website | IG
Rae Studios (hybrid – virtual and in person, in person, and virtual) – Website | IG
re.DEFINE Dance Studio (hybrid, indoors, outdoors, online) Website | IG
Sexitude (outdoors and online) – Website | IG
Shereen Prince ( outdoors) – Book through EHS Pilates | FB
Choreo above is from the fantastic James Washington
As you may already know, I’m obsessed with dance. Specificaly hip hop dance. I typically take 1-3 classes a week. It’s a regular thing my body needs and it’s been lovely. This becomes complicated when COVID-19 hit my city and I am now forced to abstain for any group activities. How do I do that AND take dance class? Do I stop dancing?
Good heavens no. The solution is online dance classes.
I’ve been taking online dance classes for around 6 years. Some taught by teachers who show you step by step what to do. And some classes where I analyze the teacher’s moves and figure out what they’re doing step by step (this is REALLY FRIGGIN HARD and you really have to love the choreo if you wanna do this).
Lucky you I’m obsessed with dance and 90 percent of the people I follow in social media are dancers. So when COVID-19 hit and all the dance studios started shutting down I started seeing updates from teachers announcing their online classes.
This list will grow as I see things come through in my feeds. It will change daily and who knows how long the classes will be or what’s the quality. Some are just pop-ups. Some may do their classes daily. But if I’m adding it here it means one of the following:
1. I’ve taken their classes before, I know they’re great in real life
2. I’ve been told these classes are great by people I respect and I know they know what they’re talking about
3. I’ve never taken their classes but I’m obsessed with them in IG and so I’m guessing their classes are good.
I’m including all styles of dance – ballet to hip hop to any type of movement. Because DEAR GOD who knows how long this quarantine will last and frankly we should try new things cause WE GOT THE TIME.
I”m also including classes that are not necessarily dance-y. As a woman in her mid-40s I am embracing strengh training. So I’ve included strength classes, HIIT classes, and just classes that aren’t necessarily dance but will complement your dance moves dramatically.
Some are. Some aren’t. Even if they are free consider donating for the class because all the dance studios have shut down which means these people have lost a huge chunk of their salary. Most of these dancers only teach as their primary source of income. So this is not good.
Tell me: Email elaine.take.this.class@gmail.com
Or follow me in IG and point me to cool stuff. I’ll add it to my story and to this list.
STEEZY
This is a no-brainer. They’ve been doing online dance classes for years and they have the BEST user experience for students. Front and back views, 15 second rewind so you can repeat a move over and over again.
The Studio North
I’ve been stalking this Vancouver studio for a while thinking to myself “when am I ever going to get to this place to take place?” I sigh with sadness…till now. AH-MAH-ZING dancers in this place so I’m looking forward to taking class with these people.
In the Groove Studios
This place is a home of great hip hop dance. Period. And thankfully they are starting some online classes.
Leslie Panitchpakdi
I was waiting for her to post that she’s going to do online classes. Reach out to her in IG to find out when she’s doing her next one. But for now she’s doing it tonight 3/17 at 7pm.
Project Home Dance
The friggin amazing Chris Martin and Larkin Poyton are teaching a class on Friday 3/20 in Youtube. I’ve taken their classes IRL and it’s such a goddamn wonderful experience.
D Montalvo
I’ve been taking class with D for many years. So it makes me happy he’s going to offer an online class in IG Live on 3/20 at noon. He’s also going to do a future contemporary class and you should follow him for updates.
Sila Poe Charukesnant
Poe is a true artist and I love that he’s spent alot of time figuring out how to teach an online class with feedback and notes. Check out his schedule and take his class.
Miguel Zarate
A Miguel Zarate class before 9pm??!! How insane but thanks to online classes it’s happening today 3/20 at 5pm PST.
Rocko Luciano
His moves are big and full of power and emotion. Try him out in his online class on 3/20 with Daniel Kang.
Aliya Janell
For the heels fans…learn from the master 3/18 at 4pm PST. Here’s hoping she does more so the people who live under you can hear you bounce that booty on the floor.
Jojo Gomez
The queen of hair flips and body grinds is teaching a class on Friday 3/20 at 4pm. Oh I hope she does more.
Sydnie La Rosa
More jazz funk than hip hop and super goddamn sexy. She’s doing virtual classes so check out her IG feed for class updates.
Ryan Heffington
OH MA GAH. The Ryan Heffington is teaching a class online. If you’ve ever taken his class at The Sweat Spot in LA you KNOW why you go. His class is transformative and he’s doing a class today March 17 at 10am. Here’s hoping he does more.
Betsy Struxness
I took Betsy’s class WERQ when she visited the Bay Area and it was full of joy. And FYI she was in Hamilton…the original cast. So you’re dancing with a legend.
CLI Studios
Check out their scheduled class times for the upcomign teachers. These are people who I know have packed classes and are rarely in my neighborhood (Bay Area).
Uforia Studios
I go here IRL so I know the vibe is great. And now they’re offering online classes
Devi Hadsell from Can’t Stop the Drop
Devi is offering hip hop and yoga classes. I’ve taken her classes IRL at Uforia so I know she gooood.
Benjamin Allen – GROOV3
Ben is the founder and creator of GROOV3 so honestly you’re learning from the pro. Fast glorious fun hip hop.
Confidance Fitness
They just started livestreaming their classes with Amethyst’s Hips & Hari Whips class.
Susan & Kerry GROOV3
Cute fun hip hop dancing with Kerry and Susan
Get Down Dance Studios
Need popping, hip hop, whacking, dancehall, locking? They got it for you. All online
Dance Vibes
Dance Vibes has been teaching in person AND online dance classes for a while. So not only do they have live classes but they have a considerable library of past classes you can taken on demand.
Mark Kanemura
Yes THAT Mark Kanemura who was a former backup dancer to Lady Gaga and is obsessed with Carly Rae Jepsen. He’s been hosting daily dance parties in his IG story.
Esteban Deleon
Sweetest guy ever. His dance classes are high energy killer fierce joy. He’s starting online dance classes on March 17 so reach out to him for the latest schedule.
Emerson Aquino
He hosted an online class yesterday and it went really well. So follow up for the latest updates of when he’s doing his next online Zoom class.
Lamesha Vine
I’ve been following this lady in IG for a while so when I saw her post today that she’s going to offer online classes I was like F&*K YEAH! Subscribe to her Youtube channel and it looks like she’s going to offer classes Tuesday & Thursday.
Alli Fritz
Tonight at 7pm this goddamn wonderful human being is teaching online. Look at her IG for the details and follow her for any upcoming popup online classes.
Montage Dance Productions
Glorious hip hop dance classes taught through Zoom.
Rae Studios
Not only does this place offer hip hop dance classes but they’ve got more fitness-y focused classes like express abs, bootcamp, BollyX, Pilates, and Cardio Dance. So they got it all.
Kristin Damrow & Company
One of my FAVORITE contemporary dance teachers posted an onine dance class that’s full of ups and downs and glorious movements that feel gooey and powerful. I love her and I think you’ll love her too.
Entity Contemporary Dance
This company inspires me so much and now they’re teaching some online classes so we can all EMOTE together.
Rebecca Lemme
I have not taken Rebecca’s class before but my friend S. Jean recommends her and I trust everything S. Jean tells me.
Abhilasha Jain
Bollywood goodness right here.
Zumba with Melody Mai
Even though I dance alot, ZUMBA kills me. THERE’S NO STOPPING. Melody is a wonderful Zumba instructor who is wonderful IRL and I’m sure her joy and exuberance will be obvious in the online class. She’s offering a free class on Saturday 3/21 but follow her on FB for updates on upcoming classes.
Dancing Alone Together
They’ve created a central resource of all dance based classes online. And they got ALOT.
Layers Resources for Dancers
This list seems to be more NY focused which is hella great cause I don’t get to go to much NY dance classes these days. (Thanks Christina Z. for the recommendation).
New York City Dance Alliance
Yesterday they posted an online class with Dana Wilson. Today it’s Joey Dowling. Tomorrow? Who knows but it’s gonna be good.
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Debbie Allen
Yes. THAT DEBBIE ALLEN. Who knows if she’s going to do this repeatedly but on 3/18 at 1pm PST she’s teaching a free class.
Joseph Corella and 567 Broadway
Joseph has been teaching broadway dance in person and online for a while. So go take his class, bring your top hat, and strut.
Heather Robertson
I can’t say enough good things about this woman. She offered a FREE 12 week workout plan in Youtube at the beginning of the year and I’ve been doing the classes in between my regular dance stuff. AND JESUS CHRIST THEY ALL HURT. She’s great. She’ll hurt you but she’s great. What I really like about her strength and HIIT classes is she’s got the production value down perfectly. You follow her classes with her so you do exactly what she does and everything is timed out with cues of when to stop, when to keep going, and when to rest in a sweaty pile.
Heather Alaine
I’ve been following her on IG for a whiel but can never get to her class cause she’s far away from me. But now with Zoom I can take her class several times a day. She teahes a breathing, grounding & stretching class and a strength class that looks pretty damn good.
The Assembly
I’ve taken Shawn’s STRONGER class IRL so I know the quality is good. Now he’s got his classes online. I took Danielle’s online Barre Fusion class and EVERYTHING was on fire. They video record it in their studio so it’s as if you’re really there….but you’re home…quarantined.
Lily has created a site which not only lists online dance classes like me but she’s also detailed ways you can help the dance community. These people keep us healthy and joyful….and they don’t have benefits. So consider donating to these teachers or buying a class package so we can make sure these studios do open once this pandemic subsides.
]]>Updated 2021 list taking into account COVID-19 is here.
So. You want to learn hip hop dancing. Cool. Youâ€ve come to the right place. I personally have taken a ton of hip hop classes in the Bay Area and very likely have come across a class you will adore. Interested in learning femme fierce choreo with tons of hair whipping? I got choo. Wanna dance with power and aggression? I know exactly who you should try. Want to learn some flowy grooves that takes you back to 90s R&B? Thereâ€s a teacher who totally does that.
I am a mid-40 year old woman who started dancing approximately 10 years ago. I didnâ€t learn how to dance as a young kid and the only dancing I did in college was clubbing to Depeche Mode and New Order.. So if youâ€re thinking “Hey Iâ€m too old to learn how to dance†TRUST ME. Youâ€re in good company. Yes the age range tends to be in the early 20s-early 30s range but I see dancers in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s going through 15 eight counts like a pro. Come out to class. Youâ€ll see. Oh honey youâ€ll see.
Who is this list for?
This list is for everyone: from your beginner newbie who has never done a grapevine to the serious dancer who goes to LA and lands a coveted spot for an IG video. Iâ€ve tried to break things down by level according to my opinion. So yes, this is hugely subjective and completely my opinion. I mean look at the URL. This is my personal blog not SF Weeklyâ€s analysis of the dance classes you can take. You will very likely disagree with my opinion WHICH IS FINE. This list is one womanâ€s opinion and hopefully youâ€ll learn about a teacher or a studio you never heard of. I donâ€t get paid to do this. Iâ€m just a fan of all these teachers and studios.
What class do you recommend?
People ask me this question alot and my response usually is “What style of dance do you like?†Are you more into strong, powerful, explosive moments? Are you barely learning how to do a body roll? Or are you into intricate, fast, almost robotic like movements? Depending on what youâ€re into, thereâ€s a class that caters to that. If youâ€re into dancing in heels I would recommend Marqui Martinez, Shonna Chiles, Alli Fritz, and JJ Ghera. If youâ€re into Kinjaz style movements I would totally point you to One One Studios or The Company. There are SO MANY STYLES here in the Bay Area which is great, but it can be overwhelming. So Iâ€ve tried to detail the style in my descriptions. However, the best way to tell if itâ€s a class youâ€ll like is to watch the videos. If you like what you see, chances are youâ€re going to enjoy the class.
Ok Elaine. Youâ€ve told me a lot. But seriously, which class do you recommend?
If youâ€ve never taken a class with these teachers, read my review, and more importantly watch the video if Iâ€ve provided a link. Thatâ€s the best way to figure out if youâ€re going to like the style the teacher is teaching. If you go to the class and find itâ€s not your thing, donâ€t worry. Thereâ€s ALOT of other classes that will likely fit your fancy.
But if you really want to follow exactly the teachers I took during my beginner years they are in this order: Shereen Prince, David Schrag, Micaya, and Emerson Aquino.
It looks like all the students are crazy good and I know I suck. What class can I take where I wonâ€t be embarrassed?
First thing you should know about class. NO ONE IS LOOKING AT YOU.
Let me say this again.
NO. ONE. IS. LOOKING. AT. YOU.
Well if youâ€re super hot and the crop top youâ€ve decided to wear today is showing your abs, yeah weâ€re looking at you. And damn you look good. Bravo. You clearly have been working hard… But going back to your worry about being embarrassed, do not worry. We are all taking class, we are all focused on ourselves, weâ€re all a bunch of narcissists staring at our image in the mirror and weâ€re SO NOT looking at you. So take class, make mistakes, thatâ€s what class is for. If you suck, you suck. Most of the time you wonâ€t know anyone in class so who cares? Iâ€ve taken class for 10+ years and I know Iâ€ve sucked. In that whole time, no one has ever shamed me when it comes to dance. No one has ever given me a dirty look for failing to do a hair flip incorrectly. No one has laughed at me in a hurtful manner for twerking badly. No one has pulled me aside and said my body roll sucked balls. You know what does happen in class? People scream YASSSSSS when they see youâ€re feeling the music. People walk up to you after class and tell you that you really inspired them with how joyfully you moved. People ask you out to boba and conversation about that ludicrous Rihanna choreography.
So put on those sweatpants, tie your sneakers, and get to class. The hip hop dance community is pretty awesome and if you spend a decent amount of time with these people youâ€re going to meet some great people and learn some pretty amazing things.
If you see me, please say hi. Iâ€ve made this list for you so it would be lovely to hear if itâ€s something thatâ€s actually helped you.
ONE IMPORTANT DETAIL TO NOTE: I am writing this in January 2019. Schedules changes. People move. So if you like someone below, check their schedule, see if theyâ€re still around. The problem with good teachers is they get so good they move to LA or NY and next thing you know theyâ€re a Youtube sensation and they donâ€t answer your DMs. I try to update as the year progresses but hey… Iâ€m only one person and Iâ€m busy taking class.
Steezy
I get it. Itâ€s scary. You donâ€t want to make a fool of yourself even though Iâ€m telling you no one is looking at you. No problem. I gotchoo.
Or perhaps youâ€re a very good dancer but the budget to get down to LA and take class at Movement Lifestyle, EDGE, Millenium, IDA, Snowglobe Perspective, Play, and Kinjaz Dojo is just too rich for your blood. I get it. Plus the Uber costs are gonna be HIGH cause it takes forever to get around in LA.
I have tried many online dance videos. Iâ€ve done Matt Steffaninaâ€s Youtube classes. Iâ€ve bought individual classes from TMilly. Iâ€ve downloaded Tevyn’s Cole’s dance videos on IG, flipped the video and tried to learn the moves step by step (it ain’t easy). So I have a very educated opinion about this and my thought on this subject is STEEZY HAS CREATED THE BEST ONLINE DANCE TUTORIAL AVAILABLE. Try their free trial and you will understand why. They have basic beginner to the most advanced hip hop classes. They have teachers you will totally recognize like Bam Martin, Scott Forsyth, Sorah Yang, Beau Fournier, Boogie Frantick, Gina Hong, Larkin Poyton, and more more more.
My favorite Steezy teacher is without a doubt Jeffrey Glorious Queen That He is Caluag. You can take classes on your computer, your phone, your iPad. You can learn anytime, anywhere on your own terms. What I particularly love about their service is you can flip views from front to back whenever you want. So it really is like being in the class with the teacher. Plus you can hit rewind as many times as you want so you can learn how to do that turn or hair flip.
So if youâ€re too scared to come out IRL, stay in and try out Steezy.
And if youâ€re wondering if I get paid to recommend Steezy: I donâ€t. I pay the annual membership just like everyone else.
Absolute Beginner – Beginner | Beginner – Intermediate | Intermediate – Advanced |
Peninsula – South Bay |
Oakland |
Carol Johnstoneâ€s Popstar Booty Camp
Have you watched the latest Beyonce performance and thought to yourself “God I wish I could do that.†Well stop wishing, you can learn the exact steps of Beyonceâ€s routines along with moves from Ciara and more in this class. Carol is the curator of the classes and she takes a poll of what people would like to learn. Once itâ€s decided she books a 4-6 week class workshop where you learn from the fantastic Ijay Espinoza who takes you step by step through every hair whip and body roll.
Itâ€s been a few years since Iâ€ve taken a Popstar Booty Camp class but from the activity I see from their FB feed, the popularity and devotion has grown. Classes sell out quick when itâ€s super popular so be sure to like their FB page and be notified when classes are posted.
I asked a bunch of PSBC devotees what they think of the classes and hereâ€s what they say:
Amelie W:
I took my first PSBC class over three years ago and have been hooked since day one because they are just that much fun! In any class, youâ€ll find people who have never taken a dance class to those who are experienced and skilled dancers. I have met people and made friends from all walks of life in these classes because they really are made for everyone – we unite through dance and our favorite choreographers and artists. The cherry on top is that we end each series in full costume in a performance showcase for our friends, family and community. Every six or seven weeks, you can be a star. Itâ€s pretty hot!
When I moved to SF in 2017, finding Pop Star Booty Camp was a dream come true. I so missed the performance aspect of dancing in college, and like to master dances that people recognize from the video. At PSBC, you have plenty of time to learn the dances over 7 weeks, practice at home or with your new friends, and the performance night is on the lowest pressure, friendliest stage. I have seen the back wall flower, beginner dancer, blossom and STEAL THE SHOW during the final performance. Everyone just wants to see you LIVE your LIFE, even if you forget a move and have an accidental solo. Learning a whole song of choreo is not just physically demanding, its such a great mental challenge too. This class is good for beginners and past performers, people that want to be in a music video, do a flash mob, or challenge themselves to not just go workout, but really put themselves out there in a supportive environment.
Follow their IG for updates.
Dâ€Arcy Drollinger – Sexitude
Iâ€ve been to many a dance class in the Bay Area but Dâ€Arcyâ€s Sexitude class is the ONLY one where the feeling of warmth, acceptance, and fierceness hits you smack in the face right when you walk through the doors. This is a class that celebrates everyone: small, big, gay, straight, black, white, whatever. You are friggin welcome to 90 minutes of extremely inappropriate and empowering choreography. You will start off with hip thrusts and Dâ€Arcy will come down to the floor and scream at you as if you were Nomi Malone from Showgirls …. and you will love it. Dâ€Arcyâ€s class has devoted regulars. Gorgeous loyalists who are topless or are wearing gold bootie shorts so you will have alot of people to follow if you canâ€t figure out how to do a hip roll. The level is mostly beginner but that doesnâ€t mean seasoned dancers shouldnâ€t attend. The moves allow for so much interpretation and you can just go OFF. This is where you need to be on Sunday.
David Schrag
I remember in the first few years where I went to hip hop dance class I would get so frustrated because I felt like the class was just moving too fast and everyone around me seemed to be getting it quickly and were all having a good time except for me. I couldnâ€t get it thus I couldnâ€t have a good time. That changed when I took David Schrag’s class. He teaches beginner hip hop and the steps are truly beginner. Even though the moves could be considered basic, they feel good and are super natural which means youâ€re gonna pick up the moves faster. Which means youâ€re going to have a good time throughout. I know itâ€s frustrating when you watch Youtube and you wanna copy your favorite hip hop dancers trickiest moves. However, you need to learn the basics of hip hop dance and David will teach you that without you even realizing it. From a simple box step to a body roll, David will teach you how to do all of that without you looking rigid or like a scared deer. His style is more old school hip hop and you will have such a good time.
Esteban DeLeon
The first thing you notice when you see Esteban DeLeon is his smile: itâ€s huge, beaming, and glorious. Itâ€s a smile that welcomes you to his world that is full of life and joy. Then he starts his choreography and you realize oh my god Iâ€m going to die but who cares, I am loving every minute of it. I have taken Estebanâ€s class at Uforia in Palo Alto and in his DeLeon Dance & Fitness program in the South Bay and both are great. He also teaches choreography at Rae Studios in SF. Uforia is more fitness-y cause they really want to push your cardio levels but Esteban puts in a lot of choreography thatâ€s typically taught in a regular class. There are alot of hair whips, arm whips, and struts that will leave you breathless. Choreo level is around beginner but donâ€t let that fool you. The moves are simple but he moves fast and Esteban probably has taught 4 classes before you enter the room so donâ€t complain youâ€re tired. Just do your best and life your life.
Shereen Prince
I will forever be grateful to Shereen as she was my very first hip hop dance teacher and through LITERAL HOURS of class taught me how to do a grapevine without it looking stupid. This is truly an absolute beginner – beginner class at ODC and one of the best. Her style is fun and bouncy old school that both men and women will find comfortable. With her sweet and welcoming personality you will learn the essential techniques of hip hop dance like counts and isolation. Seriously counting is the biggest thing you need to understand about dance. Thatâ€s how it will all work and she will make you count the steps as you do them cause thatâ€s WHAT YOU NEED. Youâ€ll also learn ticking and to this day I still am doing that arm ticking routine that she will undoubtedly teach you. Her class gets packed with beginners so youâ€ll be in good company. Arrive with a smile and an open attitude and you will learn quick.
Micaya
Everyone who decides to learn hip hop eventually makes their way to Micayaâ€s class. And itâ€s no surprise why. Sheâ€s fantastic. Her classes can be over 50 people to less than 10 and you will feel welcomed and guided through choreography that will undoubtedly leave you looking like you had a bucket of water thrown over your entire body. You will sweat. You will drop it. You will whip it. You will smack it. After taking many beginning hip hop classes with Micaya I joined her workshop series. I would highly recommend you do a workshop if not with Micaya but with anyone. Workshops push your boundaries and really push you to the next level of dance. And plus you gain like 20+ new friends overnight who all love dance, sweating, and eating monster burritos.
Olivia Cheng
See that animated video at the top of my page? That’s Olivia’s class. I first took Olivia’s class at Uforia in Palo Alto and I was like I’M HOME. I’M FUCKING HOME. Her style is feminine power with all the things I adore: bootie drops, body rolls, hair whips, hip rolls. GAH. I just can’t get enough of her class. Sadly Olivia now has moved her class to the Uforia Mission location but she’s so good, I’m willing to drive 30 miles and hunt for parking just to take her class. She’s great and I’m pretty sure her classes are going to sell out quickly so if you see a slot in the Uforia listing, book it. She’s worth it.
Olivia teaches in SF at Uforia.
Rhythm & Motion Dance Workout
When youâ€re first starting dance you seem to always be just keeping up, trying to keep the choreography in your mind that itâ€s really hard to get lost in the music and just enjoy. Somehow Rhythm & Motion found a way to bridge that gap.
The Rhythm and Motion Dance workout is a mix of many styles from hip hop to jazz to salsa and more. Itâ€s not super hard, itâ€s not super easy. Itâ€s somewhere in the middle and thatâ€s perfect. I havenâ€t gone in a while so I turn to my dance twin Julia who says this about the Rhythm & Motion Dance Program:
The Rhythm & Motion dance program is a TREASURE for anyone who loves to dance, period. With several classes taught every day of the week – by insanely talented pro dancers and artists – each class is a welcoming, joyful dance party for all levels. Classes are a combo of pre-choreographed routines to the likes of Rihanna, Prince, Aretha + world music, hip hop, 90s techno and more. It’s a big explosive cardio-tastic workout where the teachers take great care in making sure you build your dance technique, take care of your body and have a great time (where you kind of forget you’re exercising). Lots of flavors to choose from too – “Fusion” is a 60 minutes, “Extended” is 75, “Essentials” breaks down routines twice in one class, and “Modern” is a mix of contemporary dance styles. There’s even a pay-what-you-can option on Wednesdays at noon.
The program is hosted at different locations in the city and all over the Bay Area. One of my favorite instructors is Dudley Flores who teaches at LINES. So full of life and joy you barely realize how completely soaked in sweat you will be.
Walker Fisher
In 2017, Uforia added Walker Fisher to their staff. AND THE SUN SHINED BRIGHTLY!!!! Iâ€ve been a fan of Walker for a while…this was before he started teaching regularly. Heâ€s a fucking unbelievable dancer. Whether itâ€s hip hop or contemporary, his choices of how he moves his body and how he expresses emotion makes me sit in the corner with absolute glee. So when he started teaching regularly at Uforia I was like OH HELLS YEAH. Now if youâ€ve seen Walker perform you may be thinking to yourself “Good lord there is no way I can move like him.†But what you need to understand is he teaches at Uforia which is geared towards all levels….but with a heavy slant towards the beginner. So on a weekly basis you have Walker guiding you through the most intense choreo all with basic moves. Anyone can do the moves. Itâ€s totally up to you to “Walker it up” and be more explosive with a head whip or just pace yourself so you donâ€t die within the first 15 minutes of class.
Walker teaches at Uforia in SF and in Palo Alto.
Shonna Chiles – Confidance Fitness
Growing up, I was in awe of cheerleaders. The outfits, the hair, but most of all the perfect symmetry and power of their choreography. You can make light of cheerleading and how itâ€s all surface & fluff but if you spend ONE HOUR trying to train like a cheerleader you will die of exhaustion. Not only do these ladies train hard, they do it all while looking perfect and not showing a stitch of sweat. So when I heard there was a retired Golden State Warrior cheerleader teaching choreography specifically to Beyonce I was like TAKE MY GODDAMN MONEY.
Shonna is a powerful and gorgeous dancer who adores Beyoncé and thankfully she shares that joy and love with us every week in her Donâ€t Worry Be Yoncé SF class. No, you do not need to be a seasoned dancer. You can be an absolute beginner who barely wiggles her hips. Take Shonnaâ€s class, you will not only be dropping your hips real low, but also whipping your hair around like youâ€re one of Beyâ€s backup dancers. Shonna has added more classes to her Confidance Fitness and sheâ€s added a team of people who also teach and from the looks of it, itâ€s all good. Itâ€s ALLLL GOOOOD. Giulia (a current student of Confidance Fitness) says this about Shonna and the crew:
What do you get when you mix hip hop with heels and heart? You get Shonna Chiles and her Confidance Fitness crew. Add to that a judgment-free and empowering environment where beginners mix with seasoned Warriors dance team members and youâ€ve got a truly elevated and fun experience. Iâ€m a beginner who has been taking all her classes for 2 yrs and now have the confidence to perform solos in front of a cheering crowd!
Emerson Aquino
Emerson was one of my first teachers when I first started learning hip hop. I would watch his choreography and wish I could just nail an eight count of his with as much ease and fierceness as he expressed. His style is sharp, completely fierce, and one key element I love seeing in dance: joy. The moves are happy. When you do his choreo, you are happy. You just canâ€t be upset when youâ€re doing Emerson choreography.
I will always remain grateful to Emerson because he was the one who taught me how to dance like a fierce elegant woman. Yes I learned this from a man. Without him Iâ€d still be Mrs. Frumpy Frump Frump who canâ€t move her goddamn hips. He teaches regularly both in SF and Oakland.
Jessica Rae – Rae Studios
Beautiful and bright studio. Itâ€s small but good lord do they pack in some awesomeness in this place. And from what I’ve recently seen they expanded so it might not be as small as when I first started taking classes in her studio years ago.
Iâ€m kind of amazed by Jessicaâ€s energy. Not only does she teach fantastic hair whipping classes, but sheâ€s the owner and CEO of Rae Agency and Rae Studios. So not only is she an amazing dancer + teacher but sheâ€s running a business getting dancers jobs in the industry. She is ALWAYS busy. I do not know how she does it all while also looking flawless every damn time.
Jessicaâ€s classes will leave you red-faced and exhausted. She does a good warmup, your heart rate will be up up up the whole time during class, and youâ€ll leave feeling tired but joyful.
JJ Ghera
I tried J’s beginning level hip hop class and it is absolutely positively perfect for beginners. Don’t know how to do a grapevine? This is for you. Don’t know how to wave your hands in a cool manner? This is for you. J clearly knows how to dance. It’s OBVIOUS and when you check out his background on his website he totally has the resume of your typical friggin cool LA dancer. He teaches in SF at Rae Studios. He also teaches at Uforia in both their SF locations and the Peninsula. Check out his current teaching schedule from his website.
If you’re taking his choreo class he focuses on style and getting the move in your body so you’ll be running the moves alot. This is important. Then when he turns the music on he just lets you live your life. When you take his Uforia class, the moves are “slightly” easier but not really. The focus is to get your cardio up and alot of times that involves bootie drops, hair whips, and thigh slaps. It’s glorious. Go learn from this fantastic man.
Jocquese Whitfield
Want to learn how to vogue? Jocquese is THE person you need to learn from. He knows the history, he knows the moves, he knows it all. So just go because itâ€s glorious. Jocquese will teach you the essentials of the catwalk, duckwalk, spins, dips, and hands and you will come out DEAD tired because you will be using muscles you rarely have ever used.
Marqui Martinez
Wanna dance in heels? Then you want to take Marquiâ€s class. Her style is sultry, sexy, and powerful. Iâ€ve only taken her class wearing sneakers because my weak old body canâ€t handle heels. But itâ€s guaranteed good times and you will be amazed at what you can do in heels. You will whip your hair around. You will bounce your bootie on the floor. You will be the fierce queen you always wanted to be thanks to Marqui.
Allan Frias
Oh what can be said about Allan that hasnâ€t been said before. To put it simply: heâ€s the mother fucking best. Once you go to his class you will know why in the first 5 minutes. He is beautiful, he is such a great dancer, he is such a great teacher, he is foul mouthed, he is the inspiration for so many amazing dance moves and I adore him. Allan teaches from a space in his soul that is full of love, confidence, and oh my god itâ€s so gloriously dirty. Yes it is hard if youâ€re not used to. If youâ€re a beginner you will flail around trying to keep up because Allan pushes his dancers through a lot of eight counts. But you keep going because you so desperately want to do that hair flip, that booty drop, that smack in the air. His choreography feels so FUCKING GOOD. Be aware in the first of the year his class is gonna be packed and youâ€re going to have hair whipped in your face. But just power through, enjoy the moment, and live your life. Heâ€s worth it.
Chris Alcanices
I have taken Chris several times so I know his style is fun and bouncy. His style feels very old school 90s hip hop with more of a masculine swagger, which is nice for me since usually I venture towards the femme. His moves are fast and joyful and I always come out of his class feeling so happy. My amazing dancer friend Amy has been in way more classes and workshops with Chris and she has a much more educated opinion about him. Here’s what she said:
Chris was my very 1st dance teacher whom I began taking in 2016. From the years Iâ€ve spent learning, training, and performing with him, Iâ€ve learned to connect body movements and to personify character into songs as a dancer, honing the interpretational feeling of music. Chris†style is what I love the most about his classes. His style versatile; its reminiscent of some late 90s and early 2000s hip hop and R&B dance styles, undertones of Bay Area hyphy vibes, and keeps energetically evolving like trendy dance crazes.
Chris teaches regularly in SF at City Dance and in the Peninsula at Montage. Follow his IG for updates.
D Montalvo
Iâ€ve taken class with D for many years now and I keep coming back. Iâ€m completely addicted to his style. But just know, his style is NOT easy. It took me around 15+ classes to get his routines down.
Heâ€s really sweet and lovely and I can only say good things about him. He is a professional dancer and honestly he teaches a style that professionals learn but instead of 3 minutes of choreo, it’s like 15 seconds. But it’s the most intense 15 seconds of your life. Typically he starts off with a 30 minute warm up that will hurt. THEN you start the choreography. He will make you run through the choreography 10+ times at the end. You will want to eat a huge burrito after his class (and since his class is in The Mission you can get that huge burrito).
75 percent of the class are women. Professional dancers take his class “just for fun.” So you WILL feel stupid because everyone else dances 40+ hours a week. But power through. Because you will nail that hair whip and he will be cheering you on.
He teaches hip hop at Dance Mission and if you really want to test your abilities, take his contemporary class at Lines.
Dennis Infante
I personally have not been in Dennis†class (dude I tried but the number of teachers in the Bay Area is growing exponentially) but no problem. I turn to my dance twin Julia for advice on Dennis. (FYI Julia is a fantastic dancer and I trust her opinion COMPLETELY). She says this:
Old School Hip Hop at City Dance is both a fun/funky trip down memory lane AND excellent practice for finding your groove and learning the style that defines hip hopâ€s “golden age†(80s/90s). Dennis Infante has been drawing crowds for this class for a few years now – accessible for all levels, and feels like you just walked right into your friendâ€s house party. Class starts with a breakdown of essentials – from how to bounce with the beat, to practicing signature moves (and party dances! like “The Skateâ€, “The Humpty Danceâ€, and “The Roger Rabbitâ€) – and concludes with a short choreo set to the likes of EPMD, Black Sheep, and A Tribe Called Quest. Sometimes thereâ€s freestyle, cyphers and partner practice too – all incredibly friendly and WILL leave you with a perma-smile the entire class. Dennis takes great care in preserving this style – often demonstrating how locking, b-boying, popping and even Lindy Hop informs it, and how it all carries into the hip hop dance forms we know now.
Dennis teaches in the South Bay at Purdance and in SF at City Dance.
Feliciano Ortiz
When you first see Feliciano dance the first thing you notice is how confident and extremely sensual he moves. He infuses his choreography with such power and sexuality, yeah … itâ€s fantastic. You WANT to learn from this man. His style is a tough one in the beginning but don’t let that dissuade you from trying his class. Feliciano REALLY wants you to get the choreography and with his guidance he’ll get you there. You may not be able to throw your body into the beautiful shapes that he creates, but give it time. It will happen.
Feliciano teaches in SF (which is insane because the man commutes from Los Angeles…so don’t go complaining how it took you 20 minutes to get to class in your Uber. You don’t know what a real commute is).
Kyle Limin
I have to thank my extremely badass dancer friend Madisyn for guiding me towards Kyle because I never thought Iâ€d really be into his style. I was all about hip hop hip hop hip hop hip hop. And Madisyn kept talking about how Kyle teaches this amazing contemporary class and I was like um … Iâ€ve never taken ballet. Iâ€ve never taken a contemporary or modern class in my life. This is not in my vocabulary. Why are you telling me I need this in my life? Never again am I going to question Madisyn. I LOVE Kyleâ€s class.
Kyle started teaching a hip hop class in 2017 and from the first time I learned his choreography I knew right away, this is not like a regular hip hop class. Yes you will learn great moves, you will learn counts, you will hit marks. But Kyleâ€s class feels like this poetic journey youâ€re taking with a group of dancers and youâ€re all trying to tell a story. Yes you will be challenged by doing all sorts of crazy moves but most of the time Kyle is trying to teach you how to listen. Listen to him, listen to the song, listen to the environment. Take it all in. Ok, now we dance. Oh youâ€re filled with joy now? Yeah thatâ€s what itâ€s like in his class every damn time.
Because of Kyle Iâ€m now taking modern and contemporary classes. And boy oh boy do I suck but itâ€s ok. Give me time.
Kyle teaches in SF at City Dance and at Lines.
Leslie Panitchpakdi
The first time I took class with Leslie was back in 2013 and honestly I was not prepared for the awesomeness that hits you when youâ€re in her class. When you meet her in her civilian pose, sheâ€s warm and inviting and she has this gorgeous smile that makes you gravitate towards her. But damn when she turns on the dance MODE, she transforms into this powerful, gritty, somewhat intimidating beast and ITâ€S FANTASTIC. Iâ€m not kidding when sheâ€s in normal human mode everything is fine and sweet and calm and when the switch is triggered for dance goddess, DAMN. It is on.
So her class is hard. It just is. Her moves are very intricate and specific, but theyâ€re full of drama and hair whips which I adore. It was difficult in 2013 and with each year I take class with her it gets easier…a little bit. Her class challenges me alot and thatâ€s why I love her.
Leslie teaches in SF at City Dance and at Lines. She is also the co-founder of In the Groove Studios in Oakland where she also teaches.
Rocko Luciano
I donâ€t even know where to start with this man. Itâ€s scary how talented this guy is. Rocko Luciano not only is a great teacher and dancer, but MY GOD heâ€s such a great visual artist and heâ€s always just so camera ready. Youâ€ll learn all of this when you spend more time with this guy.
His class style is unique in that one day it can be super butch and then the next the femme-iest of the femme femme. And that is Rockoâ€s strength. He can do it all. Heâ€s got this unique avant garde style that I have not seen in class before. His choreography can be dark, goofy, beautiful, ugly, everything. I would recommend his class for the student whoâ€s been taking dance for a while or feel like they can pick up choreography quickly. You will notice most of his students are his regulars. He is one of those “once you go Rocko you never go back†sort of teachers. Students are dedicated to him and they go to his regular classes, they audition for his dance company INQ, they trek over to Oakland to learn at his studio. Heâ€s just someone you wanna be around and learn from.
Rocko teaches in SF at City Dance and in the studio he co-founded Full Out Studios in Oakland.
Shinobi Jaxx – JenAy
I personally have not taken a class with Shinobi but my dance friend Paul is a regular student in her class and I trust him on all things dance and anything related to making my face not look like a 40+ year old haggard beast.
He says this about Shinobi:
If youâ€re nervous about taking House Basics with Jenay donâ€t be. Sheâ€s an excellent teacher who will guide you through the fundamentals and history of house movement and culture. The class has a very supportive environment and encourages you to find your own groove and personality with house.
Shinobi teaches at ODC.
Sila Poe
Iâ€ve been watching Poe back in the day when his classes only had two people. Now he commands a class with over 40+ dedicated students who keep coming back for more. He’s got regulars who train with him. They go watch dance competitions with him. They all trek down to SoCal to take dance workshops together. His dance community is STRONG.
When you watch Poe youâ€re very much aware that youâ€re watching an artist work through his craft. He thinks about dance very differently from other teachers and it shows. His style could be compared to that of The Company but he adds his own Poe vulnerability and strength to his choreo so when you watch it, all you can think is “Thatâ€s Poe choreo.”
Is it for beginners? Honestly I donâ€t think so but I do know beginners who have taken his class and push themselves to keep going because they love his style. His moves are intricate and fast. Poe is a very patient teacher and you find yourself desperately wanting to work hard so you can nail the move just as well as he does.
Sitong Peng has taken his class way more than me. Here’s what he says:
Do you want to learn how to become better at dance? Go to Poe’s class. Don’t believe me? You’ll understand when he breaks down music and plays with it. You’ll understand when he stops class to explain fundamentals of a move. You’ll understand when you feel the safe, communal environment he’s built with his students. You’ll get better if you regularly take any dance class, but in Poe’s class there is so much to learn beyond a basic 8 count of steps. I’ve been dancing for almost two years and advice I’ve gotten from talking to Poe is still true, relevant, useful for my dance journey. He loves teaching, is insanely friendly, and is always accessible (aka down for ramen) – which makes all the difference for his students’ growth.
Lately Poe has invited some FRIGGIN AMAZING dancers to co-teach his class or take over his spot completely. If you see that in his updates don’t skip that class. Poe knows some killer dancers and he only brings the best to takeover his class.
Poe teaches in SF at City Dance.
The Company
My very good friend Louise took a Company workshop with me and she described it as a spiritual experience. Girl. I FRIGGIN AGREE. The Company is one of the best dance teams in the Bay Area and they host regular classes and workshops in their Daly City studio.
These classes are NOT for beginners. I’m sorry if they disagree but it just isn’t. You need to know some moves to survive in this class. They’re extremely welcoming, but just know…you are not just learning a grapevine. You are learning from dancers who are competitors and/or are working dancers. It is hard. But it is SOOOO GOOD.
All the dancers who teach are brilliant but my favorites are Aggie Loyola, Alfred Remulla, Jolo Cabrera, Melissa Batesting, Russell Banzon, and Janelle Gleason. And whenever Company Founder Pat Cruz comes into town to teach oh Jesus Christ you need to go. If he looks familiar it’s probably because he’s a Kinjaz.
The Company teaches at the Westlake School for the Performing Arts in Daly City. Follow their IG for class updates.
DanceVibes – Jaimee Dunning
If you haven’t noticed already, I’m a bit obsessed with dance. If I’m not in class I’m at home looking at IG streams of people dancing or stalking dancers Youtube pages. Through my mania, somehow DanceVibes got put in front of me and I’m so glad it happened. DanceVibes is owned and taught by Jaimee Dunning, a gorgeous, talented woman who has the most fluid hip movements I’ve ever seen. She teaches a class in San Bruno that is squarely targeted towards beginners but no no my seasoned dancers, don’t think that this class is so easy for you. I’ve been dancing for 10 years and her warm up moves were killing me. Her style is a mix of hip hop, contemporary, and a touch of bollywood. It’s glorious and you could tell from the room of students she is quite beloved. The vibe is wonderful. There were newbies, people who’ve taken her class for years, and all were just syncing really well with Jaimee’s style.
The Get Down
Itâ€s been a while since Iâ€ve been to this studio so I turn to the amazing Abhilasha who has taken way more classes than I at this studio. Here’s what she told me:
Anyone looking to learn the basics of locking, popping, and old school Hip Hop should def check out The Get Down. You donâ€t just learn dance but get to be part of the beautiful community they have created. They also have open sessions on Wednesdays where you can go jam with other words.
Groov3
The dance community is filled with lovely and generous people. I truly and honestly believe that. The way I found out about Groov3 was from a lovely lady (Gazelle S.) who allowed me to crash her dance birthday party with the amazing Sam Allen. I had never met Gazelle until her birthday. From that class, I learned about Groov3 with Susan Snyder and Kerry Ferrari. Fantastic teachers. Very good for beginners. They run through a routine slowly and you repeat the moves over and over again to a live DJ. How awesome is that? Susan and Kerry are the Groov3 gurus in the Bay Area and they teach several times each week in San Jose.
Groov3 is growing and thanks to Rhoville E. Isaac you can get your Groov3 fix. She’s extremely energetic and you will definitely be covered in sweat after her class. Don’t worry if it’s your first time: Rho will take you through the steps slowly and by the end of it you will be layering your own style to the moves.
Oh and if you go a Groov3 class, don’t be alarmed by the enormous amounts of photos they take. This group of dancers LOVES to photograph each other, video record each other, and pretty much cheer each other on as one drops it to the floor. I have never experienced such an inclusive and welcoming group of dance students in my life like this.
Susan and Kerry teach in different studios in the South Bay. Follow their FB for the latest class updates.
Rhoville teaches in several places in the Peninsula and South Bay Area. Follow her FB or IG for class updates.
Groovitude
Why would anyone purposely wake up for an 8:15am class? When it’s taught by Mandy Bell or Lisa Navarro, YOU GO. The style is more jazz hip hop. So it’s definitely very different from the classes in the city. The crowd is older ladies (like me) from the Peninsula. I rarely see anyone under 20 in this class. Probably because it’s so damn early. But what’s great about this class is you go and knock out some moves, then spend the rest of the day eating. So …. what’s the problem?
The big challenge about this class is they easily teach around 16 eight counts in a single class. That’s alot of counts. But it’s alot of fun and they are really welcoming. Not an intimidating experience at all.
They also teach tap and contemporary. Haven’t done those but from what people tell me, it’s lovely. But for me, I can vouch for their cardio-pop and hip hop classes. Totally awesome. If you follow Lisa’s FB, you can get details of what songs they’ll be teaching during the week.
Mandy and Lisa teach regularly in Palo Alto.
Montage Dance Productions
Montage director Lauren Hoskins has been part of the dance community for a while and I’m always amazed how hard she works and how talented she is. She hosts the Montage Urban Competition and Showcase. She’s a brilliant photographer, a gorgeous dancer, and has created a studio home that houses some of the best teachers in the area. My favorites are Jaylen, LQ, and Chris.
Montage Dance is in Santa Clara.
On One Studios
I heard about On One Studios when they started out as Monday Night Workshop. If you’ve done a bit of hip hop dance you know about MNW: Monday nights in this studio they bring in some of the best hip hop choreographers to teach to a packed crowd of hungry dancers. It’s amazing. Well now they’ve blossomed into their own studio. And it’s SUPER GONZO OMG AH-MAH-ZING. They officially had their grand opening on 9/9/17 and it’s everything that I’ve expected from them. It’s high quality, it’s tough choreography, the vibe of the place is extremely open, the floors are slick and bouncy, and the bass is deep.
They teach all levels but just know, their intermediate/advanced levels are serious. The choreographers that come in push their students and because of that you come away with some knowledge that you don’t get in many studios. You move faster, your hits are stronger, your textures are more pronounced. I love this place and I think you will too.
Their schedule changes weekly, choreographers sometimes switch days they regularly teach but they do teach regularly.
I’m totally obsessed with Brandon Huynh and Kevin Nguyen. Not easy. Very intricate and difficult. But when you watch them do their choreo you’re like OH MY GOD I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO DO THAT. So I highly recommend both of them if you’re in the mood to challenge yourself and have your mind melted.
Interested in the K-Pop dance craze. Oh honey, On One Studios has got you covered. Melissa, Marlon, Eric, and Tad are the instructors that teach the On One K-Pop program and it’s exactly what you hope it to be. The choreo can range from extremely bubbly cute to gothic dark. The love for this program is strong.
On One Studios is in San Jose. They are closest to Target.
Purdance
Ok, so Purdance has ALOT going on. They have kids programs, adult programs, master workshops. They’ve got K-Pop, hip hop, jazz, locking, contemporary and Groov3. Syndicate Dance, one of the most AWESOMEST dance teams in the Bay Area, trains and teaches classes there. They have ALOT.
Purdance is located in San Jose
Uforia Studios
In a quiet neighborhood in Palo Alto in a converted church, you will find the most fun dance workout ever. Uforia has several great teachers but my favorites by far are Olivia, Walker, Esteban, and JJ. It is in an intimate studio so what that means is it can get crowded and sometimes classes sell out because every spot is taken. And that’s a good thing because if they let everybody in you wouldn’t be able to whip your hair around.
Uforia is in Palo Alto but they now have studios in the city at Nob Hill and the Mission.
Full Out Studios
In the summer of 2016 a new sparkling ray of light opened up in Oakland and that place was Full Out Studios. Founders Emerson Aquino, Rocko Luciano, and Anthony Esposo opened this fantastic studio that teaches jazz funk, urban choreography, contemporary, hip hop, popping, waacking, lyrical and more.
They have alot of really great teachers but my favorites are Emerson, Rocko, and Alli Fritz.
Regarding Alli….
When I first saw Alli dance in class I was like DAMMMMMN. The woman oozes feminine power and if you take her class GUARANTEED youâ€re going to be whipping your hair, licking your lips, and stroking those thighs with fantastic lines. Alli has been dancing since she was a young one and her vibe is very LA which makes sense since she went to school there and was on a dance team. Her choreography is fun. It is glorious. It is super sexy and is all about female power and strength. Her classes are super crowded and when you go you realize why. She is super supportive of all her students. It doesnâ€t matter if youâ€re a beginner or a seasoned dancer: you BELONG in her class and you are applauded for giving it your all. So go to her class and put everything on the dance floor. Your soul will be filled to the goddamn brim.
In The Groove Studios
If I lived in the East Bay, this is the studio that would be my second home. This place has some of the best dancers I’ve been lucky to learn from: Leslie Panitchpakdi, Daniel Kang, Robert Yu, Momo LeBeau, Kyle Limin, and Chelsea Martin. They teach loads of hip hop but also dancehall, K-Pop, urban choreography, twerking, and more. They also bring in some of the most ridiculously insanely good dancers to teach pop-up workshops.
Regarding Chelsea….
I haven’t been in her class in a while but she’s got loyal regulars. Here’s what they say:
Chelsea has an amazing vibe in class. She is great at breaking down choreography to counts or to lyrics. She also chooses a fun and sassy combination of songs that always have me eager for the next class. She works well with all levels and makes sure we are all hyped up to perform in front of each other as well as in front of the camera!
After a 20+ year hiatus from dance classes and with 2 small kids at home, finding a new dance studio was intimidating. Thankfully, I stumbled upon Chelsea’s ladies hip hop class at In the Groove Studios and was quickly hooked! Chelsea’s class is so fun, the choreography is sassy and energetic. She breaks down each step and is able to modify to meet different levels/abilities.
In the Groove Studios is in Oakland
MoveMe Studios
The East Bay is starting to have more and more studios pop up which is both wonderful and it’s KILLING ME because the commute for me is insane. But for you lucky people who live in the East Bay you’ve got another studio to add to your schedule: MoveMe Studios.
Last weekend I took Feliciano Ortiz’s twerk brunch class at this Piedmont studio and there are so many pluses. 1) Parking is easy. 2) The studio has so much natural light. 3) They’re planning more workshops on the same level as Feliciano so I have no doubt the place is going to be tons of good times. 4) They have a dance/athleisure boutique attached to the studio that has some friggin good stuff. Not Lululemon. Really great dancewear/athleisure-wear that is great quality, better prices, and looks so good. It is a small boutique studio but I totally see how much they’re packing into this place.
So watch their IG and Facebook for updates for upcoming workshops and go. The area they’re in is SUPER cute and the stuff they’re doing inside the studio is wicked awesome.
MoveMe Boutique/Studio is in Oakland Piedmont.
re.DEFINE Dance Studio
Years ago I lived in Hayward. The only thing that excited me about that town were these amazing Philly cheesesteaks down the street that I would visit regularly. re.DEFINE wasn’t around when I lived there and dear God I wish it was because it would have been so much better for my soul and my waistline. Owner and Bay Area dance community veteran Michael “Mappy” Mappala has created this amazing studio that houses some of the best dance classes in the area. When you look at their schedule there’s a definite slant towards kids but don’t worry. When it says Teen/Adult you should go. Will you be dancing next to a 13 year old who pops and locks with perfection? Very likely but hey I was doing that too in my late 30s and it’s totally fine.
I have been only to their Community Classes on Tuesday nights and can only speak to that but I have a strong feeling all their classes were like that. Everyone is extremely welcoming. High fives and hugs all around and when they start the choreo…oh my lord the windows and the mirrors will fog up with sweat. They bring in some amazing choreographers to teach and you will just die with joy.
re.DEFINE is in Hayward. Follow their IG for videos of their classes and updates on classes.
]]>The salesperson was pushing me to buy them and I just wasn’t sure if I was going to like them after a week of overly analyzing the situation. Then I realized “Hey, I have a phone with a camera, why don’t I take a picture of myself and decide in 24 hours if I’m still in love?” Remember, this was 2006. The first iPhone wasn’t released until 2007 so taking selfies with a plethora of filter choices DID NOT EXIST.
This was my phone. The Nokia 6682.
It had a 1.3 megaxpixel camera and I was IN LOVE WITH THIS PHONE. No more waiting at 1 Hour Photo to see if your pictures came through. Digital photographs meant immediate gratification.
So I shot a selfie. And then the next day I shot another. Then the next another. And I realized this is way too easy, I could just take a picture every day for the next ten years.
And I did.
Today marks the 10th year of selfies.
10 Years of Selfies from Elaine A on Vimeo.
What have I learned?
Technology has made things easier and clearer. But don’t let technology rule your life.
It’s obvious when you compare the first and last photo that quality has improved quite a bit.
When I first started taking selfies I had to attach my phone to my computer and download the images through a line. There was no AirDrop. Then I took the photos and cropped them at exact spots in Photoshop. Then I uploaded them into Flickr. This took a while. Now I don’t crop anything and I can upload huge photos to Flickr directly through their app.
When I first took photos I was very self conscious. People would stare because back in 2006 taking a picture of yourself wasn’t really a normal occurrence. So I did it quickly and haphazardly as you can tell by the blurriness. Now, everyone takes selfies. Everyone spends enormous amounts of time getting the right angle, the right frame, the right lighting. Honestly, if it takes you longer than 1 minute to take a selfie you’re taking too long. Shoot it, filter it (if needed), upload it, move on.
Makeup is great but it’s not really necessary. Wear SPF all the time.
80 percent of the photos here are without makeup. And when I say makeup, I only use lipstick because I have not mastered how to put foundation on or contour my face so I look pouty all the time. It’s not a skill I have mastered and though I would love to learn, I’m impatient. And I sweat every day. But the one item I do wear on my face all the time is SPF and I as I see those sunspots pop up throughout each shot, I realize how important it is to slather your face in sunscreen as much as possible.
Remember the bad with the good.
When I look at the individual photos, most of the time I can remember exactly what is happening in the shot. And more importantly, I can remember if this was a really sad day or a really great day. And good god there have been a lot of sad days, and just F&CK all hellish days. But what I found interesting was the majority of the shots were good days. Days where I ate a beautiful croque monsieur with my husband. Days where my friend Richard remained patient with me even though I don’t know how seasons work. Days where I am literally dancing with dance GODS. It makes me happy to know that the good outweighs the bad by 10 to 1 easily.
Don’t be afraid to look ridiculous.
Cause most of the time, the experience is worth it.
Back in 2014, Flickr interviewed me about my project. What I find funny about myself is I have no problem looking at pictures of me. I have no problem seeing videos of me dancing. But me on camera talking, oh my god I AM CRINGING. What’s going on with my mouth? Why do I move my hands so much?
8.9.2015 SF Flash Mob from Elaine A on Vimeo.
]]>San Francisco Pride Parade 2015 – Dancing with Salesforce from Elaine A on Vimeo.
]]>Looking at the videos and the pictures I barely remember how freezing cold we were on performance day. Seriously, it was icy cold and the wind was whipping through the Palace of Fine Arts. And for us ladies wearing romantic style dresses…it was miserable. But honestly it was ok because the people I was dancing with were lovely and we practiced so much for this proposal that NOTHING was going to stop us from completing the goal.
If you’re interested in booking a flash mob for a proposal or anything that would require a bunch of people to break out into dance, I highly recommend SF Flash Mob Crew. If you want to be a volunteer dancer, I super highly recommend that.
You’ve got this to calculate.
Microsoft built a robot that guesses your age. It gives really funny results.
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Backup everything on my computer, delete everything from my personal Gdrive, and re-upload everything in my work Gdrive.
Nope. That didn’t work.
To be clear, it did work for non-Google docs. All my pdfs, Microsoft docs, Adobe docs, all transferred fine. Because these were the REAL FILES.
Those files you see in your computer that say .gdoc. Those aren’t the real files. Those are just links to the files in the cloud. So when you delete them from the cloud, it doesn’t matter that you have the .gdoc on your computer. IT’S GONE.
Thankfully Tara at Google retrieved all my deleted files and I’m slowly seeing them come back in my personal Gdrive. Once they’re all back I’ll transfer ownership of those files to my work account. Thus everything will be back to normal. And I can stop looking at my computer in complete and total horror.
I’m an excessive back upper. I backup to an external drive attached to my computer, to a NAS drive that’s in another room, to an external drive that’s not even in my house, and to Crashplan. I thought had things covered. NOPE.
When I deleted these files in my Gdrive and emptied my trash, Google did give me a warning but obviously I didn’t read it thoroughly. In my Google search I see that this happened to other people and they too ignored these sorts of warnings.
Painful lesson to be learned but thankfully Google is bringing my files back.
FYI, only those files that have been permanently deleted within 30 days can be recovered. So if you screw up like I did, don’t wait. Ask for help quickly.
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