The Dance Collaborative

The dance collab is my favorite place to dance. With so many studios in la I’m lucky to have found it. It’s well organized, affordable, and the locker rooms are great. Tatiana is an excellent teacher. She’s funny and keeps the ballet classes interesting by incorporating yoga. Thanks Dance Collab!

I danced for a very, very long time growing up (although it was very low-​key), and, being an aspiring musical theatre actress who will graduating college next year, I realized that after 6 years of practically no dance, I needed to get back on the horse. But I really did not want to subject myself to a «beginner/​intermediate» class at one of the big studios that is really not for anyone who isn’t a professional.
So after hours of digging, I stumbled upon this place via Unilocal.Took my first Beginner/​Intermediate class with Angela last week, and I think this will be the place for me to go. It was not *so* beginning that I felt like I was being re-​taught things I already knew, but moved an easy, comfortable, and encouraging pace. Just bought ten more classes, and I’m looking forward to sharpening up those dance skills again at Dance Co-​Lab!

I have been going to this studio regularly, at least 3 times a week for over 6 months. It has been a fantastic place to improve my technique, work out, and learn new dance moves and styles. The teachers are nice, but firm, because that’s the only way you get better. I love this studio and its by far one of the best studios in the area.

I have been wanting to take ballet for over a year now.. .
Annnnnnnd Being the sort who was a total tomboy in my kiddie years when my mother forced me into a tutu… let’s just say I didn’t retain much. In fact I think I rather blocked it out.
However. In present times in the interest of both fitness/​aesthetic (ballet gives you a rockin bod!) and skill (I can add it to my acting resume) I have decided that ballet would be a asset.
The hard part then was to find a ballet class for grown peeps that was ACTUALLY BASIC!
Thank goodness for DANCECOLAB and their amazing instructor, Brazilian ballerina Tatiana A’Virmond. Tatiana is fun and vibrant, she begins class with 5 min of stretching a la yoga style and then moves on to an hour at the barre. Her direction is excellent and easy to follow and she will adjust you if necessary.
Following barre work there is more stretching and then 25 min of floor. I could not have asked for a more killer class!
It’s not at all intimidating and all of the other students (many of whom also take Bar Method here .as do I.) were super cool!
AND BONUS! the studio is gorgeous!
Lobby with seats and magazines, complimentary coffee and tea and a full locker room with showers.
Oh and they also have modern and jazz classes. But I am not that coordinated.

Apart from a few stray classes here and there on a whim, I hadn’t taken dance since I was in college many moons ago. I had never been a dancer (a mover at best) but I always enjoyed it — but at the same time I felt a little intimidated to take class again.
Luckily, I stumbled upon Dance Co Lab. The teachers that I have taken class with (mostly Kristen and Angela) have been extremely welcoming and encouraging, making classes accessible to all levels, yet challenging all the same. (And what a great workout! I’ve never left without getting my butt-​kicked — in the good way.) The facility itself is beautiful and clean with lots of amenities, including lockers and a shower in the changing rooms. I am thrilled to have them in my neighborhood!

I love this place. so clean, great bathroom and shower facilities and they offer coffee and tea! So glad there’s a place that offers modern dance! My only qualm is I wish there were more classes and more times available.

Beautiful studio with friendly and professional staff. I am new to dance as an adult and definitely feel out of my comfort zone when go to class. Most of the students have some kind of dance background but I have always felt welcomed. Classes give a generous amount of time to warming up which I love (probably because I’m good at it) and its a great workout.

As someone who has danced most of her life, I’m something of a studio snob. I’ve been to extremes of good and bad and everything in between.
I found The Dance Collaborative through a Unilocal search looking for studios in the Burbank area. I checked out the website and looked at the classes offered and the facility (which looked beautiful) and decided to check it out.
It way exceeded my expectations. The amenities are incredible from the showers, complimentary socks, lockable lockers and Kurig coffee machine.
With all of this incredible service, you would think it would be a little on the pricey side. Not so! $ 15 for a very professional single class is a great price and it goes down $ 1 for every 5 classes you purchase. So worth it!
I now drive twice a week from Granada Hills just so I can take Beg/​Int Jazz with Lauren and Heather. They are awesome. The icing on the cake is getting my confidence and skill as a dancer back from these caring, helpful individuals. This is so my studio. :)

I love this studio. Tatiana leads a supportive ballet class and works with each student to ensure we are all working correctly. Her enthusiasm makes the class both fun and rewarding. Joey’s jazz class is also fun an challenging. His choreography is a blast to dance, and again, he makes sure everyone is working correctly. It is a friendly studio, no snobby or judgmental vibe. The class sizes are very small, and you will get a great workout. This studio is for adults and teens and is great for all levels.

I tried a «Jazz — Beg/​Int» class last night and I can’t wait to go back! I’ve taken Jazz, Ballet and Modern dance classes off and on for almost 30 years. I’m not a professional, but I just have a passion for expressing myself through dance. I’ve tried many of the LA area dance studios and rarely have I felt like I belonged. The teachers are usually focused on the professional students and rarely take the time to correct or help improve the non-​professionals dancing.
My teacher (Sunny) was not only encouraging, but gave me constructive and non-​judgmental feedback on how I can improve my turns, technique, etc. There were students of various levels and we all encouraged each other. I actually had fun and didn’t feel like I should hide in the back and stay out of the other dancers’ way. The choreography was interesting… no one looked bored. The class overall was challenging and provided me with a GREAT workout. I felt very accomplished at the end .
The facility was cleaner and had more amenities then I’ve ever seen at a dance studio. It was very nice to have a clean hand towel after class and filtered water to refill my water bottle. There are separate locker rooms for men and women. The locker rooms are small, but cleaner than some spas that I’ve been to.
All in all… I had a terrific experience… no cons whatsoever

I absolutely ADORE The Dance Co Lab!!! I went there for a tester class about a month ago to see if I was interested in getting back into dancing and since then have completely fallen head over heels in love with the place! I go anywhere from 5 – 6 times a week so I’ve come to get a feel for every beg/​int instructor there. Each and every one of them is helpful, encouraging, and a delight! I wouldn’t be going every day if I didn’t love them so much!
I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for a place to move, get a little tighter, stretch a little more, and meet some awesome people!

UPDATE
Sadly Perry Brown, the ballet teacher, had to leave Dance Co Lab.
Fortunately they hired Tatiana A’Virmond.
She is from Brazil, has an impressive resume and has still got it (can developpe 180 — and she’s has at least one child that I know of) HOT DAMN!
Her fun and adorable personality will put beginners at ease and her knowledge and experience will impress intermediate/​advance dancers.
She gives corrections in such a way dancers don’t feel dumb but in fact challenged. For old pro’s its refreshing to see a teacher excited to teach and not afraid to correct! For newbies she is so sweet and silly it’ll make you glad you tried class and excited for the next one.
My favorite part is she reminds dancers to actually dance and have fun (Something Perry did) which was so nice to hear while you’re sweating and regretting your decisions to come to class, ha!
Her combinations are fun, lots of variety, while challenging.
She is patient and understanding which somehow makes you want to work harder to impress her.
I highly recommend her. If you were a fan of Perry’s then you’ll be a fan of Tatiana’s. Its nice to be excited about dance class again!
(the other things I mentioned in my first review about the facility are still true. Its a gorgeous space, friendly staff, safe environment — perfection)

I’m one of those good friends who is willing to accept soon-​to-​expire coupons from other friends who cannot fulfill them. That’s how I found out about The Dance Colab!
I’ve had no formal dance training whatsoever. If anything, I love attending dance fitness classes (Yoga Booty Ballet, Zumba, Bollywood, etc.) and I love watching dance shows. But I have to say I was a little intimidated attending actual dance classes here. I’ve gone to two of Lisa’s Beginning/​Intermediate Class Jazz classes and they’re AWESOME! She’s a great teacher and you’re having a blast while working out for an hour and a half! It starts with stretches and warming up, then drills, then learning a routine. While I’m not the best, I know I’m not the worse as long as I focus on the steps and toe-​pointing! It’s a really fun class and I enjoy showing off my new jazzy moves to my husband and friends hah!
The studio is located atop a mini mall — it’s definitely a hidden gem! They provide SO MUCH in the way of convenience! It’s super clean and their locker rooms are so well put together. They have everything you’d need for a shower and freshening up after a class (shampoo, toothpaste, complimentary hair ties, feminine products — what more could you ask for?!) Not to mention, they provide towels, socks, and beverages for you. Staff is also super nice. I’d definitely try to return for classes once my coupon is done. (–1 star for a single class price, but it is worth it!)

Perry’s ballet classes are great for the intermediate dancer! I haven’t taken other dance classes, so my review is primarily for the ballet classes.
The good:
You actually get corrections! What really separates Perry’s class from the rest is the level of his corrections and attention to students. If you’ve taken adult or open ballet classes elsewhere, you know constructive corrections are rare. Perry has a keen eye for nuances of movement. He has helped me tremendously with finding my center and pirouettes! Perry actually cares about your development as a dancer and pushes you to develop proper technique so you don’t ruin your body. I definitely keep coming back for Perry’s insight and lessons.
This may not be important to some, but I appreciate the fact that the fellow dancers are very nurturing. Some other studios have a cut-​throat or cold culture, but I’ve found a few friends at this dance studio and they definitely keep me coming back as well :)
The staff is also amazing — they are a model for excellent customer service! As for the facility, Everyone’s already given glowing reviews so I don’t need to say more.
The reasons for 4, not 5 stars:
In my humble opinion, there are two things that can be done to make this great dance studio even better. First, there are a lot of people who have never taken a ballet class as a child and want to learn as an adult. Especially sharing the space with the Bar Method studio, I think there is demand for a truly beginner ballet technique class (some of the other reviews hit on this as well). Second, although I started on a wood floor, I’ve been spoiled by marley. Can we please get a marley floor?
The bottom line:
The Dance CoLab is a great dance studio for people who want to build (and broaden) their base as a dancer. I’m so grateful to have found this little gem!

The studio is new and gorgeous with clean locker rooms, showers, beautiful bright studio space, and the person at the desk has always been friendly.
However, this is not a studio for new dancers. If you are a beginner, go elsewhere. If you know what you are doing and want a class in a great environment at at great price, this is your stop! If you need to learn how to dance, keep going.

This place is amazing! I grew up going to dance classes of all kinds and I’ve learned more (form wise) from these folks in the last 8 months than I did in 10 years of dance classes as a kid.
Maybe they don’t always stress form in childhood classes because it’s all the teachers can do to get the kids to remember the choreography for the recital, but as an adult, I so appreciate the fact that the teachers want to teach you proper form! It’s a much better work out, and I’ve become much more aware of the way my body moves (and doesn’t) as a result of these classes. It’s a bit of a challenge for me to do a lot of the bending exercises as I’m pigeon toed and my knees don’t bend outwards — but the teachers are always attentive concerning my awkward hip/​knee issues and still try to make sure that I do things in a safe and appropriate way for my body. Their descriptions are a lot like those of yoga teachers I’ve had in the past, explaining the idea of muscle opposition.
A warning for people just returning to dance or to people who’ve never danced before – even the beginning/​intermediate classes are pretty intense (especially Joey’s)! The combinations are often a bit complicated for me — but maybe I’ve lost some of my coordination over the years :) I still have a great time, and all the teachers I’ve had classes with there are very encouraging –always pushing you to improve and keep trying.
As for the facilities, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dance studio/​gym facility that is so consistently clean and well kept! There are showers (with towels!) in the ladies locker room, personal lockers, and an assortment of hair care products and toiletries for those on the run.
I love Paul’s Sunday morning jazz class (he spent like 3 minutes one day showing us how to make authentic jazz hands. I will never forget that – it was so fun). And Laura’s modern classes are amazing! I don’t know why, but the simple angular bending/​folding warm ups make me feel so good! And Joey, the owner is hilarious. His classes are incredibly challenging and he keeps you moving the whole time!
If you’re looking for a fun way to stay in shape and reasonable prices for dance in LA ($ 15 for an hour and a half) give this place a shot!

This studio is a dancers dream. 10 stars easily!!!
Do you dance? Did you used to? Do you want to? This is the place for everyone! It is a gorgeous facility and the staff is amazing. Joey the owner is so welcoming and pleasant — not to mention an amazing teacher & dancer. The staff is top notch with great resumes & personalities.
I haven’t danced in over 15 yrs and accidentally found this studio through a friend. In the past I haven’t felt comfortable in classes competing with working professionals & teenagers, I just want to have fun and get back in shape. This is the place!
The broadway jazz classes are all done to show music and most choreography is from the shows. The ballet classes are fun ballet classes not stuffy scary ones. I have a favorite instructor, Paul Brown. HE IS AWESOME! Not only his technique and instruction, but his personality makes the class fly by. His jazz classes are so fun with old classical jazz moves mixed with a musical theatre flair. His ballet classes are packed with technique and terminology. I have never learned so much in all my years of dancing.
Try a class or just come in & watch. I will bet you will fall in LOVE with the instructors and the studio… it’s facilities are a spa-​like and the instruction is broadway quality!

DanceCoLab is a beautiful, clean and a very welcoming space with modern facilities and complimentary lockers for your stuff since street shoes are not allowed in the studio. I was visiting some friends in the area from NYC and decided to take a class here – I actually thought it was more like a spa, it’s so fancy and well taken care of!
I took Beginning Ballet with Paul Brown– he was was kind, patient and humorous throughout the class, which is pretty much the opposite vibe from all the ballet classes I’ve been taking in NYC, (lol), but I lived in California for 10 years, so I expected no less from a West Coast class. Ironically, Paul had taken lessons from my *current* instructor in NYC, so we reflected together for a moment, much like people who had been through a traumatic experience cling to each other for support. j/​k!
All in all, the beginning ballet class was well structured with a Barre that wasn’t too easy or too hard – it made you think on a Monday morning, that’s for sure! I felt Paul’s jazz training was coming through on the Adagio, but that’s fine with me – I like mixing it up! Across the floor was standard fare, but if you’re not at that level, yet, Paul will show you what you need to do :-)

Joseph Decker has created a masterpiece at the Dance Collaborative. I’m not an expert dancer, but I’ve taken classes at studios in LA, Chicago, Minneapolis and even in Finland. I have never in all my travels seen a dance studio as beautiful, CLEAN, and well-​appointed as the Dance Co-​lab. The locker facilities are deluxe, not just for women but for men as well — we’re ordinarily given the short shrift at other studios. Big, clean lockers, showers, toiletries, towels, all at a spa-​level quality. There’s even a basket of socks at the reception area.
And the classes! I haven’t tried the Bar Method, but I’ve been to all the weekday dance classes, and every teacher is skilled, professional, patient, and passionate about their craft. Jazz classes run the gamut of Fosse/​Classic/​Contemporary, and OMG there’s a modern class! Where else in LA can you take a good modern class without being a college student? I love Horton technique, and was really missing a good outlet for that. I only wish they had more ballet in the evenings — but they’ve added two more classes in the mornings during the week, if I lived or worked closer I’d try those as well. The class sizes are, at the moment, between 2 and 6 students — but be assured this won’t last long once the word gets out about the Dance Collaborative!
Class prices are reasonable — but if you really love dance, you won’t want to miss the $ 100 per month all-​you-​can-​move special — take as many classes as you like! Seriously, this is a FANTASTIC deal, I’m spending more driving out to Burbank from downtown, but wow is that commute worth it! If you know dance, you know that one or two classes a week does nothing, you need to commit — but it’s prohibitively expensive to immerse yourself anywhere else. I’ve been showing up for ALL those weekday evening classes; it’s only been a month, but I can already feel myself getting back into performance shape. Whether you’re an experienced performer or a neophyte taking your first ballet class, I don’t think you can do better in the Los Angeles area than the Dance Collaborative — and if you’re a professional, you MUST come check it out and take a class!
Three cheers for the Dance Co-​lab!

LA Dance Scene: A bunch of industry-​types popping, locking, B-​Boying/​Girling, or workin a pole. Ah yes, all popular dance forms today. But what about a good ballet, jazz, or modern class? Is it really that hard to find one in the city of angles without being a crowded studio with a bunch of 19-​year olds preparing for their next Shane Sparks audition? Alas there is…
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a HUGE dance fan and you will find me watching and rooting on all the ABDC crews. But… woohoo! Yesssss, FINALLY a place in LA to get a decent Modern class! I haven’t been able to find one since leaving the Bay! I took the Tuesday modern class with Rochelle — she was great! Gave good direction and since there was only 2 of us in the class, was able to adapt to our ability to give us a bit more challenge. Classes are standard price around $ 15 for 1 ½ hour class and have pretty good packages. Extra bonus is the classes packages don’t expire for a full year! Sweet!
The studio… gorgeous!!! It’s new and you can tell! I just liked dancing in the space. Didn’t get a chance to see the locker room/​restroom area, but the studio and lobby were really nice and modern.
Can’t wait for my next class! I will NO DOUBT be back!!!