Academy of Classical Ballet California

My daughter has been at AOC for about a year and a half and has participated in two shows — both of which would were professional, artistic and moving performances to see. The costumes are amazing, the choreography is new every time so the dancers can show off their best abilities and the community participation of families around the shows is inspiring.
This is more than just a dance school — the environment is structured with high expectations and lots of support for the girls to individually enjoy and grow through dance. My daughter has made great friendships with the girls in her group and has mentors in the higher levels as well. Crystal is an amazing teacher — she combines discipline with a lot of heart and the girls all respect her and love her. It’s an amazing combination of perseverance and joy, and it all comes from the girls. It’s not forced at all.
The school has given me a deep appreciation for ballet as an art and even more so for the amazing beautiful people that perform it. I am very grateful to have found this school for my daughter who has been interested in ballet on and off since the age of 4. It’s the perfect place to give her a chance to be great if she wants, or to just have an amazing time really learning an art form.

I will be honest, sometimes photos of a school can be misleading.
I am a professional dancer who needed to stay in shape before I left for Oregon Ballet Theater’s intensive. I wanted to stay nearby and discovered AOCBallet’s summer program.
I was a little worried if I would really get the training/​classes I wanted. However, after my first class, my worries were obliterated.
The school is located in Gloria Mohr’s school and the studios are on the smaller side. Yet, the actual program itself is quite incredible. The teachers are very nice and the director is AMAZING. she is really kind and is able to provide wonderful corrections tailored to each dancer.
Although I was taking classes with girls much younger than myself, I was able to go back to the basics and work on things that tend to get brushed over when I got more advanced.
I really recommend taking a few classes here to try it out. If you have young children interested in ballet, definitely have them check it out here.

My daughter has been dancing with Crystal’s company for more than three years. Crystal is a very experienced dancer, teacher, and director. My daughter has participated in many performances and always had a positive and enriching experience. Crystal is strict, but that is how ballet is supposed to be if you want to excel. Crystal is very personable and able to handle the many personalities, strengths, and weaknesses of her students. Students range from very young to adult.
AOC has two shows during the academic year and a summer course that runs six weeks. Crystal works the students hard and works very hard herself to keep her training current.
I also took adult classes. Although the teacher was not Crystal, I felt I received great training from that instructor.
I highly recommend AOC Ballet for anyone who wants to learn ballet — young or not-​so-​young.

I have been dancing for 18 years and Crystal Petzel (owner and operator of the AOC) has refined my technique to a point beyond what I ever could have hoped. She is truly amazing. Ballet is historically an art that demands strict discipline, both in the students’ minds and as upheld by the teacher. Crystal maintains a strict approach to technique, but maintains a fun, friendly, and non-​competitive atmosphere!
I attend her adult ballet class, and I look forward to it every week! In high school and college I was a competition ballet dancer, and so to return to the art for the technique and the joy, rather than for trophies and fame, was really wonderful.
While I do not have a child in her classes, I do watch a class of varying ages before mine. The kids seem to be very receptive of the technique. There is very little goofing off… they take the art seriously, although they look like they’re having a ball!
Crystal is wonderful. If you want a really fabulous ballet experience, whether you’ve ever been in dance before or not, please consider Crystal for you or your child!!!