Maple Conservatory Of Dance

My daughter has been dancing at Maple for three years. She just finished her 3^rd Nutcracker season. She absolutely loves Maple, the instructors and fellow students. For a 10 yr old she already has an extensive ballet vocabulary.
I would encourage any parent to enroll their dancers at Maple. They encourage but also set high expectations for dance and personal behavior.

I simply can’t say enough positive things about Maple Conservatory. My ten year old daughter has been dancing here for four years. It’s hard to express what an important role that this studio has played in my daughter’s life. The directors, Charles Maple & Kathy Crade, have created a place that gives me such a warm and positive feeling. In the eyes of my child, it’s almost magical. She feels that she has found much more than a «hobby» in dance, it’s her passion. The nurturing teachers at Maple Conservatory have given her the most amazing gifts that I can’t imagine her finding anywhere else… in addition to outstanding instruction in dance technique, my daughter has developed a wonderful sense of self-​confidence and great poise, which will benefit her for life. The students are challenged, but in a nurturing way that builds self-​esteem. Her school teachers and parents of her school friends often compliment me on the self-​discipline that she demonstrates in her dedication to her ballet. She says that Maple is like having another family and I have to agree with her. The children in her classes are kind, polite, and supportive of each other, which is a wonderful reflection on their families and on the conservatory program. In the weeks leading to performances, the children are there for longer periods of time during rehearsals, where they spend a lot of time with the entire cast. The older girls are lovely to the younger ones and take them under their wings. I have 100% peace of mind leaving my daughter in this safe and wholesome environment. At age ten, all of the children in my daughter’s class are there because they love ballet — we don’t encounter the kids that show up at some extracurriculars that need constant babysitting. Parents are encouraged to volunteer & be involved in productions, etc, which helps the «family» atmosphere. I have 100% peace of mind leaving my daughter in this safe and wholesome environment.
The dancers at this studio have some wonderful performance opportunities. December brings the annual Nutcracker production. Students have the opportunity to perform in various roles, sometimes several roles per show. My daughter waits with baited breath each year for the casting list to be posted. Each year is more exciting than the next. Of course I’m biased, but friends (who’ve seen all of the local Nutcracker performances) have told me that they find Maple’s to be the most creative and beautiful. The choreography is fantastic, the dancing is breath-​taking, and costumes & scenery are truly dazzling. Each spring, there is a production at the Barclay Theater. Past shows include Coppelia, Snow White, Cinderella. We’re thrilled that in spring of 2015, Alice in Wonderland will be returning. Approximately five years ago, we first discovered Maple Conservatory when we attended an incredible Alice in Wonderland performance. My child has also danced several times at The Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza and the Irvine Global Village Festival. Older students have even more opportunities.
I consider ballet to be a bit like a team sport and I can’t say enough about the Maple Conservatory team (and of course the «coaches.») The children work hard. Many days they come out hot and out of breath — wonderful, because everyone needs exercise. My daughter’s PE teachers at school have been amazed to see her rise to close to the top in fitness evaluations, because ballet has made her so strong and fit.
Some not-​so-​obvious benefits of ballet… Children who participate in and study the arts have higher SAT scores; are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior and drop out of school; spend fewer hours watching television; are better able to complete a task from start to finish; are more resistant to peer pressure; have higher self-​esteem; exhibit creativity and imagination; and are better prepared to live & work in our diverse society.
A note about going on pointe: Maple instructors have excellent training, professional backgrounds, and know what is best for your child. Some dance studios in the area are putting dancers on point at age eight or nine, or who are rather new to ballet, when they’re neither technically nor physically ready to go on pointe. At Maple, the general rule of thumb is that children don’t take their point test until they’re at least eleven years old. Just google «risk of going on pointe too soon,» a website called «All About Pointe» is one site that I suggest, and you can read all about the injuries that can occur when a child isn’t physically ready.
There are several previous reviews here that mention the Maple website and the front desk. Last year, a new user-​friendly website replaced the old one. A lovely young woman works at the front desk who couldn’t possibly be more polite & friendly. She greets everyone entering or departing the studio with a smile. If she doesn’t know the answer to your question, she’ll find out & get back to you!

Very lovely pre-​ballet program (4 – 6 y/​o). Miss Pili has a gift with children & instills strong ballet fundamentals in a fun fun (secretly disciplined) way!

I don’t know what the negative reviews are about, both my daughters are in the conservatory program. They love their instructors and the school provides a top notch ballet education. No crazy, inappropriate music, dance moves or costumes here — just serious, but fun classical ballet.

i agree with one of the comments below. I signed my sister up for the first time at maple and the lady at the front desk was not being helpful. She gave us no information about the adult beginners class and she was just very unpleasant. For this reason, i don’t want to sign her up for more classes at this place. My sis says her teacher is great, but we’re just not happy with one of the staff members.

After looking through their MAZE of a website. It’s so confusing. Finally found the class I wanted.
Ask the help/​admin, and they told me «It’s wrong info posted by web personnel.»
Tricky website, tricky fine print, tricky, tricky tricky. Decided to go to Jimmie Defore in Costa Mesa or Focus in Irvine. How come their website is easy to navigate, easy payment and no fine print.
I wasted my time coming here. Apparently, reading any info on the website is no help. pffffffff.
BTW, I bought their class card and no refund and it expires in 60 days which no one told me this detail. arg.

just went to their Adult Begin Ballet Tues/​Thurs 5pm, luv the teachers but hated the front desk.
Pro: focus more technique than just going thru the exercise. truely for beginners. the class is slower so will not endure the injuries I see most dancers have.
Con: Admin — Front desk (or lack of). Hello~~~~~~~ anyone here?! Hello~~~~~~~~Do u work here? Do u know anyone that work here? (Prepare to shout)
Price: open rate $ 18 per session which is pricy compared to $ 14 at other places around here.
will i come back? eh. prob no

Maple is housed in what used to be Ballet Pacifica. It has been remodeled and it is beautiful. It is also under the direction of Charles Maple. See the website for his bio.
Along with the serious ballet program, they also have classes for us regular folk. Beginning ballet for kids and adults. Yoga classes and they offer Yoga Booty Ballet (taught by me). I have also seen special events and special guest instructors featured from time to time.