Ballet Academy East

Basic beginner ballet– sounds pretty basic right? After 4 years of ballet I had a break for a year and wanted to get back into it again– my feet were tired, muscles burning and hips not squared. That was expected. What was not expected was the insane level of this class– god forbid its your first time, cant do a 2 turn pirouette or mess the steps up because you will be called out on it, laughed at by the teacher infront of the other students and they will laugh as well. This did not only happen one time during the class but about 4. Thanks for making me feel so welcome BDE-​_​– Lets see how the other classes are and that I was just unlucky with the teacher– not the place.

This review does NOT reflect the entire studio; it’s just in regards to one class I took.
I took a pilates mat class through classpass. This was my first pilates class in many years. The instructor did not introduce herself or ask our names, or if we had any injuries as I’ve learned is customary, especially when there are many new people. She did not demonstrate any of the exercises and rather just sat on a chair in front of the class to verbally describe what our bodies should do. Since I’m not an expert, I sometimes didn’t know what I was supposed to do and tried to look in the mirror (as did others). We were then told to not look in the mirror. We were given no guidance or feedback. Pilates is so much about proper form, and it’s not helpful to wonder if you are doing something correct and in a way you’re not going to hurt yourself. At many times the instructor seemed bored and uninterested. I absolutely will not take another class from this instructor. This class could be good for experienced pilates people who just need the physical space to practice and expect little from an instructor.
The receptionist was helpful, the studio was clean and appeared well maintained, no complaints with the rest of the studio. I may consider trying another class here, but in the meantime I’ve found so many other options.

Came here for a class pass Pilates class and it’s a little kids’ ballet studio. Not equipped for adult workout class. Class was supposed to start at 6:30 pm and by 6:40 when teacher wasn’t there i left.

I’m taking the intro to ballet classes at BAE and I’m a fan so far. The school is on the third floor of a building. The receptionists have always been nice and accommodating. Because of schedule reasons, I go several times a week and not always on the same days, so I get different instructors pretty much every time. Each instructor I’ve had has been highly qualified, highly professional, and nice (which is so important). That being said, all have their own teaching styles and focus on different things/​give different degrees of workout intensity.
The changing room is nice and big and has showers too, though I’ve never used them.

Komische Energie, kalte Rezeptionistinnen, mittelgroße Studios, gemeine Lehrerin (die namenlos bleiben wird). Nicht mein Ding — Ballett liebe ich seitdem ich ein Kind war, aber… tja, nicht mein Ding.

easily the best ballet school in the city. There is live piano music in every room. there are multiple classes going on at the same time. the front desk is welcoming and polite. My daughter took classes here for years. I took the pilates and really loved it.

Came here on class pass for a barre class. The description said it was a «full body workout» HA that’s funny!
Ok, so let’s start off with upon arrival: receptionist was rude. But then again, it’s a ballet studio on the upper east side so to expect anything less is just setting yourself up for disappointment.
This is a class for senior citizens. I know this because there were only 2 of us who were NOT senior citizens (surprise, the other girl was from class
PAss as well). Including the teacher. There’s no music, just a random dude playing a bongo drum… what?
It was so bad that I LEFT 25 minutes in. The instructor yelled to me (over the drum) as I was leaving «sorry this was not what your looking for!!!
What a way to call me out lady!!!
DEF won’t be back! And if your a classpasser like me, skip this place, it’s not the kind of barre class your looking for.

I really like this studio! I admittedly haven’t taken a dance class since I was very small child, and wanted to get back into. The instructors are wonderful — so far I have used Shirley Bassat, Anne Kelly, and Julie Voshell for the Adult Intro class. They are both very knowledgable (obviously) and patient with their students. Again, I haven’t taken classes in 20+ years, but I have never felt out of place or embarrassed because I was too slow or did not get the steps. They are willing to go over things, and structure their classes to help you achieve your best. I love the flexibility of the packages they offer, and will certainly be buying another once mine is up.
The studios are large, though sometimes the classes can get a bit crowded. However, I went to a class on a Thursday in the winter and was one of three students. It is kind of hit or miss.

Summer program for kids. Teachers are wonderful, but strange dress codes for very young kids take the fun out of the function. The hallway reeks of body oder which seems to be soaked into the carpeting.

My favorite ballet school in the city. The studios are large, well-​maintained, and sun-​filled.
You really can’t go wrong as far as teachers, but I especially like Joseph Malbrough, Shirley Bassat, Cornel Crabtree, and Julie Voshell for a good basic class. Fair warning Julie will make you sweat! Ginger Thatcher’s class is great for a more advanced class. The receptionists are pleasant and attentive, and the pianists are great. The classes don’t get too over-​crowded, and the dressing room is nice.

I don’t know. I wasn’t feeling it at all when I went. I took the beginner ballet with Peter Brandenhoff at 7:30 PM on a Wednesday evening.
We started with the classic warm up at the barre, except right away I noticed that he uses completely different port de bras than the one I was used to (I usually go to BDC); after the first few sequences, I noticed that almost every single dancer in the room was lost and doing it improperly every single time. This is a strong indicator of a teacher’s strength!
When we removed the barres and started going across the floor, almost every single dancer was completely lost yet again and FINALLY, the teacher did the left side with us once.
I spoke with a few dancers before class, and while they told me he wasn’t a strict teacher, I was not expecting this at all. I came in here willing to work on my ballet. I felt defeated.
I am sticking with BDC. It is worth the hike to times square!

I really like this school/​studio. The place has many different rooms and huge windows. There is a large changing room. The classes are not terribly crowded, like typical NYC ballet studios.
They have many levels of ballet, which is very helpful if you are a dancer and want to focus on certain techniques. You can just take a class for the level that focuses on that area and hone in on improving for the 90 minutes you are there — i.e. take a basic beginning class to focus on a move before your intermediate class the next day.
The teachers are patient and detailed — they don’t make you feel dumb if you haven’t yet figured out how to properly move your feet or arms for that one move. They will come over and guide you.

My 3 year old daughter loves her Ballet classes. They help toddler girls transition into separation in a very clever way. The music is wonderful, live piano accompanist and the teachers and teacher helper are professional. The curriculum is unbelievable — it grows and changes each week with a different theme.
So why only four stars???
Wish they would change those filthy stinky carpets, wash those dance floors every few months, dust and clean that dressing room. It smells terrible and i cringe every time my daughter steps barefoot onto that carpet — yuck!!!
I’ve been dancing my whole life and after 30 years of being around very dingy dance studios, this one takes the cake! Please help me raise awareness… our little ballerinas deserve more!

I live in the East Village, just three blocks from Peridance, yet I take the subway all the way to the Upper East Side to take ballet classes at Ballet Academy East. Why you ask? Because the classes rock and are seldom too crowded. I think the teachers here are great — high energy, beautiful dancers who always help with your technique. Unlike many other studios in the city, the classes aren’t packed either. If you’re looking for a fun ballet class where you can actually improve, this is the place to go.
Note, it does smell like feet, but it’s a ballet studio. What do you expect?

Great ballet studio! I was trained in classical ballet growing up and now as an adult who had been struggling with a lot of hip complications (and surgery) have been in search of a fun, yet structured, ballet environment to help with rehabilitation.
The teachers are professional and give helpful corrections. They have a wide range of adult ballet classes to fit people at all levels and teachers seem genuinely interested in new students and their progress.

This is a great ballet studio.
The class sizes tend to be smaller, and it is generally a welcoming environment.
The teachers work with you at your level, and skill/​technical execution is enhanced and required … it is not only «for fun «, even though you will have it. You learn !
My fav.

This is BY FAR my favorite ballet studio in NYC. The teachers are great. The classes are fun. The atmosphere is very welcoming, not intimidating at all. My favorite teacher is Melissa Rodnon for basic and beginning classes.

I got a Groupon for ten classes, which is good because it takes that long to try out all the different teachers a few times each and decide what you think. The teachers are extreme in their characters. One of them talked incessantly throughout the class; much of the time was spent standing listening to her. Another said very little during class and even said her philosophy is not to explain– that you can only learn by doing. Which sounds reasonable but I really like that precise verbal explanation. The best instructor was good for awhile but then she just started to look at me carefully or with some reservation, as if she thought I said something about her, which I hadn’t. Ultimately my overall impression and experience of the place is mixed feelings and some confusion.
I signed up for the ballet classes just to do something different and I liked it enough to get a second card. However, like in many places, if something about the personalities or chemistry or dynamics just doesn’t make sense, then it might be better to just go somewhere else.

When Halloween 2010 rolled around, and the only costume thinkable was that of a ballerina, I understood it was time to address my unexplored preoccupation.
Ballet Academy East is the place to indulge your late-​onset dreams of becoming a ballerina. Adult intro classes are typically 6 – 10 ungainly newcomers like me or non-​pro dancers of yesteryear returning for a few more plies.
It’s quite fun, a decent workout, and there’s a piano player plinking out prancy tunes in every class. After just one session I noticed an improvement in my body awareness and consciousness of my deplorable posture.
The website instructs you to wear tights, a leotard, and ballet flats. I took these instructions to heart, and to my first class I wore the purple tights I had purchased for Halloween, covering up with a little skirt thingy. I kinda felt like a doofus. Yoga pants or other items non-​billowy seem fine.
The staff is completely gracious and accommodating. I’m sure they offer high-​quality, expert instruction to serious dancers, and they also do a nice job creating a space comfortable for those who aren’t there to become America’s Next Top Ballerina.
You won’t exactly be leaping, pirouetting, and Black Swan-​ing your way through life after these classes, as I’d hoped. (Neither will you become bulimic & psychotic.) You will, however, gain some muscle tone and a touch of grace from this nonjudgmental and pleasant exercise.

One of my favorite places: it definitely does not look like ‘academy’, more like a local dance school with very warm and friendly staff.
Not cheep, but if you love classical ballet, no other place will give you better work out at the bar and floor. I took several ballet classes at NYSC-​not even close to BAE.
Classes last 1.5h which is great to work all the muscles and sweat a lot!

I am in love with the Zumba classes here! The building has an odd smell upon entering, but once you step in the dance studios, it disappears. Classes are $ 16 each, and the multi-​class cards cut the price down. There are several instructors, one on Saturday is easier but concentrates on core strength during the cooldown, and one on Sunday is more advanced. There are also classes during the week.
I will definitely be back and am thinking about buying another multi-​class card. Thanks, Groupon!
Also, +1 for the ability to leave your bag in the back of the studio. Or use a locker, if you like… but I don’t like lockers.