Deane Dance Center

Not only does this studio produce phenomenal dancers, but they have FANTASTIC adult classes. The adult classes still put a lot of emphasis on technique and the instructors are extremely knowledgeable and encouraging. I wish they offered pointe for adult students. I will definitely continue to come as often as I can!

Pros: Instructor gives constructive advice.
Cons: I was overcharged and did not receive an apology for their mistake. For several classes my daughter’s class was mixed with another level class for half the time or more. This left one instructor with 15 or more students in two different levels. This wasted everyone’s time because the instructor had to give different instructions to each while the other class just waited. Furthermore, the class was so large that they didn’t get much attention or time across the floor. Lastly, the class times are scheduled back to back with no break in between, so the class started 5 – 10 minutes late every time.
Overall instruction (Level 1) seemed average.

I have been looking and waiting for a studio that really teaches to adults. And I have found it in Deane Dance Center! They have the most adult classes I have ever seen that cater to multiple levels, and thank goodness! I love that I can take a class with Abelardo and feel challenged but not lost-​he has been an amazing teacher for someone just getting back into ballet! I highly recommend his Wed. evening adult ballet class for those who are past the ‘basics’ classes, and want a real challenge and work out, in a comfortable and fun setting. I can’t say enough good things, so grab your ballet shoes from the closet and get to this dance center!

Top notch classical ballet training from toddler to adult. See the winter show, spring show and school showcase and you will see what I mean.

Top-​notch classical ballet training. In the upper levels, there’s a fair amount of mean girl stuff going on (both from the students and from their mothers). Still, they do teach lovely technique.

My 3.5 year old daughter has recently began to express a lot of interest in ballet classes, so I called Deane Dance Center and left a message. After waiting about 5 days and not hearing back, I called again, spoke to a gentleman about my desire to enroll my daughter, and was told I’d receive another call about the class in a day or two. Almost 3 weeks later, I have yet to hear anything. Unfortunately, because I can’t seem to be able to enroll my child, I can’t comment on anything except this very limited experience, but… really? I’m perfectly willing to enroll my child and pay the tuition, but evidently Deane Dance Center isn’t interested in receiving business from me. Time to look elsewhere.

Barbara Crockett, owner and teacher at Deane Dance, co-​founded the Sacramento Ballet with her husband, both of whom were dancers with the San Francisco Ballet. She runs the studio with her daughter and son-​in-​law, also former professional dancers. Deane is known as one of the top studios to groom young professional dancers — their teaching of technique is top-​notch — however, it’s the adult program that I will sing the praises. Barbara teaches two adult classes each week (Saturdays and Wednesdays) and she runs them like we are all about to perform Swan Lake. She’s tough and corrects every mistake her eagle eye catches. Many of my fellow dancers grew up taking classes from Barbara and now have children of their own who are studying at the school.
Kermit Allen and Richard Shi also teach adult classes and both are professional technicians and excellent teachers. Kermit teaches an adult jazz class, as well.
The studio is slated to move to a larger space later this year — the new location is still in East Sac (Elvas and C, or somewhere around there?) I highly recommend Deanne for adult dancers at the intermediate/​advanced level — you will feel like you are in a ‘real’ professional studio without the intimidation factor :-)