Vernetta’s Dance Studio

My daughter is been coming to this dance studio for 6 years since she was 3 years old and she loves coming to dance classes, as she grows also the difficulty of the classes and skills. She went from playing and learning with toddlers to a more challenging and demanding discipline. She has developed a lot of character from being a student of Vernetta during this period. Great place for the kids to make friends and to develop their social skills.

Vernetta is an amazing teacher! She teaches everything – ballroom dancing, tap, jazz, ballet, belly dance, etc. – and is fun, an excellent technician, and a wonderful human being who does TONS for the community. She cares a lot about the kids and adults that she teaches and has created a real feeling of community among her students and their families. This is definitely my favorite dance studio in San Diego.

The City of San Diego did not officially declare August 19, 2012 as «Miss Vernetta Day» in honor of her 50 years of quality service to the San Diego Community for nothing. Vernetta opened her studio in San Diego in 1962, and despite her star-​studded career and mastery of a wide range of styles, she remains one of the coolest, most down-​to-​Earth, and gregarious people in North Park. Look no further in your search for dance classes of any style or for any age.

i did not have the warm and fuzzy experience with my daughter at Vernatta’s class. she is my opinion far from patient or kind — she was mean. we went for the free class to check and see what the class would be like for my little girl. i had explained that this was her first experience. Vernatta was initially nice enough but once the class started and not knowing what we were supposed to do. — we were made to feel uncomfortable. Vernatta actually steered us completely away from ballet — my thought if the rules for ballet are this strict for a 3 year old then i want no parts of it.

I had my 6yr old daughter taking classes for about 3mths with Vernetta. She’s cordial but not to friendly. Recital time came about and my daughter had not received a costume so I asked Vernetta. She explained only the girls that had attended throughout the year were in it. She said it would be their end of the year performance. Ok that sounded fair. The following week a girl newer to the classes was in a dance costume along with an even newer girl not in costume but wearing the same dance ribbons on her shoes. Puzzled I sat watching. Then a parent offered to loan a costume for one more girl. Thinking my Leilani would get it, Vernetta offered it to another girl that hadn’t been attending as long also. I complained to Vernetta and said Leilani has been attending longer than some of the girls you have performing and I left. I went back in to ask for a refund of my tuition and she just repied «ok». Waited all day for her to call with an explanation and or apology but no calls. I’m wondering if she has some prejudistic tendencies. All the new girls are caucasian and hispanic. I’m Hispanic/​Cacasian but my adopted daughter is blk/​philipino. Ms Vernetta you owe my daughter an apology and a full tuition refund. I hope a lot of people read this to find out what you are really like and keep you from hurting other children as you have hurt my Leilani and all of us who were looking forward to seeing her perform with her classmates

I can’t say enough good things about Vernetta’s! My husband and I took dance lessons for our wedding dance, and Vernetta and her husband Fred were our teachers. We had a blast, and the lessons were very reasonably priced for the amount of attention we received and the high quality of the instruction. They choreographed a unique dance and even incorporated our suggestions to make it really personalized. We have referred several of our friends, and they have had a great experience as well. Oh, and Vernetta and Fred are a riot!

We wanted to like this studio because we live close to it. However, Vernetta is not good with children or very nice to adults. She is very ‘old school’ both good and bad. Good-​the studio is cute and music tolerable. The bad — she is like a mean school marm yelling at kids, criticizing people and down right being rude. Do not spend your money here. She also treats her employees poorly. Bummed bout Vernetta in North Park.

When meeting her Vernetta is warm and welcoming. She comes across as personable and caring. Her teaching style is one of self-​assurance that comes from many years of experience. Her music choice, which is crucial to a good lesson, is top notch. This lady knows her stuff! Coming from a latin-​Caribbean background, I know an experienced dancer when I see her. Good job, Vernetta! Emmy

this is my first review of Vernettas dance studio. My wife and i are taking lessons for a choreographed dance for our wedding and to learn some other ballroom dances… my first impression was okay this is a small place, but after my first lesson Vernetta is a good teacher and really gave us some great personal instruction while being firm… i feel good about taking dance lessons and that i will come away with a better dancing skills… more to come as the weeks come…

I have not taken lessons from Vernetta, but I’ve talked with her several times and she is sweet. She REALLY knows her stuff, the studio is always clean and cozy, and it feels like home. I dig it. :) Her classes are much less expensive than others in town, and probably just as good.
I take classes from Jim Boz (look up Bellydance With Jim Boz), and that’s *really* what I came to review, but Vernetta is pretty nice as well.

Vernetta’s is your first stop for dancing when it comes to teaching children & wedding dances. She is fun, firm and consistent.
Her cozy studio has an old-​school vibe, and she always has coffee brewed ready for the adult classes, as well as snacks & candy for the children (and all the other ages :)
She has many years of experience that the other studios don’t offer. She’s a great gal!