San Diego Danceworks

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a studio!!! I’ve been trying to revisit dance — after a very long hiatus — to incorporate it into my fitness routine. However, I was feeling really discouraged with the adult dance classes at local studios. I was searching for classes conducive to getting back to basics while re-​gaining the skills lost over time — a great deal of time. It’s understandable that most dance studios don’t offer more than one adult dance class — if any at all — and they’re probably intended for parents of the students. On the other end of the spectrum, adult typically means age 16 and up, so naturally the skill level is still very advanced, making it impossible to ease your way back into it. I was just about ready to give up, but shortly after sending an email to San Diego Danceworks, Ms. Barbara replied with helpful info. She was so accommodating, making it very enticing to check out the adult contemporary, jazz and hip hop dance classes. The first class is complimentary, which is very generous. The instructor of my first class was Jenna. She’s so friendly and down-to-earth…making it such a non-​intimidating, yet motivating environment to learn and re-​learn in. She makes the class fun, but still corrects any deviation in form. She never treated me like a first-​timer; made me feel like I’d always been part of the class. I’m so happy I found San Diego Danceworks! My experience has been very much in line with their philosophy.

San Diego Dance Works has captured my heart! My (very tall) 10 year old has returned to dance after a 3 year hiatus and absolutely LOVES Miss. Barbara. She is made to feel respected, nurtured and, most important of all, successful as she strives to get her confidence back after another studio took it away. Brava Miss B and your wonderful teaching team. We’ve found our new dance home!

Ms Barbara is amazing with the children. My kids have been going there for over two years now and they love going and talk about Mrs. Barbara constantly. They have learned quite a bit and I highly recommend dance works to anyone looking.

This is the kind of small business you want to support. The owner is wonderful, kind, patient, and determined. My kids loved taking tap and ballet here. The studio has a safe and nurturing feel. They teach the children important dance skills while also inspiring them to be creative and expressive. My son really enjoyed being able to help choreograph part of the ballet dance his class performed in the recital.

Ms. Barbara is amazingly patient! She is fantastic with the little ones and very easy going about the performances. It really is all about them having a great time performing and being on stage. Summer princess camps are fun too. Cute performance at the end of the week! We live 20 min away and drive past a couple other studios to get to SD Danceworks but it’s totally worth it!

San Diego Danceworks is THE place for us. My daughter has been dancing here for over 3 years and has grown, not only in her technical skill, but for her love of dance. The teachers are all passionate, supportive and highly skilled. This is truly the place to come to let your dancer explore his or her creativity and develop amazing skill as a dancer. My daughter started dancing contemporary and has now moved on to competitive jazz and even ballet en pointe. We are so thankful to be part of San Diego Danceworks!

Quaint and cute, it allows for a health place for little girls to learn to dance without the all of the makeup and over the top stuff. Barbara seems to care and have passion for dance and education of children. My four year old did Frozen camp and Cinderella camp and had a blast!

We just finished a dance camp here. My daughter loved it! The girls made hand made tutu’s and had a dance recital at the end of the week. My daughter loved it! Barbara and crew made her feel at home right away. She came home dancing and twirling everyday. I was worried that she wouldn’t want to perform in the recital at the end, but ended up doing great! Such a wonderful confidence booster for the girls. We loved it so much we are going to sign her up for regular dance classes here in the fall!

Love this place! If you have a child who’s interested in dance I highly recommend this place. Ms. Barbara is amazing. So glad I found it

Ms. Barbara and her staff are the driving force behind the success of Danceworks. Their love of dancing is contagious, and that transcends and inspires students of all ages!
My 6 year old daughter first attended a week long summer camp and loved it. With no prior dance training, she was already included in a performance by the end of the week!
Ms. Barbara truly cares for her students, giving them positive instructions and room to grow on their own. The biannual recitals include EVERY student, no matter what level or how long they have been taking lessons, which is especially encouraging when you are just starting out and already have a goal to work towards. Like other reviewers said, I like that they are not strict with dress code for attending regular classes.
The studio itself is not fancy, it’s tucked in a business structure with a front and back studio. The price is really reasonable and even better deal per hour if you have more dancers in the household or go to more than 1 class a week.

Love, Love, Love, San Diego Dance Works! Mrs. Barbara is a wonderful teacher and I have seen some amazing changes in my 5-​year old daughter regarding poise and discipline. It’s exciting to see a 5-​year old excited about being ’ A Ballerina”, wanting to perform and perfect her movements and posture.
I highly recommend Mrs. Barbara and SD Dance Works.

came to watch a lovely show called «classic and iconic» presented by dark horse dance productions and san diego danceworks. some of the groups that also performed that night were from axiom dance collective and visionary dance theater.
san diego danceworks is a no frills space filled with passionate dancers. some of the pieces were incredibly moving and brought tears to my eyes. the production was self funded and they depend on the generosity from art supporters.
i can see that this space is normally for the san diego danceworks school as the front has little slots filled with teeny and darling dance shoes.
it was such a treat to watch and something i’d love to see grow to allow more home grown talent to shine in such a diverse showcase of dance.

Ms. Barbara is the most positive person you will ever meet! She is the director, manager, and head teacher. Emily Snider teaches fabulous ballet classes. so does Hannah-​June Bigler. Viviana Alcazar teaches wonderful modern classes. MInaqua pretty much teaches anyting & everying. Danielle Drummond teaches great tap classes. Lindzey Bresinski teaches great tap for children and adults. YOU FIRST CLASS IS ALWAYS FREE! Looking forward to seeing you at DanceWorks! :)

Mrs. Barbara is a wonderful teacher, she has a natural, kind way with children and my 4 yr old really enjoys her classes. We have tried other tap/​ballet classes throughout the city (Cal Bal, City of San Diego Parks & Rec classes, La Mesa Community Center, etc.) and my daughter enjoys Danceworks the most. I read all the Unilocal reviews before we signed up and they are true — she really is THAT good.

This is a wonderful dance studio. Ms. Barbara is energetic, patient, and friendly. The monthly rates are very reasonable. There is no strict dress code, just a relaxed and fun environment.

My 4 year old attended a week of «Princess Ballerina Dance Camp» here this summer from 9a-​12p and she really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this to anyone as the staff is very friendly and professional and the girls in the camp all looked to be having the time of their life.

Barbara Renaldo is simply a wonderful teacher and her passion for dance is evident from the first phone call. Our daughter has taken dance classes elsewhere and we found that either the rules were simply too strict for a small child (is the color of the ballet shoes or number of bobby pins vital for a toddler or preschooler?) or the dance class was way too crowded for proper instruction.
San Diego Danceworks is in a class by itself entirely due to Ms. Barbara’s effective and joyous approach to dance. Our daughter adores going to her weekly class and is very excited to participate in this year’s «Alice in Wonderland» performances at the SD County Fair. Her classes are all age-​appropriate and dancers graduate to the next level by ability and age and Ms. Barbara is patient and thoughtful in ensuring that each and every child understands the steps in order to progress appropriately. Parents are encouraged to stay and watch (and enjoy) seeing their children interact and learn dance in a very nurturing environment.
I cannot stress enough just how thrilled we are at discovering San Diego Danceworks and I can only hope that one of these days I can find the time for some dance or Capoeira classes here as well! Why should the kids have all the fun?!?

After trying other dance studios my daughter went to SD Danceworks as some of her friends went there. What a great studio! Ms. Barbara is such a warm, nurturing teacher and she makes every dancer feel special. She is all about the love of dancing. But she is also a very professional, talented dancer and instructor and puts together amazing productions that allows all the dancers to participate no matter what their level. My daughter loves this studio and it has rekindled her passion for dance. I am so glad that she is going here and it’s awesome watching her develop and grow as a dancer. Another plus for this studio is the very reasonable fee structure which has an unlimited classes option for a monthly fee. They offer all types of classes (ballet, modern, tap, jazz) for all ages from toddler to adults. And the first class is free if you want to check it out.

No fluff, just the stuff!
So there really are no bells and whistles for the studio itself, it’s got mirrors, cushioned springy dance floors, some ballet rails (sure there is a name, but hell, I’m a guy and haven’t a clue) and a parking lot with ample parking.
The difference here is Barbara. An incredibly talented instructor who takes pride in what she does (while having almost 0% body fat and more muscles in her back and shoulders than Lou Ferigno — unbelievable really). There are no «dance Nazi’s» here, just supportive teachers giving the children the room to grow.
I’ve heard some of the rules with other studios, only black or pink leotards, 2 barrets maximum and ya da ya da ya da. .
There are many different options from tap and ballet to hip hop and modern dance. There is usually a large recital every year and always a great production.
Word of note: Barbara has a side project working w/​some kids w/​CP. A touching and awesome thing to bring the world of dance to kids that deserve (and get to experience) dancing. This just shows what kind of person Barbara is. A true instructor who loves to teach and share!

Ms. Barbara is the most patient dance instructor. She engages students so that interest is sustained for the whole class. The classes are always a reasonable size and it is nice to be able to view the dance instruction during class.
Whenever I have a question for Ms. Barbara she always takes time to listen and answer after class. The costume and recital fees are reasonable and there is a relaxed atmosphere.
San Diego Danceworks is a class act!