Take a video tour of Dance Studio No. 1. Visit the DS1 YouTube channel for Studio highlights and student features. Established in 1992, Dance Studio No.1 is a classical ballet academy highly regarded for two core offerings: its strong and successful, pre-professional classical ballet program, and its endearing young children's program.
Well-known in the west Los Angeles community, Dance Studio No. 1, or "DS1", focuses on technical and artistic excellence. The Studio offers limited class sizes and aims to foster each student's potential through well-designed dance programs that carefully consider each dancer's developmental age, motor skills, capabilities, and interests.
Well-known in the west Los Angeles community, Dance Studio No. 1, or "DS1", focuses on technical and artistic excellence. The Studio offers limited class sizes and aims to foster each student's potential through well-designed dance programs that carefully consider each dancer's developmental age, motor skills, capabilities, and interests.
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Artistic director, Elizabeth Banke, founded Dance Studio No. 1 in 1992. The Studio quickly flourished building a reputation in the community for its outstanding Young Children's Program.
To accommodate the tremendous growth of the school and an expanding curriculum, over the years the community has seen Dance Studio No. 1 move from The Sports Club to the Westside Pavilion, then Granville Avenue, and finally (with a long-term lease and lots of parking) to its state-of-the-art home on the corner of Pico and Bundy.Today, Dance Studio No. 1 is one of the preeminent ballet schools in Los Angeles.
To accommodate the tremendous growth of the school and an expanding curriculum, over the years the community has seen Dance Studio No. 1 move from The Sports Club to the Westside Pavilion, then Granville Avenue, and finally (with a long-term lease and lots of parking) to its state-of-the-art home on the corner of Pico and Bundy.Today, Dance Studio No. 1 is one of the preeminent ballet schools in Los Angeles.
However, in comparison to an academic school year, it is preferable that students complete a full year of their level before moving on to the next. The Classical Ballet Program is designed to align with the academic years of K through 12 (ages 5 & up, or Pre-Primary & up). Once a student is in the Classical Ballet Program, they move up a level every academic year (summer/fall).
Dance Studio No. 1 offers several Recreational Classes as part of its broad-based curriculum. Recreational classes are offered in Ballet, Modern & Contemporary, Acro-Dance, Character & Free Movement, Show Jazz and Hip Hop. Dance Studio No. 1's celebrated and developmentally-appropriate Young Children's Program is designed for children ages 3-6 years.
Dance Studio No. 1 offers several Recreational Classes as part of its broad-based curriculum. Recreational classes are offered in Ballet, Modern & Contemporary, Acro-Dance, Character & Free Movement, Show Jazz and Hip Hop.
Purposefully offered at varying skill levels, open classes are designed to cater to advanced level dancers looking to add classes to their training schedule, or to once-a-week, recreational dancers hoping to learn something new and have fun.There are no attendance requirements or recital obligations associated with Recreational Classes.
Purposefully offered at varying skill levels, open classes are designed to cater to advanced level dancers looking to add classes to their training schedule, or to once-a-week, recreational dancers hoping to learn something new and have fun.There are no attendance requirements or recital obligations associated with Recreational Classes.
Dance Studio No. 1's celebrated and developmentally-appropriate Young Children's Program is designed for children ages 3-5 years. Created by Artistic Director, Elizabeth Banke, the curriculum for "Fairytale Dance", "Pre-Ballet", and "Pre-Primary" provides important early dance training within a fun and creative learning environment.
Reviews (24)
Van Y.
Dec 16, 2021
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We absolutely love this studio!
My daughter has learned so much! All she does is show off the skills she learned from Ms. Mariah. The class is very well structured and the teachers are so inspiring. Not only is my daughter having fun, she's actually gaining real techniques. I'm very impressed with how much progress my daughter is showing!
My daughter has learned so much! All she does is show off the skills she learned from Ms. Mariah. The class is very well structured and the teachers are so inspiring. Not only is my daughter having fun, she's actually gaining real techniques. I'm very impressed with how much progress my daughter is showing!
Evelyn Javelosa
Apr 17, 2021
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Ms. Elizabeth is a wonderful Creative Director. She has an inclusive, artistic vision and makes room for everyone. She runs the school like a true, ballet company complete with bright, colorful costumes and engaging back drops. As a mom, I am often impressed and excited by her productions. They are truly entertaining shows even when my child is NOT on stage. It is delightful to see the boys featured in solos and duets as appropriate. She has chosen excellent, sensitive, and creative teachers to being her visions to life. We've been with her for over a decade and grateful our child has enjoyed it
Ashley G.
Jan 18, 2021
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I really wanted to like this place. And I'm sad for my daughter that she won't be dancing ballet here anymore. But the encounter I had with the dance teacher Ms. Christina made my family and me uncomfortable that I pulled my daughter out of their dance school.
My daughters been dancing ballet since she was 18 months old at Redondo beach school of music and dance. She is now 5. We moved to Beverly Hills so I needed to find her a new school to dance at that was closer and also opened during this whole pandemic.
I was happy when I found this place was open and close to my home. Like
My daughters been dancing ballet since she was 18 months old at Redondo beach school of music and dance. She is now 5. We moved to Beverly Hills so I needed to find her a new school to dance at that was closer and also opened during this whole pandemic.
I was happy when I found this place was open and close to my home. Like
Gratitude Attracts Blessings - Sam
Dec 19, 2019
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We have been coming here since the studio was first opened at the West Side Pavilion on Pico and Westwood. Mrs. Elizabeth is all about giving the students the most for their time with her.
The discipline she imparts on the students extend beyond just dance, to personal confidence and studies. Great program.
The discipline she imparts on the students extend beyond just dance, to personal confidence and studies. Great program.
Bella The Third
Dec 07, 2019
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I am currently enrolled in a class here. I am 14 years old and going into 9th grade, the class I am enrolled in claims it is for 6-17 year olds. When I arrived in the class, I was heavily disappointed to learn that I would be the oldest among 7-9 year olds. I asked what my options were in form of refund, and since all the funds I had given for the class ($2,000) were already given to the place we were performing, I had no option.
Imelda Curtsinger
Nov 25, 2019
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I had an amazing time!!! I had a great hard workout and had a so much fun doing it. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. This was my first time here. I did pole dancing then popped into the Twerk class. I think I burned a million calories in that class. Overall fantastic. A little expensive but I expected it definitely well worth it.
William S.
Oct 25, 2019
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Dance Studio No 1 is a place where they encourage you to try new things. They also have programs that don't even require any dance experience such as a camp where you dance at Disneyland. The comment by WOW is not true. Disney Camp was great and I am much older than 9 years old. That was just wrong. I started at the studio for physical therapy recovering from an accident, but realy liked the program so I stayed. As 1 of 5 boy ballet students among couple hundred girls at the studio I give it five stars for the kind teachers and the welcoming environment.
The program is very challenging because
The program is very challenging because
Mahal Kita
May 08, 2019
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Allen Adams
Nov 17, 2018
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Lindsey K.
Sep 13, 2018
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Lesley Carney
Jun 30, 2016
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April M.
Feb 27, 2016
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My daughter started at the studio when she was 3. (Now 11) We are not a dance family. We don't want (or expect) our daughter to be a ballerina. We signed up as a creative and physical activity. In the beginning, most your interactions are with the teachers. The teachers are great from a teaching, inspiring and challenging point of view. As you move forward, it becomes more intensive and the owner gets more involved. The owner is bizarre and my husband has disliked her from the beginning. I tried my best to ignore her attitude because my daughter liked it and the teachers are great
Mc S.
Sep 14, 2015
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This is a great studio if all your young daughter wants to do is dance for now. The teachers are great, but, let me tell you, the business side of it all is VERY frustrating. They always get my payments wrong, so I have to correct it every cycle. The times and requirements for ballet classes changes all the time, too, sometimes with no notice. The communication is awful, too. As far as ballet, the preparation is mediocre - no real stretching before and after classes, no real correction for bad habits, positions, stances. They have their favorite students and concentrate only on those. The upside
Anita N.
Jun 09, 2015
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My daughter has been at Dance Studio No 1 for nine years. The teachers are fantastic and the other students and parents are a delight! Each year they add more and more classes, camps, and summer programs. We highly recommend the Disney Dance Camp and Summer Intensives for any child who love dances and wants to learn.
Lisa K.
Apr 14, 2015
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My daughter absolutely love this studio. We have been coming here for years for ballet and pointe classes. Elizabeth the studio owner is warm and loving and really cares for her students. The other teachers are also great, very well educated and knows what they are talking about. My daughters personal favorite is Ms Annalie (was very chocked/confused to read her other review further down) They also always have very well put together and cool recitals. Dance Studio No1 is great value for your money, recommended!
Fernando R.
Apr 14, 2015
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Mother M.
Jun 02, 2014
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This review is for the Adult Beginner Ballet class taught by Annalie on Tuesday nights.
First off, the class is improperly labelled. It's not a beginner class. It's more of an intermediate class. The pace is fast, and the teacher doesn't offer any breakdown of movements which are done at lightening speed. For a beginner to ballet, this is utterly overwhelming.
Second, the students who show up to the class are of mixed levels. But the class is entirely tailored to those of a higher level. Experienced ballet teachers would be able to provide multiple versions of exercises for those
First off, the class is improperly labelled. It's not a beginner class. It's more of an intermediate class. The pace is fast, and the teacher doesn't offer any breakdown of movements which are done at lightening speed. For a beginner to ballet, this is utterly overwhelming.
Second, the students who show up to the class are of mixed levels. But the class is entirely tailored to those of a higher level. Experienced ballet teachers would be able to provide multiple versions of exercises for those
Mona K.
Mar 05, 2014
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My kid just started here last month and i can tell that we'll be very pleased to be a part of this studio. I was paying less money for mickey mouse lessons until i finally decided to pay a little extra and have the discipline there for my kid. They have testings periodically throughout the year and recitals as well....It's also up the block from my house and there's ample parking. IT's a serious school without the snottiness of some studios.....very excited about this journey!
Patty K.
May 20, 2013
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Eric R.
Oct 23, 2012
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S. R.
Aug 01, 2011
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Please note that the studio moved locations in 2009 to Pico & Bundy. References to former locations will be less relevant, though the teaching remains every bit as fine -- in fact I think it has improved, if possible, from its former incarnations.
This studio is a happy place. Girls really learn how to dance here; they are taught and not with nastiness or too-high expectations. They are met perfectly by their teachers and raised to a fine level of dancing too. The proof would be to attend a recital - it is an amazing exhibit of well-learned and executed core ballet steps - choreographed
This studio is a happy place. Girls really learn how to dance here; they are taught and not with nastiness or too-high expectations. They are met perfectly by their teachers and raised to a fine level of dancing too. The proof would be to attend a recital - it is an amazing exhibit of well-learned and executed core ballet steps - choreographed
Sabrina L.
Jun 10, 2010
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A really wonderful dance studio. Although they specialize in ballet, they have other types of dance such as hip hop and flamenco, which I took for years.
Their teachers are spectacular (I would still be there, if my teacher hadn't moved to Spain :(. The place is very clean, neat, and spacious. The owner, Elizabeth is lovely as well.
Their teachers are spectacular (I would still be there, if my teacher hadn't moved to Spain :(. The place is very clean, neat, and spacious. The owner, Elizabeth is lovely as well.
Lois P. K.
Oct 20, 2009
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Cat T.
Jul 24, 2007
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One of Dance Studio No. 1's two locations. Very large studio space with several studios for a variety of classes. It seems different studios are rented out to different programs.
So far I've only been here for a poi class and I was very impressed by the large studio space. More to come as I utilize the facilities and explore them some more.
The layout is a bit strange and there are studios behind studios behind studios, but this does make for a lot of different rooms.
Classes offered at this location range from ballet, poi, hoop, tango, pilates, hip hop, bellydance, staff, and some
So far I've only been here for a poi class and I was very impressed by the large studio space. More to come as I utilize the facilities and explore them some more.
The layout is a bit strange and there are studios behind studios behind studios, but this does make for a lot of different rooms.
Classes offered at this location range from ballet, poi, hoop, tango, pilates, hip hop, bellydance, staff, and some
