San Jose ballet performing company and ballet academy performing classical favorites and innovative new works from leading choreographers. Performances include "The Nutcracker", a San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley family tradition since 1964. Our leading San Jose ballet academy offers youth and open drop-in ballet classes for children and adults in San Jose CA, Silicon Valley, and online.
Our focus is on bringing classical ballet performances and professional training to the community. As the Artistic Director, it is my pleasure to pass on the legacy of San Jos Dance Theatre, founded in 1964, to the next generation. I realize that students have different talents and different goals concerning their dancing.
Our focus is on bringing classical ballet performances and professional training to the community. As the Artistic Director, it is my pleasure to pass on the legacy of San Jos Dance Theatre, founded in 1964, to the next generation. I realize that students have different talents and different goals concerning their dancing.
Services
San Jose Dance Theatre is a classical ballet performance company and academy, specializing in offering high-quality productions and training for the community. The company actively advocates for nationwide access to classical performances, quality community engagement opportunities, and the development of the art-form across the country.
We provide hand sanitizer in all studio and common spaces for individuals to use regularly. Face coverings will be asked of all staff and participants while program hours are running. They will not be allowed to enter the building without masks or face coverings. We will be sending home guidance from County and Theatre Requirements the regarding safe health procedures to our families during program.
Our Trainee Program is a bridging program for young dancers who are transitioning from student to company dancer. The Trainee Program sets young dancers up to become successful professional ballet artists under the guidance of SJDT's artistic staff. The program prepares dancers for the daily life and expectations of a professional ballet company, refining their technique, performance, and collaboration skills.
San Jose Dance Theatre's outreach programs utilize our dancers to promote the art of classical and contemporary dance to local schools. Though workshops, community engagements, in school performances we support community arts engagement across the Bay Area. We also provide Girl Scouts with dance badge opportunities, and provide free and low cost performance tickets to underserved groups in Silicon Valley.
San Jose Dance Theatre Academy offers world class dance instruction in San Jose for children and adults. The Academy provides instruction to students who are training for professional careers in dance, as well as adult and child beginners and casual classes. We welcome all who are interested in simply experiencing the joy and benefit of dancing.
Reviews (18)
Olivia Zhou
Jun 25, 2021
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Peter Jackson
Dec 16, 2019
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Lorenzo Mellon-Reyes
Oct 09, 2019
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Needing to really improve her ballet technique, my daughter attended SJDT’s summer open classes and another ballet academy’s summer camp prior to her senior year in high school. She then accepted Miss Linda’s invitation to join SJDT for her entire senior year. That was absolutely the right decision! My daughter’s ballet skills improved to the point where she won an award for ballet at a multi-genre dance convention and was accepted into multiple college dance major programs!
My wife and I are grateful to amazing instructors Miss Sian, Mister David, Miss Mariana and, of course, Artistic
My wife and I are grateful to amazing instructors Miss Sian, Mister David, Miss Mariana and, of course, Artistic
Bessie Leung
Jan 10, 2018
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Yota T.
Nov 13, 2017
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I give five stars because I really like level of ballet they teach and how they organize, also atmosphere(good balance).
Especially after they moved to current location, there are enough studios to run different level of classes and a big break room for parents to hang around, it is so comfortable and relax for both kids and parents.
As dad of two sons(14 and 10) who have been attending SJDT for a few years now, I appreciate their efforts on our sons ballet skill and also character building.
A big plus is that they have a top notch of art director, Linda and other good size of Board members then
Especially after they moved to current location, there are enough studios to run different level of classes and a big break room for parents to hang around, it is so comfortable and relax for both kids and parents.
As dad of two sons(14 and 10) who have been attending SJDT for a few years now, I appreciate their efforts on our sons ballet skill and also character building.
A big plus is that they have a top notch of art director, Linda and other good size of Board members then
Megan L.
Nov 11, 2017
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Exceptional training in classical ballet, with a complete program that includes pilates, conditioning, partnering, pointe, contemporary, Chinese Tumbling and variations classes weekly. The performance opportunities are impeccable, with the opportunity to perform to a live orchestra at the annual Nutcracker performances. Another feature that stands out is the supportive atmosphere that is part of the studio; the students all root for one another and are like a family. My daughter (level 5 dancer) and I both take classes here. I cannot say enough good things about the instructors and program at SJDT
Shannon T.
Oct 31, 2017
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Jennifer P.
Oct 09, 2017
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This is my second review for SJDT. I wrote my previous review four months ago when I first started attending Linda Hurkmans' open ballet classes. I uphold all the points made previously with the following addendum~
Linda has told me that it is her life devotion to share her work with all her beautiful dancers of all levels. Ballet to me has always been recreational, but Linda has brought it to the next level. It is therapeutical: her selection of music, her choreography, and her teaching. My mind is clear and I feel refresh every time I finish class there. I love going to her ballet classes
Linda has told me that it is her life devotion to share her work with all her beautiful dancers of all levels. Ballet to me has always been recreational, but Linda has brought it to the next level. It is therapeutical: her selection of music, her choreography, and her teaching. My mind is clear and I feel refresh every time I finish class there. I love going to her ballet classes
Amy L.
Sep 02, 2017
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We've been dancing with this studio for 2 years now. The studio is very nice, nice floated floors, large lounge room that provides Avery comfortable environment for parents to rest while waiting. I've also seen younger siblings of the dancers doing homework there while waiting for their siblings to dance. Techniques are top notch ( we've moved quite a bit from studio to studio and decided to settle here). I like how conditioning classes are required on top of ballet classes here because it is very important for dancers strength and will help prevent injuries. Teachers are very nice
John H.
Jun 22, 2017
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There's nothing like stacking the reviews
My daughter has been learning ballet with San Jose Dance Theatre for nearly three years. The quality of instruction has taken a nose dive. From the management to the instructors, there is a scarcity of professionalism with classes going late on such a frequent basis that I stopped taking my daughter on those days.
This organization is fraught with nepotism as is evident in the dismal performance of the 2016 Nutcracke. Dancers are spotlighted based on whom they are related to or friends with rather than their own merits. All one need do is look at
My daughter has been learning ballet with San Jose Dance Theatre for nearly three years. The quality of instruction has taken a nose dive. From the management to the instructors, there is a scarcity of professionalism with classes going late on such a frequent basis that I stopped taking my daughter on those days.
This organization is fraught with nepotism as is evident in the dismal performance of the 2016 Nutcracke. Dancers are spotlighted based on whom they are related to or friends with rather than their own merits. All one need do is look at
Robbie Zylstra
Jun 08, 2017
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San Jose Dance Theatre is well-rounded ballet school for my daughter. She is quickly developing her classical ballet technique while enjoy the camaraderie of training and performing together in the numerous events produced by SJDT. My daughter looks forward to the annual Nutcracker performance at the Center for Performing Arts in San Jose. It is wonderful opportunity for ballerinas of all ages to perform in a professionally choreographed production in front of a large audience. In addition, it encourages them to build confidence in their dancing abilities in a supportive environment. I greatly
Riya S.
Jun 07, 2017
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I have been coming to San Jose Dance Theatre for almost a year now, and now I am coming about 2 days a week for Linda Hurkmans' Open Classes. I met Linda as my ballet instructor at Foothill College last year when I started taking ballet for the first time - something I wanted to do my entire life but never had the time or opportunity until now. Linda introduced SJDT to the Foothill ballet students, and I started attending SJDT while at Foothill and am now a regular at both places.
As a mature adult, I am a total beginner compared to all the students, and I probably have more challenges
As a mature adult, I am a total beginner compared to all the students, and I probably have more challenges
Raimond S.
Jun 02, 2017
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Our daughter, who is 10 now, has been going to the academy for 1.5 years. She had very little experience from before. Everybody were very welcoming and nice. It felt like family from day one. I like their main values which are about learning through very supportive environment and family matters the most. Corrections and guidance is given in a way that it's understandable and age appropriate. I have seen huge growth of confidence in my daughter. She came in as rather shy, but is just smiling and fully enjoying herself on the stage now.
We love that the school is providing wide variety of
We love that the school is providing wide variety of
Bessie L.
Jun 01, 2017
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Joanna T.
May 27, 2017
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The studio is great, the atmosphere is present, kids hang out nicely together, very supportive staff. Specially like Linda, the Artistic Director, she give firm instruction yet with respect to each dancer AND parent. They will share the need of the studio and expectation on each performance in a positive way. Give 4 stars because there is always room for improvement.
Sandra P.
May 26, 2016
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Marji Karlgaard
Dec 11, 2015
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San Jose Dance Theatre's ballet academy is THE place to study classical ballet with exceptional teachers whose attention to detail is matched only by the care given to each student's progress. After many years of searching for a studio that teaches all levels with exceptional technique and artistic nuance, I am thrilled to study with Linda Hurkmans and her faculty.
I cannot speak highly enough of this studio (which is hard to find but worth the search). Located on Brokaw between Coleman and Martin, near the Quakes new soccer stadium off Hwy 880.
I cannot speak highly enough of this studio (which is hard to find but worth the search). Located on Brokaw between Coleman and Martin, near the Quakes new soccer stadium off Hwy 880.
Joe L.
Aug 11, 2015
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Exceptional training in classical ballet, with a complete program including pilates, conditioning, repertoire, pointe, and fabulous performance opportunities.
I am thrilled to have found this studio for my daughter who is an intermediate young dancer, and for myself as an adult dancer. The instructors are highly educated and talented, and truly care about the whole development of each of their students. They give the perfect amount of corrections, encouragement, and praise to bring out the best of each dancer's abilities. The studio facilities are wonderful as well, with sprung floors, dressing
I am thrilled to have found this studio for my daughter who is an intermediate young dancer, and for myself as an adult dancer. The instructors are highly educated and talented, and truly care about the whole development of each of their students. They give the perfect amount of corrections, encouragement, and praise to bring out the best of each dancer's abilities. The studio facilities are wonderful as well, with sprung floors, dressing
