The instructors and staff of the Alameda Ballet Academy are dedicated to bringing quality classical dance education to the greater Alameda community. They seek to impart students with artistry, self expression, grace and musicality, while encouraging a love for the art of dance.
In order to create a healthy and productive learning environment, we gently teach by using the principles of focus, discipline, physical fitness, critical thinking, teamwork and, most importantly, respect.It is our belief that the seeds of commitment to excellence can and should be planted at a very young age, while maintaining an inspired, playful, creative atmosphere.
In order to create a healthy and productive learning environment, we gently teach by using the principles of focus, discipline, physical fitness, critical thinking, teamwork and, most importantly, respect.It is our belief that the seeds of commitment to excellence can and should be planted at a very young age, while maintaining an inspired, playful, creative atmosphere.
Services
Alameda Ballet Academy and its affiliate performing company, Alameda Civic Ballet, were founded in 2003 by the Artistic Director, Abra Rudisill. Both the school and company were created to impart the best elements of the classical ballet tradition to local dance students and the surrounding community.
Congratulations on the successful and beautiful (Spring) Recital performance! We are very lucky to live in a community that has excellent ballet program offered by you and your staff. Amy has been in your program for three and a half years. She loves ballet so much and ballet is part of her life as long as she can remember.
Julie Lowe is the Artistic Associate Director of Menlowe Ballet. She has danced and taught professionally for over 30 years and was a principal dancer with Oakland Ballet for over a decade. Her teaching provides adult students of all levels the opportunity to pursue their passion for ballet in a way that is safe, fun, supportive and welcoming.
Monthly - Monthly auto payments to your debit card, credit card or bank account will be set up for you. If you cannot make auto payments, please email the office to let us know. Semester - two payments per year, this is a 5% discount off the monthly tuition rate. Yearly - a one-time payment for September-May, this is a 10% discount off the monthly tuition rate.
All Pre-Ballet through Ballet 7 students are enrolled for the full academic year, September through May, regardless of your tuition payment frequency. Drop-ins are only permitted for Adult Ballet classes. Should you decide to withdraw from the program, require one month off for vacation, or decide to change the number of classes per week, 30 days notice is required on the 1st of the prior month only, and the drop/change form must be submitted.
Reviews (20)
Tracy L.
Jan 18, 2020
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Molly K.
Aug 26, 2019
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JHope
Jun 19, 2019
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My experience was wonderful! I come from a background of gymnastics, so I respect the ballet culture. They are so organized, fun, creative, and welcoming of all diversities! One of the teachers was so kind and helped me with proper fitting ballet shoes. They even have a share/donate shoes drawer, so you may not have to buy new shoes all the time. Money saver and clever! This is their art and they teach it so well! I was so impressed as the teachers were using ballet terms with my daughter. Naomi (3yo) learned so much! I believe her posture, balance, and body awareness improved in only a few classes
Hiroyuki I.
Jun 16, 2019
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Today Abra told my 6-year daughter to leave the academy and told us that she needs to sign up for "tutu school" because Abra perceives my daughter has a short attention span. I quote, she told my wife, when my daughter was also present, "not sure how your daughter does in school....." You could see from other reviewers' comments about Abra but that was very disrespectful, and she is inept with kids, and she crossed the line when she did that in front of my child.
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Unbelievable.
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Unbelievable.
Linda M.
May 19, 2019
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ABA is an excellent ballet school that teaches their students the value of hard work, discipline and dedication-I have seen these values grow with my daughter, her friends/classmates for the past few years. Ms. Abra and Ms. Karin are wonderful teachers. While Ms. Abra is constructively honest and strict, she genuinely cares about her dancers.
Along with the monthly tuition fee, the dancers would need the basic leotard (color based on class level), tights, and ballet shoes. These items may also be purchased elsewhere. I usually purchase these items at a discount dance store and the prices
Along with the monthly tuition fee, the dancers would need the basic leotard (color based on class level), tights, and ballet shoes. These items may also be purchased elsewhere. I usually purchase these items at a discount dance store and the prices
W. D.
Apr 29, 2019
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This kids are cute but unfortunately the instruction was just alright, and they use hard sell techniques.
The classes did not appear to have been thoughtfully planned out before each class and the parent visit day felt haphazardly done. The children did not seem to learn much in the months they were there.
There also turned out to be many hidden costs aside from the outfits, bags and shoes, such as a spring recital (not in Alameda) which you learn about later (with additional costs for participation, costume, photography, recital tickets, flower bouquets etc which they pressure you into purchasing
The classes did not appear to have been thoughtfully planned out before each class and the parent visit day felt haphazardly done. The children did not seem to learn much in the months they were there.
There also turned out to be many hidden costs aside from the outfits, bags and shoes, such as a spring recital (not in Alameda) which you learn about later (with additional costs for participation, costume, photography, recital tickets, flower bouquets etc which they pressure you into purchasing
Summer M.
Apr 25, 2019
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I've been taking the adult classes here for about a year now, and I couldn't be happier. Julie is one of the kindest and most attentive people/instructors I've ever known.
Growing up in the Central Valley, I took ballet regularly, but being nearly in the middle of nowhere, the instructors weren't really ballet dancers and were more competitive types who focused on jazz and contemporary. Julie is a true professional and ballerina who knows what she's doing and is so fun to be around and watch. Her dedication to the art and her classes is unmatched.
The class environment
Growing up in the Central Valley, I took ballet regularly, but being nearly in the middle of nowhere, the instructors weren't really ballet dancers and were more competitive types who focused on jazz and contemporary. Julie is a true professional and ballerina who knows what she's doing and is so fun to be around and watch. Her dedication to the art and her classes is unmatched.
The class environment
Miriam S.
Apr 11, 2019
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My daughter has been attending classes here for nearly a year. We couldn't be happier with the program. Ms. Abra, other instructors and staff are detail-oriented, passionate about what they do and attentive. We've never felt unwelcome (which has been my experience multiple times at Dance 10, another local dance school, the previous year). The greatest feature is instructors here take classical ballet seriously, so you won't see little kids twirling around aimlessly while the teacher instructs from afar. Expect the instructor and the assistant to correct students' postures and
Brianna W.
Feb 19, 2019
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Lilly S.
Feb 09, 2019
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Lynn L.
Feb 08, 2019
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I wanted to update my review from 2013, as I remain a staunch supporter of the Alameda Ballet Academy as a parent. My daughter is in ballet 3 and, at this point, I'm really starting to see the payoffs of keeping her in this traditional program.
She now has a community of friends that she has come to love seeing in class. They have really come together and support each other in ballet and outside of the classes. She has always engaged in the practice of ballet and Abra has instilled some amazing values in the kids and I am seeing the payoff.
My daughter is not trying to be the prima ballerina
She now has a community of friends that she has come to love seeing in class. They have really come together and support each other in ballet and outside of the classes. She has always engaged in the practice of ballet and Abra has instilled some amazing values in the kids and I am seeing the payoff.
My daughter is not trying to be the prima ballerina
Bill S.
Jan 25, 2019
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Our daughter has spent 10 years at Alameda Ballet Academy and is now off to high school at the UNCSA Dance Department working along side university students, training and studying her passion. The roots for her passion for dance were formed while at ABA and they provided the quality training and mentoring she needs to achieve her goals. A few years into her training at ABA I realized the lessons they taught through dance went far beyond technique. Dance and ballet provide life lessons in discipline, grace, problem solving and very importantly perseverance.
Holly L.
Jan 01, 2017
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Julie's adult ballet classes are THE BEST. She has a way of making you a stronger and more graceful dancer with her gentle yet firm feedback and wonderful sense of humor. I have tried other ballet classes from time to time and have found that her teaching techniques work best for me, and I am grateful that I have finally found dance classes and a teacher who are a great fit for my personality and my level. I usually come into class flustered from the day and leave feeling calmer even meditative.
Eyez V.
Jan 29, 2016
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Ok so think i wasnt clear on my review. lets try again
so i was a student here twice.
once when i was a toddler and again as a teen.
i had to stop taking lessons when i was a toddler but continued to dance through out my life but not as often as id want too.
when i came back i remember i had a couple of private lessons before starting the class which were fun.
the instructor was stern but i liked them both. a lot.
my problem came after starting the class, the other girls were not nice and even made fun of my tap shoes. i was shy around people i didn't know so i didnt say anything about it
so i was a student here twice.
once when i was a toddler and again as a teen.
i had to stop taking lessons when i was a toddler but continued to dance through out my life but not as often as id want too.
when i came back i remember i had a couple of private lessons before starting the class which were fun.
the instructor was stern but i liked them both. a lot.
my problem came after starting the class, the other girls were not nice and even made fun of my tap shoes. i was shy around people i didn't know so i didnt say anything about it
Joe C.
Mar 17, 2015
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There are no dancing signs posted in the waiting room, that will be quickly and sternly enforced when your 3 year old and her friend wants to show you her passe or grand jete.
We did the mommy and me ballet classes and regretted signing up for it. First day, we were asked to arrive early to purchase ballet gear, only to have the director Abra arrive till half way into the class. Then while waiting with my daughter's friend on the sofa, we were told we had to leave since we already had our ballet gear.
The class and instructor is okay, but overall, the instructor and especially the director
We did the mommy and me ballet classes and regretted signing up for it. First day, we were asked to arrive early to purchase ballet gear, only to have the director Abra arrive till half way into the class. Then while waiting with my daughter's friend on the sofa, we were told we had to leave since we already had our ballet gear.
The class and instructor is okay, but overall, the instructor and especially the director
Katherine P.
Feb 04, 2015
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My review is for Julie Lowe's Introduction to Ballet for Adults at ABA. I signed up a few months ago, and I just LOVE this class! From my first email, to my first class, into 3 eight week sessions later, I would go as far as to call it one of the best decisions I've made in life. This class is a joy. Julie is an excellent instructor. I know there are a lot of ballet dvds out there and youtube videos, and barre class workout options, but there is just nothing that can ever compare to learning under the eye of an artist. I just feel very fortunate to have this class available to us. The
J. H.
Aug 12, 2013
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Alameda Ballet Academy is an amazing school for people with a real interest in ballet. My daughter has been at ABA for longer than I can even remember. We have tried other dance schools, but she never found the rigor, discipline and intensity that she thrives on like she does at ABA.
All of her teachers have been awesome, since pre-ballet on up. She sees Ms. Abra as her "guiding light", and the joy and energy she finds in ballet is priceless.
All of her teachers have been awesome, since pre-ballet on up. She sees Ms. Abra as her "guiding light", and the joy and energy she finds in ballet is priceless.
Mark D.
Mar 16, 2012
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If you're part of the 99% with a daughter who does not have that perfect, anorexic ballet dancer body which Abra demands, you will find ABA a horrible experience: Abra will not give your daughter the time of day, and will yell at her to lose 20 pounds. You will come to loathe Abra's abusive and discriminatory teaching style. It would be awesome if ABA provided counseling vouchers.
Michelle M.
Sep 25, 2010
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Betty Blue B.
Mar 31, 2009
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I was a student of the director for several years and would never recommend her teaching to anyone, especially those with young children. She has no experience teaching children and no people skills. She is completely tactless and very abrasive, once telling a 12-year-old student of hers to "lose 10 pounds immediately" and "start doing 50 crunches every night and work your way up to 100." She is very particular about her students and their body type, and has no patience for those that aren't her "favorites." I write this review hoping that parents wishing
