BBT's Pre-Ballet Division invites young dancers to unlock their creativity and awaken a love for dance with age-appropriate lessons that build a strong foundation for future study. BBT's Youth Division offers students a rigorous curriculum rooted in classical ballet and informed by a modern approach to movement with a healthy perspective on body image and physical well-being.
BBT's pre-professional Studio Company dancers share their passion for dance through performances in BBT's annual programming as well as collaborations with organizations including SF Girls Chorus, Berkeley Symphony, and BAMPFA. Rhythm & Motion is a high-energy, dance-based workout that incorporates a dynamic mix of movement and music styles.
BBT's pre-professional Studio Company dancers share their passion for dance through performances in BBT's annual programming as well as collaborations with organizations including SF Girls Chorus, Berkeley Symphony, and BAMPFA. Rhythm & Motion is a high-energy, dance-based workout that incorporates a dynamic mix of movement and music styles.
Services
Berkeley Ballet Theater is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Bay Area dancers of all backgrounds and skill levels with a safe space to ignite curiosity, integrate creativity and physicality, and cultivate a passion for movement. BBT believes that dance is a meaningful experience that inspires individuals, connects communities, and changes our world for the better.
Berkeley Ballet Theater is the official school of Post:Ballet, the acclaimed contemporary dance company founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Robert Dekkers, named "25 to Watch" by DANCE Magazine.
As the official school of Post:Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater's dancers and community are connected to the creative process of a professional company that has gained local and national recognition for making work that is "inventive, focused, sophisticated, and anything but risk averse" (SF Chronicle).
As the official school of Post:Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater's dancers and community are connected to the creative process of a professional company that has gained local and national recognition for making work that is "inventive, focused, sophisticated, and anything but risk averse" (SF Chronicle).
Give the gift of dance and help BBT continue creating meaningful experiences for our community. Through a collective of dedicated, passionate individuals, BBT is able to provide rigorous and impactful training to children and adults of all ages in an inclusive and community-minded space.
We depend on the generous support of patrons, volunteers, and dedicated community members to bring our productions to life and to develop the next generation of dancers.Whether you'd like to contribute your time, financial support, or expertise, there is a place for you at BBT! All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
We depend on the generous support of patrons, volunteers, and dedicated community members to bring our productions to life and to develop the next generation of dancers.Whether you'd like to contribute your time, financial support, or expertise, there is a place for you at BBT! All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
As our 40th Season unfolds, we'll be sharing stories, interviews, photographs, and more to commemorate BBT's milestone anniversary. We hope you follow along as we look back on four decades of ballet and beyond to Berkeley Ballet Theater's future. Submit your stories and photos to be featured on the blog by emailing info@berkeleyballet.org.
BBT's administrative team supports the organization's operations and enables our artistic staff to bring meaningful dance experiences to our community. BBT's Board of Directors is comprised of Bay Area community members who are dedicated to supporting the mission of the school and helping BBT promote the value of rigorous dance training in a nurturing environment to students of all ages and backgrounds.
Reviews (23)
Binta Kante
Dec 01, 2021
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Margaret S.
Feb 24, 2020
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This is a review for the adult open division classes, from the context of having taken a few months of intro level classes with Sally at Lines Ballet beforehand.
Despite not getting 5 stars, if you are in the East Bay (or anywhere with a reasonable commute to Berkeley) and are looking for somewhere to learn ballet I highly, highly recommend BBT. Many places I have seen in other cities will have some ambiguously beginner level class and some advanced classes that are aimed at people who had a lot of training already and maybe just want to start up again as adults. BBT has a full range of intro
Despite not getting 5 stars, if you are in the East Bay (or anywhere with a reasonable commute to Berkeley) and are looking for somewhere to learn ballet I highly, highly recommend BBT. Many places I have seen in other cities will have some ambiguously beginner level class and some advanced classes that are aimed at people who had a lot of training already and maybe just want to start up again as adults. BBT has a full range of intro
Huilin M.
Feb 10, 2020
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Have been taking adult classes in here for two years from zero experience (I only have one-year dance learning at ten-year-old, but cannot remember anything other than the pain and boredom from repetitive exercises). BBT has a very encouraging environment for anyone, and the adult schedule works pretty well for people who only have time on weekday nights and weekends.
I mostly take Robert Greer's intro 1, intro 2 and beginner 1 classes, and a few intro 1 from Kaori Ogasawara and a few beginner 1 from Deborah Moss.
Robert is working really hard to help everyone learn about ballet. I fell
I mostly take Robert Greer's intro 1, intro 2 and beginner 1 classes, and a few intro 1 from Kaori Ogasawara and a few beginner 1 from Deborah Moss.
Robert is working really hard to help everyone learn about ballet. I fell
Alexis M.
Feb 10, 2020
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At 76, I was sinking into the dissolved core of my body in spite of physical therapy exercises and hiking; I also had one or more pains on a daily basis...back, shoulder, feet, trapezius, hips. My daughter called me one morning and said I needed to take ballet; I couldn't imagine finding a class that would work for me, but she identified Robert Greer's intro to beginning class and I found a home...for my needy body, my lagging spirit, and my love of dance and working my body. Berkeley Ballet welcomes people such as me and Robert has an incredible ability to passionately coach "
Diva P.
Feb 07, 2020
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I started ballet as an absolute beginner at age 39 in Robert Greer's Fundamentals class. I'm now a few levels up, still dancing with Robert, because he's AMAZING. I have tried other ballet schools and other teachers (both in the Bay and around the world), and few give the same dedicated attention and energy to their classes. I call myself a dancer now, and know I will only get better with practice :)
Zara A.
Feb 05, 2020
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Greer is a sublime teacher.
"Adult Open Introduction to Ballet 1" is perfect for absolute beginners, and it's definitely more than a ballet-themed, drop-in pilates class. You get a lot of one-on-one attention, guidance, and theory...pretty impressive since that class *is* run as a drop-in, and there are usually upwards of 10 people.
There are a LOT of different body types in class, I'm sure that's important to someone.
I don't know, I keep showing up and he keeps telling us what to do and I keep getting better! I've been to 20-some intro classes so far.
"Adult Open Introduction to Ballet 1" is perfect for absolute beginners, and it's definitely more than a ballet-themed, drop-in pilates class. You get a lot of one-on-one attention, guidance, and theory...pretty impressive since that class *is* run as a drop-in, and there are usually upwards of 10 people.
There are a LOT of different body types in class, I'm sure that's important to someone.
I don't know, I keep showing up and he keeps telling us what to do and I keep getting better! I've been to 20-some intro classes so far.
Mary E.
Dec 24, 2019
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It's a nice gem of a ballet school. Very inclusive and a variety of experienced teachers. For an adult beginner , I recommend them. Lots of great male and female mentors who danced professionally.
Update. My only advice is ask one male class teacher for open adult classes not to put down year round schools of his guest students when guest students return to take open classes nor give an unsolicited and overly bashing evaluation of guest students who are no longer their regular students.
Update. My only advice is ask one male class teacher for open adult classes not to put down year round schools of his guest students when guest students return to take open classes nor give an unsolicited and overly bashing evaluation of guest students who are no longer their regular students.
Tamar'S. Training
Sep 24, 2019
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Flora R.
Apr 17, 2019
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We started my toddler in the twinkle toes class last fall and now in her second session - she's still loving it. The teachers are patient and the kids are getting comfortable with basic stretches and following instruction - which is all we're looking for at this point in her development. As long as my daughter is happy with the class, we'll continue her enrollment - likely moving into the more formal classes over the next year.
Megan S.
Mar 27, 2019
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You can get excellent, quality education here as an adult learner. My favorite teachers are Robert Greer, Robert Dekkers, and Kaori. I also love taking rhythm and motion here.
The classes themselves are great, however, the culture here can be somewhat cliquey and competitive. This is absolutely not an issue in the rhythm and motion classes. However, the AOD for ballet specifically has this issue (for lack of a better term)--especially at the higher level classes.
The classes themselves are great, however, the culture here can be somewhat cliquey and competitive. This is absolutely not an issue in the rhythm and motion classes. However, the AOD for ballet specifically has this issue (for lack of a better term)--especially at the higher level classes.
Tina D.
Aug 11, 2018
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I was a professional ballet/theater dancer for most of my life. I've had some amazing trainings with the Westside School of Ballet and later with San Francisco Ballet School. I moved to Berkeley about 11 years ago after leaving NYC and since been taking BBT's Adult Open Classes with Sally Street, Robert Dekkers, Kaori Ogasawara, Sandra Chinn...which to ALL the faculties...I can't say enough about how amazing the ballet training is here. Fast forward this year, I'm enrolling my daughter and son into the ballet program which, gives me so much happiness knowing that BBT will
R. L.
Aug 05, 2018
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Our daughter, now entering 6th-grade, started dancing at BBT when she was 4 and wearing huge tutu's was the purpose in going to dance class. She progressed up through the levels and has come to love ballet. It is a pleasure to see her excited about learning a new move or gain control over her leg placement. Shy, she has coming to love being on stage - twice a year, Nutcracker in December and a Spring show in May or June.
Most important for me, as someone who was not a ballet fan before our daughter started dancing, are the friendships and commitment we see her developing. I have watched
Most important for me, as someone who was not a ballet fan before our daughter started dancing, are the friendships and commitment we see her developing. I have watched
Jiexuan H.
Aug 04, 2018
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BBT feels like home It's truly a place where "we can all dance."
Being an international student in UC Berkeley, BBT supported me to survive my Freshman year in a very precious way. The nurturing environment really helped me go through depression and homesick!
I've been taking classes in adult devision for my first semester and joined the youth devision in my second semester( I really appreciate their acceptance), I truly feel included and engaged.
Teachers I met in both youth devision and adult devision are so caring as well as 'strict'. It's not mean strict
Being an international student in UC Berkeley, BBT supported me to survive my Freshman year in a very precious way. The nurturing environment really helped me go through depression and homesick!
I've been taking classes in adult devision for my first semester and joined the youth devision in my second semester( I really appreciate their acceptance), I truly feel included and engaged.
Teachers I met in both youth devision and adult devision are so caring as well as 'strict'. It's not mean strict
Alison K.
Aug 03, 2018
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Hella S.
Jan 19, 2018
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Whether you're a retired pro, an absolute beginner, or a teenage has-been (that's me!), BBT is hands down the best place to take adult ballet classes in the East Bay. The new studios at Tenth street are luxuriously spacious (almost as big as SFB's studios) with sprung floors, new Marley, and live accompanists. There are multiple classes on the schedule every day and the prices are noticeably more affordable than you'll find elsewhere. Special shout out to Ms. Xiao, an incredible teacher who has a devoted following. Plus her lines are eternally perfect so it's a joy
Shreyas Patankar
Nov 01, 2017
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Violet B.
Aug 11, 2017
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This is my go to studio when I visit Berkeley. Their adult classes are fantastic. The students and teachers are super welcoming. Unlike some adult ballet classes, these classes have fantastic technique with an excellent barre and then progress to beautiful floor combinations so you really get to dance. I cannot wait to try them at the new location this fall.
Thuan P.
Jul 10, 2017
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I danced here all through college and have been in almost every class. I am not sure whether or not BBT is the place to go if you are looking for serious training, but I do not think open adult classes are the place you should be going to if you are hoping to be a professional. With that said, there are many ex and current professionals that take classes here (especially Xiao's classes). Like everyone else, I cannot recommend Robert's classes enough and my other favorite are Graciela's classes. Be warned, beginning/intermediate is really an intermediate class so be prepared for longer
Savanah M.
Apr 11, 2016
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First things first, BBT is a welcoming and no judgement environment for all who love to dance. Don't be nervous to try out out a class as an adult!! Students and staff are very friendly.
Robert Greer's adult Intro to ballet classes are kick-butt in an amazing way!!! I appreciate his care and attention to technique, willingness to push students to the next level, and expertise/ability to quickly size how up what your body is capable of.
How many instructors remember everyone's name in class (new and old)?
I've already seen an improvement in balance and my muscle tone after
Robert Greer's adult Intro to ballet classes are kick-butt in an amazing way!!! I appreciate his care and attention to technique, willingness to push students to the next level, and expertise/ability to quickly size how up what your body is capable of.
How many instructors remember everyone's name in class (new and old)?
I've already seen an improvement in balance and my muscle tone after
Kavita P.
Mar 07, 2015
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I've been coming here for a few years now, and love it. I would give it 5 stars, except they cut down on the live piano accompaniments for classes, and not all the teachers are great. You definitely need to try a few different ones to figure out what's the best fit and what's your style. Also, the level descriptions are not always accurate, so you really need to try a few different classes to figure out where you fit in.
My favorite classes are taught by Robert and Sudabeh. They both give you lots of corrections, which is the whole point of taking a class anyways. They're
My favorite classes are taught by Robert and Sudabeh. They both give you lots of corrections, which is the whole point of taking a class anyways. They're
Janice P.
Nov 21, 2014
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I love this place with all my heart! Robert is a wonderful teacher and I love that he doesn't shy away from challenging you. And his energy is really great. His fundamentals class is a hard workout and I have never experienced 90 minutes go by faster than when I'm in his beginner class. My only complaint is that they only accept cash/check payments. Oh, my only other complaint is that I wish I could go more often.
Berkeley Ballet Theater is a real gem! If you've ever been curious about ballet, it's never too late to start and Ballet Fundamentals is the best way to explore
Berkeley Ballet Theater is a real gem! If you've ever been curious about ballet, it's never too late to start and Ballet Fundamentals is the best way to explore
Liz K.
Oct 18, 2013
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Let me get to the punch line first:
If you are an adult ballet dancer and you want a serious technique class, take Robert Greer's classes!
I have been dancing for around 4 years (adult beginner) and I had no idea how bad my technique was or how I could improve it, until I took Robert's class. So many teachers of adult ballet classes don't bother to correct form, and don't bother to challenge their dancers. Robert brings out the best in his students in an encouraging and unpretentious environment. In two weeks I already saw a difference in my dancing. Before I took Robert&apos
If you are an adult ballet dancer and you want a serious technique class, take Robert Greer's classes!
I have been dancing for around 4 years (adult beginner) and I had no idea how bad my technique was or how I could improve it, until I took Robert's class. So many teachers of adult ballet classes don't bother to correct form, and don't bother to challenge their dancers. Robert brings out the best in his students in an encouraging and unpretentious environment. In two weeks I already saw a difference in my dancing. Before I took Robert&apos
Megan Tvedt
Jul 15, 2013
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