Business Details
50 Years
experience
Premier Dance Education in San Jose, CA
Founded in 1976, West Valley Dance has evolved from a single dance class into a premier Bay Area institution dedicated to fostering confidence, creativity, and community through dance. Our philosophy centers on providing professional training across all skill levels, from toddlers to advanced dancers, in a nurturing environment that emphasizes respect, empathy, and teamwork. With state-of-the-art facilities and a team of experienced instructors, we offer tailored classes in diverse styles, including ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary, alongside performance and competitive teams for aspiring dancers.Our commitment to excellence extends beyond technical skill-building, focusing on lifelong values such as resilience and collaboration. Over nearly five decades, we have cultivated a supportive community where dancers and their families find a home away from home, enriched by annual recitals, local performances, and innovative programs like Acrobatic Arts and ballroom dance. Recognizing the importance of adaptability, we maintained engagement during global challenges through virtual classes and events, ensuring continuous access to the transformative power of dance.
Services
Ballet Classes
Hip-Hop Dance
Jazz Technique
Contemporary Lyrical
Acrobatic Arts
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We offer 48+ years of experience in professional dance education since 1976
- Our studios provide tailored classes for every skill level from toddlers to advanced dancers
- We foster lifelong values through dance including teamwork and resilience
- Our competition teams have earned regional and national accolades since 2009
- We maintain boutique-style facilities with dedicated performance spaces
What people say
Joy of dance
Supportive community
Professional instructors
Creative growth
Family-friendly atmosphere
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program builds foundational technique through barre work, center floor exercises, and proper body alignment. Students develop discipline and grace while learning traditional terminology. Classes cater to all levels from beginner to advanced, preparing dancers for both recreational and competitive pathways.
Hip-Hop Dance
High-energy hip-hop classes teach breaking, popping, and locking techniques while encouraging personal expression. Instructors incorporate current trends and freestyle elements to develop individual style. Classes emphasize rhythm, coordination, and confidence through dynamic choreography.
Jazz Technique
Jazz classes focus on isolations, leaps, and turns with emphasis on musicality and performance quality. Students progress through technical drills and combination work while exploring various jazz styles from Broadway to contemporary fusion.
Contemporary Lyrical
This program blends ballet and modern techniques to create emotionally expressive movement. Classes emphasize fluidity, floor work, and improvisation while developing artistry and storytelling abilities through movement.
Acrobatic Arts
Our Acrobatic Arts program develops flexibility, strength, and balance through progressive skill development. Classes safely teach cartwheels, handsprings, and advanced tumbling while integrating dance elements for performance-ready acro skills.
People
Shannon Claude
Director
With decades of dance education experience, Shannon leads our team in maintaining technical excellence while nurturing student growth. She oversees curriculum development and directs annual productions.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We provide ballet, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, ballroom, and acrobatic arts classes for ages 18 months to adult.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! Students participate in holiday shows, local parades, spring showcases, and our annual recital with professional production values.
Do you have competitive teams?
We offer audition-based competitive teams for ages 4-18 with regional and national competition opportunities, including conventions and championship events.
What are your studio locations?
We operate four Bay Area locations in San Jose (Bascom & Willow Glen), Mountain View, and a dedicated dance ballroom facility.
How do I register for classes?
Registration can be completed through our website portal or by contacting any of our studio locations directly during business hours.
Reviews (4)
Brandon Pereira
Jul 08, 2020
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Great dance company and the staff are wonderful. Especially Miss Shiyo thank you for all you do for my girls.
Hiep Dinh
Oct 22, 2019
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Small studio (2 rooms). Next to a super market and restaurant. There seems to always be some people smoking around the restaurant area though.
Yvette Y.
Aug 15, 2019
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My son is taking their unlimited hip-hop on Wednesdays 5-6pm for kids with special needs. The instructor is friendly and patient. My son with ADHD and learning differences is enjoying it so far.
Eric Chan
May 18, 2019
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My daughters love this place, patient teachers, great parents. Always parking available. If you need to, you can just drop off your kid and do some errands while they dance.
