Business Details
Your Trusted Dance School in Riverside, CA
At Define Dance Space, we believe dance training is about more than techniqueit's about building character, confidence, and integrity. Founded by experienced professionals with decades of industry expertise, our studio offers comprehensive dance education for students aged 2-18, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary/lyrical styles. Our award-winning choreographers have trained nationally recognized performers and competitive teams, with programs designed to foster artistic growth and personal development. We maintain a structured academic calendar while accepting new enrollments year-round, complemented by summer intensives and performance opportunities like annual recitals and holiday showcases.Our faculty includes internationally experienced instructors who have performed and taught across multiple continents, ensuring students receive technically rigorous yet creatively engaging instruction. We prioritize creating inclusive environments where all dancersespecially underrepresented groups like boysfeel empowered to excel. With a focus on mentorship and long-term relationships, we aim to shape not just skilled dancers but well-rounded individuals prepared for future success.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Hip Hop
Contemporary/Lyrical
Summer Camps
Competitive Training
Recreational Classes
Performance Prep
Choreography Services
Highlights and features
- We offer award-winning choreography and competitive training programs
- Our faculty includes internationally experienced instructors and performers
- We provide specialized classes for boys and inclusive dance environments
- We combine technical rigor with character-building mentorship programs
- We host annual recitals and holiday showcases for performance experience
What people say
Amazing confidence growth
Patient and creative instructors
Inclusive environment for boys
Award-winning choreography
Strong character development
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistic expression through Vaganova and French/Cechetti methods. Students progress from foundational positions to advanced pointe work, with performance opportunities in full-length productions. Our instructors include former Blankenship Ballet Company performers and Youth America Grand Prix participants.
Hip Hop
Contemporary hip hop classes focus on rhythm, isolations, and freestyle expression. Students train with instructors who've worked with GRV and 909 hip-hop troupes, preparing for competitions and performances. The curriculum includes commercial dance techniques seen in music videos and professional productions.
Summer Camps
Three-day summer intensives combine technical training with creative conditioning. Designed for competitive preparation, these programs include master classes in multiple styles and choreography workshops. Participants receive personalized feedback from award-winning instructors to enhance their seasonal performance readiness.
Competitive Training
Our competition program prepares dancers for regional and national events through specialized choreography and technical coaching. Students receive awards recognition in jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary categories, with mentorship from Universal Dance Association-certified judges and former collegiate competitors.
Contemporary/Lyrical
Contemporary and lyrical programs emphasize emotional storytelling through movement. Classes integrate Horton and modern techniques with ballet foundations, taught by instructors who've performed with Shapiro and Smith Dance and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Students explore choreographic creativity in both solo and ensemble settings.
People
Raven S. Gantt
Co-Artistic Director
With 20+ years of competitive dance experience, Raven is a certified UDA judge and choreographer who has worked with the Ellen DeGeneres Show and Justin Bieber. She received multiple choreography awards at international competitions.
Megan Rae Jenkins
Co-Artistic Director
A University of Minnesota graduate with BFA in dance performance, Megan has performed internationally and served as rehearsal director for P.G.K Dance Project. She brings expertise in classical ballet and modern techniques to our programs.
Zackary Falk
Teacher Emeritus
A former RCC dance team captain and Points of View company member, Zackary specializes in choreography with multiple national awards. He currently serves as Artistic Director at Inspire Dance Complex in Corona, CA.
Alyssa Tellez
Hip Hop Instructor
With extensive hip hop training from GRV and 909 troupes, Alyssa brings commercial dance expertise from her work with Dave Scott and Bam Martin. She has choreographed for high schools and special events while teaching at multiple studios.
Hallie Loo
Choreographer
A former competitive acrobatic gymnast, Hallie has won national titles as both dancer and choreographer. She currently teaches across Southern California and coached the 2022 nationally-ranked Eleanor Roosevelt High School Song team.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We teach ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary/lyrical, and modern dance styles with specialized programs for competitive and recreational students.
Do you have summer programs?
Yes, we offer 3-day summer intensives focusing on technique development and competition preparation for dancers aged 8+.
How do competition teams prepare?
Our competition program includes specialized choreography coaching, technical training, and mock competitions to prepare dancers for regional and national events.
Are there performance opportunities?
Students participate in annual recitals, holiday showcases, and special master class performances throughout the year.
What makes your studio unique?
We combine technical excellence with character development, offering inclusive programs for boys and mentorship from internationally experienced instructors.
How to schedule a trial class?
Visit our website to claim a free 5-day pass, or contact us directly at 951-394-3865 to arrange a trial session.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Francisco B.
Jul 22, 2021
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As a Father that is not a "Dance Dad" I Highly recommend Define Dance Space if You're looking for World Class Dance Training. I've watched my Daughter dance since she was 5yrs old but the amount of growth she's had within the last 3yrs of her dancing at Define Blew me away. Not only in her dance Skills but also in growth as a young powerful Woman. Raven & Megan not only build up their dancers to perform, they also build self empowered young ladies. They Genuinely care about their students because along with Dance Training, they give meaningful life skills to become
Gisel L.
Sep 24, 2019
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Define dance space is an amazing dance studio with highly qualified teachers and amazing staff. They have your child's best interest at heart and also teach with amazing passion. If you are looking for a dance studio that is family friendly with great teachers then this is the place.
Lupe A.
Sep 23, 2019
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I brought my daughter to Define Dance Space a year ago. She'd been a competitive dancer at two other studios, and I am happy to say that Define breaks the "competitive dance studio" mold. At Define, you'll find teachers who care about their students growth, not only in the area of dance, but in their academics, health, and emotional well-being. In the single year my daughter has been there, she's grown tremendously as a competitive dancer, she's made amazing friendships, and has really matured and blossomed. The other dance moms are welcoming and supportive of one
Kristi Raymondo
Jun 13, 2019
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Love Define Dance Studio! The studio is so nice. The teachers are all so amazing! My daughter is 7 and just started and they really take the time with them and she has advanced so much in the short amount of time she has been there. I highly recommend Define Dance studio for anyone looking for a new studio! Cant say enough good things about this place
