Welcome message coming soon!

Danspace offers weekly classes for children through adults using the same dance philosophy and creative approach. We specialize in teaching classical ballet and encourage our students to explore other dance styles that expand their creativity and versatility. 

Throughout the year, classes are focused on the process of learning and making dance. We have informal showings throughout the year and offer our upper division students the opportunity to perform in our in-studio Nutcracker program. Other performance opportunities are available through our repertory class for upper division dancers. We encourage our students to audition for and participate in other performance opportunities like Oakland Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker. 

Danspace offers classes for children beginning with creative movement at age 3 ½. Our lower division classes (for students ages 3.5 to 7) lay the foundation for learning classical ballet technique, as well as other forms of dance. 

Beginning at age 8, students are enrolled in a casually rigorous study of classical ballet and are encouraged to also enroll in modern dance and summer programs appropriate for their age and technical level. 

Danspace also offers adult classes in ballet, modern, and jazz, informed by the Corvino approach. 

Danspace is proud to offer space to various other dance programs and companies including dNaga, COterie DAnce Company (CODA), Mary Armentrout Dance Theater, Dance for PD ®, and others.

Our administrative team are also teachers and dancers. Read our bios.

Beth Hoge: Owner and Founder
KT Mower: Danspace Director
Katie Taylor: Operations Manager

To ensure the safety of children and staff, children must be dropped off and picked up inside the studio unless otherwise arranged. Dancers are not allowed to wait in front of the studio for pick up.

Help us be good neighbors by entering and exiting the building with quiet voices. If you would like to linger and chat, please move away from the front of the studio, as noise carries and the tenants living above us can hear chatter and screams of joy from playing in front of the studio.

Please be mindful of the following:

• Do not double park at drop off or pick up
• Do not block driveways
• No u-turn at the stop signs

New parking law for 2025: be mindful of corner parking

California’s New Daylighting Law (AB 413) creates a new section of the Vehicle Code, CVC 22500(n), which prohibits the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any unmarked or marked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension anywhere in California. This law took effect on January 1, 2025.

If you know you or your students will be absent, please email the studio to let us know the date(s) you will miss. If the dancer is sick, we ask that they stay home. If the dancer is injured, we encourage them to attend class and watch. This is a customary practice in the dance field. The opportunity to watch class allows the dancers to see how students take corrections from the teacher and to hear valuable information shared with the class. Observing class is a highly informative experience. It is particularly important to watch rehearsal in order to hear the choreography notes and changes. 

Students are encouraged to make up classes they have missed. Contact the studio to schedule makeup classes. We ask that makeup classes be completed within the semester of the class missed, and makeup classes may not be available the last three weeks of the semester as classes prepare for in-studio performances. We appreciate you planning ahead as you schedule makeup classes. Classes are non-transferrable. 

Dancers should arrive to class on time and prepared to learn. This means entering the building a few minutes before the scheduled class time, wearing proper dance attire to class (see dress codes in the section above), listening to the teacher, not speaking over others, not side talking, and refraining from disruptive behavior in the studio. Dancers should use the restroom before they enter class and silence any cell phones.

If a student is late, they should enter in a non-disruptive manner between exercises. The dancer should take time to warm up by doing the opening barre exercises that they missed so as to not injure themselves.

Respect in and around Danspace

At Danspace we believe that respect for ourselves, one another, the physical space / studio, and our art form is of utmost importance to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environment. We expect that everyone who enters our building will treat others with courtesy, follow the instructions of our faculty and staff, and work together to ensure a safe and supportive environment. 

Our students, families, faculty, staff, and renters:

• Please speak to others in a way that is kind and inclusive at all times. 
• Please use “inside voices” when in and around Danspace.

Our building:

• Please treat our space with respect, including keeping track of your belongings, putting trash in the appropriate spot, and cleaning up after yourself. 
• Please follow all instructions from our faculty and staff when in our space. 

Our neighborhood:

• Please be considerate of our neighbors who live, drive, and park in the neighborhood and in our building. Please do not double park when picking up or dropping off students. Please be mindful of safe driving laws (e.g., no u-turns at stop signs), and practice extra caution when driving near Danspace. 

Please see our code of conduct for more specific expectations. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Danspace.

All students in Ballet 1 and above are encouraged to have a small dance bag. In this bag, you may want to keep the following:

• Water bottle
• Warm-ups (socks, sweater, ballet skirt, leg warmers)
• Hair supplies (extra hair ties, pins, etc)
• Extra dance shoes
• Tights and leotard

Having a dance bag helps limit the number of times dancers do not have their shoes, dance clothes, or the other supplies they might need for class.

Danspace’s Code of Conduct

At Danspace we believe that respect for ourselves, one another, the physical space / studio, and our art form is of utmost importance to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environment. We expect that everyone who enters our building will treat others with courtesy, follow the instructions of our faculty and staff, and work together to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Danspace has a zero tolerance policy for harassment or bullying.

How dancers show themselves respect:

• Being on time for class (arriving to the building 5-10 minutes before class time)
• Being prepared for class, including being properly dressed with hair done, shoes tied and strings tucked in
• Having the supplies they need in their dance bag (hair ties, dance shoes, etc)
• Believing in themselves, working hard, and persevering when facing challenges

How dancers show respect for other students:

• Not touching other students unless it is part of class work (e.g., holding hands in a circle as a part of choreography)
• Waiting for other students to have their turn and listening to the teacher’s instructions
• Not talking during class unless it is to ask a relevant question, so as to not take time away from class
• Waiting to enter class at the appropriate time if they are late
• Interacting with other students in a way that is kind and inclusive before, during, and after class

How dancers show respect for faculty and staff:

• Being prepared for class (arriving 5-10 minutes before class starts, proper attire and hair done, using the restroom before class, etc)
• Listening when the teacher speaks
• Practicing what the teacher is asking the class to practice (staying on task)
• Being prepared for their turn
• Asking permission to leave the studio and re-entering appropriately
• Finishing every exercise (not giving up)
• Managing their emotional expressions (it’s ok to feel excited or disappointed about something in class, but it is not appropriate to be disruptive. We encourage students and families to talk with teachers before or after class about any big feelings they need support with.)

How dancers show respect for our art form:

• Finishing every exercise (not giving up)
• Trusting their teacher has a plan and deep knowledge of how to learn and study our artform (doing what the teacher asks even if the student isn’t sure why. Asking for more information before or after class is welcome, and we’re happy to share our knowledge and approach with students and families.)
• Practicing humility and supporting others’ successes. Dance is most often about the ensemble, and we don’t always get the roles we want. It’s ok to feel disappointed, but we expect that everyone will support one another’s successes and trust our teachers’ and choreographers’ judgment about casting, placement, etc.

How family members and supportive adults show respect for the dance class, teacher, and studio:

• Interacting with others in a way that is kind and inclusive before, during, and after class
• Entering and exiting the studio quietly and encouraging your students and children to do the same
• Helping your students be prepared for class (arriving 5-10 minutes before class starts, proper attire and hair done, using the restroom before class, etc)
• Picking up students promptly after class
• Letting Danspace know as soon as you know about any absence
• Making arrangements with Danspace for makeup classes
• Supervising your children in and around the studio for their safety and consideration of our neighbors and other students

How we all show respect for our studio / physical space:

• Never hanging or learning on the barres
• Never running or tumbling unless specifically asked to by a teacher
• Putting trash in a trash can and not leaving it on the floor
• Putting things away when done using them
• Keeping track of belongings (we encourage dancers to have a dance bag to keep track of their belongings)
• Eating and drinking in appropriate places (dressing room, lobby, patio) and not bringing food into the studio

How teachers and staff show respect to students and families:

• Starting and ending classes on time
• Learning students’ names and addressing them by their names
• Teaching with encouragement while maintaining high expectations
• Being prepared for classes
• Showing passion for dance and teaching
• Meeting students where they are while striving for continued technical advancement and preparation

What to expect if this code of conduct is violated

If you believe you experienced or witnessed a violation of this code of conduct, please contact Danspace: info@danspace.com. If you don’t feel comfortable contacting the school director, please talk to your teacher or your front desk staff member. 

If a faculty or staff member at Danspace witnesses a violation of this code of conduct, depending on the type of violation, we typically use a progressive discipline approach (e.g., a verbal warning or redirecting the behavior, followed by at least one additional verbal warning with an expectation of a consequence like sitting out or having a student leave the studio to sit in the lobby, followed by contacting a parent or guardian). In extreme and rare cases, we may ask a student to unenroll. If you have questions or concerns about our approach, please contact Danspace to discuss.

How to register

Please email info@danspace.com to start the enrollment process.

Registration form

Registration forms are required for students who attend class at Danspace. Please email us to receive the registration form. Students will not be permitted to take class without a completed registration form.

Deposit

For Children’s and Youth Division classes, Danspace requires a $100 deposit per class upon enrollment. This deposit is applied to your total tuition, and your balance is due the first week of classes.

Tuition

Please see our website for our current tuition and rates. If you are enrolling mid-semester or mid-series for Adult Division, your tuition will be prorated based on the number of remaining classes in the semester or series. The full amount is due the first week of classes.

For Children’s and Youth Division tuition is divided into two payments due at the start of the Fall Semester and the start of the Spring Semester.

For Adult Division, tuition is due upon enrollment and at the start of each new series.

Danspace accepts payment by cash, check, or credit card. Credit card payments include a processing fee.

Refund policy

Danspace teachers and students have three weeks to assure a suitable fit. Within these three weeks, if the student decides not to return, they will only pay for the classes attended at our drop-in rate (see website for current rates). If the student has attended more than three classes, there are no refunds.

If the teacher decides the class is not suitable for a student, the student will be placed in another class. If the student is moved to an alternative class, they have another three weeks to make sure the class is a good fit. If the student decides to not continue within those three weeks, they will be refunded the remaining balance minus the classes attended at our drop-in rate (see website for current rates).

All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing and either emailed or mailed to Danspace. If approved, the balance will be refunded within three weeks of receipt of the refund request. Requests for refunds must be received by the end of the fifth week of the semester. No exceptions.

In lieu of a refund, students may request a credit. Credits are valid for the next semester or series and can be used toward a summer session. If the credit is not used, the student forfeits their credit.

For summer programs and master classes, cancellation notice must be received by Danspace two weeks prior to the first class (14 calendar days) in order to receive a refund of deposit or tuition less a $50 service fee.

Bounced checks

We pass on a $35 fee for any checks returned by our bank for insufficient funds.

Dance training is a year-long commitment

For Children & Youth: Danspace offers a year-round program that runs September-May and summer programming from June-August. Our Fall Semester runs from September-January. Our Spring Semester runs February-May. Our Summer Sessions run June-August. We encourage students to begin classes with us during the summer or at the beginning of the Fall semester. You may be able to start in the Spring as space allows. Please review our class schedule for the year’s specific schedule.

For Adults: Our adult division program is also run year-round. New students are welcome to join as space allows at any point during the year.

Holidays / schedule

You may find this year’s holiday schedule on our website or request it by emailing us at info@danspace.com. In addition to select Monday holidays, we close for two weeks in December, two weeks at the end of our Spring semester in May, and two weeks in August before the start of the Fall semester.

Summer Programs and Master Classes

Our schedule of summer programs and master classes are announced in the Spring semester. We offer weekly classes, one-week workshops, and programs taught by master teachers in the summer.

Updated handbook coming soon!

Serendipity

Any color leotard or unitard, tights, and ballet slippers or white t-shirt, black tights, and ballet slippers. No unattached skirts or tutus. Hair pulled back completely off the face and neck. Dancers with short hair can modify with a study headband and/or other styles discussed with your teacher.

Pre-Ballet

Black leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers or white t-shirt, black tights, and black or white ballet slippers. No skirts or tutus. Hair pulled back completely off the face and neck. Dancers with short hair can modify with a study headband and/or other styles discussed with your teacher.

Ballet (level 1 and up)

For Children & Youth: Black leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers or white t-shirt, black tights, and black or white ballet slippers. Hair pulled back completely off the face and neck. Dancers with short hair can modify with a study headband and/or other styles discussed with your teacher.

For Adults: Adults are welcome to wear a leotard and tights but may also choose to wear tight fitting workout attire (leggings, t-shirt or tank top). Ballet slippers of any color. Hair pulled back completely off the face and neck.

Pointe

Black leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers or white t-shirt, black tights, and black or white ballet slippers. Hair pulled back completely off the face and neck. Dancers with short hair can modify with a study headband and/or other styles discussed with your teacher.

For Adults: Adults are welcome to wear a leotard and tights but may also choose to wear tight fitting workout attire (leggings, t-shirt or tank top). Ballet slippers of any color. Hair pulled back completely off the face and neck.

Repertory

Black leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers or white t-shirt, black tights, and black or white ballet slippers. You may where ballet skirts or leggings. Hair pulled back completely off the face and neck. Dancers with short hair can modify with a study headband and/or other styles discussed with your teacher.

Modern and Modern Jazz

Hair pulled back and off the face. Leggings and a comfortable top that allows for upside down movement without having to adjust it are suggested. Leotards are also welcome. Bare feet, socks, jazz shoes, or dance paws are all permitted. 

Adult Division: Composition

No formal dress code. Students are welcome to wear dance clothes or comfortable clothes that are easy to move in.

Adult Division: Feldenkrais

Comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. Students are welcome to bring blankets, pillows, or other props.

Dance education is a core part of Danspace’s approach and philosophy, and that includes our dancers’ families.

Our dance education content includes information on entering a class in progress (what to do if you’re late), what to include in your dance bag, and how to prepare for class.

If there are topics you wish to learn more about or would like resources on, please email us with your questions.