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Cheryl Burke Dance - CLOSED
Category: Education Specialty Schools Dance Schools Dance Schools [Edit]
1830 17th St(between De Haro St & Rhode Island St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill
(415) 252-9000
38 reviews for Cheryl Burke Dance
38 reviews in English
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Review from Jenny Z.
San Francisco, CA
6/14/2010
First lesson! Mila & Tomaso were very nice and casual, went over some basic connection tips as well as a simple 8-step move. Being a somewhat experiencfed (but not really) dancer myself, I feel her instruction could be a little more "dance for dummies", but I understand it's very hard to teach perfect technique in beginner lesson while the students want to actually be able to dance within 15 minutes... wish the lesson was longer than an hour
$14 a person for group lesson is a little pricy for me to be honest, even though I think that's a pretty good price in general. The studio room could be a little bigger (we used the side room, the main room is pretty nice), and more parking (currently street only) would be nice too. Overall very comfortable experience, will be going back for more lessons when my bf and I have time. -
Review from tinna h.
9/21/2008
Two weeks ago, I dropped by the salsa dancing lessons with a friend. The class starts off with the basic step. You learn a few new moves, and then you rotate around the circle from partner to partner as you add on to what you've learned so far. You aren't required to rotate, but that seems to be the best way to pick it up. As I am rotating partners, the following conversation ensues:
Random Partner [RP]: Hey, do you like origami? [I'm wearing an origami shirt.]
Me: Yeah, it's alright.
RP: Does that mean I can fold you?
Me: ... I'm not that bendy.
RP: ...
The following week, RP is also there. And the following conversation ensues.
RP: Hey again!
Me: Hey.
RP: So is this really your second lesson?
Me: Yeah, I learned one other time a few years ago.
RP: Wow, I'm on my seventh, and you're almost as good as me.
Me: Thanks. [continues following RP's lead]
RP: Looks like you've got that intense Latin stare down. [I'd been making eye contact the whole time.]
Me: [Looks away.] Yeah, sorry about that.
The friend of mine wants to impress a friend of his for her birthday with his mad salsa skills, so as the wonderful friend that I am, I will continue these lessons and continue to have these awkward conversations as I rotate from partner to partner. Actually, he is doing me a huge favor by agreeing to be my dance partner. The lessons are part of my "101 in 1001 Days" project. After salsa, I plan on taking other classes, which the studio has plenty to offer.
It IS pricier than just going to Roccapulco or Cafe Cocomo for the lessons, but learning in a studio seems to be more effective. Plus, occasionally some of the professional dancers join in on the lessons, and nothing is hotter than a guy who's got the moves! Plus, I do enjoy looking at myself in those full-length dance studio mirrors. I can pretend that I'm on SYTYCD or DWTS.
How YOU doin'? -
Review from Ryan V.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2008
There are a variety of classes held here - you could find anything you want to do here.
It seems to me that the Salsa Dancing lessons are the most popular because it's the easiest to pick up for beginners in organized dancing (like me). I came on a Wednesday night for lessons with Ava Apple, and she's very interactive with the group.
My only complaint was that a 45 minute class costs $14. That seems a little steep considering there's tons of places around the Bay that don't charge nearly as much and includes the cover for the band playing that night.
But since this review is about the studio, this is very nice. Mirrors all around, efficient staff etc. Just pay attention to which studio you're supposed to go to. There's one on 16th St. @ DeHaro itself and another closer to 17th St., so know which one your lesson is at. I made the mistake of visiting the wrong one and losing 5 minutes of lessons. -
Review from Grace L.
4/9/2009
I'm a avid dancer, so when I first saw this place, I was really excited.
Unlike the majority of people to come here for the ballroom, I joined for their ballet. A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I danced ballet. Eons after I quit, I wanted to go back into it. Knowing I wouldn't probably ever regain the level of skill I was back then, I wanted to ease myself back into it. Thanks to Julie, the instructor, I was able to do just that.
Sure, the first few weeks were rough, usually going days after my Saturday lesson with sore calves, but that's expected. Julie does an amazing job instructing. There were times when I couldn't get a move down, but she was always there by my side, guiding me through. If that's not a sign of a good teacher, I don't know what is.
Yay for...good ballet instruction (I can't really speak for the other dances, I'll have to try them sometime,) fairly reasonable prices, Whole Food Market across the street (I'd always get my lunch fix post lesson.)
Nay for...parking (when is it not an issue in the city?)Listed in: Gym Crawl Bay Area
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Review from Sandra S.
12/2/2009
Had the opportunity to have my first official salsa lesson at the Cheryl Burke Dance school last night and I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been dying to take salsa lessons and every time I asked around everyone said to go there. Soo...I did :)
The place was very easy to find. Parking was a little bit of a struggle but I managed to find something very quick. I loved the studio. Great lighting. Tons of folks every where dancing and have a good time. Music playing while folks practice. Wow!!!!
This is the first time that I've had any kind of dance lessons ever. If I could imagine it, I would think this is how Juliard would be :)
My salsa teacher was Jamie. She was this petite asian girl that I fell in love with instantly. She totally knew everything!!!
The prices are remarkably cheap. 5 weeks of salsa lessons, every Tuesday came up to $50.00. That is the beginners class. More good news was there are only 2 folks in the salsa class including me so we were able to get some real one on one time.
LOVE IT!!!
Can't wait until next Tuesday :) -
Review from D Q.
Emeryville, CA
6/30/2009
It pains me to give a place that carries Cheryl Burke's name one star.
Why?
To get over my boredom of the same work outs I mix it up all the time. One class I love taking is Zumba. Check it out on YouTube and you'll see how crazy and fun it is. It's basically a Cardio Latin/Dance Class. So I go on their site and see on the calendar Zumba June 30, 2009 6-7pm with the renowned Val Cunningham. I'm so there!!! Sign me up!!!
I'm ready to go, even drank a Red Bull for the craziness of burning up to 800 calories to dance my butt off! ( oh yes 800! ) I stop by Starbucks 30 min early to chill for a bit before my oh so amazing experience with Val. Then my friend who was already there, calls me ' It's canceled' ... What!!!? Turns out it has been for a while now, they just haven't update the site.
Now here's the thing, I live in Emeryville and fine its not that far but I also finished work early just to experience Zumba with Val and to be in Cheryl Burke's Dance Studio.
Now I know you might think ' you should've called ' NO! its Cheryl Burke! I trust Cheryl Burke! Common! Dancing with the Stars Winner, Cheryl Burke?! They can put her name on an egg sandwich packed in the fridge in a gas station and I'll trust it! Ugh! Update, People!
lesson learned ... -
Review from John P.
San Jose, CA
4/11/2009
Kim's West Coast Swing class on Thursday night is the place nearest the city to get your WCS Learning in.
I have had the absolute pleasure of dancing with Kim since (sorry Kim, I'm naming years) 1993 and west coast swinging from Alameda to Sacramento to Woodside and loved all those dances.
The West Coast Swing is fun. Not that dancing in general doesn't fall into this category, but I have a love of this dance. It fits enough music styles that you can usually do it anywhere if you can find another person who at least knows the basics. Kim is the perfect person to learn basics, intermediate and advanced from.
Thank you for all my dances you gave me Kim. Thank you for your tollerance, guidance and most of all, making me look good :). Hugs for all you gave me. -
Review from Gabrielle J.
San Francisco, CA
8/6/2009
We love to dance; we are NOT dancers.
As we both love any form of latin music- especially salsa, we decided to hone our improvised booty shaking selves with a proper beginners salsa lesson.
We started with the basic steps- not too shabby...bf caught on well too. Then they had us pair up. I'm all good with tolerating my man stepping on my toes and us learning together- however it was the ROTATE part that kicked my ass. Or I should say my toes' ass.
I mean, shouldn't we practice with who are most likely dance partner will be?
Anyway- for $15/piece, we walked away knowing how to turn, spin, and salsa our way around a dance floor- albeit very akwardly...
Will definitely be back for another lesson! -
Review from jen d.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2009
Went here with a few friends for their Friday night "social dancing" classes and the party afterward. I believe the social dancing style changes between different types of ballroom - we did 'west coast swing' (although it was so basic it could have been whatever type they said and just swap out the music).
For an entire night it's a great deal (it was only $10 or $12 or something). We didn't stay for the party part, where you can dance with instructors, but we went to the small group instructional and then large group part where you swap partners down a giant line and learn a basic basic routine. Really - I watch those reality dance shows... what I did didn't resemble any of that :)
It was good instruction - the teacher was good at what he did, taught well, and brought some humor in. The partnering stuff really wasn't for me though, and didn't get any sort of exercise out of it (too much stop and go, and just very basic steps done fairly slowly...) And I suck. Really, really suck. So when I suck, I really don't want to bring anyone down with me (yeah, I'm still talking about dance).
The facility is nice, and the counter staff were good too. It's nice to watch the pros practicing from the sidelines, they're all so pretty to watch.
So I wouldn't go back unless they brought in a good dance workout class. Their class selection is still pretty limited compared to some of the other schools out there. But four stars because everything was very good (price, teachers, facility), just not my thing when it comes to the dance stuff.Listed in: Get your dance on
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Review from Paul Q.
Houston, TX
8/9/2008
My girlfriend and I, both dancers in our youth who stopped for , (many), decades, checked out this place for dance lessons in August, '08. It was enjoyable, especially when compared to some of the dance classes that we had tried where we live further west in San Francisco.
My main complaint is that it is behind the back of beyond from where we live, but that is hardly the dance center's fault.
We both felt that we make greater progress in our visits her than at the other studios we had patronized. However, due to the difficulty of accessing the venue, we probably will discontinue when the days get shorter.
Their combination of teaching introductory steps and then having partners switch randomly is stressful, but the quickest way to learn.
Good program. We will be back. -
Review from Kimberly T.
Alameda, CA
7/25/2008
As an avid dancer who has slacked on taking lessons lately , I've been trying to get myself back into the dance groove. I have been wanting to check out Cheryl's studio since she opened it. I took my first class at the studio tonight - a cha cha class taught by Cheryl herself!!!! Who hooo!!! When I saw she was teaching the class, it was definitely the kick in the ass that I needed to finally get over to her studio. :)
Cheryl was fabulous (of course!), the class was really fun and paced perfectly for the class level. I learned some new moves and I got a pretty damn good workout in the process.
One thing I would love to see more of on the class schedule are intermediate/advanced west coast swing classes, or even a west coast swing dance night. Also maybe some hustle lessons? Good hustle lessons are tough to find at the dance studios around here....
Thanks for a great class Cheryl! I can't wait until you teach here again and I will definitely be coming back in soon. -
Review from L P.
Hayward, CA
8/5/2008
I checked this place out a few weeks ago when Cheryl Burke was teaching a Cha-cha class and MAN she was awesome!! I loved the pace she was teaching and the cha-cha combo she taught. She was super friendly and gave good tips to help improve my cha-cha. I'm currently dancing at another studio, but would go again when she's teaching a workshop.
I would have to say that I was disappointed in the following workshop for swing/foxtrot. The instructor at the time was not clear on the steps and didn't break it down especially for the first timers..I did however learned lead steps but it was a total 180 coming from Chery's workshop to that. I wasn't too happy with the workshop and my friends and I left early. We felt it was a waste of time staying since we live in the East Bay and didn't want to stay for the party session.
I'll probably go back again to check out others workshops, so I can get a better idea of the place. -
Review from Betty and Mike C.
San Francisco, CA
11/23/2009
I'm a huge fan of DWTS so when Cheryl opened up her studio I wanted to find the opportunity to check it out.
The location is fantastic because there is ample street parking. The studio is located on a corner and the window to ceiling glass makes it easy to spot.
We came here with another couple on a Friday night. For $15/person you get a dance lesson at 8:00pm and then also access to the free party that goes from 9-10:30pm.
The day we came, the lesson was samba. There were probably about 40 ppl taking the beginner lesson and 20 taking the intermediate class. They put you in a huge circle and you rotate partners so you can definitely come even without a partner.
The teachers are very nice and you do get a sense of the dance before they throw you off to the party. There were quite a few people there the night that we went and the teachers really try to make an effort to make it interactive, dancing with the newbies (like us) or even old timers who need partners. Throughout the party they also play a variety of songs for each of the different dances. It was fun watching the grace and flow of some of the more experienced students.
A funny story that I have to share: this place can be Cougartown. A cougar came up to my friend's boyfriend and asked him to dance. When he said he didn't know how to, she was persistent and came back a second time telling him that she'll come back at every song until there is a song he could dance to. Whoa, I can definitely see the difference between a Cougar and a typical woman. It was aggressive especially given my friend was sitting right next to him!
I'm looking forward to coming back in 2 weeks when Cheryl Burke teaches the samba =) -
Review from Corinne Y.
San Francisco, CA
10/5/2008
A little known, yet fantastic program, Cheryl Burke Dance offers Ballet for adults! I have lived in San Francisco for 7 years, and over those years I have visited a number of dance studios throughout the city without finding a class that fit my needs.
Just a few months ago, I looked into Ballet at Cheryl Burke, and went to my first class. I HAVE NOT stopped going since that day. I am now taking twice a week, and have noticed improvement in my fitness level, and my happiness. Julie, the instructor, creates a caring yet structured environment for learning a new (or re-visiting an old) art form. She uses clear language to describe structures/form and often uses spot-on analogies which I continue to use for my personal visual cues.
This class provides such a positive environment, I encourage ALL to join. I have never left a class feeling discouraged. -
Review from Maile N.
7/25/2008
My friend told me about this studio, and I was so thrilled as I heard rumors that Cheryl Burke from Dancing with the Stars had her own dance studio here in the City!
I checked the studio out by starting a Brazilian Samba class with instructor Mary in May for about a month and a half (I've been slacking lately, need to pick up those classes again!), and it was a blast! I've been to Brazil, love the culture and had always wanted to learn some basic Samba. I was hooked! I paid $99 for 10 classes (I can take Samba, belly dance or hip hop with this dance card). The studios are a little far from me and without a car, it's a tiny bit of a challenge, but one day soon I'll make it out there for Samba classes again.
The studio is beautiful! - when you walk in, it opens up to the main floor where you see all these couples who seem quite experienced - it's a little intidimidating as they seem like they have taken a private lesson or two or ten! There are two smaller dance studios, one upstairs and one on the main level, plus they have other studios a block over where they have lindy swing dance lessons (my friend is hooked on that kind of dance!).
My boyfriend and I went to Cheryl's welcome dance party in June, and that was a total blast! There were lots of people on the dance floor, but she and her recent DWTS partner Cristian del a Fuente managed to teach us all some basic salsa steps - that was so cool! The best part really was watching Cheryl and Cristian dance together though - hot! Later, I got both of their autographs - they were so cool, listened to me nervously babble on and let me take a picture with them!
Cheryl wants to open dance studios like this all across the country to get everyone dancing! Go, Cheryl! -
Review from Hank B.
Santa Barbara, CA
3/13/2009
Wow, this place was totally dead on a Friday night.
I used to dance quite a bit in college, but it's been some years since I've danced with regularity. I called this place up Friday afternoon and they said they have a dance party on Friday nights. The woman on the phone quoted me $8 if I wasn't going to go for the lesson.
I showed up around 9:45, and was asked to pay $10. $2 isn't really a big deal, but it'd be nice if they had their shit together when it comes to quoting prices.
The place was nice and I could tell whoever designed it put some thought into it. Unfortunately, I counted and there were only about 25 people dancing. Of that, at least 3 worked there.
Once you take out a few couples who are there to pretty much dance with each other only, this leaves a very small amount of people. Maybe I caught them on an off night of something, but it was sad in there.
I might give them another try sometime if I've got nothing better to do. As it stands, this place needs to attract more patrons. Definitely not a swingin' place. -
Review from Paul F.
Oklahoma City, OK
10/7/2008
My husband I will be embarking on a cruise soon and wanted to learn a few dance moves before we try to hit to floor at one of the ship's clubs. My husband describes himself as always being on the quest to locate his right foot (he has multiple left feet) so we thought finding a dance class to help him do this would be quite a challenge. He saw this listing on Yelp (thank-you Yelp), read the reviews, and decided to spring for introductory private lessons.
Being a Texas native and not knowing much more than the two-step, waltz, and a couple of line dances, I admit to having felt a bit intimidated watching the others as we were waiting for our appointment. As soon as we met Kat, our instructor, and started on some basic salsa moves, I felt much at ease and my husband and I really enjoyed ourselves so much that I suspect we'll be back even after our cruise vacation is a mere memory. -
Review from Bianca L.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2008
So my mother has been begging me to take ballroom dancing classes for years.....this going back to "Mid-weeklies" (if you grew up in SF and went to a private middle school, you know what I'm talking about.....the nervous sweaty boys, girls in white gloves so we wouldn't have to touch said sweaty boys....the awkward dancing...priceless!) I digress....my mother has this idea that if I know how to ballroom dance I will be able to mingle with a higher class, find my future trust fund husband, and go to all the charity balls and blow them away with my dancing skills....
Well, finally, after my ex dumping me, I decided private dance classes would make me feel better, so off to Cheryl Burke I went. The front desk receptionists seem to still be learning the ropes, but be patient, because they remember your name and say hello every time you come in (now that is customer service). I signed up for 10, 45 min private classes with Conrad = $740...YIKES! Being post break-up, I decided that having a man swing me around and teach me to dance, would cure all my current boy issues....well, it did! I was expecting Conrad to be gay, because well...ballroom??? Turns out, he isn't, but has a girlfriend...sigh....this however doesn't ruin my 45 min fantasy of having a boyfriend who can dance, kisses me on the cheek every time I see him, and be a perfect gentleman. My 10 sessions flew by, and now I'm on class 16?...Let's just say I am considering picking up another job so I can keep paying Conrad to teach me...salsa, waltz, tango.cha cha....you name it.
The studio is large, mirrored (which is bad for me...since I am vain and like to watch myself dance...), and has large fans, which is just perfect. There is the main room, and two others in this location...apparently they have another studio around the block? I'd say one of my favorite sights at the studio every time I come are the couples preparing for their wedding dances. You can pick them out because the brides have their wedding shoes on, and the grooms look hopelessly lost....but I have seen some AMAZING shoes on these brides and totally plan on having a choreographed dance for my first dance (note, must find boyfriend, make him fiance....still have a ways to go before I can choreograph that dance).
Every Friday they have group class and then dance party night. $15 for a couple to learn two dances, then spend the rest of the night dancing your heart out. These classes are super reasonable, and a fun way to begin your Friday night....
I really love this studio, and my only complaint is, where is the student discount??? I mean honestly, the prices here are really steep....come on Cheryl, give a girl a break....
****Conrad, you are amazing! If anyone wants private lessons, pick Conrad!!!Listed in: The places I go to look a…
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Review from Camille H.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2009
This review is for the Swing - Lindy Hop classes only.
I'm thrilled that I stumbled on Autumn at Cheryl Burke. When I say stumbled I mean my boyfriend and I were trying to take a foxtrot class there but arrived only to find that I'd read the schedule wrong and that the 2 behind the class title meant that was a Level 2 class which you can't take without having taken Level 1 and 1+. Woops (I noticed that their August schedule now clearly explains the levels, yay!). The only other class offered at the same time was a Lindy class (Level) 2 but which we could take having had a little Lindy experience. So we plunged in and the instructor Autumn was really great. Despite being a 2 the class that night had all levels in it so we fit right in and Autum did a great job keeping the class moving so no one got too lost but no one was bored. Since then we've been back for the 1 class series. I really like how Autumn covers not just the steps but also the posture and how to be a good lead/follower. And he doesn't just tell you what to do, he shows you, he'll dance with you, he'll use analogies help you understand what you're supposed to. Like where your arm is supposed to be on the 4th count or how you need to let the leader lead and not try to anticipate where you're going. His partner Mai-Sie is really knowledge able as well and it's just as good to have her feedback as it is to have Autumn's.
The Lindy classes, like most Bay area dance classes, are in 4 week series. However unlike most other Lindy classes that move so quickly that you don't really get a chance to cement the basics and build on them, the classes at CB can be taken again and in conjunction with the next level. So you can really get a good foundation of footwork (haha, I almost wrote foodwork, can you tell where my mind is?!) and also continue to build your repertoire of moves. Which means, eventually you'll be able to hit the dance for at the 9:20 Special or Lindy in the Park with some degree confidence and ease!
New class series start the first week of the month. If you pay for the series of 4 classes, $50, you get $6 dollars off (the classes individually are $14). I really love coming in here before my class and watching the dancers on the main floor, there are some really great dancers there and even some young'uns who look like they're barely out of elementary school but can kick your bum with their suave Latin moves. -
Review from Spartacus U.
San Francisco, CA
8/14/2008
Dropped in the 7:00PM beginning salsa class last night. Even though I'm not a "dancer" I felt totally comfortable. Suprisingly, there were actually more men in the class than women! I had a lot of fun, and I can't wait to go back.
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Review from La C.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2010
Lovely Large studio. Today I attended the Zumba for Haiti event and this place accommodated about 100 + people. It was a great time and appreciate that the event was held here. The studio has nice, clean restrooms and some seating along the walls. Parking is super easy for SF. I hope to attend this place again, maybe for some beginner ball room dancing.
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Review from Scott D.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Jayme has been an awesome instructor to get us in tip top shape for our wedding. So sad that the place is shutting down. The energy there of all the people who simply love to dance was awesome. I might have to get myself down to the Mountain View location before our big day.
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Review from Rachel L.
San Francisco, CA
4/8/2008
Cool new dance studio to come!! I look forward to meeting Cheryl.
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Review from Mark P.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2009
Kim's West Coast Swing class on Thursday night is fantastic. The GF and I are in our second session, and we love every minute of it. Kim is very knowledgeable and entertaining, and does an excellent job of teaching. We are looking forward to our third session in May.
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Review from E M.
Oakland, CA
9/24/2009
Went to Cheryl Burke's studio with a group of friends recently. We went to the Friday night swing event led by Autumn:
Pros:
-Autumn is really nice and friendly.
-The studio is clean and nice.
Cons:
-It is advertised as a East Coast Swing class with EC Swing/Lindy party following, but I found it to be almost exclusively Lindy.
-As soon as the party started it had a middle school dance feeling going because all the "boys" and "girls" were standing to the side and the floor was empty. Many of the people left the party so there weren't many people to dance with.
Despite the cons, I had a good time in the class, but I probably wouldn't go back just because I'm not into Lindy and that seems to be what the class/party is all about.
I WOULD go back to the studio because it's nice and clean and everyone seemed friendly. Not to mention there seemed to be a diverse crowd (including a range of ages) which isn't true of many of the studios in this area. -
Review from marc S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/9/2010
reduced to one star because they are closing! This sucks big mama wang! This was my go to place to practice and get my tango on, but sadly... : (
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2008
Great place to take lessons. I have been taking the International Standard lessons with Tadas. I… Read more »
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Review from Natalie Z.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2010
The quality of the instruction I've gotten here has always been good (I've taken ballet, salsa, and swing classes), but the studio overall is disorganized (website is annoying and not very user friendly, staff isn't very welcoming, and in general the place is even more chaotic than the average chaotic dance studio). On top of the disorganization, the prices are RIDICULOUS. Not ridiculous, but RIDICULOUS.
Case in point: drop in 1.5 hour ballet class is $24. Pay for 11 classes, and the price goes down to $20 and some change. News flash: going rate in the city for drop in classes isn't more than $15, and you are NOT getting better quality instruction or a better experience here than you would get at SF Dance Center / Lines (drop-ins are $14), ODC (drop-ins are $14/15), etc. etc. Unless you live across the street from this place, I wouldn't waste your money. -
Review from Gina C.
Updated - 9/22/2008
Jayme, out instructor, is fantastic! She was patient and gave us the best tips for our first dance at our wedding.
Listed in: Mendocino Wedding
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/15/2008
The wedding package classes are a must if you and your fiance have two left feet together.
We took… Read more »
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Review from Angie C.
1/2/2009
Wonderful experience. I did a couple's private lesson here. You get your first lesson for free (30 min), then private lessons are only $77 per couple thereafter. Conrad was a GREAT swing instructor. We had a great time. Very nice studio. If I was still a SF local, I would be back regularly.
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Review from Aud V.
San Francisco, CA
The husband and I bought their wedding package to help prep for our first dance. We started out with their wedding workshop where we felt we learned a lot. We were excited to start our lessons, we came with our music and knew we wanted to do first country song to fox trot, then the second spanish song to some salsa (mixed backgrounds can you tell?)
The first lesson was pretty good, but the next 2 really were just goign over the same stuff and we got pretty frustrated. We had to have a different instructor than wed been working with for our 4th lesson and at first were upset about switching instructors, but turns out it was the best thing they could have done for us. We finished our last 2 lessons witth conrad and made more progress in those 2 than the first 3 + the workshop. Conrad was great, was honest with us and listened to our ideas. He gave us some good basic moves and a few flashier ones to spice up the act. It was just what we wanted. The packages and classes can be a bit pricey, but if you know what you want I think it's worth it. for us it was definitely worth every penny as I constantly get my toes stepped on when dancing with my hubby if we are just trying to do our own thing, but learning these moves and getting some basic dance knowledge has set us off on the right foot to continue dancing together for the rest of our lives. And we had a ball surprising my hubbys family wth our salsa number too. -
Review from miriam b.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2009
Took an intro class and had a great time brushing up on some good techniques. (Glad to hear that there are even ballet classes for those wanting that. Some of the most beautiful dancers I've seen have some training in ballet and it seems to produce some beautiful lines.)
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Review from Jackie K.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/9/2009
We got the wedding package deal at Cheryl Burke, and were luckily assigned to Conrad. He is not pretentious and was easy to take direction from. We didn't want a choreographed dance, just a few moves so we don't look too silly on the dance floor. He listened and made very good suggestions. He taught us steps that we could actually master. On the big day, we had the confidence to dance in front of 230 plus people ;) Thank you Conrad!
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Review from alice h.
Albuquerque, NM
8/23/2008
this review is for the ballet classes. BEST ADULT BALLET CLASS EVER. as an adult ballet student, i've been to many classes where the teacher rattles off some combination and then ignores the students, regardless of how much they flounder. what i love about julie, who teaches ballet here, is that she actually looks at what you're doing and gives you feedback. i've picked up a lot of bad habits from bad adult classes, and julie's been great about helping me break them. the classes are a little pricier here ($220 for an 11-class card, i think, 90 min. classes), but it's worth every penny to learn from julie, plus the other students are all super friendly, supportive, and encouraging. plus, the studio is just around the corner from whole foods :)
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Review from Wilfredo V.
Redwood City, CA
1/11/2010
Was better, now it's just Meh...
Over the past year, my wife and I have been taking dance lessons. We got conned into it by a friend that later ditched us. We ended up at Cheryl Burke Dance in SF thanks to one of the instructors (ex-instructor now). It was a wonderful place were you could put what you learned during the lesson to practice during the "dance party" after the class. Normally I would give it 5 stars because my wife and I enjoyed it very much, but, sadly I had to give it only 2, here's why:
The dance instructor that took us to Cheryl Burke quit, which was okay since there were many other wonderful teachers... "were" is the key word. Slowly, one by one the teachers were being "let go".
The final straw was this teacher, I believe his name to be David. My wife took a class without me one Friday night, and this guy was a complete Jerk!
First he kept insinuating that my wife and our friend were incapable of joining his "class" because they didn't know how to dance (it's a beginners class!).
Then, as he took turns with each of the ladies, showing them how the moves were supposed to be executed (Tango) he would pull on their bottoms to get them to execute the moves. My wife and our friend were really upset about the unnecessary contact, and even more upset that one poor young lady in a short skirt kept having her skirt pulled up by this "instructor" as he tried to "teach" her how to Tango.
Sadly, we wont be returning to Cheryl Burke dance and happily were able to find some of the old instructors teaching at various other locations, we will continue to take classes from them. -
Review from G.S. V.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2008
It seems to me that Cheryl Burke is slowly putting together the right stuff for a great dance school. After a luke warm experience in my first "Hustle" class I have started dropping in on West Coast Swing classes and socials that are well organized and well taught. Somehow they manage to keep a good guy to girl ratio , which is critical in group classes. I do wish that the class was a full hour or more, instead of 45 minutes, and hope that as they cultivate a west coast swing program, they will add an intermediate class that follows the beginner session. After cancelling the hustle class due to lack of interest (come on SF, where you at ? ) they were kind enough to follow through on a request and put me in touch with a great Hustle instructor in South Bay and also a good WCS online calendar to dances, lesson and events. I am keen to see this school stay connected to the scene and start to redefine it. I've only been to three classes and the Manager at the front desk already welcomes us by name. That's customer service!
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Review from Phillip H.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2009
This is a great dance studio because the dance teachers, some of whom were once professional dance performers, are all great. Yes, some have they bad days. I've taken various dance classes here for a long time, even before Ms. Burke rescued the place. The owner from whom she bought the studio had a big heart and was very passionate about dance and he spent his own financial fortunes to make the place a home away from home for everyone, especially his teachers, staff and the students. Hopefully, Ms. Burke can restore the soul that this place once had and make it a happy place. It really is a nice place to learn how to dance and a great place to make new friends -- people from all walks of life go there, that's what so great about this place. I sincerely hope Ms. Burke work with her teachers and staff and students to help this place realize its fullest potential. Then the monies will start to flow in. Of course, Ms. Burke and her investors have every right to make money. I highly encourage everyone to go there to take dance and ballet classes.
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Review from tyla t.
Berkeley, CA
7/15/2009
Really enjoy the Sat morning Argentine Tango group lessons with Eldon. He's an enthusuastic and informative teacher. The studio is clean and the staff is friendly. Ever so slightly inconveneient for public transportation-takers, but if you're taking both the Beginning and Intermediate classes, it's definitely worth the trip.
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Review from Tango G.
San Francisco, CA
5/4/2010
Swing in Da City! What is this you say? This is a West Coast Swing dance party at Cheryl Burke Dance held on the first Sunday evening of each month(6-10pm). West Coast Swing is not a dance I was familiar with....(I don't think I saw it performed on DWTS) Anyhow, a friend invited me along and I thought, well.. if I suck, the Lesson at the beginning (6:00pm) is only an hour, I can sulk for the rest of the time! I was wrong! West Coast Swing is a gas! Kinda tricky to learn (only means pay attention and don't act like you ARE Cheryl Burke) but Kim, who runs the party and teaches the beginning class, is fantastic! She gets you dancing right away! We learned 3-4 moves and we could really dance all night (10pm)). After the lesson the fun began (I did not sulk...I danced!) Kim came around to everyone at the party and made sure they were having fun, introduced people and danced with everyone. Kim turns on her big girl dance moves and shows us what we can do if we keep coming back!. OH! and did I mention, there was amazing Kim-made snacks! practically a whole buffet and yummy good. The music you dance too is tres cool! Kinda bluesy, jazzy, R&B, country-ish songs and even some hip-hop...who knew! (I did not sulk...I danced!). So.....SWING IN DA CITY! (love the name) at Cheryl Burke Dance ROCKS!
