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Synergy Dance Zone
Categories: Nightlife Dance Clubs Education Specialty Schools Dance Schools Dance Clubs, Dance Schools [Edit]
7480 Miramar RdSan Diego, CA 92126
Neighborhood: Miramar
(858) 578-7111
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 12 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri 12 pm - 7:30 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 2 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 5 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Rodney F. said: "Fun well taught classes in a cool venue. The teachers have an entertaining way of teaching. In the advanced classes the teachers are well traveled dance competitors. After the lessons is open dancing. Lots of students and skilled…" read more »
15 reviews for Synergy Dance Zone
Review Highlights
"Friday night dance parties are among the cheapest in town..."
(in 4 reviews)
"It is a beautiful studio and good crowd."
(in 9 reviews)
"and my lessons are a blast."
(in 8 reviews)
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15 reviews in English
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Review from Elisabeth G.
San Diego, CA
6/23/2010
This is a fun place to learn dance! I decided to refresh my memory and take a beginner's salsa class here a while back, on a Monday at 7.30pm. The instructor, Juan, was very patient and approachable. He went over the choreo again and again if need be. He rotated the members so that everyone had a chance to dance with other people and get accustomed to switching partners. He makes you laugh and puts you at ease, which is always important when you're doing something interactive like dancing. The first class is free, which is awesome, you just have to check with the front desk if the specific class you want to take is covered by that 'first class is free' policy.
I give Synergy Dance Zone 5 stars cos overall, their studio is pretty cool. The floors are professional grade, smooth and perfect for gliding and turning, sound system is alright, mirrors are aplenty which is key and the instructor is simply a nice guy who knows his stuff and wants to make sure everyone in his class gets the moves. It is a pleasant thing when you find an instructor who truly cares about what he does. I always review solely on the overall 'vibe' of a place and I felt this studio made me feel good. As a seasoned dancer, I know what I am looking for and this studio has it. The ability to make you feel good.
I've only attended the salsa class twice due to the inability to find a sitter to watch my son Monday nights (I miss class so much!!) but the 2 times I have been there, they were really fun. If you have a Monday evening to spare, you should definitely check out Juan's class at Synergy, and the other ballroom classes they have to offer, cos they look super fun too.
:) -
Review from Lynn K.
San Diego, CA
11/17/2011
Went to their free trial group class a month ago.
For any new clients, they offer one free trail group class which is great. The lady at the front desk was nice enough, she let me watch the first group class then take the second class.
They taught chachacha and samba that evening. The group was pretty big, around 20 people were in the class, but every girl could have chance to dance with different partners. You can tell the teacher was pretty focus, nice and friendly, but he spoke a lot, so a lot of the time we were discussing dancing instead of actual dancing.
I saw few young kids in the class, apparently they've been learning latin dancing for a while, but I was really shock that they do all the basic steps wrong. but the teacher didn't correct them at all, not even once.
Pro:
1) they offer free trail for any new client
2) price is reasonable
3) they offer enough group classes, which not every studio does
4) easy and relax for beginners.
Con.
1) group class is pretty big group, so you won't learn as much
2) the teacher talks more than he dances
3) they only teaches you dance for fun, but if want to learn how to do it right, this is not the place, unless you want to seriously learn samba by just using your arms and your facial expression, and not knowing how to use your hip and your knee.
Try their free trail, and try to go to other studios as well to find out what type you are. -
Review from Oren P.
San Diego, CA
8/11/2011
Great place for a dance class. Very popular with college students (due in part because the owner is the school dance team coach). Friday night dance parties are among the cheapest in town - and include free pizza. Saturday night parties cost slightly more and attract a different crowd but are often even better (even without pizza). Free lessons in one or more ballroom dances are usually included in party admission before the music starts. The first salsa class (at least with Juan and Erica) is also free. This is a good place to learn to dance salsa (well) - but since they hardly play salsa at parties here, you would do best to go somewhere else to dance (after you know how).
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Review from Yoon P.
3/15/2010
Great place for couples and singles alike to learn how to dance! We're absolute beginners so we were pretty clueless but if you can catch the beginning of series like the "Beg" series do it!!! We learned a couple moves and although it didn't apply to us at the end we learned a lot. Lots of advanced dancers here!!!
Just be aware the first class free offer is not available for classes written in BLUE on their website. All classes are $15/class per person. -
Review from Leslie B.
7/1/2008
As a regular to the dance studios around town, I do not usually write reviews, but this place deserves one...it was hoppin'. I went to check it out on a Friday night as I had been looking for somewhere to go for social/practice dances ever since the downfall of the ballroom I used to go to.
What I love about this place, is that it was packed...with all age groups represented. I hadn't been dancing for a few months, but felt totally comfortable. The other thing I love is that it goes on for hours...I arrived at 9, danced for a couple hours, and went on to usual Friday night parties. I could have stayed longer or arrrived earlier and it still would have been happenin'. Also the price$3 for students and $5 for general admission is very reasonable. Also, I realized I was out of cash and they politely accepted my card for a $5 charge...some places would have balked.
The only drawbacks are the location as it is quite far from life in general...according to those of us who live in the city center...but I think it is good for UCSD students...not so good for students at other universities. Also, the area where people sit and watch and rest between dances gets hot and overcrowded, but that comes along with being so successful. It would be great to have a seperate room with cubbies and hangers for clothes and shoes, but I think they have done the best they could given the space.
I will definitely be back and will consider using the studio for practice as well. It is a beautiful studio and good crowd. -
Review from Amy L.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2008
Synergy is a great place to get your ballroom dance on. It's run by the coach of the UC San Diego DanceSport team. Thus, the crowd that turns up here is generally younger than what you might normally see in other similar venues, and it often includes members of the team.
There are a ton of classes taught here during the week, and every Friday, there is a lesson followed by social dancing. The dance lesson for Fridays changes month by month, and the lessons progress from beginner to intermediate as the month progresses. Admission to these Friday sessions is $5 for general admission and $3 for students.
Additionally, Synergy hosts the second bimonthly dance (on the fourth Sunday of every month) for the San Diego chapter of USA Dance. They attract a different (read: older) crowd, but they're still a ton of fun. Lots of experienced dancers and lessons to be learned.
I think the dancing environment is comfortable for novice and experienced dancer alike, and most if not all the dancers are willing to teach or explain moves and dances if you don't understand. That said, the dances range all over the place, from salsa, cha cha cha, and rumba, to waltz, foxtrot, and tango, to slow two-step and hustle. That's not even all of the dances. :) There's always a suitable variety to suit the abilities of most dancers, although I do think that Peter tends to DJ a lot of foxtrots. What can I say - I'm just not a foxtrot person.
So, if you're in the neighborhood, in the the mood to dance, or both, stop by! It's a great way to spend the night and to meet some awesome dancers. -
Review from Laurie S.
Culver City, CA
4/10/2008
Synergy Dance Zone is an awesome place for all sorts of ballroom, latin, and 'nightclub' dancing. (Nightclub in the ballroom world refers to Salsa, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Argentine Tango, Merengue, Hustle, and Two-Step) They offer a variety of classes throughout the week that always seem to have a good ratio of men to women as well as a good mix of age groups. The studio owner, Peter Edwards, definitely brings in a younger crowd with his connection to the UCSD Dancesport Team, but he himself also brings an energy to the studio that I haven't seen at any of the other major ballrooms around San Diego.
The Friday night parties are my favorite at this studio, since they tend to have the youngest crowd, and a good blend of music that leans a little more on the latin/nightclub side of things. As for Amy L's comment about foxtrots - I haven't noticed that there are too many, and there are certainly fewer than are played at Champion Ballroom. Personally, I just grab someone and go dance west coast swing in the middle of the floor while everyone else foxtrots around us. ;)
The studio almost always has a party on Saturdays, except for the first Saturday of the month, and each has a slightly different crowd. The '2nd Saturday party hosted by Rob G', I've heard Peter say is one of the most popular Saturday parties in all of San Diego - but they tend to play more ballroom than latin, so I tend not to go. The 3rd Saturday is hosted by Danz Option which always has good food to go along with a good mix of dancing. The 4th Saturday party is hosted by USA Dance, and does have a much older mix of people, but they sometimes hold dance contests with actual prizes and so it's a fun party to go to on occasion.
I mainly use the studio for practice space, as I do ballroom competitively, and I am there pretty much every day of the week. The practice rates are very reasonable - $5 for all day, and practice cards are available so every 9 times you get one free.
I've been at the studio since it opened in February 2007, and I've gotten to observe many of the 'regulars' who attend the group classes. Many people stay after class to work with each other on whatever was covered that day, and it's quite fun to see. Overall it's a very positive learning environment and it seems there's always someone around to ask for help or advice.
So get out there and dance already! -
Review from Arturo M.
Chula Vista, CA
9/27/2010
I always go to this studio Friday nights for the social parties and they are fun to go to.
I take the Mondays and Tuesdays classes and I like the format on the classes. Normally, some studios teaches a dance for 4 to 5 sessions but in here, there are 8 to 9 sessions. The first month is the routine while the second month is the technique where Peter (the owner) goes over a certain part of a technique instead of throwing all aspects of technique in a short period of time.
I love Peter's pedagogical approach in his teaching with making methaphors in some of the dance moves, and I also love when he models the move a few times so we can all understand.
I have become a better dancer by taking classes there and practicing the moves at the dance parties. -
Review from Sara Suzanna H.
Encinitas, CA
1/24/2010
When I want to go dancing on a Friday night - It's Synergy Dance Zone all the way! There is almost always 50-100 ppl: students, middle of the road crowd, and retirees all together and mixing well. Dancing is from 8-11:30PM, and the music changes rhythm/style from start to end, all night long.
Only 2 comments -
I am not a huge fan of the group lesson at 7:30pm before the party gets started - It's one style for a month (nice and consistent), but you can't attend 1-2 of those lessons and expect to dance. I think some of the newbies get shot down with this reality. But the lesson is free with the $5 entrance fee - you can't go wrong with that.
There is pizza around 8pm and you can buy water out of the fridge. Unfortunately the water fountain that used to be right next to the studio died a few months ago. The building landlord removed rather the repaired the thing (ick). So, to get free water you have to take a walk around the outside edge of the building. Not bad, just annoying when it used to be so convienent.
Love Synergy - It's a great social dance venue. -
Review from Tanya R.
San Diego, CA
7/21/2009
Juan Hernandez and his GORGEOUS wife kicks ass when it comes down to teaching some hot and steamy salsa.
Went to the Monday night salsa lesson, and it was fun, and easy to learn. Juan doesn't throw too many things at you, and will go over things again and again so you are confident in your moves.
Also, they give really good pointers, that might be obvious to some, but for me, it was enlightening.
Everyone there are down to earth, and just want to have fun and learn some yummy Salsa.
I've been to a few different classes, and this place takes the chip (hehehe, get it)?!
Let's move it and shake it BABY!
T -
Review from Alissa G.
San Diego, CA
3/14/2010
I've taken dance lessons from owner Peter on and off for over 12 years so obviously I think very highly of his teaching! He really understands the technical details of dancing and I can still get something out of any class I take from him.
The studio itself is wonderful. Very large floor, easy to find and park, friendly staff. Classes are offered for all levels and interests of dancers so if you are on the fence about learning, take the plunge and go to Synergy! -
Review from Darcy T.
San Diego, CA
12/17/2009
I've been taking private lessons with Peter (the owner) for about 3 months now - I absolutely love him! He is a wonderful teacher - attentive, funny, caring, and patient, yet serious and direct. He does an excellent job of tailoring the lesson to my skill level and capabilities. I learn so much each lesson. I also like how he takes the time to teach me the finer points of proper dancing technique - I'm not just memorizing routines. The facility itself is amazing - well designed and decorated (a very comfortable environment). I'm so happy with Synergy Dance Zone and highly recommend it!!
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Review from Amy B.
Chula Vista, CA
2/25/2011
Our first experience with synergy dance is taking private lessons for our upcoming wedding. So far we have enjoyed our lessons and find everyone who works at Synergy to be quite cheerful and helpful. Karen, our instructor, has high energy and much patience as she teaches us a mixture of Tango, and Paso Doble. She has listened to what we would like to incorporate into our dance and done a wonderful job finding dance steps that we can actually pull off. We are looking forward to our future classes!
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Review from Deana K.
San Diego, CA
6/4/2009
Synergy is a GREAT place to go -- there are all kinds of dance classes (ballroom, latin, "nightclub"), including cardio latin. The studio itself if beautiful and has really friendly, welcoming energy. Peter, the owner, is a fabulous teacher (really, really patient!) and my lessons are a blast. You can take lessons (individual or group) for fun, social dancing, or competitions. Friday night parties are packed and a lot of fun - all kinds of music and age groups. Anyone who is nervous about starting to dance should come here - everyone is so friendly, no pressure to buy packages. So much fun!
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Review from Tanya W.
San Diego, CA
5/16/2010
My husband and I recently took lessons here to prepare for our first dance for our wedding. The studio is welcoming and spacious. The owner Peter is very friendly and really pays attention to what goes on in his studio. Our instructor Brodie was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, talented, and did a great job giving us instructions. We never felt self conscious. It was nice to learn the correct dance for our first song, instead of just learning a routine that we were likely to forget. And when we had our actual first dance, it paid off because we felt confident and could enjoy ourselves. We will likely come back for future lessons for fun. It's not often you can say your dance instructor was on Dancing With The Stars :)
