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Areté Dance Center
5 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · Ballet school in Los Altos, California
Plan your first class
- Class price classes around $60 — many studios bill by term or month instead, so ask about tuition and any trial rate
- Adult classes classes for grown-ups, including absolute beginners — it's never too late to start at the barre
- Pre-professional a serious, conservatory-style track for committed students aiming high
- Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — ask about rates and availability
- Today see hours ·
- Phone +1 408-824-0074
- Website & schedule aretedancecenter.com — enroll and see the live class schedule
Hours
| Monday | 10 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–10 pm |
The programs they offer
“It started as a Christmas gift from our kids for my wife and I to learn ballroom dancing.”
“There are a myriad of offerings at ADC - private lessons, group lessons, technique classes, open dancing sessions, ballet classes, wedding couple lessons.”
“The adult ballet classes (Saturday morning and Monday night) are great for the beginner as well as the more experienced.”
What families & students say
“They and the other instructors there are truly excellent: caring, encouraging and patient, and extremely knowledgeable about all styles of dance.”
“There are a myriad of offerings at ADC - private lessons, group lessons, technique classes, open dancing sessions, ballet classes, wedding couple lessons.”
“They have been truly successful in creating a community of dance students and instructors in a warm and welcoming environment.”
“He is always encouraging and creative with analogies (and hand-drawn pictures too :)) to help us understand concepts; above all he keeps our lessons fun and engaging.”
“Arete Dance Center is a wonderful dance studio with true professionals who really care about their students.”
From the reviews
Arete Dance Center is a wonderful dance studio with true professionals who really care about their students. I always enjoyed going there for a weekly classes. Since the pandemic started they have started to offer classes on Zoom and these classes are a life saver!
My fiance and I came here to have our first wedding dance lesson and we both absolutely loved our experience here. Our instructor is Kris, and she is patient, kind, funny and an excellent teacher. I came into the lesson with little to no dance experience while my fiance had more experience with formal dancing.
Arete Dance Center is not only a dance studio, it is a community and family of amazing and wonderful individuals!! The staff are people who not only care about you as a person - but they also are expert in their field.
Just finished our final dance lesson with Arthur at ADC and it was fantastic. Frankly 5 stars are not enough!! My fiancé and I are not the greatest dancers, and we were anxious about the whole experience and if we’d really get a solid dance down in time for our wedding.
Adult ballet at Areté Dance Center
Areté Dance Center runs classes for grown-ups — confirmed on their own site. If you've never taken ballet, or you're coming back to it after years away, this is for you — and a good studio genuinely welcomes a nervous first-timer. A few things worth asking before you go. First, which class to start in — look for one labeled "absolute beginner" or "adult beginner" rather than an open or "all levels" class, so you learn the fundamentals at the right pace. Second, drop-in or term — many adult programs let you pay per class to try it, then move to a term or monthly package once you're hooked. Third, what to wear — comfortable clothes you can move in, plus socks or bare feet, are plenty for a first class; you won't need a leotard or ballet shoes to walk in the door. It's never too late for first position.
Your first ballet class at Areté Dance Center
Nervous about walking into your first class? Almost everyone is — and a good studio expects beginners, whether your dancer is five or you're returning at fifty. Here's what to know. What to wear: comfortable clothes you can move in, with socks or bare feet; a leotard and tights are nice if you have them, but not required, and pointe shoes are years down the road — never day one. What to expect: class usually starts at the barre with slow, simple movements to warm up, then moves to the center — follow along, copy the teacher, and don't worry about getting it "right" the first time. Arrive early: come 10–15 minutes ahead to change, find a spot, and let the teacher know it's a first class so they can keep an eye out. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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