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Marin Conservatory of Dance

4.2 ★★★★☆ 10 Google reviews · Ballet school in Mill Valley, California

Ballet school Kids & teens Pre-professional

Plan your first class

  • Pre-professional a serious, conservatory-style track for committed students aiming high
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (415) 326-5117
  • Website & schedule marinconservatoryofdance.org — enroll and see the live class schedule

Hours

Monday 3–8 PM
Tuesday 3–8 PM
Wednesday 3–8 PM
Thursday 3–8 PM
Friday 3–7 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

Studio hours shift for holidays, recitals, and term schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The programs they offer

Ballet programs on the schedule at Marin Conservatory of Dance, confirmed in families' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌸 Kids Ballet 3 mentions

“My daughter has taken ballet from Melinda for a number of years and is a beautiful, accomplished dancer.”

All studios with kids ballet →

Pre-Professional 2 mentions

“Our family can not recommend Melinda Neal and Marin Conservatory of Dance more highly.”

All studios with pre-professional →

What families & students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 10 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

serious pre-professional training 2 mentions

“Our family can not recommend Melinda Neal and Marin Conservatory of Dance more highly.”

🗓️ well-run & communicative 2 mentions

“Really nice staff and they are all professional dancer's.”

From the reviews

Our family can not recommend Melinda Neal and Marin Conservatory of Dance more highly. Not only is Melinda a skilled instructor and dancer, but she is a lovely person and role model to both younger kids who may be a year or two into ballet and those who are more advanced.

★★★★★ — Patrick, Jun 2018

This is a really outstanding dance spot. Really nice staff and they are all professional dancer's. The drop in price for drops in was not bad. I will be back again and I'm bringing a friend.

★★★★★ — T., May 2018

Melinda Neal gives the dancer the tools to understand and achieve a high level of excellence in ballet technique. Her dedication, passion, and generous spirit combined with her knowledge and experience from a career as a dancer and performing artist draws praise from her dancers.

★★★★★ — Diana, Jun 2018

Melinda and her staff are talented teachers and incredible mentors. My daughter has taken ballet from Melinda for a number of years and is a beautiful, accomplished dancer. I really enjoy the adult ballet and mat Pilates classes.

★★★★★ — Whitney, May 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 10 reviews →

Your first ballet class at Marin Conservatory of Dance

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.

Ballet is for every age and every body. If you're returning from an injury or have a health concern, mention it to the teacher before class so they can offer modifications.

Where to find Marin Conservatory of Dance

367 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA94941

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.