Jimmie DeFore Dance Center

This review is long overdue, and it is for Andrew Simbol’s hip-​hop class (beginner-​level Fridays at 6pm, intermediate-​level Tuesdays at 8pm).
I started with the beginner class, even though I’ve danced before. I realized that while I knew how to pick up routines, I never really learned how to actually dance up to this point. The isolation grooves (neck, torso, legs) really helped loosen up parts of me that I thought would forever stay tense, while the freestyle part of class at the end helped me piece together moves that I thought I had long forgotten how to do.
The intermediate class is more of what I am familiar with — routines. They’re no joke, and unless you already know how to dance, at least a little, you may not get as much out of this class. In fact, I only take this class on weeks where I know I won’t be able to make it to the Friday class in order to keep the sense of rhythm intact.
I like the relaxed format of the Friday class. The basics that I’ve picked up here are helping me get more comfortable with dancing outside of a set routine, making me feel less awkward when dancing to a song that I haven’t heard before, seen a video for, or done a routine to. That freedom alone makes the Friday class worth the time, regardless of previous dance experience.
Recently found out that this place is closing at the beginning of July this year, which prompted a rush to review this place. If you haven’t had the chance, try it out before then. Finding a hip-​hop class geared towards adults is tough enough as it is. Finding someone who can break hip-​hop moves down into simple steps is cool. Finding out that this someone can hang with the best of them is even cooler.

I take hip hop on Fridays, Andrew Simbol is incredible. We work on grooves, a combination and then free-​style. He has brought back why I first fell in love with dance.
It’s a perfect beginner class or to give yourself a break from conditioning/​remembering combinations and just focus on why we dance.
Love all the hip hop classes here. Thanks Andrew!

Love love Simbol’s Hip Hop class! Tried it for the first time and had a blast! I love that the teacher shows you individual moves and breaks it down step by step and goes over them one by one so that by the end of the class, I learned some moves I can try out anywhere, without having to learn a whole routine which I may or may not be able to remember outside of the class. The vibe was super relaxed and casual — everyone was really friendly and supportive so I didn’t feel intimidated or like it was a competition or anything. Looking forward to coming back to learn some more moves!

My favorite place to take classes! Great for professional performers looking to keep their skills up and the adult beginner looking to just get started with dance.
Would definitely recommend. :)

The whole facility is incredibly clean. The three studios are very large and I have no complaints. They have a vending machine, clean and large bathrooms, a large front waiting area and back waiting area. The staff is professional, friendly, and they make everyone feel important. Their teachers are also very qualified.

This is my third week taking classes here. Love it! The classes are perfectly leveled. If it’s called Jazz 2, it is Jazz 2. There are so many teachers to choose from to find the style you prefer or to learn all the different styles. The classes are very challenging, if you want that, or you can get a beginners class if you want it a little easier. all the people at the front desk are very friendly and helpful too. And all the dancers are nonjudgmental and supportive. I haven’t danced in 4 years and am very rusty, so when I stick out in the class as the obvious not-​as-​good-​as-​everyone-​else new girl, I don’t get any judgmental vibes at all.

Best dance studio in Orange County. You don’t have to drive all the way to LA for a good dance class. I love this place.

Still going here and still love it! We now have 4 friends of my daughter that also attend.

This studio has the best classes for adult beg/​intermediate to advanced level dancers. They have so many different classes available every day of the week. The studio also offers a student discount with a valid ID card!

I’ve been going to Jimmie DeFore for awhile off and on for several years. They offer great adult classes for every level. The cost of a class is pretty reasonable and they do offer a discount to university students. The classes are scheduled at very convenient times. I can always find a class. The instructors are awesome! I do have to say Michael Van Patten is such a great instructor! His jazz classes are so fun! He makes you work! And his songs are always current. I definitely recommend taking class with him!

This studio has been an incredibly welcoming experience for originally my brother and I– followed by a friend, and then a few more, and then many, many more due to our amazingly consistent positive experiences.
From the front desk to the instructors to the cleanliness of the bathrooms; Defore has a rocking program.
I’ve taken classes from a few instructors now and must recognize Shawn Vitale for giving us a great introduction into the whole realm of hip hop dance. She is a wonderful person with a kind heart that shows every time we get new recruits in the (full) classroom.
Thanks Defore!
P. s. If she had more space we would bring more friends

Best dance studio! Love the hip hop and jazz classes. Tim Stevenson is the best hip hop instructor & Michael Van Patten is the best jazz instructor. Definitely suggest checking this place out if you’re a dancer or not! You get a great work out as well!

I love Jimmy’s. My mom dansed there in the 80s. Hard to find location for people who are not familiar with the Tesla dealership/​performing arts parking lot. Excellent adult classes for dansers who want to stay warm. 4 stars because I have been suprised by teacher absents/​changes upon arrival. It is a 5 star studio though and their schedule offerings are plentiful.

We have gone here several times. The reason it is getting 4 starts instead of 5, is the fact that they do not take credit cards (Or debit cards) and who really carries cash or checks these days? On the up side, they do give a discount for SAG/​AFTRA card holders.
The studios are clean and well maintained. The floors are in great shape and not in need of repair.
The teachers (We were there for a tap class and a hip hop class) were great. Tim Stevens was the teacher for the hip hop class.
If you know Orange County at all you know that a good hip hop class is hard to come by, so finding Tim Stevens was awesome! Save the trip to LA.

Jimmie Defore is a fantastic place. I have been taking the beginning and intermediate HIP HOP classes there (depending on my schedule) with Cruz and Shawn Vitale, and both are incredible dancers and instructors. I’ve also taken a class or two with Tim, Chuck Maa, and Andrew Simbol.
I like the classes because the moves are challenging yet well-​explained. The instructors are approachable, friendly, and talented.
The staff is welcoming and able to answer questions.
Plus, with a student discount, classes are only $ 13/​class.

Took my 1^st hip hop dance class here yesterday and it was SO much more fun than I thought! Not only that, but it was a crazy good workout and felt a LOT shorter than 60 minutes,
I have ZERO dance training but I love dancing (up in da club!) and also love watching hip hop dancers but never had the guts to take a class. I found this dance center via Unilocal and wanted to give it a shot. I had no idea what to expect but knew it would be tough learning the dance moves.
The instructor (Shawn Vitale) is super cute and very nice as well. She really broke down the moves but also challenged us when she picked up the pace. While I didn’t catch on to all the moves during the class, I still had a ton of fun trying to pick them up!
I definitely need to take a few more intro classes before I can «graduate» to the beginner courses (the people in beginner are actually more «intermediate» since they go to the classes with the instructors they prefer)
Also — the gal at the front who helped us with paperwork was extremely friendly and nice. She answered all our questions regarding the class and very sweet.
Anyway, for newbies, semi-​professionals, intermediate, etc. this is the place to go for your dancing needs!
*Yelp Approved!*

Jimmie Defore is a good studio if you are an adult looking for open classes. There are a wide variety of very talented teachers here. Just don’t be fooled by the titles of the classes. There’s a class titled «lyrical jazz» that is actually contemporary and doesn’t include any jazz at all. Also, their classes titled «jazz» all should be titled «contemporary.»

Love this studio! I started taking ballet 2 years ago at this studio as an adult and havent taken ballet since I was in the 4^th grade! I learned a lot at this studio and really appreciate Maria SiFuentes, who taught me everything. Strict but in a good way as ballet should be. Now i’m disciplined, challenged and have an appreciation for ballet. It is hard work, and in the beginning, its intimidating but you gotta keep coming out! I am so happy I kept coming regularly because I can see the improvement from when I first started to now. For those of you having second thoughts… trust me… if you keep coming out and following through, you will see that you have learned so much. Ballet is NOT easy so don’t come in thinking its going to be. Be ready to be challenged and dance!

I started taking classes here off and on about two years ago. Now I am there everyday of the week. Could not ask for anything better.
They offer jazz (all kinds), ballet, tap, hip-​hop, and modern. The instructional staff is wonderful and take the time to get to know the dancers in their classes. I love that as an adult I can take classes without being with 12 years olds. They offer classes designed for every age group, but the strength is in catering to adults (amateur and professional alike).
If you are hesitant, I say do yourself a favor and just go check it out!

I’ve been coming here for about 8 years.
They accommodate dancers of all ages. Initially when I first started I was worried that this would be one of those studios primarily filled with Tweens and semi-​professionals where I wouldn’t fit. I was quickly proven wrong. There are classes available for all sorts of dancers (of all ages) with a wide range of levels.
For beginners interested in Ballet, I would recommend starting out with a class with Steve Inskeep or Maria.
Jazz I love to take with Chris Baltes. She is definitely tough but she’s amazing at what she does: teach and choreograph dance. I haven’t met anyone like her since.
There is also hip hop, modern, etc.
They offer a University discount with your college ID for $ 12/​class.