Jensen School For the Performing Arts

Im giving a 3-​star rating for now with the option to revise it to 2 stars or 4 stars depending on how the fall goes. My daughter likes the classes, well she’s only 6. But as a parent, I have a few concerns:
First off, the communication from the staff needs to be much improved. This goes for everything from class check-​in, logistics, teacher-​to-​parent re what the kids are learning, to figuring out what classes your kid should take, to the front office staff, and the web site. The class registration process is confusing at best and IMO cumbersome.
Once I walked into the office to register for classes, the woman at the desk told me to go home and register on the web instead as this is the only option for registering. Well, the web process is essentially you creating an account then sending them email to tell them you want to register. Then there is another email thread to pick the classes. The web-​based class schedule is a PDF-​ed spreadsheet, so it it static, not sortable nor filterable. very cumbersome for something on the internet. On top of that, how to know what classes to sign up for? For me its just a guess since the descriptions embedded into the spreadsheet are not very helpful and sometimes different classes has the same descriptions.
One big negative is no good way for parents to watch classes. In deed there are windows but they are small and 5 – 6 parents try to around around to see inside. Most times, I give up and wait in the lobby. Given the facility is somewhat dated, I guess it was not designed for parents monitoring their child’s every move like we (have to) do today.
They have classes for dance and gymnastics but clearly the emphasis is on dance, mostly ballet. If you’re child is or wants to be serious about gymnastics, this is not the place to go as there are only 3 – 4 classes to choose from and they basically all have the same description.
Let see how the fall goes.

I was excited to start my then 1.5 year daughter in dance class. I Unilocaled Jensen and thought the review was pretty good. When I called directly to Jensen, the woman who answered the phone seemed very friendly, but said my daugther couldn’t attend until age 2. She took my contact information in and said she will see what she can do. Within an hour, she called back & told me good news that my daughter can attend if I go through the City of Milpitas instead of paying through Jensen directly. I was excited so I went ahead to City of Milpitas and paid that same day. 2 weeks later, I brought her to her first dance class. When we got there, she wasn’t as excited as I thought she would be. The entire class, she just wanted to be held. I put my daughter there because she’s always dancing and seemed excited with other kids her age. I called City of Milpitas and they told me I couldn’t get my refund. Therefore, I decided to just go ahead and continued letting her attend until she gets used to it. Well, there is only a couple of classes left before this session ends and she still hasn’t done much. People there were not as friendly and I guess my daughter can sense it. The dance instructor never introduce herself and never really talk to the people attending there unless we asked questions. The only people she associated with was people that she was related to or if they’re caucasian just like her. Yes, half the classes of attendees were related to her somehow. It was mostly her nieces and her daughter. Once I brought my son along and the dance instructor told me that he can’t be in the room. I was pissed that my young son had to sit outside by the window & wait until the class was over. Ever since then, I never brought my son along because I didn’t want him to wait outside. Anyways not long after, the dance instructor’s mom brought one of her grandson in the dance class and was allow to sit inside the dance class. This is so unfair especially I paid just like everyone else. The dance instructor is unfriendly and racist. She doesn’t even talk to the Asian people there. All we do is go there and she turns on the music and we just does what she does. Never saying hello, how are you or thanks. This is the most unfriendly place I been to. I’m only attending to make my money’s worth. My daughter never liked that class and I don’t either being how the dance instructor is. Now I know why my daughter doesn’t like going there. She’s usually very excited to go places that has kids around her age. Other kids doesn’t seem to enjoyed it either. My daughter dances and sings more at home or at the childcare places. I regret coming to this place. I can’t wait until it’s over. Maybe it would be different with another dance instructor who is not so racist and are more friendly to others that doesn’t have to be related to her.

This would be my daughters second year at JPA, but I just pulled her out and have now enrolled her in the Joy of Dancing. There is a serious lack of communication and the lady that is in the office to answer questions most of the time (not Ms Patty) is extremely rude and always has a scowl on her face. So much so that I will purposely avoid asking any questions of her. Instead of good customer service, they tend to backtrack when things are not communicated by saying «well! Didn’t you read the email?» Well yes, but I was going by what the instructor told us, which is obviously wrong. My daughter was much happier with her instructor last year, Ms Ariel, who is unfortunately no longer with the school. The classes are a good size and the pricing is reasonable, but don’t come here looking for good customer service.

I went to Jensen’s in elementary school and became a TNT Dancer. I wasn’t very into sports, but dancing seemed like a fun way to move about. Some of my best experiences were at JPA, where I learned to stay healthy and move my body.
As a Zumba instructor in LA now, I attribute much of my technique and skill to those early formative years I spent learning ballet, tap, jazz, and acro at JPA. Thanks to all the Jensens and all of my friends who helped me along the way!

This past summer I decided to do something with myself and thought I should finally sign myself up for a class of some sort. I have always wanted to try out tap dancing since forever and I thought it was time to just do it.
This place is conveniently located down the street from my house and even though there weren’t much reviews for this place all of them still raved about how awesome of a school this was. So I thought, «Sure, why not.»
4 months in and I am loving it! I love that they accommodate adult classes no matter how many students have signed up for it. I’m so happy with my decision in tapping and in choosing this location. Such a friendly staff who are always down to help you out when you need it.
Each class is around $ 60 a month and held once a week. So it’s not that expensive if it’s something you really want to commit to.

So, I took jazz/​hip hop in high school and when I finished college, I really missed it. I’ve been looking for a class that is affordable and near my house and JPA has really given me what I wanted.
Most dance classes are for people under 18 so it’s hard to find a drop in class for beginner/​intermediate levels. JPA has drop in classes for jazz/​hip hop for adults for $ 16 per session. If you buy 6 classes worth, you only pay for 5, which comes out to only $ 13 a week.
I’m constantly on a budget, and if I can afford $ 13 a week, anybody can. My class is on Tuesday’s at 8 pm for an hour and it’s been really fun so far.
My dance teacher’s name is Kory and he’s really good at what he does. He makes the class fun and makes you feel comfortable regardless of what level you are at, and that keeps me coming back.
I wish there were more students in the class, but still, it’s a really good hour of fun each week. I come out of there sweating and the hour really flies by.
If you like hip hop dancing and want to dance with other people who genuinely just love to dance, definitely give this place a try. Everybody is really friendly, so don’t be shy! =)

this school has been wonderful. everyone that works here is so great, enthusiastic, encouraging and just so pleasant.
my little sister lOVES her tap/​jazz/​ballet with miss mandy & hip hop with kory. the choreo is very cool — and just the all around atmosphere is the best.
i took dance for years when i was younger, and i’m so blown away by all the differences in teaching methods/​styles — both creative and professionally at this particular studio.
the director of this dance studio is also the NICEST lady ever!
my lil sis is very lucky to be going to this performing arts school.
we LOVE JPA!

Let me start this off with saying I went to Jensen’s when I was 5 years old and when it was still in San Jose. I started with the tap/​ballet combo and ended with jazz.
When I had my daughter I always hoped that she’d be interested in taking classes but I didn’t want to push her. My daughter is now 4 and she loves going to dance! It was hard in the beginning because she is shy and is hesitant about dancing in front of other people. She was totally fine about dancing at home. I’d find myself in the back of the class with her sitting on my lap and just watching the other little girls dance.
It’s a different story now! She loves going and rushes in when it’s time for class.
I can’t wait to see her in her very first recital in July!

Great dance studio for adults looking to have some fun and learn/​start dancing again. I used my Groupon, they were very nice and told me to not worry about the expiration date.
The instructor was a lot of fun and gave us some great routines to work with. He really knew his stuff but wasn’t taking it too seriously or making us nervous since we weren’t professionals. Our class was a mix of first-​timers and dancers getting back into the groove like myself and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It was good workout, (my thighs hurt for a few days after, but that’s a good thing!)

This review refers to Hip-​Hop, Tap, Zumba, and Ballet/​Stretch drop-​in classes. Just a really positive atmosphere for adults with two left feet wanting to learn to dance.
They seemed to be really good with young kids.
I give them 5 stars because they were very kind in extending a Groupon I had bought that was going to expire, and they have really nice teachers for the drop-​in classes. They were also kind enough to stay open while I tried on shoes even though I was clear I wasn’t ready to buy. They told me about their upcoming sale two weeks in advance.

My daughter can’t stop moving her feet!
She’s been dancing with Jensen’s since she was 3 years old & absolutely ADORES her teacher, Miss Laura who teaches the tap & ballet combo class. I swear she wants to grow up to become Miss Laura!
At the end of the dance year they put on an elaborate show at the Santa Clara Convention center. It’s so much fun to see your kid perform.
And I know my daughter’s got the dance bug because her feet tap away when she’s just talking to me. And she doesn’t even realize she’s doing it!
I would recommend Jensen’s to any girl (or boy) interested in dance!