Geary Dance Center

We scheduled my daughter’s 4^th birthday party here after finding the dance center on google. Brooke Byrne gave me a tour about 2 weeks before my daughter’s birthday, and I loved the set up, and was really happy about the fact that she would decorate the rooms with tulle and balloons for the party. We had a 2-​hour party with 14 little kids. I had a craft for the kids to work on when they arrived, and we served their parents coffee. After about 45 minutes, a dance class was held for the party goers in the dance room. Ms. Byrne kept all of the 3 – 5 year olds busy and entertained for 45 minutes. The kids were exceptionally well-​behaved, too! They were amazing! After the dance class, we had sandwiches and then cupcakes. The 2 hours was the perfect amount of time, and everyone had a great time. Many of parents gave compliments about what a great party this was, and how they were amazed how there were not any meltdowns. Brooke helped us to have a smoothly run, organized, and fun birthday party! Highly recommended!

My 9-​year-​old daughter has been taking ballet classes with Ms. Byrne since before she and Mrs. Petty opened this school. Ms. Byrne is an artist and a gifted educator — she is a wonderful choreographer and always makes sure that the instruction is age-​appropriate *and* fun. Not to mention she is kind, caring, and has a very peaceful way about her. The kids LOVE her!
This school is great for families who want to give their children an artistic and healthy outlet for their creativity, to learn self-​discipline, and to help them develop confidence and self-​esteem. The founders have cultivated a supportive, positive atmosphere and you never really feel that it is a «business» per se (as can be the case at other studios in town), but rather, a welcoming place that truly cares about children and instilling the love of dance. If you’re looking for an intensive studio that is focused on grooming hyper-​competitive dancers for professional careers, this may not be the right place… but that said, there are MANY talented students at the school who wow me at every recital.
To the 1-​star reviewer below, the venomous rage in the post is puzzling to me. Most art/​dance/​music schools have unusual hours. It should be obvious that a dance studio is not like your typical storefront (i.e., coffeeshop, grocery store) so it’s common sense to call ahead before making the trip over. Angry people suck.

I have been taking adult tap classes here and it has been so much fun! Sonoo (our instructor) has such a fun personality and you can tell she truly loves dance! I have learned a lot so far, starting from the absolute beginner class and now enrolled in advanced beginner. I like all the staff and seeing all the little kids coming to practice is adorable. I would recommend Geary Dance to adults and kids alike!

My daughter has recently joined Intermediate Ballet and Contemporary classes after enduring difficult experiences at another studio. Geary Dance is the perfect antidote to that and she’s reconnected with the joy of dance again. Students are friendly, not competitive. Teachers are encouraging, patient and attentive, and I can see my daughter thriving here. Semester enrollment, and you can sign up for single ballet classes (not the case at many studios, where several classes are required to enroll). Trial classes are available, so you can see if your dancer likes it before committing. Parking can be a bit of a challenge but much easier than the Mission. There is a comfortable waiting area with wifi and surrounding neighborhood filled with restaurants and shopping– very convenient for waiting parents.

We love Geary Dance and are grateful to the teachers for sharing their love of dance with our children in such a positive and joyful manner. I wouldn’t take my child anywhere else.

What a joke ! I’ve been here over a DOZEN times — there was no sign on the door of business hours and no phone number. I Always closed. I see now they have their web site updated with class info and prices — it’s about time.. I prefer to give my business and attend classes in the neighborhood. but I wouldn’t piss this place if it were on fire. I will continue to go to the Mission where people know HOW to run a dance studio and have CONSIDERATION for their students. It is a business after all.
Do NOT waste your time here.

My 5 year old daughter takes ballet classes here with Miss Brook Bryne. She is patient, humorous, and still no-​nonense about teaching little ones at the beginning level. They had a spring performance this weekend and several of the older students were inspirational not only in their talent, but in their attitudes. I observed several lend a helping hand to guide my «polka dot» and her crew through the warm up, stage areas, encore, etc. This is a credit to the studio’s philosophy and its hard working and wonderful teachers. Thank you Geary Dance Studio!

I came to the Geary Dance Center when my favorite ballet teacher Carolyn Carjaval started teaching there. As an adult ballet student i have tried classes at all the san Francisco studios that offer adult ballet classes and this is by far my favorite. Carolyn provides a lot of individual attention, which is great, the choreography is always fun and interesting, and no two classes are ever exactly the same. Carolyn really cares about her students. The classes are offered om Mondays and Wednesdays, i like to take both if I can, Wednesdays seems to be faster paced but both are great.

We highly recommend this dance studio and the teachers. My daughters have been taking jazz from Sonoo Petty for almost 6 years. She is encouraging, patient and fun – but also keeps the kids focused and inspired. I just love her as a person and consider her a family friend. The space and location are great too – and the cost is totally reasonable – and they offer sibling and early-​bird discounts. They have a winter showcase that is low-​key and a spring show that is more formal, but not too much so. I believe you can try any class without obligation.

We have tried 4 dance studios around the city and this is our favorite. My 4 year old loves the teacher Miss Bryne and comes home and does all the moves all week long. It’s much more low key than Shan Yee Poon, the kids actually get to do more dancing in the class (rather than sitting around waiting for everyone else to dance), and more fun, which is what it’s supposed to be about at this age. What’s more, you don’t feel like they are constantly trying to nickel and dime you. Their front desk staff is friendly and helpful as well.
The only down side is they don’t have advanced ballet classes for adults. But for young kids, it’s fantastic.

I love this place! It’s fresh, new, and has a pleasing décor. The studios are nice. They have classes for adults (which I am) though it’s also fun to watch the kids do what I always wished I could do when I was that age. I especially like the staff there. Friendly and helpful. They put my dancing progress first. For me it’s a ‘go to’ dance center. Congratulations!

Ms Sonoo is amazing! I take her beginner tap and jazz class and love it! I find it super hard– impossible in finding a tap and jazz teacher (tap especially, omg!) who actually teaches a «Beginner» class. The teachers who do teach beginner tap classes were more like «Adv Beginner» than an actual «Beginner Beginner.» Ms Sonoo really breaks the moves down (both for tap and jazz). She really pays close attention and makes sure that you understand the move fully.
What I really like about her classes is that she doesn’t just show you a move and then never really do it again, but repeats them for future classes. She makes sure that all the moves and combos you learn still stay fresh within your body and not just like, «Okay forget what we learned last week, we are doing something completely different this week!» Upon adding new moves, she also adds in old ones as welI! I think repetition is super important, especially for beginners! She is the nicest woman in the world, and Brooke is super nice as well! I highly recommend this dance studio!

Brooke Byrne & Sonoo Petty just opened this new dance studio on Geary between 14^th & 15^th Ave. They’re both great teachers — I took adult tap classes from Sonoo at a different studio and her classes are fast but fun (am hoping to find time to take them again!). And now my 2 ¾ year old is taking dance classes from Brooke. So far she’s the only kid in the class, but she doesn’t seem to mind, she loves jumping around in her leotard following the teacher and doesn’t want to leave after the 45 minute class is over.