Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School - Sherman Oaks

For families in Sherman Oaks and across the greater Los Angeles area, Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School offers a truly special place where young imaginations can flourish and budding performers can discover their passion for dance and drama. Since its humble beginnings in 2011 with just one student, Blue Starz has grown into one of the San Fernando Valley's leading performing arts studios for children. It's a warm, friendly, and non-competitive environment where kids from as young as 18 months up to 12 years old can explore a wide array of dance styles, engage in theatrical play, and develop their creative talents.

At Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School, the mission goes beyond simply teaching steps or lines; it's about nurturing confidence, fostering imagination, and creating lasting memories. The dedicated staff and instructors are passionate about providing a positive and inspiring foundation for performing arts education. Whether your child dreams of being a prima ballerina, a hip-hop sensation, or a Broadway star, Blue Starz provides the perfect platform to build skills, express individuality, and fall in love with the magic of performance. They believe in guiding "little people with BIG imaginations, to slightly bigger people who've grown inside and out, making some life long memories along the way." This holistic approach ensures that every child feels supported and celebrated on their artistic journey.

Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School is conveniently located at 14330 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, USA. This prime address places it right in the heart of Sherman Oaks, a bustling and easily accessible part of the San Fernando Valley. Ventura Boulevard is a major thoroughfare, ensuring smooth and straightforward travel for families from Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Van Nuys, and other nearby communities across Los Angeles. The central location minimizes commute times for busy parents and makes it simple to integrate dance and theatre classes into a child's weekly schedule. Its presence on a prominent boulevard also means it's well-served by local transportation routes. The ease of access to Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School enhances its suitability as a local destination for children's performing arts education, ensuring that quality instruction is within reach for a wide range of families in the California region.

Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School offers a diverse and engaging range of programs designed to spark creativity and build foundational skills in young performers. Their comprehensive services cater to various age groups and interests:

• Petite Performers Program (18 months - 6 years): This unique curriculum, also co-founded by Blue Starz's Michelle Cardno, is specifically designed for the youngest students. It includes:
  • Parent & Me Classes: For the very youngest dancers to explore movement with a guardian.
  • Baby Ballet: An introduction to ballet fundamentals in a playful setting.
  • Tiny Tap: Fun classes to introduce rhythm and basic tap steps.
  • Mini Hip-Hop: High-energy classes for little ones to groove to contemporary beats.
  • Didi Drama & Musical Theatre: Engaging classes to spark imagination and introduce basic acting and singing.
• Dance Classes (6 - 12 years): Non-competitive, recreational classes following the renowned European curriculum, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D.). Styles include:
  • Ballet: Classical technique to build grace, strength, and poise.
  • Tap: Develop rhythm and precision through intricate footwork.
  • Jazz: Dynamic movements incorporating various styles, from funk to Broadway.
  • Hip-Hop: High-energy, contemporary street-smart dance focusing on musicality and style.
  • Acrobatics: Building strength, flexibility, and tumbling skills.
• Drama & Musical Theatre Classes (3 - 12 years): These classes utilize singing, drama, and movement to develop skill, imagination, and confidence.
  • Opportunities to perform in Fall & Spring Reviews, often based on popular themes like Frozen, Encanto, Aladdin, or High School Musical, held in a real blackbox theatre with costumes and sets.
• Private Lessons: Individualized instruction in piano, violin, and vocals for students aged 4 and up, offering tailored guidance and accelerated progress.
• Camps: Various dance and theatre camps offered during Summer, Winter, and Spring breaks, with themes ranging from Disney classics to popular movies, culminating in small performances.
• Birthday Parties: Specialized services to host fun and engaging dance or theatre-themed birthday parties.
• Date Nights: Unique drop-off events designed for parents to enjoy a night out while their children are entertained at the studio.
• Yearly Recitals & Productions: Providing students with exciting opportunities to showcase their learned skills and perform for an audience.

Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School stands out in the Los Angeles performing arts scene due to several compelling features and highlights:

• Warm, Friendly, and Non-Competitive Environment: A core philosophy of Blue Starz is to provide a "warm and friendly school" and a "non-competitive environment." This approach fosters a supportive atmosphere where children can learn and grow without undue pressure, prioritizing the joy of performance over intense competition.
• Extensive Age Range Coverage: Catering to students from "18 months & up" to 12 years old, Blue Starz offers programs for a wide spectrum of childhood development, from early creative movement to more structured dance and theatre training.
• Diverse Curriculum with European Influence: The school offers a rich variety of styles, including Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Drama, and Musical Theatre. Notably, their dance classes for older children follow the renowned European curriculum, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D.), ensuring a high standard of instruction.
• Experienced and Inspiring Teachers: The staff, including instructors like Ms. Sarah, Ms. Jessica, Ms. Destiny, and co-founder Michelle Cardno, bring a wealth of professional experience in various dance and theatre forms. They are dedicated to encouraging young artists and empowering kids in a "positive, uplifting environment."
• Focus on Holistic Development: Beyond technical skills, Blue Starz emphasizes developing "creative imagination," confidence, movement skills, speech, and singing. Their drama classes, for instance, focus on imagination, creativity, and memorization, building confidence in various aspects of performance.
• Real Performance Opportunities: Students in drama and musical theatre classes have the exciting opportunity to perform in Fall & Spring Reviews and Mainstage shows, held in a "real blackbox theatre" complete with costumes and sets. This hands-on experience is invaluable for aspiring performers.
• Flexible and Comprehensive Offerings: In addition to regular weekly classes, the school provides camps during breaks, birthday parties, and even "Date Nights," making it a versatile resource for local families looking for engaging activities.
• Foundational Learning for Future Growth: Blue Starz prides itself on being "often the first stop for many children in their journey of performing arts." They are committed to providing strong foundations, and for students who later wish to pursue more competitive training, they "work closely with a couple of nearby studios to help find your family and child the best fit."

To learn more about the exciting programs at Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School, register for a class, or inquire about their camps and other services, please contact them using the information below. They offer free trial classes for new families, making it easy to experience their welcoming environment firsthand.

Address: 14330 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, USA

Phone: (818) 404-2132

For families residing in California, particularly in the Sherman Oaks area and across the San Fernando Valley, Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School stands out as an exceptional choice for children's performing arts education. Its commitment to a non-competitive, warm, and friendly environment ensures that even the youngest students can thrive, develop confidence, and truly fall in love with dance and drama. The diverse curriculum, spanning ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz, drama, and musical theatre, caters to a wide range of interests and skill levels, all guided by talented and encouraging instructors. The school's emphasis on cultural enrichment through performance opportunities in a real theatre setting provides invaluable experience. Furthermore, the convenience of its Ventura Boulevard location, coupled with offerings like camps, birthday parties, and "Date Nights," makes Blue Starz a practical and enriching local resource. For parents seeking a place where their children can not only learn dance and theatre but also grow in confidence, creativity, and a love for the arts, Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School in Sherman Oaks is an ideal and highly recommended community gem.

Blue Starz Dance & Theatre School - Sherman Oaks

14330 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, USA