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American Dance AcademySchool DanceCaliforniaContra Costa CountyOakleySchool Dance in Neroly RoadStep 2 This Dance & Performing Arts
Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts ico

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts

1530 Neroly Rd b, Oakley, CA 94561, USA

4.0
I was previously very involved at S2T and kept quiet out of respect for family, but now that the studio has responded to reviews after 5 years, I feel it’s important to repost the actual review for context.My daughter danced at S2T from age 3 to 13, including 7 years under her grandmother’s ownership. Once Amber and Joe took over, things changed. As a family member, I helped them during their transition and even wrote emails on Amber’s behalf, ran fundraisers, and was deeply committed to the studio. But over time, I began to see troubling patterns—favoritism, bullying, and a toxic culture.Amber often pitted parents against each other, involved herself in parent drama, and harshly disciplined my daughter in ways she didn’t apply to others. Despite my daughter’s dedication (over 20 classes per week including being a teaching assistant), she was yelled at, singled out and repeatedly dismissed when we raised concerns. She was expected to be both the example and the scapegoat.Instruction quality was inconsistent. Advanced dancers left after 2016, and class levels dropped. Some teachers were great—like Miss Hailey and Coach Kelly—but we paid extra for private lessons and choreography just to keep my daughter progressing, especially in tap and tumbling, where the regular training lacked consistency. At times, she had to share jazz tech classes with 5-year-olds, limiting her growth.Scheduling was demanding and inflexible—late-night solos followed by early-morning team calls with harsh consequences for arriving “late” (even when still within a normal call time). When I addressed these concerns, I was told I could quit if I didn’t like it. Classes 5 days per week.After we decided to leave and pursue training elsewhere, Amber found out and shared this information with other parents. Word spread quickly, and many of the students began mistreating my daughter. She was excluded, talked about, and made to feel extremely uncomfortable during her final recital season—even though she had committed to finishing strong with her team. It was heartbreaking to watch the environment turn so hostile for a child who had spent nearly her whole childhood there.Everyone’s experience is different, but if you’re considering S2T, be aware that beneath the performances is a culture of favoritism, inconsistent instruction, and retaliation if you step out of line or seek better opportunities. My daughter gave her all to this studio—and deserved better.Google limits characters so I had to shorten this. - Jessica Fischer
Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts Overview Intro Photos Location Reviews

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts Introduce

For anyone in California's East Bay region with a passion for dance and performing arts, or for parents seeking a nurturing environment for their children to grow, Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts in Oakley stands as a local institution with a long history. Established in 2002, this studio has dedicated itself to providing a positive learning experience for every family that steps through its doors. The philosophy at Step 2 This is clear: dance is for everyone. They celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where every dancer feels valued and supported, whether they are just beginning their dance journey or are a seasoned competitor.

Located conveniently in Oakley, Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts aims to make dance a wonderful life experience for both children and adults. The studio emphasizes that dance can foster a sense of achievement, pride, and accomplishment, going beyond just teaching steps. They are committed to providing quality dance instruction across a wide range of styles, encouraging creative expression, and building a strong foundation for young dancers. As a vendor for charter schools like Vista Oaks and Visions Homeschool, Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts also supports alternative education pathways, making dance accessible to an even broader segment of the local community in California.

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts is conveniently located at 1530 Neroly Rd b, Oakley, CA 94561, USA. This address places the studio in a readily accessible part of Oakley, making it a practical choice for residents within Oakley and the surrounding East Contra Costa County areas. Being situated on Neroly Road, a recognizable street in the community, contributes to the ease with which local families can find and navigate to the studio for classes and events. The accessible location helps to minimize travel time for busy families, allowing dancers to focus on their training rather than enduring long commutes.

Reaching Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts is straightforward for those traveling by car. Oakley is well-connected by local roads, and the studio's address means it's generally easy to access from various parts of the city. While specific public transportation options would depend on an individual's precise starting point, local bus routes in Oakley likely have stops within a reasonable distance of the studio, offering an alternative for those who prefer not to drive. Ample parking in the vicinity of the studio is also typically a consideration, providing convenience for drop-offs and pickups. This central and accessible location reinforces Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts as a practical and integrated part of the California dance community, serving its local clientele with ease.

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts offers a comprehensive range of services and classes designed to cater to dancers of various ages and skill levels, emphasizing a positive learning experience.

  • Diverse Dance Instruction: The studio provides quality dance instruction for ages 2½ through adult, covering a wide range of styles including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Tumbling, and Cheer Dance.
  • Recreational Programs: Classes are available for recreational dancers at every level, focusing on proper technique while encouraging creative expression in a fun and supportive environment.
  • Pre-Ballet and Combo Classes: Specialized programs like "TuTu Ballet - Pre-Ballet," "Little Steps - Tap/Ballet Combo," and "Little Steps - Tap/Jazz Combo" are designed for very young children, introducing them to basic techniques, terminology, and creative movement in an age-appropriate manner.
  • Progressive Skill Development: Classes for older children (ages 7+) delve deeper into specific dance forms like Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop, emphasizing technique, strength, flexibility, and performance quality. Pointe is offered to evaluated students.
  • Tumbling Programs: Dedicated "Tiny Tumblers" (ages 3-5) and "Tumbling" (ages 6 & up) classes focus on teaching the structure and basics of tumbling skills, including stretches and body alignment.
  • Online Registration: For convenience, Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts offers online registration for its programs, with no annual registration fees.
  • Dress Code Guidance: Clear dress code requirements are provided for each class, ensuring dancers are appropriately attired for safety and effective instruction. An online dance store is also available for purchasing necessary dancewear.
  • Homeschool Vendor Services: The studio is a registered vendor for Vista Oaks Charter School and Visions Homeschool, making their programs accessible to homeschooled students.

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts highlights several key features that aim to create a supportive and enriching environment for its students, though it's important to consider all available feedback.

  • Commitment to a Positive Learning Experience: The studio explicitly states its goal is to provide a positive learning experience for every family, fostering a sense of achievement, pride, and accomplishment through dance.
  • Inclusivity and Diversity: Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts emphasizes that "dance is for everyone," striving to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every dancer feels valued and supported, whether a beginner or seasoned competitor.
  • Experienced and Qualified Instructors: The studio asserts that all classes are taught by highly qualified instructors with extensive experience in their respective disciplines, aiming to ensure high-quality dance education.
  • Structured Curriculum: Classes are designed with basic skills repeated each week for younger dancers to build a strong foundation, and older students follow a curriculum that progresses in technique and complexity.
  • Comprehensive Dance Styles: The wide array of dance styles offered ensures that students can explore different genres and find what resonates with their interests, from classical ballet to energetic hip-hop and acrobatic tumbling.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Classes are scheduled throughout the day on weekdays and weekends, aiming to offer convenience for families and students.
  • No Annual Registration Fees: This feature simplifies the enrollment process and reduces initial costs for families considering joining the studio.

For all inquiries, class schedules, or to learn more about registration, Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts can be contacted through the following information:

Address: 1530 Neroly Rd b, Oakley, CA 94561, USA

Phone: (925) 625-4699

Mobile Phone: +1 925-625-4699

You can also visit their official website for detailed class descriptions, schedules, and online registration.

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts is suitable for locals in California, particularly those in the Oakley area and surrounding East Bay communities, due to its commitment to providing accessible and diverse dance education. For parents seeking a dance studio, the clear mission to create a "positive learning experience for every family" is a foundational promise. The availability of classes for a wide age range, from 2½-year-olds to adults, means that Step 2 This can cater to various stages of a dancer's journey, from early exploration to advanced technique. The inclusion of diverse styles like Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Tumbling also ensures that individuals can find a dance form that excites them, fostering a lifelong love for movement right within their local community.

Furthermore, as a vendor for homeschool programs like Vista Oaks Charter School and Visions Homeschool, Step 2 This makes dance education more flexible and accessible for a segment of the local population with unique educational needs. The convenience of online registration and the absence of annual registration fees also streamline the process for busy California families. While online reviews present mixed perspectives, with some expressing concerns about studio culture and consistency, the studio's stated goals of fostering achievement, pride, and accomplishment through dance, and its dedication to an inclusive environment, align with what many local families seek in a community performing arts center. For those in Oakley looking for a dance studio that aims to provide a welcoming space for all levels and ages, Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts presents a local option worth exploring for their dance and performing arts aspirations.

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts Photos

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts Picture 1

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts Location

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts

1530 Neroly Rd b, Oakley, CA 94561, USA

Step 2 This Dance & Performing Arts Reviews

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