Zohar Dance Company

Welcome to Zohar Dance Company, a vibrant non-profit organization that has been a cornerstone of the Palo Alto and wider Bay Area dance community since its founding in 1979 by Ehud Krauss. More than just a studio, Zohar is dedicated to making dance accessible, inclusive, vibrant, relevant, and integral to its community. With a rich history spanning over four decades, Zohar Dance Company has cultivated a reputation as a special place where individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels can explore the transformative power of dance.

At Zohar, the mission goes beyond technique; it's about inspiring the individual through the study of dance, encouraging artistic development, and providing a professional, inclusive facility for the entire dance community. While primarily known for its extensive adult dance programs, Zohar also actively engages in impactful outreach initiatives like IndepenDANCE for children with special needs and Juvie Jazz for incarcerated youth, truly embodying its commitment to community involvement. As attested by passionate dancers who've found their "soul touched" by instructors like Marny, Zohar Dance Company is a place where movement connects deeply with personal growth and artistic expression. Whether you're a true beginner looking to discover the joy of dance, a hobbyist refining your skills, or a professional seeking ongoing training, Zohar Dance Company in Palo Alto welcomes you to step onto the dance floor and begin your journey.

Zohar Dance Company is conveniently situated at 4000 Middlefield Rd Building L, Room 4, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA. This address places it squarely within the Cubberley Community Center, a well-known and easily navigable hub for community activities in South Palo Alto. Its location within Cubberley makes it highly accessible for residents of Palo Alto and neighboring communities such as Mountain View, Los Altos, and Sunnyvale.

The Cubberley Community Center provides ample parking, which is a significant convenience for students and visitors, ensuring hassle-free arrivals and departures. Building L, Room 4 is part of a larger complex, and while specific directions to the room might be found on signage within the center, the overall familiarity of Cubberley to locals simplifies the journey. Being part of a community center means Zohar operates within a safe and established environment, benefiting from shared amenities and a central, easy-to-reach location. This accessibility makes Zohar Dance Company a practical and attractive choice for anyone in the Bay Area looking to engage with high-quality dance instruction and performance opportunities without the added stress of a difficult commute or parking. The supportive atmosphere also extends to its physical location, creating a welcoming space for all.

Zohar Dance Company offers a diverse and comprehensive range of dance classes, primarily catering to adults but also including programs for younger students and community outreach initiatives. Their offerings are designed to accommodate various skill levels, from true beginners to advanced dancers.

Services Offered:

• Adult Dance Classes: A wide variety of styles including Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Tap. Classes are offered at mixed, intermediate/advanced, and advanced beginner/intermediate levels.
• Musical Theatre Dance Classes: Integrating dance with acting and voice, sometimes including workshops for audition preparation.
• Floor Barre Classes: Focus on strengthening the core and improving alignment, often serving as a beneficial complement to ballet training.
• Workshops and Intensives: Special programs designed for deeper immersion in specific techniques or styles.
• Zohar Performance Series: Opportunities for new and established artists to create and present performances in Zohar's professional facility, fostering the broader dance community.
• IndepenDANCE Program: An outreach initiative providing dance classes for children with special needs, promoting motor and social skills development.
• Juvie Jazz Program: A transformative outreach program specifically crafted to engage and empower incarcerated youth through dance.
• Children's Dance Classes: While primarily adult-focused, Zohar also offers programs for younger students, including pre-ballet/tap for ages 5-9, and various ballet levels (Ballet I-V) for ages 6 and up, often requiring teacher invitation for advanced levels.
• Studio Rental: Hourly rental of studio space for individual use, providing a professional facility for artists.
• Online (Zoom) and Hybrid Class Options: Demonstrating flexibility and adaptability, Zohar offers virtual attendance for some classes, making dance accessible remotely.

Zohar Dance Company is distinguished by several key features and highlights that underscore its long-standing reputation and unique value to the Bay Area dance community. These attributes contribute significantly to its identity as a truly special place to dance.

Features / Highlights:

• Long-Standing Reputation: Founded in 1979, Zohar has decades of experience and a strong legacy in dance education within the Palo Alto area.
• Exceptional and Inspiring Teachers: Instructors like Marny, Kristine Elliott, Adrienne Parker Foley, Daynee Lai-Krauss (Co-Artistic & Executive Director), Vivian Sam (Co-Artistic & Executive Director), Augusto Silva, Lee Ann Payne, Charles Torres, and others are consistently praised for their incredible teaching, ability to touch the soul, and for being energetic, uplifting, and addicting.
• Inclusive Environment: Zohar truly welcomes a wide variety of dancers, from true beginners and hobbyists to professionals and academics, making classes work for all skill levels and backgrounds.
• Commitment to Community Outreach: Programs like IndepenDANCE (for children with special needs) and Juvie Jazz (for incarcerated youth) highlight Zohar's deep dedication to making dance accessible and impactful beyond the studio walls. This embodies their mission to be integral to the community.
• Professional Facility: Providing a professional dance facility not only for its own classes but also for other artists to create and present performances, demonstrates a commitment to supporting the broader dance ecosystem.
• High-Quality Instruction: Reviews attest to instructors who demand, encourage, and embrace hard work and discipline, leading to significant technique breakthroughs and a more complete dance training experience.
• Adaptability: Zohar notably "stepped up" when another local dance school burned down, allowing them to use their facilities, showcasing their generosity and commitment to the dance community. They also offer online/hybrid class options for flexibility.
• Diverse Class Offerings: A broad range of styles (jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, musical theatre) ensures that dancers can explore various forms and find their passion.
• Emphasis on Holistic Growth: Beyond physical technique, Zohar focuses on fostering confidence, composure, and personal development through dance.

For detailed information on class schedules, registration, community programs, or to inquire about studio rentals, please contact Zohar Dance Company using the details provided below. Their team is ready to assist you in connecting with their vibrant dance community.

Contact Information:

Address: 4000 Middlefield Rd Building L, Room 4, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA

Phone: (650) 494-8221

Mobile Phone: +1 650-494-8221

Zohar Dance Company is an exceptional choice for locals in Palo Alto and the wider Bay Area, embodying what it means to be a truly integral part of the community. Its suitability for residents stems from its long-standing commitment to inclusive and high-quality dance education for adults, fostering a unique environment where both seasoned dancers and absolute beginners feel welcomed and inspired. The diverse range of classes in various styles means that any local looking to explore dance, improve their technique, or simply enjoy movement, will find a suitable and challenging program.

Furthermore, Zohar's profound dedication to community outreach through programs like IndepenDANCE and Juvie Jazz highlights its role as a socially conscious organization, offering transformative experiences to underserved populations right here in our backyard. This commitment resonates deeply with the values of many Bay Area residents. The exceptional instructors, lauded for their ability to not only teach steps but also to "touch the soul," create an enriching and deeply personal experience. Conveniently located within the Cubberley Community Center with ample parking, Zohar Dance Company makes accessing top-tier dance instruction and participating in a supportive artistic community both practical and rewarding for locals seeking to find their rhythm and connection through dance.

Zohar Dance Company

4000 Middlefield Rd Building L, Room 4, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA