Best studio on the Central Coast for classical ballet training and artistry, with friendly staff and dancers.

I have practiced ballet as an adult at the beginner/early intermediate level at Ballet Theater SLO for a little more than a year, and absolutely love it. Blair and Terry are incredibly warm, hardworking, and are committed to the integrity of the art of dance - something that can be hard to find these days among a sea of competitive dance everyone-gets-a-trophy establishments. You immediately feel the difference of this place, as it is a small non-profit truly dedicated to the arts. Being new to the central coast, BT-SLO has been a great way to get involved in the community, and my husband and I have both enjoyed volunteering with set painting and backstage activities during the major holiday performance last year. I have been absolutely blown away by the maturity, grace, and poise of the young kids that dance here. They get consistent, warm but firm feedback, and it clearly builds character in a way that should make any parent proud. When a work injury kept me out of class for a couple months, I was able to come back and test the waters while healing and they didnt charge me for classes during that time - its just that kind of place. There is a class for everyone, from wee little ones just beginning to the very experienced dancers, to adults who have no experience whatsoever but want to learn. And unlike anywhere else Ive found, the adult classes progress beyond the beginner level, and there are performance opportunities no matter what age / dancer level you are or when you started dancing. BT-SLO is a gem, and I am so happy to be a part of it.

Wonderful studio....unfortunately whomever runs the front desk is very unfriendly, unhelpful and unproffesional. He harranges and harrasses the students. He targets and victimizes individuals as soon as they walk through the front door. He even attempts to contact them outside of class beyond appropriate measure. I think he may be some sort of stalker type with a need to constantly contact his victims. He also humiliates individuals to the point of crying. He does this publicly and with hi-frequency. He is unfortunately a stain and an embarassement to the entire institution that is comprised of wonderful, lovely, and kind artists and parents and other staff members. His class is also one to be avoided if you have any self respect as an adult. He treats everyone like a child who doesnt know they dont deserve to be daily punished, guilt tripped and shamed for very trivial unimportant matters that may not even have anything to do with ballet. No wonder there was only 2 adults in the class. I dont know how anyone tolerates him. He is one of the worst humans I have ever met in my entire life. If you like to feel completely defeated, beaten down, depressed and on the verge of having a complete mental breakdown then try talking to this man. I believe his name is Blair. If you dont respond to his overly personal and intrusive floods of emails, he will threaten you in person and yell at you because you may not have corresponded to his liking. He will obliterate your self esteem and poison your spirits so that you feel furious with not only him but everyone around you. He is a psychologicaly abusive demonic mennace and monster. He is not to be trusted at all. He discourages me to the point that I want to run out of the studio crying and never return. I think I shall look elsewhere for dance, and avoid this sad shell of a human being as much as possible. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR A BUSINESS I HAVE EVER COME ACROSS. I am so distraught and emotional disturbed just writing this. I didnt want to do this, but that man traumatized me to the point that he should not be allowed to be around people in general. I have focusing problems and emotional and self esteem problems soley because of him. His modus operandi is sublte at times, but still life altering, and for the worse. I am glad i have not been to that studio in a very long time.