Celebrating Dance Since 1986

Ruth Fisher introduced dance for preschoolers to the recreation departments of Santa Cruz County more than thirty years ago, changing dance studios in the area forever. Since then she has taught thousands of young children the joy of dance.  She also pioneered the first dance program in Santa Cruz for people with special needs and challenges.  When she opened Dancenter, her goal was to include everyone in the community who would like to dance.  All abilities, ages, shapes and sizes are welcome.

Dance is for everybody!

If you are looking for dance classes at a studio where everybody fits in, join us at Dancenter. Dancenter is the oldest continuously owned dance studio in Santa Cruz County. We are centrally located; serving the cities of Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola, Watsonville, Soquel and surrounding areas.

Dancers can begin classes at three years of age with pre-dance. Starting at age seven, dancers can choose graded classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and Latin dance. Dancenter also has classes for adults and dancers with disabilities.

We are proud that we have Dancenter graduates in many college and high school dance programs around the country, such as Julliard, La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts, the Alvin Ailey School, Boston Conservatory, Fordham University, Manhattan Marymount, U.C. Irvine, U.C.L.A., California State University at Long Beach, San Francisco, Cornish School of the Arts, and Cal Arts.

Dancers have a choice of how they want to participate at Dancenter. They can enjoy classes as a recreational pursuit, or participate in our companies or Ballet Repertory and attend dance conventions, master classes, and work towards competing in the premier ballet competition, YAGP. We participate in festivals and community events around the bay area, such as the Capitola Art and Wine Festival, National Dance Week, Great America, MAH, and Santana Row’s Dancing at the Row.  Teen dancers are encouraged to choreograph and we give them a forum to present their works at Choreography Night. Each June, we also provide a showcase opportunity for all of our dancers to participate at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.

A Santa Cruz dance studio that teaches more than just dance

Our teachers are trained professionals, many with degrees in dance, theatre, and related subjects. Our studios have state-of-the art sprung floors covered with Marley where applicable. Our dancers’ safety and well-being is our primary focus. So come join the fun! Call us at (831) 475-5032.

 

So come and enjoy our Santa Cruz dance classes, and remember the African proverb: