JCCSF Dance School

Ages 3 – 16

Our Ballet, Tap, Musical Theater and Combo classes let your kids discover self-expression, build confidence and delve professionally into the world of performing arts.

Little girls smiling and dancing in the studio.

Welcome back to the JCCSF Dance School! When kids dance, they get so much more than just an outlet for excess energy – they become more socially aware in groups, learn how to express themselves creatively, and grow in strength, flexibility, coordination and balance.

At the JCCSF Dance School, our talented instructors guide children in various styles of dance, including Ballet, Tap, Musical theater and Combo classes specialized to their age and development. The tiered dance program is designed to teach a progression of skills from foundational steps to choreographed performances – creating young artists throughout our community.

Kids ages 3 – 13 learn foundational movement, building their skills as they progress through the program. Classes taught by professional dancers are offered year-round, with registrations in November, March and July.

For those that have a complete class (8 plus participants) and a desired time slot, Curated classes are available for ages 3 – 16 by request.

JCCSF DANCE SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Session	Registration Period	Program Dates
Winter/Spring 2026	Opens November 4, 2025	January 12 – May 16 2026
Fall 2025	Opens July 22, 2025	September 8 – December 18 2025

Winter/Spring registration opens on November 4, 2025!

Classes are from January 12 – May 16, 2026.

There will be no class on the following dates:
January 19
February 16
April 2

For questions about class offerings or placement please email [email protected].

Winter/Spring 2026 Class Descriptions

PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Ballet First Steps: In their first look at ballet, children will play movement games to build balance and body awareness, learning simple dance phrases and group work.

Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 3:15 – 4:00pm // $685
Sundays: 10:00 – 10:50am // $685

Ballet / Tap First Steps: This introductory class keeps dancers moving with 25 minutes of tap and 25 minutes of ballet. Tap will include marching to music, heel taps, and toe taps. Ballet will include first position, plie, and passe. Rhymes and games are used to introduce these basic tap and ballet steps, perfect for your new dancer!

Mondays: 3:15 – 4:00pm // $685

GRADE KINDERGARTEN – 1ST CLASSES

Beginner Ballet: Children learn foundational ballet movements such as pliés, tendus and beginning use of arms in an encouraging environment.

Mondays 4:10 – 5:00pm // $685
Thursdays: 4:10 – 5:00pm // $685
Sunday: 11:00 – 11:50am // $685

Beginner Tap: Children learn foundational tap movements such as shuffle hop toe, shuffle ball change, Irish step, and more in encouraging studio setting. Basic combinations, across-the-floor exercises, and center choreography will have your new tapper moving and grooving.

Mondays 4:10 – 5:00pm // $685

Beginner Tap / Jazz: This introductory class keeps dancers moving with 25 minutes of tap and 25 minutes of jazz. Rhymes and games will introduce the basic tap steps, such as shuffle, hop, and ball change. Expressive movement will introduce the basic jazz dance steps such as kicks, jumps, and pivot turns.

Tuesdays: 4:10 – 5:00pm // $685

NEW! Beginner Acro Dance: Acrobatics meet dance as dancers dive into the foundations of strength, balance, flexibility, and fun! Children safely learn the fundamentals of tumbling, leaping, and cartwheeling, and combine them with simple combinations from jazz and ballet to encourage musicality and creativity. No prior experience needed.

Tuesdays: 4:10pm – 5:00 pm // $685

NEW! Mixed Movement: Children will enjoy moving their bodies to music, including dance traveling steps to warm up, creative improvisation time, and learning to dance in mixed styles of jazz, hip hop, and contemporary.

Sundays: 9:00 – 10:00 am // $685

NEW! Musical Theater Medley: In this high-energy class, dancers will explore multiple dance styles, featuring choreography, dialogue, and music from Broadway’s biggest hits. Genres include jazz, tap, modern, hip hop, and more. No prior experience needed!

Wednesdays: 4:30 – 5:20 pm // $685
Thursdays: 4:10 – 5:00 pm // $685

GRADE 2nd – 3rd CLASSES

Intermediate Ballet: Building on beginner knowledge, dancers will move to the barre practicing simple exercises that will lead to learning movement across the floor, incorporating jumps, counting, and combinations. Prior experience required.

Tuesdays: 5:10 – 6:00pm // $685

Beginner Tap: Dancers will focus on shuffle combinations at a faster tempo, gain an introduction to flaps, and learn combinations in this introductory class. Center work will incorporate classic tap and Broadway steps in an encouraging studio setting.

Tuesdays: 5:10 – 6:00pm // $685

Intermediate Tap: Children advance tap knowledge by learning shuffle and flap combinations, progressing to across-the-floor work, and center work incorporating turns, syncopated rhythms, and class time steps. Beginner tap experience required.

Thursdays: 5:10 – 6:00pm // $685

NEW! Musical Theater Medley:In this high-energy class, dancers will explore multiple dance styles, featuring choreography, dialogue, and music from Broadway’s biggest hits. Genres include jazz, tap, modern, hip hop, and more. No prior experience needed.

Wednesdays: 4:30 – 5:20 pm // $685
Thursdays: 4:10 – 5:00 pm // $685

GRADE 4th – 8th CLASSES

Thursdays: 5:10 – 6:00 pm // $685

CURATED DANCE CLASSES

Looking for a curated dance class experience that provides personalized instruction and fits your schedule?

We currently offer curated classes for ages 3 – 16 in the following styles: ballet (all levels), jazz, tap and more! Subject to teacher schedules.

We recommend classes for 6 – 12 participants in a similar age range and can provide accommodation for smaller classes.

Pricing varies based on number of participants and level of dance.

Inquire About Curated Classes

JCCSF ADULT DANCE CLASS INTEREST FORM

The JCCSF Dance School is currently gauging community interest to help design the perfect lineup of adult dance programs in San Francisco, including styles like ballet, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, and more. Your input is invaluable!

Whether you’re a beginner looking to explore dance for the first time or a seasoned dancer eager to get back into the studio, we want to hear from you. Let’s move, groove, and grow together again at JCCSF Dance School—where community and creativity meet.

Interested in Adult Dance Classes in San Francisco?
Please fill out the short form below to let us know what you’d love to see offered.

Inquire About Adult Dance Classes

Are you a JCCSF member? Save 10% with a Community Membership!

Kids and dance instructor stretching in the studio.

Meet the Team

Bryan Wells

Director of Youth & Family, Sports & Recreation

Youth & Family

Jordie Palmer

Youth Recreation Manager

Youth & Family

FAQs

Does my child need to have prior training or experience to join a dance class?

We encourage students of all levels to join our dance program. Recreational classes (First steps classes, Beginner Ballet and Beginner Tap) are designed to build a dancer’s confidence and provide a foundation for their dance learning. For Intermediate and above previous experience is greatly encouraged.

What should my dancer wear for class?

See below for class-specific uniforms. As a gender-neutral option, students are welcome to choose their uniforms from the options below.

All items can be found at SF Dance Gear (551 Hayes St.) or online at sfdancegear.com or amazon.com.

Toddlers:

Any moveable athletic wear with non-canvas ballet shoes.

Ballet First Steps/Tap First Steps:

Leotard – White

Tights – Pink

Ballet Slippers/ Tap Shoes – Any non-canvas ballet shoes (Recommended: Bloch “Dansoft” children’s pink ballet slipper)

Beginner Ballet/Tap/Jazz:

Leotard – Light Pink

Tights – PinkBallet Slippers – Any non-canvas ballet shoes (Recommended: Bloch “Dansoft” children’s pink ballet slipper)

Any ballet Mock Wrap Skirt (optional) – Pink

Intermediate Ballet/Tap/Jazz:

Leotard – Light Blue

Tights – White

Ballet Slippers – Any non-canvas ballet shoes (Recommended: Bloch “Dansoft” children’s pink ballet slipper)

Boys All Levels:

Leotard – White

Tights (Shorts) – Black

Ballet Slippers – Any non-canvas ballet shoes (Recommended: Bloch “Dansoft” children’s black ballet slipper)

Will there be a recital this session?

As of now we will not have an end of session recital as our Kanbar Theater is being remodeled and will be unavailable. We are looking to secure other spaces outside of the JCCSF.

Is financial assistance available?

Yes. Visit our financial assistance page to learn more.

Can I get a refund?

JCCSF Spring Youth Dance Classes fees are paid in full at the time of registration. Once a payment is processed, the following refund policies are in effect: The last day to request a full refund is August 25, 2025.  A 50% refund can be requested from August 26, 2025 through the first day of class.  We do not offer makeup classes, refunds or credits for missed classes.

Helen Diller Preschool FAQs

What is the Helen Diller Walk-over?

In response to what we’ve heard would best support our Diller families, we’ve launched a new program to provide your preschooler with specialized dance and sports classes led by our seasoned JCCSF instructors, right after the preschool day ends. The best part is we will bring your child from preschool directly to their class, for an additional fee.

How much does the walk-over cost?

The price breakdown is as follows:
Dance Class Rate: $420
Add-On Walk-Over Fee: $125

How does the walk-over work?

This convenient walk-over service is available only to Diller Preschool students who add the walk-over fee to their class registration.

On class days, participating children will be safely escorted to their sports or dance class by both a trusted Diller teacher and JCCSF class instructor. These team members will stay with the children throughout the class, helping with bathroom needs, staying present during the class, and being readily available for any emergencies.

Once class wraps up, all participating Diller students will be walked back to the Diller Preschool. From there:

Parents can pick up and sign out their child at the end of the preschool day.

If your child is enrolled in the Enrichment Program, their day will continue as usual, and you may pick them up at the program’s regular end time.

Important:

All student pickups must take place at the Diller Preschool after the sports or dance class ends (around 4:15pm), no exceptions.

These procedures are in place to ensure the safety and security of all children, families, visitors, and staff at the JCCSF.

What’s included in the walk-over fee?

The fee includes bringing your preschooler to and from their dance or sports class by a Diller teacher and Sports/ Dance Instructor who is present for the entire class. This provides consistency, support, and supervision from start to finish.

Can my child take one of the sports or dance classes and not pay the walk-over fee?

Sure! A parent or caregiver just needs to pick their child up from Diller Preschool and bring them to class on their own.

If I participate in walk-over, can I pick my child up from class when it’s over?

Unfortunately, not. All children who participate in the walk-over program must be picked up from Diller Preschool once class is over. If you only want your child to take the sports or dance class without the walk-over, just don’t include the Add-on Walk-Over during the class registration process.

How is this different than Diller’s Enrichment Program?

Diller’s Enrichment Program extends the preschool day for families who remain at Diller Preschool until they are picked up.

This program is for children to attend a sports or dance class at the JCCSF and optionally have their child brought to and from class from preschool It’s still part of our Diller Preschool programming, which means our qualified teachers are involved, and all activities remain within our accredited framework.

Do I need to enroll in the Enrichment Program to participate in one of the classes?

No. Enrollment in the Enrichment Program is not required. Any Diller preschooler can register for one of the dance or sports classes and for an additional fee, be brought to and from preschool.

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Have a question about JCCSF Dance School? Reach out to our team – we’d love to hear from you!