Business Details
50 Years
experience
Premier Dance Education for All Ages
Founded in 1976, West Valley Dance began as a single dance class at Action Day Schools and has grown into a cornerstone of dance education in the Bay Area. Our mission is to inspire confidence, commitment, and creativity through professional dance training for all ages, from toddlers to advanced levels. We foster a community where students develop life skills such as respect, empathy, and teamwork in a safe, nurturing environment. Our dedicated staff and elegant facilities support each dancer's unique journey, ensuring growth and success. We believe dance is an art form that cultivates self-discovery, growth, and community, rooted in quality, care, and connection.Our teaching staff brings industry expertise and passion, nurturing skills that extend into life, including resilience, respect, and teamwork. We provide spaces like lounges for rest and reflection and viewing areas for families, creating a community that involves dancers and their families. Our philosophy emphasizes cultivating a lifelong love of dance, leading with compassion, inspiring with professionalism, and teaching with purpose. We are dedicated to building a legacy of empowered dancers who carry our values into every aspect of their lives.
Services
Ballet
Hip-Hop
Contemporary
Jazz
Tap
Musical Theater
Acro & Tumbling
Ballroom
Wedding Lessons
Competitive Teams
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We offer 48+ years of experience in dance education and community building.
- Our studios foster a nurturing environment with state-of-the-art facilities.
- We provide personalized attention with classes tailored to every skill level.
- Our certified instructors bring industry expertise and passion to every lesson.
- We emphasize life skills like teamwork, respect, and resilience through dance.
What people say
Nurturing environment
Skilled instructors
Confidence building
Technical proficiency
Community focused
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet classes focus on technique, proper body alignment, and balance, teaching barre technique, center floor skills, and terminology. Students develop foundational skills essential for all dance styles while building discipline and artistry. Ideal for dancers seeking classical training with a strong technical foundation.
Hip-Hop Classes
High-energy hip-hop classes teach street dancing styles including breaking, popping, and locking. Students learn to express individuality through movement while developing rhythm, coordination, and performance confidence in a dynamic, creative environment for all skill levels.
Competitive Teams
Our audition-based competitive teams train in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop for regional and national competitions. Dancers receive technical training, choreography instruction, and performance opportunities while developing discipline, teamwork, and stage presence in a goal-oriented environment.
Acro & Tumbling
Acro classes combine flexibility, balance, and strength training with fundamental acrobatic techniques. Students learn controlled artistry and muscle development while progressing through safe, structured skill levels to enhance their dance performance capabilities and physical coordination.
Wedding Dance Lessons
Personalized wedding dance instruction prepares couples for their first dance with choreography tailored to their style and comfort level. Lessons focus on timing, coordination, and confidence-building in a relaxed atmosphere for all experience levels, ensuring a memorable performance.
People
Cathy Jelic
Owner | Executive Director
Cathy founded WVDC in 2009 after developing Action Day Schools' dance program since 1993. With over 30 years of experience, she transformed a single team into a thriving dance community across multiple locations, emphasizing confidence, discipline, and artistry in every student.
Shannon Claude
Studio Director
Shannon has directed WVDC since 2015, teaching since 2002. She established the West Valley Dance Cats in 2009 and focuses on creating a professional environment that balances technical excellence with artistic expression for dancers aged 4-18.
Shiyo Yamamoto
Mountain View and Willow Glen Studio Director
Shiyo directs two studios and trains award-winning teams. With international competition experience and training from prestigious institutions, she brings global expertise to local dancers, emphasizing creativity and leadership development since joining WVDC in 2015.
Dani Keats
Dance Instructor
Dani teaches multiple styles with 20 years of experience, holding a bachelor's degree in dance. She founded Cabaret San Jose and performs professionally while mentoring students in a fun, supportive environment that prioritizes safe technical development.
Gianna Calderon
Dance Instructor
Gianna brings professional performance experience from NYC studios and dance collectives. She trains students in various styles while maintaining her own competitive dance career, offering real-world insights into technical mastery and performance artistry.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theater, acro, ballroom, and wedding dance lessons.
Do you have classes for young children?
Yes, we offer Tiny Tots classes for children aged 18 months to 2.5 years, focusing on balance and coordination.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes, we provide recitals, holiday parades, and competitive team performances at regional and national levels.
Do you offer birthday party packages?
Yes, we offer themed dance parties with instruction, cake time, and party supplies for up to 15 children.
What are your studio locations?
We have studios in San Jose (Bascom and Willow Glen), Mountain View, and a dance boutique in San Jose.
