Tel: (925) 837-4656
Fax: (925) 837-0731
Email: info@srvda.com
Established in 1969, the San Ramon Valley Dance Academy is recognized as one of the finest, most respected studios in the Bay Area. The original owners, Joan Winton, Mo Ruslender, Karla Kobelt, and Klaudia Kobelt, became partners in1978, bringing years of diverse professional and educational backgrounds, training, and teaching experience to their students. The Academy is home to an outstanding, dedicated faculty as well, whose training and professional experience are unsurpassed.
In 2005, Jennifer Essel Burgardt and Janice Hamill became the new and current owners of San Ramon Valley Dance Academy. Their combined association with the Academy spans over 50 years and their outstanding qualifications made them the ideal candidates to continue the Academy's traditions of quality and excellence.
The 9,000 square foot facility, built in 1978, is the envy of the West Coast dance community. It houses 4 spacious studios, plus a Dance Shoppe to supply every dancer's needs.
The Academy offers a diverse curriculum to students of all ages (3-70+) and abilities (beginner through professional). In addition to the traditional classes in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap, specialty classes in Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Special Needs, and Turns & Jumps are also available. The Academy's "Childrens Dance" program for children ages 3-6 provides an excellent introduction to dance for the young, creative mind.
Students trained at the Academy have danced professionally in many diverse venues, including Ballet Companies, Musical Theatre (New York, National, and Regional), Dance Companies (from Modern to Hip Hop), Television and more. Others, after graduating from high school, have continued their dance training at noted colleges and universities, including UC Irvine and the famed Juilliard School in New York.
San Ramon Valley Dance Academy is pleased to host Master Classes as well, taught by some of the nation's most noted teachers and choreographers (The late Michael Smuin, Roland Dupree, Jackie Sleight, Chebar Williams, Sam Weber, Joanna Berman, Danny Wallace, Alex Blitstein and Doug Caldwell, to name a few).
The Academy is committed to providing the same quality dance instruction that established the Academy's fine reputation in the community over 35 years ago.
SRVDA DRESS CODE: Students must be properly attired and groomed to participate in class. NO jeans, dresses, skirts (other than ballet skirts), gum, or jewelry (includes watches) allowed in class.
4 FUN DANCE: Dancer's choice of appropriate Ballet or Jazz attire, Ballet or Jazz shoes, and Tap shoes (tap shoes preferably with velcro, buckles, or snaps that can be easily taken on or off without the help of an adult). Hair must be securely pulled back.
BALLET: Solid color leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet shoes. Ballet skirts, ballet sweaters, leg warmers optional. Hair must be securely pulled back in a bun. Ballet shoe laces should be comfortably tied in a knot with the excess lace cut off. Adult Ballet Students: Your choice of appropriate dance attire and Ballet shoes.
JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY/LYRICAL: Any style of leotard or dance attire. No clothing may be worn that obstructs the view of the body (baggy t-shirts, pants). Jazz shoes. No street clothes or shoes may be worn. Hair must be securely pulled back.
BOYS BALLET AND/OR JAZZ: Sweatpants, dance pants, or shorts. T-shirts. Ballet and/or Jazz shoes.
TAP: Your choice of appropriate dance attire. Tap shoes.
HIP HOP: Comfortable dance/workout attire. Dance tennis shoes.
The Academy cannot permit students to enroll in any class above their recommended level. Teachers have the exclusive right to determine the appropriate level. A 2-week notice is required when dropping from a class. No refunds are given on paid tuition. A student missing more than 2 weeks in a row without notifying the Academy is subject to replacement in classes with waiting lists.
On the Studio Director registration portal, students who attempt to register for a class that has reached full capacity are automatically added to the waitlist. If a space becomes available, the office staff will notify the family about officially enrolling in the class. The family will have 24 hours to confirm enrollment. After a 24 hour period with no response, the student will be removed from the waitlist.
A minimum enrollment of 5 students is required for a class to continue to be offered. If there are 4 or fewer students in attendance in a class at any time, the class length will be shortened by half, or possibly canceled for that day. Affected families will be notified if a class is canceled or shortened.
Admission to class will be denied if a student is more than 10 minutes late. Parents must not drop children off earlier than 15 minutes before their class and students must be picked up immediately following their last class. Parents are subject to a $15 charge, plus $1 per minute after 15 minutes, if a child is not picked up in a timely manner. The Academy cannot be responsible for overseeing students outside of class.
Students are expected to be quiet in class, pay attention at all times, and show respect for their teachers. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in dismissal from class.
Regular attendance is essential for student progress.
● No refunds or credits are provided for missed classes. ● Up to 5 make-ups per class may be allowed when currently enrolled. ● Make-ups must be scheduled in advance through Studio Director and are non-transferable . Make-up classes must be scheduled through Studio Director beforehand. Make-up classes are non-transferable.
● Students more than 10 minutes late may be denied entry. ● Drop-off allowed no earlier than 15 minutes before class . ● Students must be picked up immediately after class. ● Late pickup fees apply if a student is not picked up within 15 minutes of class ending: $15 plus $1 per additional minute.
Most classes run back to back, making it difficult to speak with instructors. If you have special concerns or questions, you may talk to personnel in the office; if necessary, messages will be passed on to instructors. If for any reason you will not be in class, please email info@srvda.com to let the instructor know.
Our primary concern is the safety of our students. The parking lot has 2 driveways; one for entrance only and one for exit only; please follow signs. Parking is available on either side of the Academy as well as on the street. There is a drop off zone in front of the Academy. No waiting, parking, or double parking is permitted in the drop-off zone at any time. Faculty Only parking spaces are directly across from the front door; no student parking.
The lobby will be open to guests as long as it does not get crowded. While in the lobby areas, please be quiet and respectful of classes that are in session.
Food and drinks (other than water bottles) are not allowed in the studios. Popcorn, crackers, or crumbly foods are not allowed in the lobby. Other food in the lobby will be allowed only if the area is picked up, and wrappers and waste are disposed of in the appropriate containers in front of the Academy.
Management is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Unclaimed items left at the studio will be donated or thrown away at the end of each month.
No video or photography allowed without the permission of the Instructor and the other student’s parents prior to the start of class.
Observation is offered via Zoom on designated dates only . To maintain a focused environment: ● Cameras and audio must remain off while observing . ● No interruptions or coaching during class. ● Missed observation days cannot be made up . ● Disruptions may result in loss of observation privileges .
Due to safety protocols, SRVDA will offer Zoom observations only on the following days (subject to change) : 1. June 22-25, 2026 2. July 20-23, 2026 ● Parents are invited to observe class by using the Zoom application. ● Parents who observe will be required to turn off their video and speaker audio while watching. ● Parents are not allowed to interrupt the instructor while observing. ● Please note that we often cannot control connection issues that may occur and cannot guarantee there will not be any connection interruptions. ● Videotaping and recording is not allowed unless there is approval from everyone in the class. ● If a parent misses an observation day, it cannot be made up ● If there are disturbances or distractions during the observation days, future observation days will be canceled.
Students and/or parents who fail to adhere to the rules and policies set forth by San Ramon Valley Dance Academy will be subject to dismissal from the Academy. SRVDA reserves the right to refuse service to any student, parent, or legal guardian at any time.