TESTIMONIALS

Chloe Perkes (Felesina)

Chloe is currently a dancer with Ballet X in Philadelphia

 Deane Dance Center was a vital part of my life.  I've had a wonderful career filled with over 70 world premieres by renowned choreographers from around the world.  I work among amazing dancers whom I admire and respect.  The things that have served me most, like my love for detail, my work ethic, my receptiveness to feedback and new things, and especially my refined Ballet technique were all found and fostered at Deane Dance Center.   The foundation Deane gave me actually does set me apart. Choreographers notice that I want to support them, they notice that I keep working on their side, they notice that I really enjoy dancing!  That is what it really boils down to! The humble but powerful slogan Allyson and Don chose “Dance with joy and enjoy the dance” sums it up.  You can’t enjoy dance fully if you are just going through the motions or trying to one-up the girl next to you.  You can’t dance with joy if you are not learning and growing and if you are not helping lift others along the way.  Like it always does, what you learn in dance directly applies to the rest of your life.  So relish your time at Deane!  Soak up all the greatness and try to apply the principles you learn there to all the minutes you are outside of the studio.  Live with Joy and enjoy life!  I’m grateful for the memories and for all of the gifts that have come into my life directly because of my upbringing at Dance Dance Center.  I love Deane!!!

Claire Smith

 For nine years. the Deane Dance Center was my 'second-home'. I started as a Level 1 ballet student when I was eight year-old and continued to train at Deane until I became a member of the Crockett Deane Ballet Company when I was in high school. I am forever grateful for the oppportunity to grow up in the 'ballet world' at the Deane Dance Center. The ballet instruction I recieved from the teachers at Deane was exceptional. Ballet training and performing were immensely important to my personal developemnt. The physical rigor, mental challenge, and feeling of emotional fufillment that comes with dancing is invaluable. I enjoyed being a part of the 'Deane family' during my years of training and developed extremely strong friendships with many of my fellow dancers. Although I am now a college student, I always return to Deane to take ballet classes when I am not home and I maintain the friendships that were created during my time at Deane. Most importantly, my years of training instilled a love for ballet within me that is and will always be an enormous factor in my life.

Karen Resch

My daughter has been involved with Deane Dance Center for six years now; two as a part-time (dance) student; one, full time with apprentice Company and three, full time with the senior Crockett-Deane Ballet Company. Driving one hour round trip plus spending up to ten to fifteen hours in class and rehearsals weekly, I have seen these wonderful classes affect my daughter in many healthy and beneficial ways. She has learned to organize her time to continue to keep her academic grades up along side of her school activities as a result of ballet classes at DDC. She has learned about musicality, classical music, timing, beat, movement, balance, muscle-memory, how to perform professionally and how to take criticism to benefit her performance. All she has learned at Deane Dance Center has affected all of our lives in a very positive way. She is in the midst of filling out college applications, and her personal statement definitely reflects on her years at DDC and how it helped her in so many ways towards her future. Our family has a deep appreciation for the professionalism of the studio shown towards their students since it helps their growth toward adult years with the physical activity of the beautiful art of ballet.

Susanna Halfon 

One of the kindest and most professional studios in Sacramento. With Barbara. Crockett who co founded the Sacramento Ballet, and Allyson and Don S. Both principal dancers with the S.F.Ballet. Best training, most supportive environment.

Susana Halfon has taken many adult class from Barbara Crockett over the years. She also directed a Documentary on our very own legendary ballet teacher, Barbara Crockett in 2013.
 The documentary premiered at the Crocker Art Museum in 2014. 

*Check out the trailer on the right!

Ethan Knapp

The care and patience you have given me the past 3 1/2 years hopefully will pay off soon and I will be on my way in becoming a professional dancer! I could have never done it without you and will never forget what you have given me.

*Ethan Knapp joined South Columbia Ballet as a Soloist and became a professional dancer. Currently he has retired and is pursuing a phD in Integrated Biology. 

Kristen Kroll

If your child wants to dance any form he or she must have a solid foundation in ballet. There is no better place in Sacramento to get that foundation than Deane Dance Center. Our daughter has been dancing at Deane for two years and has show tremendous growth in technique and strength. With world class teachers and a solid syllabus we know that no area of our daughter's ballet education will be over looked. 

* Kristen's daughter is currently pursing a degree in dance at the University of California, Irvine. She will be in the class of 2020.
​Go Anteaters!

Sarah Kroll performing Sugar Plum Fairy in 2015 pictured on the right

Shino Takahashi

 It's been over 15 years ago, but I studied here 2-3 times a week back when it was still near Mackinley Park. I love how tough and passionate Mrs. Crockett was and still is, the gentle guidance of Allyson and the pure elegance that was Richard Shi who also did fencing with another mostly-French speaking instructor between classes. I forgot her name but there was always this very sweet older woman at the sign-in desk and wonderful pastry next door after lessons. I have this and so many more vivid memories of the place. I'm thrilled to see that Mrs. Crockett is still so active in the community, especially at 92!! Learning ballet for 10 years, mostly at DDC, it's had a significant impact in my life and work now as a photographer that I am forever grateful for. Thank you so much for everything everyone. *Taken from our Facebook

Katera Jean Forbes Emerson

This is a marvelous child-centered studio! I can not imagine a better environment for a beginner or transfer student. They will help any motivated dancer to bring out the very best skills possible. They nurture artists, not stereo types. Don't hesitate, you'll not find better training then from the dedicated directors and teachers of Deane Dance Center. *Taken from our Facebook

Katera's daughter, Ellis, has been a student of the Deane Dance Center since she was a kinder ballet student. She just graduated 8th grade as her class valedictorian and is currently in level 8 at DDC.

Samantha DeVries

My 6 year-old loves her dance classes. They're pretty inexpensive when you consider the quality and knowledge of the center. We love it and I hope Asher continues for years to come. I highly recommend for anyone/everyone to bring their children here for lessons!
*Taken from our Facebook

​Jennifer Leah Zmuda

Spectacular training in a caring and supportive environment condusive to creating professional artists and dance aficionados.*Taken from our Facebook

Jennifer is an alumni of DDC and CDB and is currently on the faculty/staff at ballet met. She also is the talented digital producer for Ballet Met and has her Photography business as well.
Photograph by Jennifer Zmuda

Becky Templin

Amazing and beautiful teachers inside and out. *Taken from our Facebook

---

Write your own testimonial on FaceBook

Email us your testimony