Academy of Ballet accepts children into creative dance at the age of five or six. Emphasis at this time is on musicality, creativity, coordination, and building a love of dance - preparing the child for the time when he or she is at the age to begin formal training. At the age of seven, pre-ballet is offered.

Children begin ballet training at the age of eight years. In these classes emphasis is placed on posture; correct body alignment; strengthening of feet, legs, stomach and back; and on grace of movement.

For those aspiring to a professional career, a full curriculum is provided. Included is a technique class, pointe, classical variations, and pas de deux. The professional program also includes rehearsals and coaching for performances throughout the year.

Ballet Russe teaches both ballet and character dance classes in the Russian technique. Pre-ballet classes focus on musicality, body placement, class structure, and self-esteem building. Children who attend at least two classes a week can participate in performances.

Any local listing would be remiss to exclude Miss Tilly's, but a word of warning: She does no advertising (she's not even in the phonebook), and her classes are almost always full and have waiting lists due to her sterling word-of-mouth reputation and long standing in the community. She holds recitals each May at the Herbst Theater.

Ballet with Miss Tilly also offers a Theatre Arts Program that includes singing, performing, and pretending for children ages three to seven years old.

Any local listing would be remiss to exclude Miss Tilly's, but a word of warning: She does no advertising (she's not even in the phonebook), and her classes are almost always full and have waiting lists due to her sterling word-of-mouth reputation and long standing in the community. She holds recitals each May at the Herbst Theater.

Ballet with Miss Tilly also offers a Theatre Arts Program that includes singing, performing, and pretending for children ages three to seven years old.

A very welcoming playground, Bernal Heights is designed around a few trees that shelter small clusters of benches and picnic tables. The play equipment is in fairly good shape and quite inviting. Situated just behind the Bernal Heights library, it offers parents the chance to combine two visits in one. (Note: the library is closed for renovations in 2008 and 2009).

Just past the playground is the Bernal Heights Recreation Center, which houses a nice enough gym. Programs include basketball, various teen programs, dance, and Tiny Tots (Tue & Thu 10am-12pm).

Bird School of Music provides instrumental and vocal instruction, band supervision, and dance classes for children. The site also houses art space, a performance venue, a recording facility, and a yoga studio.

Calliope Dance Studio offers creative-movement, pre-ballet, ballet, and tap.

City Ballet is a serious ballet school under Artistic Director Galina Alexandrova, it offers
instruction in the classic Russian Vaganova training, modeled after the training program at the Bolshoi Academy in Moscow.

Pre-Ballet is offered at age four; Children's Ballet begins at age six to pre-professional.

Note: Advanced levels can require students to take classes up to eight times per week.

One week summer dance workshops are offered for Level I and II (ages 6-8, Monday through Friday, 9am-12n, featuring ballet, jazz, and musical theater.

City Ballet is a serious ballet school under Artistic Director Galina Alexandrova, it offers
instruction in the classic Russian Vaganova training, modeled after the training program at the Bolshoi Academy in Moscow.

Pre-Ballet is offered at age four; Children's Ballet begins at age six to pre-professional.

Note: Advanced levels can require students to take classes up to eight times per week.

One week summer dance workshops are offered for Level I and II (ages 6-8, Monday through Friday, 9am-12n, featuring ballet, jazz, and musical theater.

Proprietor and teacher Peggy Mahetian offers instruction in her studio for a small number of lucky boys and girls. Classes in ballet and tap are available. Parents call it "very sweet."

The school is closed in 2007. Peggy is available by phone.

Proprietor and teacher Peggy Mahetian offers instruction in her studio for a small number of lucky boys and girls. Classes in ballet and tap are available. Parents call it "very sweet."

The school is closed in 2007. Peggy is available by phone.

Dance Mission offers a variety of dance classes for children ages 2-to-14 years including Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Hip-Hop.

The curriculum also includes a Dance Theater class for children ages 5-to-7 and teens. Students have a chance to learn Modern Dance and create an original performance with the help of a professional company, Eclipse Dance Theater.

Dance Mission offers a variety of dance classes for children ages 2-to-14 years including Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Hip-Hop.

The curriculum also includes a Dance Theater class for children ages 5-to-7 and teens. Students have a chance to learn Modern Dance and create an original performance with the help of a professional company, Eclipse Dance Theater.

Dance Theatre Seven is a spacious, light-filled ballet school located in downtown Fairfax, which offers a Preschool Program, Creative Movement, Pre-ballet, Ballet Preparatory, hip hop, West African dance, and other classes for children, teens, and adults.

Family Folk Dancing teaches simple dances from around the world for family members of all ages. No prior dance experience necessary.

Funksters Youth Dance Company is a hip-hop dance training program offered by the award-winning, nonprofit organization, Funkanometry SF Dance Company.

The structured program focuses on introducing young dancers to the art of Hip-hop dance early on in their lives. Through classes and introductory training exercises that focus on rhythm and foundational movement, teachers strive to build confidence within each dancer.

Check the website for information on class schedules.

Funksters Youth Dance Company is a hip-hop dance training program offered by the award-winning, nonprofit organization, Funkanometry SF Dance Company.

The structured program focuses on introducing young dancers to the art of Hip-hop dance early on in their lives. Through classes and introductory training exercises that focus on rhythm and foundational movement, teachers strive to build confidence within each dancer.

Check the website for information on class schedules.

Glen Park Recreation Center offers various programs and activities for children of all ages - preschool classes, baby classes, afterschool programs, teen programs, many sports programs, etc.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Museum for Little Kids in the Bay Area, Habitot is a hands-on learning center in Berkeley that features a toddler garden, where kids can pull wooden carrots out of holes, a padded tunnel that's a blast to crawl through, and a miniature cafe and grocery store, among other delights.

The museum also hosts many special exhibits throughout the year, including a Fire Station display that invited kids to step into the role of a fire fighter, and explore it in the way they know best - by touching, climbing, moving things around, and jumping on it.

Classes: Offers a rich selection of classes for children and parents. Among the kids programs: art, ceramics & clay, drama, science, music, dance & movement, carpentry, and cooking, and infant massage. Classes for parents include CPR Training, Toilet Training, Raising Children in Multiracial Families, and Handling Parent Anger. Free drop-in parent or caregiver support groups meet weekly.

Three different birthday party options are offered: museum rental (up to 40 children, fee is $395 for two and a half hours); birthday room rental (up to 8 children, $16.50 per child with a $99 minimum for one and a half hours); or a private party (up to 30 children, fee is $325 for two hours).

Habitot also hosts week-long seasonal camps in the winter and spring. Every week includes: storytelling, art, music, dance, free play with toys, and dramatic play with costumes and props. Nutritious snacks are also served daily.

The SF Recreation and Parks Department offers Young People's Teen Musical Theater Company, Photography, Dance, and Computer Lab classes at the Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Building. The building is pretty battered and the program doesn't have all the teaching support it would like. But the offerings are either free or just plain cheap.

Call the Harvey Milk program administrator for more information or visit the Park Department's website.

The SF Recreation and Parks Department offers Young People's Teen Musical Theater Company, Photography, Dance, and Computer Lab classes at the Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Building. The building is pretty battered and the program doesn't have all the teaching support it would like. But the offerings are either free or just plain cheap.

Call the Harvey Milk program administrator for more information or visit the Park Department's website.

Head Over Heels Gymnastics & Circus offers gymnastics, circus theatre, dance, and capoeira classes.

The facility features a new foam pit, two spring floors, six trampolines, a trapeze, uneven and parallel bars, balance beams, a large dance floor, and plenty of colorful and soft preschool equipment.

Check the website for information about parties, Parents Night Out, and Summer/School break camps.

International Lion Dance Academy accepts new students from ages five years and up. The Academy supplies lion heads, drums, and musical equipment, and training and uniforms.

Jamboodas (formerly JAM) was founded in 2001 by Charity Kahn - mother, musician, composer, author and recording artist - as a vehicle for bringing the joy of music and movement to children and their families.

A 45-minute Jamboodas class takes you and your child on a sound-and-motion journey incorporating singing, creative movement, percussion jams, scarf dancing, and improvisation, using original songs from Charity's JAMband CDs. Jamboodas is a child-inspired, child-tested pathway to the joy music brings, and an excuse to sing and dance and shake your bones!

Tuition is $198 for the 10-week session, and includes two CDs of original music. Siblings over eight months can attend for $130/quarter; siblings under eight months are free. Jamboodas classes take place at DSG Studios, at 564 Monterey (cross street Foerster). Each 10-week session culminates in a family sing-along, dance-along concert.

Summer Camp for children entering kindergarten through second grade, includes music, dance, art, poetry, yoga, picnics, and play. Enrollment is limited to 20 spots.

Locations of classes and performances vary; please check the website for current schedules and information.

The JCCSF is a community center, known for its programs for children and families. All are welcome - one need not be Jewish to participate in the programs. Programs are fee based, with financial assistance available for most programs. The JCCSF boasts three preschool sites, after-school child care, day camp and specialty camps, swim lessons, sports classes, and teams, plus classes in art, ceramics, dance, yoga, gymnastics, academic enrichment, languages, and more.

Classes are held on a "semester" basis. For more information, please visit the website or call the office.

Art & Ceramics: For children ages two and above. Subjects include painting, drawing, cartooning, hand-building and wheel-throwing ceramics, and parent-child classes.

Aquatics: Parent-child classes begin at six months. Red Cross Levels I - VII begin at age three. Swim team is also available.

Dance: For children ages three and above. All types of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballroom, creative, and more.

Gymnastics & Movement: They begin with babies in their Kindergym and Kindercrawl programs. Then it's on to parent-child classes, including Gym Buddies, Gym & Swim Buddies, Tumbler Express, Yoga Garden, and more. Older children can participate in classes that include gymnastics, capoeira, or yoga.

Sports: Classes and teams offered for children ages three and above. Sports include baseball, soccer, futsal, basketball, flag football, volleyball, and lacrosse. They offer several "girls only" classes. Teams include basketball (team and JCCSF league), baseball/tball, swim team, soccer, and micro-soccer.

Music: For babies through adults. They offer parent-child classes, beginning music appreciation, guitar, piano, and violin.

Birthday Parties: The JCCSF offers to help people throw a birthday party. Themes include swimming pool parties, dance (you pick the style), art, and ceramics. Party space is also available for rent.

Academic Enrichment: Language, SAT prep, math, essay writing, and chess are just some of the many academic enrichment courses offered.

Summer Camps:The JCCSF Rabin Summer Camps offer fun and diverse programs for children grades K-9. Families can choose from the traditional Camp Kochav day camp, sports clinics, and a variety of specialty camps including Teen Adventures, Visual and Performing Arts, Sail & Swim, GADS Camp for girls, Nature Navigators, and more. Visit the summer camp website for more information.

A dance studio in Emeryville that offers workshops and ongoing classes for adults and youth with or without dance and performance experience.

Journey Dance Company (JDC) is a nonprofit youth dance company dedicated to training and inspiring young dancers to achieve a professional career in the dance industry. The company accepts dancers ages eight to 21 years of age with training or experience in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, or hip-hop.

La Pena (gathering place) is a multicultural performing arts center and restaurant in Berkeley that presents local, national and international music, theater, dance, film, and visual arts.

La Pena also offers free and fee-based classes in music and dance, principally from Latin America. Call or check the website for a schedule.

La Pena is wheelchair-accessible, and most events are open-seating - so you need to arrive early for the best views.

The Lines Ballet School offers year 'round afterschool ballet programs for children ages three to 15. The Young Children's Division is for children ages three to
four, and the Youth Program is for children ages sevento 15.

The Lines Ballet School offers year 'round afterschool ballet programs for children ages three to 15. The Young Children's Division is for children ages three to
four, and the Youth Program is for children ages sevento 15.

Marin Dance Theatre offers dance classes for all ages and trains professionals. The school specializes in ballet classes, as well as contemporary and jazz. It offers a popular Ballet with Ballerinas camp for ages three to six, and many more summer camp offerings for a variety of ages.

The Metronome Dance Center has offered dance instruction since 1991 in a range of styles including Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Tango, and much more! They offer dance classes for adults and children, with over 75 group classes to choose from, including Pre-Ballet/Tap Combo on Sundays from 10:30am-11:30am (age 3-4 years); Ballet/Tap Combo on Wednesdays from 5-6pm (age 5-6 years), and Hip Hop on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (age range 7-8 years, 9-11 years and 12+ years).

Summer Dance Camp The center offers a six-week summer camp for kids ages 12-18 which focuses primarily on jazz & hip-hop, with additional specialty classes in swing, salsa, & Argentine tango. Classes are geared towards learning choreography and preparing routines to be featured in a live performance in July. Call or visit the website for more information.

Ming Hai Wu School of Ballet offers beginner and intermediate classes, as well as pointe, repertory, jazz, and character classes. Private lessons are also available.

The Mission Cultural Center offers Latino arts classes for children ages seven and up (children five and six require parent supervision). The MCC bilingual instructors specialize in Latin hip hop, salsa, capoeira, music, traditional ballet, and folk art crafts such as drawing and painting, mask making, and puppet making.

Summer Camp: The MCC runs a summer program Monday through Friday 9am-3:30pm, lunch provided. Campers can sign up for only one session for a fee of $175. Each session focuses on a particular art medium, such as drawing, hip hop, or poster making culminating in a performance or exhibit of their work.

For registration information, call the Youth Coordinator, Jose Leon, at 415.643.2787.

Mountian International Dance Company offers folk, character, and ballet classes for children ages 6-18. Renowned choreographer Vassilii Mountian offers a repertoire of folk dances from around the globe. Classes are high energy, lots of fun, and wonderful performance opportunities.

Noe Valley Dance Space (NVDS) is a small dance program dedicated to inspring aspiring and recreational dancers. NVDS offers classes in ballet and hip hop/jazz for children as well as a special modern/hip hop class for Teens. NVDS provides students with solid technique, body alignment and creative license.

The school roots its classes in the technical traditions of both ballet and contemporary dance. The program is designed to provide a broad range of experience in movement and music for children ages three to 18. The faculty is made up of professional dancers, musicians, and choreographers who have a great deal of experience working with children. Augusta Moore is the director of ballet.

Classes are offered weekly and run 45 to 90 minutes long; each session runs 12 to 19 weeks and culminates in a performance.

Hop Dogs is a family dance for kids (up to 10 years old) and parents. The event takes place every last Saturday of the month from 5pm-7:30pm. $5 charge. For more information, visit www.hopdogsdance.com.

Summer Workshops: Summer at ODC has something for everyone. With workshops for different age groups and experience levels, the week-long programs connect young artists with a diverse range of professionals. The programs include classes in modern technique, aerial dance technique, ballet technique, dance and music composition, ODC repertory, improvisation, and partnering. ODC also offers daylong labs with special emphases on urban arts, improvisation, world dance, and rhythm performance.

The school roots its classes in the technical traditions of both ballet and contemporary dance. The program is designed to provide a broad range of experience in movement and music for children ages three to 18. The faculty is made up of professional dancers, musicians, and choreographers who have a great deal of experience working with children. Augusta Moore is the director of ballet.

Classes are offered weekly and run 45 to 90 minutes long; each session runs 12 to 19 weeks and culminates in a performance.

Hop Dogs is a family dance for kids (up to 10 years old) and parents. The event takes place every last Saturday of the month from 5pm-7:30pm. $5 charge. For more information, visit www.hopdogsdance.com.

Summer Workshops: Summer at ODC has something for everyone. With workshops for different age groups and experience levels, the week-l