why choose dance arts?
Hear what Robyn, a dance mom new to SBDA, has to say about her family’s experience here.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE DANCE ARTS
Choosing a dance studio is about so much more than finding the right class... it's about finding the right community.
For almost three decades, SB Dance Arts has been a place where children build confidence, families build lifelong friendships, and dance lessons become life lessons. We are proud to be more than just a dance studio. We strive to be a second home... a "third place" where children feel known, supported, challenged, and celebrated.
While every family's journey is unique, our commitment has remained the same... to help every child become the very best version of themselves.
At a Glance
29 Years
Serving Santa Barbara families with purpose, passion, and excellence.
20+ Years
Voted Best Dance Studio by Santa Barbara Independent readers.*
500+ Students
Growing in confidence, artistry, and leadership each season.
98% of Graduating Seniors
Continue on to college or four-year universities.
$100,000+ Awarded
In scholarships through our partnership with Move With Purpose.*
6 Months to Adult
A place to grow from your very first steps through your graduation performance.
Our Promise
When you join SB Dance Arts, you're joining a team of educators and staff who believe dance is the vehicle for developing confident, resilient, creative, and compassionate young people.
We promise to:
Know your child by name.
Celebrate growth, belonging, and character... not just achievement.
Create a culture where excellence and belonging go hand in hand.
Partner with your family through every stage of your child's journey.
Hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and dance education.
Expand access so more children can experience the life-changing benefits of dance.
Help every dancer discover their unique potential... on and off the stage.
Invest in our 10,000-square-foot facility and exceptional educators by providing meaningful careers, competitive compensation, and benefits that create consistency and long-term relationships for our students.
More Than Just Great Dancing
Unlike many youth activities, dance has few statewide regulatory standards. That's why we've chosen to hold ourselves to a higher standard.
As a proud member of More Than Just Great Dancing® and a Safer Studio®, we are committed to continuous improvement in safety, education, and the overall experience we provide every family.
Our commitment includes:
Background-checked & CPR Certified staff
Child safety and abuse prevention training
DEEA Certified Studio (equity & inclusion)
Mandated Reporter Training
Ongoing faculty education and leadership development
Because earning your trust begins long before your child steps into the classroom.
Big Studio... Individualized Experience
As one of Santa Barbara's largest dance studios, we've intentionally built systems that ensure every child receives personal attention.
Each student follows an age-appropriate growth pathway with clearly defined milestones and thoughtfully developed syllabi that allow dancers, teachers, and families to celebrate progress throughout their journey. Every child can see their growth while building confidence one step at a time.
Our concierge-style customer service means you're never navigating the dance journey alone. Whether you're choosing classes, preparing for performances, or celebrating milestones, our leadership team is here to support your family every step of the way.
Accessibility Matters
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the life-changing benefits of dance.
That's why accessibility and belonging are at the heart of who we are. Our ADA-compliant facility welcomes children of all abilities, and we proudly celebrate families of every background, culture, identity, and lived experience.
As the founding corporate partner of Move With Purpose, we proudly share the belief that dance has the power to change lives. Together, we've created pathways that make high-quality dance education accessible to more families throughout our community.
Through scholarships, payment plans, and our partnership with Move With Purpose, dancers can grow from a single weekly class to our highest levels of training... helping ensure financial circumstances aren't the only factor that determines a child's opportunity.
Our goal is simple… To ensure that passion, commitment, and potential have the opportunity to flourish.
Because every child deserves the chance to discover what dance can do... both on the dance floor and in life.
We Believe in Developing the Whole Child
Technique matters... but who your child becomes matters even more.
Every class, rehearsal, performance, and interaction is intentionally designed to develop confidence, resilience, responsibility, creativity, leadership, and kindness.
We believe dance lessons teach life lessons. Students have opportunities to develop leadership through company teams, assistant teaching, choreography, teacher training, leading on our Inclusion Coalition or as a team captain, and serving as positive role models within our studio community.
We Link Arms With Parents
We believe raising confident young people is a partnership.
Parents know their children best. We bring nearly three decades of experience in dance education and youth development. Together, we help children navigate challenges, celebrate successes, build healthy friendships, and strive to reach their fullest potential.
Our relationship with families goes far beyond registration day. We are invested in your child's success... in the studio, at school, and throughout life.
A Community That Grows Together
Many dancers begin with us taking their very first dance steps and stay through their graduation performance. Along the way, they grow alongside teachers who know them, classmates who become lifelong friends, and a community that celebrates every milestone.
After nearly three decades, we've watched former students return with children of their own. We've watched graduates become teachers, business owners, healthcare professionals, engineers, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in countless fields.
Nearly 98% of our graduating seniors continue on to college or four-year universities. While their careers take many different paths, they often tell us the confidence, discipline, resilience, work ethic, leadership, and friendships they developed through dance continue to shape their lives today.
Many of the friendships formed here have lasted a lifetime. This is the true legacy of SB Dance Arts.
Our Values
We believe every child deserves to belong.
Every child deserves a mentor who believes in them.
Every child deserves opportunities to lead.
Every child deserves a place where they feel safe to dream big.
Every child deserves the chance to discover confidence through hard work, creativity, and community.
We believe in excellence... teaching our dancers to pursue their personal best, not perfection.
We provide a pathway for every dancer, from recreational classes to pre-professional training. While most students pursue careers outside of dance, we prepare them with the confidence, discipline, and leadership skills to succeed wherever life takes them.
Our greatest success isn't measured by trophies, titles, or standing ovations...
It's measured by the confident, compassionate people our students become.
Come dance with us
What Is the SB Dance Arts Difference: What Your Tuition Supports
Choosing a dance studio near you is about more than comparing tuition and finding the best children's dance classes. It's about understanding what that investment makes possible. At SB Dance Arts, every tuition dollar supports exceptional teachers, thoughtful curriculum, family support, industry-leading safety standards, professional facilities, and a community where children can thrive for years to come.
Exceptional Teachers & Leadership
Six full-time professional leaders dedicated to curriculum, training, operations, and family support.
Nineteen adult professional teachers supported by more than a dozen teaching assistants to maintain exceptional student-to-teacher ratios.
Select graduates of our Leadership Academy who have completed a rigorous three-year teacher certification program.
Living wages, benefits, and ongoing professional development for our team.
Continuing education and certifications including Acrobatic Arts, Progressing Ballet Technique, NDEO, MTJGD, and more.
More than a dozen hours of annual training in child safety, equity, emergency preparedness, and best teaching practices.
A Thoughtful Learning Experience
Departmental leadership providing classroom observation, coaching, and quality assurance.
Clear syllabus progression and an individualized Student Growth Pathway for every dancer.
Age-appropriate curriculum designed for every stage of development.
A partnership with Boppin Babies, bringing research-based curriculum created by early childhood educators and child development specialists to our youngest dancers.
Flexible studio spaces that transform for master classes, guest artists, workshops, and intimate in-studio performances.
Safety & Well-Being
Comprehensive emergency preparedness plans for fire, earthquake, lockdown, active shooter, medical emergencies, and more.
Mandated reporter training for every instructor.
A 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility featuring professional-grade, quadruple-sprung dance floors.
Classroom wellness tools including Therabands, foam rollers, lacrosse balls, yoga blocks, balance boards, fitness balls, and other recovery equipment.
A Cozy Corner sensory space for regulation and sensory breaks, plus a changing station for families.
Family Support
Concierge-style office team offering convenient texting, phone support, and in-person office hours.
Personal outreach to every family in our Growth Family program multiple times each year to celebrate progress, answer questions, and provide individualized guidance.
Comfortable parent and homework workspace with Wi-Fi.
A welcoming lobby with books and toys for siblings & a changing table in the women’s restroom.
Students are welcome to remain at the studio before/after/ between classes (at parent discretion and risk), making busy family schedules easier.
Professional Opportunities
Professional-quality productions and performance experiences.
Leadership programs, performance teams, and mentoring opportunities.
Dedicated staff time supporting student leadership, rehearsals, and team development.
Costume Concierge for recreational dancers and our Costume Loft for audition teams, helping reduce costs while promoting sustainability.
Visionary Leadership
Founded and led by Alana Tillim, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized speaker and coach in the dance industry.
SB Dance Arts is recognized as a model studio within the national dance education community, with educators from across the country looking to our programs, leadership, and culture for inspiration.
Ongoing innovation, collaboration, and research ensure our students benefit from the latest educational practices while remaining grounded in the values that have served Santa Barbara families for nearly three decades.
Facilities Designed for Families
A 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for dance education.
Professional-grade, quadruple-sprung dance floors that help reduce impact and support dancer health.
Flexible, convertible studio spaces for master classes, guest artists, workshops, parent observation, and intimate in-studio performances.
Comfortable waiting areas with Wi-Fi for parents who choose to work or relax during class.
Books, toys, and activities for siblings.
Students are welcome to remain at the studio between classes (at parent discretion and risk), making busy family schedules easier.
Convenient vending machines and thoughtful amenities for busy families.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP & INCLUSION: Inclusion Coalition
A Move With Purpose/SBDA collaborative youth organization.
The Inclusion Coalition’s mission is to raise awareness about different perspectives, create safe and brave spaces to elevate issues surrounding BIPOC, mental health, body positivity, LBGTQ+, feminism, disabilities, and intersectionality. Our goal is to provide a forum for conversation, education, awareness, opportunity, and mentorship where all are accepted, heard, and respected. We use this platform to improve culture and the environment at our studio, our community, and the dance industry.
