California Dance Classics

San Francisco, CA

General

Reviewer:

Parent

Competition experience:

This was their first ballet competition

Event Details

Round:

Regional

Season:

2026

Location:

San Francisco, CA

Traveled to compete:

Yes

Regional was the closest:

Yes

Regionals attended:

Who encouraged multiple regionals:

Entry affiliation:

Independent

Rules Easy to Access?

Yes

Did Dancer Miss School?

Yes

Days of school missed:

Attended master classes:

Yes

Master Classes

Master Class Types:

Technique

Master class teachers:

Erica Cornejo

Distance from venue:

At the same venue

Received corrections:

Yes

How corrections were given:

I can only speak to the 13 year old group, but Erica walked up and down each row of barre correcting dancers as well as encouragement. She had crazy energy because I think every child was given a little feedback if not several. You can tell she was intentionally making a point for each dancer to feel seen.

What corrections were about:

Only about dancing.

Anatomical language:

Yes

Correction tone:

Positive, Neutral

Teacher engagement:

She walked around the whole time with high energy. Literally exhausted watching her. My daughter came off stage enchanted with her.

Crowding:


Really Crowded	Plenty of Room to Move

Master Class Feedback

Technique:

Additional master class comments:

Technique class was detailed, high energy and appropriate for her age group.

Performance Details

Venue name:

Mountain View Performing Arts Center

Venue description:

Lobby was welcoming, they had attendants reinforcing no photos inside the theatre. A small cafe with a coffee shop was attached as well. Very clean, bright, outside seating was plentiful for parents and parking was easy. The theatre was beautiful, plenty of seating, well kept and easy to see your dancer.

Stage description:

Marley floor, not raked and plenty of room for all her choreography.

Off-stage warm-up space:

This was crowded and it being her first time, she didn’t know what to expect.

Dressing rooms:

The dressings room had lights, there were several rooms, but they were crowded and if you weren’t in the first group like we were I am uncertain if you could find space.

Parents in dressing rooms:

Yes

Male dressing room:

Yes

Parents backstage:

Yes

Onstage warm-up:

The ladies working backstage were incredible kind and helped my daughter navigate her first dance competition experience. Although the warm up was crowded, that didn’t dampen her excitement or experience.

Schedule adherence:

Tended to mostly run on time

Other schedule comments:

I was surprised how accurate their timing was.

Staff communication:

Very clear communication. We were brand new and there were support staff checking in and the front and backstage - we had a lot of questions and they were all answered and easy to find help.

Parent seminar offered:

Judging

Judging rubric clarity:

Unsure

Judges' attentiveness:

Yes, all judges were actively watching

Feedback turnaround:

More than a week after the competition

Type of Feedback:

Audio commentary over a performance video

Feedback helpfulness:


Not Helpful At All	Extremely Helpful

Main takeaway:

She got both grows and glows and they were consistent from the three judges which was interesting to take in. Clearly it was a good check in for her to continue working on her arm strength and she got glows on her foot placement. I think it was great to hear three different judges who didn’t corroborate just speak to her technique.

Scoring felt fair:

Yes

Awards & Scholarships

Awards ceremony:

Everyone on stage. Top five given a certificate and top three given medals. Then some specialty awards were given.

Won an award or training offer:

Festival offer:

Gala offer:

Final Comments

Best aspect:

My daughter loved the master class teacher and getting to perform on stage.

Worst aspect:

Being new, we just didn’t understand the timing from Master class to competition. There were definitely a lot of girls from large Bay Area dance schools, so being an independent could feel overwhelming if your dancer is easily overwhelmed by being by themselves.

Competition culture:

It was very dancer forward. All her feedback was geared towards her technique and she walked away feeling inspired and proud of herself

Attendee culture:

The other dancers kept to themselves and/or their classmates. No different than sports competitions, athletes getting into their mindset. It didn’t feel unwelcoming.

Suggested changes:

None that I can think of.

Cost vs. expectation:


Significantly More	Significantly Less

Time worth it:


Not Worth It	Worth Every Minute

Overall rating:

Anything else?

My dancers goal was to get feedback and experience growing her stage presence- this was the perfect competition for her. We had no expectations of winning and so for a space to learn, I do recommend this dance competition.