SARATOGA SCHOOL of DANCE is the most complete and trusted school for dance lessons and classes in the Bay Area.

We make learning dance fun. The lyrical curriculum was created to encourage age appropriate creativity, musicality, and physicality. You and/or your child will dance and have fun with an emphasis on the foundations of dance expressions. Dancers will be brought through creative movement and basic steps and more!

WHAT is lyrical dance?

Lyrical motion is a blend of emotional storytelling, song, poetry, and dramatic movement. The nature of the dance form is expressive (facial and body language convey a story or feeling) and fluid (smooth, connected and graceful transitions and constant movement). Choreography is all about the lyrics, tempo, and passion within the music.

WHAT else is lyrical dance?

Technically, the dance style is a fusion of jazz, ballet, and modern dance (including hip hop). Lyrical dance employes the structure of ballet and the dynamics of jazz as well as the freedom of contemporary dance. It's fun to watch and dance because the dancer travels a lot across the floor, making fluid turning movements, it is filled with high jumps and emotional/narrative expressons.

WHAT is not lyrical dance?

Although lyrical motion is structurally similar to ballet and the dancer must master the same skills, it is typically faster than classical ballet. However, lyrical is not as fast or sharp as jazz. And, although both contemporary dance and lyrical motion are dramatically expressive, lyrical generally dances strictly to the lyrics of the song, whereas contemporary is usually more experimental.

what makes Saratoga Scool of Dance so good for our lyrical students

We meet you where you are: brand new to dance ... experienced ballet dancers returning to ballet after a long break ... classically trained, versatile dancers who are ready for work in the industry ... or those of you who just need to get out of your head and express those emotions. .

  • Well Rounded Students

    We offer students a homework lounge and parents are welcome to view classes from the back of the room.

    Lyrical motion teaches musicality and develops a keen sense of rhythm, timing, tempo, and phrasing. The dynamic non-stop movement and the complex improvisational nature of this dance method teach students to deeply connect with, interpret, and explore their own artistic voice, which, in turn, boosts creativity, insight and storytelling abilities as well as self-confidence. Improvisation boosts cognitive flexibility and reduces stress by fostering a flow state. It strengthens brain connectivity, specifically in areas related to language and develops better listening, split-second decision-making, and lowers activity in areas related to self-monitoring, which allows for freer creative expression.

  • Strength, Flexibility...

    Combining the artistry of ballet barre exercises for strength and conditioning, Saratoga School of Dance classes also incorporates Pilates, stretching, yoga, and more. This class will pull from multiple fitness techniques to help students achieve greater flexibility, coordination, and range of motion. Lyrical classes improve cardiovascular health and endurance. Our experienced teachers take students through specific warm-up exercises and techniques to develop proper alignment, balance, posture and enhance body awareness. Also, the fluid, continuous, and often extended movements help lengthen muscles and build core strength.

  • Excellence in all areas

    The Saratoga School of Dance’s mission focuses on excellence in dance class nurturing children and young people (and adults, too). Our students learn patience, persistence, attention to detail, discipline, teamwork and self-motivation. We have developed a reputation as one of the Bay Area’s top training programs. Learning new skills and expressing oneself through emotional expression and storytelling abilities builds self-confidence. Improvisation requires focus and improves the dancer's ability to listen, interact with others and respond quickly to unexpected changes. It also trains the human mind to push beyond its limits. These are things we want for our children and for ourselves.

  • Social Skills and Building Community

    Because lyrical dance supports individual interpretation and personal expression it builds self confidence and helps release stress or anxiety in a healthy way. And when you are in the creative flow your mind can't loop on the other stuff.  Lyrical movement creates endorphens and can be a fun and carthartic release. This is an activity you can do with your kids, build teamwork and connections, learn together. Group classes foster a sense of community and friendship. Our school celebrates diversity and welcomes everyone.

"Dancing is silent poetry." — Simonides

"You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams." — Gene Kelly

some of OUR lyrical students

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul." — Martha Graham

"I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what it too deep to find for words." — Ruth St. Denis