L.A. Bellydance Academy

I was new and attended the beginners class twice, (or i thought it was for beginners) but this class was definitely not for beginners. Everyone knew the choreography and was far advanced. Plus, the instructor assumed I had been there before when I hadnt. Yes I can pick up routines and move my hips but that’s besides the point… I was at the mercy of other people in the class to catch me up when they were still learning themseleves… Unfortunately, I won’t be back nor will I recommend this place.

LA Belly Dancing is an incredible dancing studio, we took a couple of Persian dancing lessons for a wedding which prepared us for the event. We would recommend Stephanie as she taught both my husband and I the basics which made us more comfortable as we were not familiar with the culture.

I love the studio! All of the dance teachers are very nice and knowledgeable with each dance style they have to offer. Everyone is so professional and I love that there are plenty of performance opportunities!

Lockbox in the back entrance is a little weird but once you find the studio… it is great. I took a hula dance class and learned some cool moves, new words, and a touch of Hawaiian culture. Amazing! Great sisterhood amongst the very welcoming students and teachers. I will be back.

This is the place to go if you want to get some bellydancing out of your system. I like beginner belly for more bellydancing. Bellyquake is more of a workout class with bellydancing moves.

Bellydance academy, has done it again and surprised me with an additional new class, Bellyquake taught by a wonderful and ever so energetic Jayna.
I have been very and didn’t go to LABA for over 4 months, and when I heard classes were switched around, I must admit I was nervous. I was taking lessons from another incredible dancer Corina, but she was now a different day. I dared myself to give it a try and explore a new class and instructor. I was not disappointed at all, Bellyquake in simple terms is the zumba of belly dance.
I sweat so much in class and laugh so much.
I look forward to it every Wednesday after work.
Stevie as always greeting myself and everyone with great love and joy helps make going to class amazing.
The studio is great, the folks are friendly. I’m so super happy to have return to my belly dance haven.
Highly recommend taking lessons if you need a new hobby, want to unwind after a long day at work/​home.
I’m a very tight budget but classes are very affordable.
All levels welcomed! Join the fun, Once again, so glad I am back.

Took a Beginner Bellydance class and Tahitian last week! So fun and very welcoming– especially since I had never done these dances before. Great teachers and environment. :)

Amazing place to come and learn to dance, meet new people and have a great time. Very nourishing and creative environment– great place to do something good for yourself.

I honestly don’t think I can say enough great things about about this studio and the instructors!
A friend and I were looking to try a new hobby and decided on belly dance! We found this place online and they had a great deal for beginners, so we signed up right away!
Upon entering the studio I was really nervous, considering I’m no graceful butterfly, I’m more of a stomping elephant! Stefanya was very welcoming and made sure to put us at ease right away! She’s such a lovely person! She made us feel very comfortable in our skin, especially since this was our first time trying belly dance! She is extremely knowledgeable about the culture and her teaching style is very easy going!
I’ve also tried yoga with Priscilla! Wow! Let me tell you, it’s not easy and she makes it look so effortless! She’s absolutely wonderful and knows just what to do to make you feel relaxed!
Overall, I have fallen in love with LABA! Everyone is fabulous and so supportive of one another! I can’t imagine going anywhere else :)

I’m very impressed with this school. The teachers are very professional, courteous, happy and super friendly. They make you feel welcome and make you want to go back again and again. Their knowledge is superb and I recommend it to any student who wants to learn belly dance or Tahitian dance. I give it 2 thumbs up!!! :D

Great teachers in this studio and the best learning environment in my opinion. Not only that, as perks this studio has allowed me to perform in many very cool events and showcases which I believe is very important and critical to our dance development.
Teachers are concern about her student’s dance progress and even go beyond even when you are not in class.
Their classes are taught in professional way from beginner to advanced level and this school has QUARTERLY student showcases which everybody loves. Teachers are very discipline and a great role model to dancers who are serious about getting to advanced level or just have fun and excellent core workout.
Their classes are worth ever penny and more. Beginners are welcome! Come check her classes out. I highly recommend Stevie/​Stefanya, Katya and Leolani’s dance classes. Also, they have great workshops, some of them coming from other countries.

I tried this place out for the first time last Saturday with their bellydance technique and choreography class.
I absolutely loved the class, the instructor, and the people. She taught real dance, not just half-​way exercise like dance but real technique and choreography.
Great prices too.
I met girls there my age (college students) who has been going there for 4 years. That says something.
Will be coming back regularly. However, wish they offered more classes.

This place represents everything I love about bellydance! Positive, caring, and REALLY TALENTED instructors. You should go here. As others have said, they take care of instructing those who are just barely stepping out of their shells, to the sequined professionals you may wish to be. There is no cattiness here! SO GOOD.

From beginner to advanced, you’re going to feel welcome and part of the group! I’m taking classes with Sherri and Sonia, and they have been incredibly responsive to questions and concerns, as well as making this experience FUN!
Parking is a breeze, and the atmosphere is not intimidating at all.

Great teachers, easy parking, nice students! Katya, Stevie, and Sherri, are so
inspiring. Beautiful dancers who show you the way. Always warm and welcoming. I have improved in each class.

LOVE this place. I took a few classes with Sherri Wheatley. She is a wonderful teacher and her classes are faaaaaabulous! I’ve met a couple of other instructors who’s classes I’m really interested. They have a yoga class as well. Very good vibes, but it is a bit small and can get crowded sometimes. Parking is not an issue. Lots of street parking. I absolutely LOVE this place and I HIGHLY suggest taking classes here. Very warm, friendly, supportive environment!

I first reviewed this studio before it had fully transitioned into the Los Angeles Bellydance Academy. It was a little dingy and cluttered during that transition, and I was so pleased to see how nicely it all came together as the lovely proprietors patched and painted and made the place over into a warm, homey studio with lots of great teachers.
I had been taking classes here from Sherri Wheatley, who is one of a number of bellydance instructors who teach at this studio. Having taken classes from a LOT of different teachers all over Southern California, I can definitely attest that the teaching here is top-​notch, and that the instructors really care about student learning. Sherri’s classes are perhaps better suited for the intermediate student than the complete beginner, but she’s a friendly, accessible teacher who will break things down further for students who ask, so beginners can still get a lot out of her classes if they’re not too shy.
There really is plenty of street parking around, so it’s a relief to know that this is one place in LA I don’t have to arrive at 30 minutes early just to compete for one parking spot six blocks away! My only complaint is that the studio space is a bit on the small side, so popular classes tend to be a little cramped. Still, this is one of the better studios I’ve found in West LA, and well worth checking out.
Alas, due to scheduling conflicts I’m not dancing here any longer, but I’ve happily sent friends their way, and will continue to do so. Keep up the great work, guys!

I love this studio because once you step inside, you can genuinely feel the love it’s staff has for dance. There’s nothing pretentious or intimidating about it, and I feel that is a super important character trait of a dance space! The only focus here is to teach, to learn, and to have fun! Definitely my kind of place :)