5841 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121
About The Dance Garden
A Performance-Focused Dance Studio
Located in San Francisco's Richmond District
We offer three Schools of Movement:
> Infants/Toddlers (6-36 mos) with their caregivers - Creative Movement
> Kids (ages 3 – 18 yrs) - Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Contemporary, Acro, Hip Hop, Choreography, Character Folk Dance, PreK Creative Movement, Jazz, and Musical Theatre
> Teen + Adult FIT program - Ballet Fitness, Hip Hop Fitness, Tap for Adults, and Partner Dancing
Additionally we offer:
> Auxiliary Classes in Performance Touring and Sewing (Sewing Bees) for dancers in Grades 1-8 and Adults
> Summer and Winter Camps in Arts and Crafts, Pre K Busy Bees and Musical Theatre
> Private and Duet Lessons
These activities complement our dance training in an attempt to build the well-adjusted, whole dancer.
Teacher Bios
Ms. Marian
Marian Roth-Cramer, BA, MFA, has 30+ years' experience as Performer, Teacher, Producer, Author and Company Director. Ms Marian is known for her individualized and nurturing style of teaching, her work in school systems and the thousands of children she has influenced to discover the joy and wonder of Dance.
In 1980, Ms Marian wrote a book for Early Childhood Educators (Pre K to 1st grade) presenting Creative Movement and Dance exercises as an alternative to traditional PE classes. The Dance Garden is also a Training Center for Teachers, Students and Dancers, with the objective to grow educated, responsible and talented artists. Students of Roth-Cramer have earned spots in High School and Colleges of the Arts; employment in Dance Companies and in related fields of the Arts, Theatre Production, and Design as well as Health, Sports and Education.
Mr. Jackson
Jackson Tran is a seasoned Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher in modern Hip Hop. His dance journey began in High School and developed seriously through training within the vibrant Hip Hop dance community at his University town, Santa Cruz. As a performer and director of Japan Korean Family (J.K. Family), a college dance team, he blended Urban Dance with a love for Japanese, Korean, and American music.
Mr. Jackson also made waves with Haluan, an adult improvisational Hip Hop Dance Team, competing in Prelude's regional contests in Northern and Southern California. He is currently a member of StarChrome, a K-pop Dance Team, showcasing his love for the K-pop dance style by performing at local stage events and Recitals.
Mr Jackson is looking forward to developing a new Urban Dance TEAM at the Dance Garden. His goal will be to train local San Francisco High School dancers to showcase new and innovative Dance Projects for the stage and video. Mr. Jackson joined the Dance Garden faculty in 2023.
Ms. Nika
Nika Jurich is a Freelance Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, and Musician based in San Francisco. They began their training in Los Gatos, California, and graduated from the Harid Conservatory in 2015. They graduated from the Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division in 2017 and the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Training Program in 2019. Some of their recent work includes presenting pieces at Safehouse Arts as a part of the 2022 Fall RAW Showcase and choreographing and performing in ImpulseSF's Queer Prom 2023, in addition to performing as a musician in venues across the Bay Area.
They began teaching in 2016 and currently teach dancers of all ages Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Choreography, Ballet Fitness, and designs and facilitates unique summer camps such as the Story Ballet Camp and Choreography Lab. They enjoy being able to share their love of dance and the care and wisdom of the teachers that guided them. They joined the Dance Garden faculty in 2018.
Mr. Welsh
Tim Welsh began his dance instruction at the Shipley and Smith School of the Danse in Colma, California where he worked with Benny Smith, eventually becoming a full-time dance instructor in Tap and Jazz and opening up his own studio in Sunnyvale, California. Mr. Welsh has belonged to the National Dance and Affiliated Artists (NADAA), Dance Arts Unlimited (DAU) and the National Tap International (NTI). He has choreographed for multiple musicals and taught in countless dance conventions. Mr. Welsh recently retired from Star Dance Studio after 22 years of tenured instruction and is delighted to be a part of the Dance Garden faculty, joining us in 2023.
Ms. Lily
Lilian Suarez began dancing at the age of 8 in Southern California, spending her professional training at Just Plain Dancin’. Her competition training under Terry Shulke and Mandy Rogers led to numerous regional and national titles including “Starpower National Dance Competition First Overall Teen Soloist” and “Riverside City College Advanced Senior Soloist.” She was also a member of the modern dance company, "Points of View" and was a team member with Riverside Polytechnic Varsity Dance for 4 years. At this time, she learned to choreograph dance routines and teach technique for Recitals and Shows. Ms Lily is trained in Lyrical, Jazz, and Hip-Hop.
In addition to her dance background, she recently graduated from SF State with two Bachelors: Psychology and English and is continuing her studies at USF in their Master of Arts in Counseling program. Ms Lily’s extensive knowledge in psycho-education and her work in child and adolescent development has strengthened her understanding of the emotional and social needs of children and is an asset with her work with young dancers, alike. We are happy to welcome her to the Dance Garden this year!
Mr. Marcus
Marcus Benton is a Ballroom/Couple Dancing Instructor and has been social dancing for years. He specializes in Wedding Dances and Latin Dances like Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, and Tango, as well as American Dances like Swing, Country, and Hustle. His aim is to help dancers feel connected and expressive with their dance partners. He joined the Dance Garden faculty in 2023.
Mission Statement and Code of Ethics
We the dancers, faculty, staff and volunteers of Ms. Marian’s Dance Garden, (founded 10.1.13) are a vibrant community of people who have a high regard for each other, the art of dance, and the respectability and value of the work we do. All who participate are requested to demonstrate the willingness to be held accountable and to uphold the values and ethics we declare as the fundamental guidelines stated below. In all of our endeavors to study and perform as an expression of our love of dance, we show respect to the parents, to our students, and to all who call Ms. Marian’s Dance Garden, home. We consider it a privilege to participate in a community for the performing art of dance exemplifying the values of integrity, character, leadership, responsibility and professionalism.
• INTEGRITY: To conduct oneself with honesty, courtesy, and respect. To express consideration for one’s fellow dancers, educators, parents and staff. To be a person who leads by example and honors commitments. To be a person other people can rely on.
• LEADERSHIP: To guide, direct and influence people in achieving their highest goals and ideals. By setting an example through one’s actions and speech. To inspire and serve the people of your community through full participation in all dance related activities.
• RESPONSIBILITY: To respect and adhere to the policies and procedures of a studio activity, event or workshop. To be a person who interacts with others in a mature manner. To question authority in a respectful manner. To speak of any issue or grievance to the person who is able to resolve the concern. To be willing to receive coaching and direction without attitude or complaint.
• CHARACTER: To be a person who represents high levels of personal integrity, leadership, and responsibility for oneself and others. A person who has the courage and willingness to face issues and concerns with maturity and dignity. To avoid gossip, criticism, or denigrating comments for any member of the dance community, parent, or peers.
• PROFESSIONALISM: To respect the dance profession and uphold our values and standards of conduct. To support and encourage one another. To voice opinions and initiate change that will elevate the dance community. To recognize oneself as a role model at all times. To love the study and performance of dance as a universal art form.