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 for:
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> Infants/Toddlers (6-36 mos) with their caregivers – Creative Movement
​ > Kids (ages 3 – 18 yrs) 2 different levels of Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Contemporary, Acro, Urban
Dance, Musical Theatre, Choreography, Character Folk Dance, Pre K Creative Movement, Jazz,
Musical Theatre
> Teen/Adult FIT program - Ballet Fitness and Partner Dancing
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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
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
Mr. Jackson 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.
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. They have presented work at Safehouse Arts as a part of the 2022 Fall RAW Showcase and recently choreographed and performed 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, Injury Prevention/Prepointe, Ballet Fitness, and unique summer camps such as the Story Ballet Camp and Destination Choreography Camp. They enjoy being able to share their love of dance and pass on 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.
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
We the dancers, faculty, staff and volunteers of Ms Marian’s Dance Garden, (founded 10/1/2013) 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 . 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
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Ms Marian's Dance Garden - where dancers grow!