Berest Dance Center

Berest Dance Center offers classes in ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, Broadway dance, tap, hip-hop, modern, improvisation, creative movement, and boys classes. The program also includes ballet coaching for auditions, gymnastics, and icedancing, as well as body conditioning, private adult ballet, and a range of adult and level-based classes such as Adult Beginner Ballet, Adult Beginner Tap, Intermediate Ballet, Intermediate Lyrical Jazz, Intermediate Tap, Advanced Hiphop, and Advanced Tap. Additional services include Dance Audition Preparation, creating a Dance Reel, and College Headshot sessions.

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Open 7 days a week with studio hours Monday–Friday from 3:30–9:30PM (earlier close Wednesday–Friday), Saturday from 8:30AM–6PM, and Sunday from 12–5:30PM

Berest Dance Center is described as the area's premiere, family-operated dance studio with 5 decades of dancers and families. The studio offers dance classes for ages 2 through adult, including a Toddler Program for children 18 months–3 years old with an adult, a Young Children program for ages 3–6, a Boys Program with classes designed for the energy and creativity of boys, a Lower Level Division for ages 7–11 with combination genres, and Upper Level and Pre-Professional options for teens and adult dancers interested in more advanced training. The Adult Program is described as simplifying the world to just the music, movement, and breath, with ongoing study opportunities for adults and specialty classes for child–adult participation and boys only. The dance curriculum is described as taking students from a first introduction to movement through a full course of study, in a non-competitive, nurturing environment, with a multiple-genre schedule of over 70 dance classes and opportunities to perform that include building self-esteem, confidence, and practicing teamwork.

Berest Dance Center was founded by Olga Berest in 1979, is also described as established in 1976, and is celebrating 50 years of excellence from 1976–2026, with over four decades of teaching dance. The studio is directed by nationally acclaimed Olga Berest and features internationally renowned Heather Berest, known for work with Paul Taylor Dance Company and Momix, as artistic director. The “Berest and Beyond” program involves Alison Berest, a Certified Mental Health Counselor; Dr. Francine Fabricant, a Certified Career Counselor; Orion Duckstein, Associate Professor and Chair of Adelphi Dance Department; Heather Berest as a Berest Dance Center dance professional; Jessica Wontropski as a dance and media professional at Berest Dance Center; and Linda Nutter as photographer. The mission of Berest Dance Center is to make the joy of dancing accessible for enjoyment and professional training, offering an alternative to dance training in NYC.

The studio is celebrating 50 years of excellence and is described as the area's premiere dance studio with a legacy that gives back. Ticket proceeds for the August 30, 2026 milestone event go to “Dance for Joy,” and a Newsday article is noted about two young women who contribute their time to Dance for Joy. One testimonial from Robin Hummel expresses appreciation for the Newsday article and thanks the program for creating the opportunity for people to do good and to show that humanity is not lost.

Last updated May 27, 2026.