China Smith is helping so many people in our community express themselves through the art of dance! She is a creative Genius!!!

Excellent experience. My daughter enjoys it. We been here 5 yrs now!

We started with Ballet Afrique this year in June and my 2.5yr. old got to perform her first dance recital & absolutely loved it! The diverse music and dance style is refreshing! MsChina is great with the kiddos and her passion exudes through her personality! My daughter can’t wait to see MsChina and her friends at dance every weekend! I highly recommend this dance company!

We’re Austin transplants and the Ballet Afrique community via Mrs. China’s leadership has helped make this place home. I’m privileged to watch my daughter grow stronger and more confident in her dance and self with each passing year and class. She’s met some of her best friends from the simple 5 minute games of tag before or after class and the support and attention given during their hard work in the studio. She loves Mrs. China and her dedication to their development as young women and men

My daughter Ayana has been going since last year. Her confidence continues to be built. Shes engaged and learning more about herself every day. She comes home excited to teach us her moves and to rely new lessons from Ms.China. I love it and pray she continues this journey. Thank you Ms. china

My 9-year-old daughter started with Ballet Afrique when she was barely 3. Ms China was her first teacher outside the home, and has remained our familys gold standard for a loving, generous role model and mentor. Our second daughter started in Ballet Afriques toddler class last year and already fancies herself the next Misty Copeland. Ms Chinas gift is both in making her little kids feel at home on a stage and in their bodies and in pushing her older students to heights they hadnt dared dream. So much gratitude from our house to yours China!

Ms. Chyna is wonderful with the kids, her enthusiasm is contagious! My 3 year old son LOVES his ballet class with her. We went to see their Nutcracker presentation last Christmas and that’s what sold us on this studio. We hope to be a part of the BADA family for many years to come!

They dont seem to want new members. They dont list an email address on their website and they read Facebook messages, but ignore them. Im completely shocked that they would do this given their mission and what they claim. This is very unfortunate.

Ballet Afrique has enriched my daughters life in MANY ways. She is six now and has taken ballet since she was three. The first few years were at another popular Austin studio, which was a good experience. However, she often asked Mommy, why am I the only brown girl in ballet? When I realized that was more than a passing thought for her, I did some research and found BADA. Last year was her first year, and she will definitely be there for years to come.China is an amazing teacher and a visionary. Shes exactly the influence I want in my girls life. When we first started, another parent gave me great advice. It was this: Remember, China is first and foremost an artist, so keep that in mind! This was great advice. Class does not always run on time. Some initiatives get started and seem to die out. Those are MINOR inconveniences to me, and not any issue at all for my daughter (and certainly just part of the creative process). Totally, 100%, outweighed by having my daughter mentored by strong Black women who love their bodies, love dance, and pour their love and energy into the kiddos. Its obviously not just about dance; its about raising up young leaders. I cant wait to see where Ms. China and the BADA family go in the years to come!

I love this place because dancing keeps our energy vibrations connected and lifted up! From 1 to 92 movement is the thing to do!!! Dance is what keeps all our hearts beating strong and our lungs full of the breathe of life!

UNPROFESSIONAL! China does not communicate with parents. We paid our performance fee and didnt get what we were owed. I hate to say it, but do not waste your time and money patronizing this business.

Not what you would expect for a place called Ballet Afrique. As a proud African American woman I was thrilled to come across a ballet school that infused African dance and music, so I thought. Not once did I see or hear any African influence into the routines. I was so excited for my daughter, and to support my fellow sistah in her mission. Depending on who is in your childs class will determine if they actually learn anything. While, China is a good teacher, she lacks control in the classroom. My daughters class was full of hair pulling, side conversation, and distracting behavior by both the children and parents. China also doesnt seem very friendly or welcoming to certain parents, despite you reaching out to her. There are a lot of long established families that have been there for years, and perhaps China feels her attention should be on them(nevermind the new people). Funny thing is, I can only operate off assumptions since China does not respond directly to parents or email messages. I dont feel its appropriate to approach during class times which is why I emailed and messaged her several several times about concerns. No reply from China, only her registrar. I have to say we were very disappointed with our overall experience. No African swagger and unprofessional owner/teacher. China you let my family down, but based on your lack of response. You probably just dont give a dam!!! Ase my sistah, Ase!!! Smh...#noafriqueinballetafrique #proudlyafrican #balletfail

Our 2 year old loves Ballet Afrique!

Awesome. Just awesome