... I studied with Ms. Poon in December of 1989. A that time I think I was her only male student. I was only about 8 years old then. Maybe she remembers me as the small mischievous boy from Saudi Arabia. In any case, I won a gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition last year. I perform as a guest artist with companies all over the world and I always think of her. I consider her as my first mentor. She gave me so many wonderful corrections. She was my first “real” ballet teacher.”
— Rasta T.
... I started as a student with Ms. Poon over 20 years ago before she even had an official school… and I followed her when she did open her school. I had some dance training at more informal studios, but knew at the age of 12 that I wanted a more formal ballet education. I am so grateful to have found Ms. Poon. Even though I was starting as an older student without an “ideal” body type, she was never critical. She is the type of teacher who tries to correct the “flaws
of a student and emphasize the positive attributes. Within my first class, she had diagnosed me as having a type of “flatfoot” causing rolled ankles, and subsequently spent years helping me strengthen my arch to become not only a good dancer, but to also not have a foot and ankle injury and issues as an adult. To this day, I still occasionally “roll” my ankles, but can still hear Ms. Poon in my head reminding me not to do so – now that’s some long lasting education! "
— Laurie J.
... My daughter is a dancer, and I have been to many studios. This school shows more attention to details in dance than any other school. The teacher takes an inordinate amount of time (love and patience, too) to address each student and hands on. I observed the teacher time and again adjust ever so slightly an angle of a foot here, an arm there...it was amazing. I highly recommend this school.
”
— Cindy S.
... Our daughter has attended the Shan-Yee Poon Ballet School for more than 10 years now, studying ballet, jazz dance and tap with Ms. Poon and several other terrific and experienced instructors. Now a high school senior, she has grown into a poised, confident young woman -- not to mention a beautiful dancer -- and we give Ms. Poon great credit for the influence of her dance program. We like the fact that the Shan-Yee Poon School takes dance seriously -- they ask kids to work hard, have high standards and produce wonderfully staged performances -- but yet they don't demand that kids commit their entire lives to dance. They keep it in balance, and keep it fun. Our daughter has spent a lot of after-school hours at SYPBS, but she has still been able to take her studies seriously and take part in extra-curricula from drama to outdoor club. We're very happy to recommend the school to others.
”
— Jay H.
... My 4-year-old son attends Shan Yee Poon Ballet School, and his teacher is excellent. She makes a special effort to be sure that she does not use gender-specific language during the activities. His teacher (Ms. Byrne) has an amazing way with the young children, creating a fun class that really teaches the basics of ballet. There is a real feeling of community in the school, with ample opportunities for volunteering and meeting and talking with other parents. I've started taking their adult ballet class as well, and it's great! I love the teachers, and the other men and women in the classes come often and are friendly and welcoming. Overall, it's a welcoming, fun, friendly school that offers an excellent, professional caliber, affordable dance education.”
— "Zardeenah"
... Our daughter has Epilepsy and because of this she is always tired and has a hard time concentrating. Ms. Poon impressed me because as a child development professional I observe behaviors as a living. Ms. Poon has a wonderful way with children. A perfect balance between firmness and love. She shows love and respect for every child in her school. She demands the best effort from every child, which makes the children, feel confident in their abilities. Sadly, our daughter’s seizures were not under control and any extra curricular activity only worsen her condition and made her completely exhausted. Ms. Poon worked with me throughout and even though it was apparent our daughter could no longer attend she gave us a fair refund amount. If our daughter could handle the activity we would re- enroll. Ms. Poon is someone I would want to teach and guide my child. Ballet, when taught with love, enables a child to learn so much confidence in themselves and the discipline it brings to the art teaches children to respect others. These attributes alone are well worth joining the Shan-Yee Poon Ballet School.
”
— Lucille V.
... It seems as if these days every other little girl wants to be a ballerina. Both my girls (ages 2 and 4) look forward to their respective weekly classes at Shan-Yee Poon ballet school. I found their teacher at this school to have a great background in both child development and ballet technique. My daughters have playfully familiarized themselves with a large number of famous ballets in Ms. Byrne's fun story dances, and they get to shape their minds and bodies using age appropriate exercises and movements. I keep finding myself amazed by the quality of the instruction. Ms. Byrne patiently helps my girls work on their fine and gross motor skills as well as their self-discipline, while still keeping the classes extremely joyful. The younger one's class uses parent participation, and we are always having so much fun! Ms. Byrne's gentle strength makes her a great role model, at a time when mass media present us with so many troubling ideas of what it is supposed to mean being a woman. Today's girls find themselves facing an ever-more confusing jungle of conflicting messages. I hope that the focus and self-esteem that my girls find in their ballet classes at Shan-Yee Poon ballet school will help them better navigate growing up in this crazy world. They also do find great inspiration in watching the older dancers at the school, sneaking a peek at Pointe class (or when enjoying the school's own Nutcracker performance or the last summer camp's delightful Coppelia interpretation). My older one is convinced she'll be a ballet teacher when she grows up. Time will tell if she sticks with dance, but, even if not, I consider Shan-Yee Poon ballet school a vital part of my support system as a parent and credit the school with helping me raise two girls with strong, healthy bodies, creative minds, and responsible, caring spirits.
”
— "SF Mommy"
... I studied with Ms. Poon in December of 1989. A that time I think I was her only male student. I was only about 8 years old then. Maybe she remembers me as the small mischievous boy from Saudi Arabia. In any case, I won a gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition last year. I perform as a guest artist with companies all over the world and I always think of her. I consider her as my first mentor. She gave me so many wonderful corrections. She was my first “real” ballet teacher.”
— Rasta T.
— Laurie J.... I started as a student with Ms. Poon over 20 years ago before she even had an official school… and I followed her when she did open her school. I had some dance training at more informal studios, but knew at the age of 12 that I wanted a more formal ballet education. I am so grateful to have found Ms. Poon. Even though I was starting as an older student without an “ideal” body type, she was never critical. She is the type of teacher who tries to correct the “flaws of a student and emphasize the positive attributes. Within my first class, she had diagnosed me as having a type of “flatfoot” causing rolled ankles, and subsequently spent years helping me strengthen my arch to become not only a good dancer, but to also not have a foot and ankle injury and issues as an adult. To this day, I still occasionally “roll” my ankles, but can still hear Ms. Poon in my head reminding me not to do so – now that’s some long lasting education! "
... My daughter is a dancer, and I have been to many studios. This school shows more attention to details in dance than any other school. The teacher takes an inordinate amount of time (love and patience, too) to address each student and hands on. I observed the teacher time and again adjust ever so slightly an angle of a foot here, an arm there...it was amazing. I highly recommend this school. ”
— Cindy S.
... Our daughter has attended the Shan-Yee Poon Ballet School for more than 10 years now, studying ballet, jazz dance and tap with Ms. Poon and several other terrific and experienced instructors. Now a high school senior, she has grown into a poised, confident young woman -- not to mention a beautiful dancer -- and we give Ms. Poon great credit for the influence of her dance program. We like the fact that the Shan-Yee Poon School takes dance seriously -- they ask kids to work hard, have high standards and produce wonderfully staged performances -- but yet they don't demand that kids commit their entire lives to dance. They keep it in balance, and keep it fun. Our daughter has spent a lot of after-school hours at SYPBS, but she has still been able to take her studies seriously and take part in extra-curricula from drama to outdoor club. We're very happy to recommend the school to others. ”
— Jay H.
... My 4-year-old son attends Shan Yee Poon Ballet School, and his teacher is excellent. She makes a special effort to be sure that she does not use gender-specific language during the activities. His teacher (Ms. Byrne) has an amazing way with the young children, creating a fun class that really teaches the basics of ballet. There is a real feeling of community in the school, with ample opportunities for volunteering and meeting and talking with other parents. I've started taking their adult ballet class as well, and it's great! I love the teachers, and the other men and women in the classes come often and are friendly and welcoming. Overall, it's a welcoming, fun, friendly school that offers an excellent, professional caliber, affordable dance education.”
— "Zardeenah"
... Our daughter has Epilepsy and because of this she is always tired and has a hard time concentrating. Ms. Poon impressed me because as a child development professional I observe behaviors as a living. Ms. Poon has a wonderful way with children. A perfect balance between firmness and love. She shows love and respect for every child in her school. She demands the best effort from every child, which makes the children, feel confident in their abilities. Sadly, our daughter’s seizures were not under control and any extra curricular activity only worsen her condition and made her completely exhausted. Ms. Poon worked with me throughout and even though it was apparent our daughter could no longer attend she gave us a fair refund amount. If our daughter could handle the activity we would re- enroll. Ms. Poon is someone I would want to teach and guide my child. Ballet, when taught with love, enables a child to learn so much confidence in themselves and the discipline it brings to the art teaches children to respect others. These attributes alone are well worth joining the Shan-Yee Poon Ballet School. ”
— Lucille V.
... It seems as if these days every other little girl wants to be a ballerina. Both my girls (ages 2 and 4) look forward to their respective weekly classes at Shan-Yee Poon ballet school. I found their teacher at this school to have a great background in both child development and ballet technique. My daughters have playfully familiarized themselves with a large number of famous ballets in Ms. Byrne's fun story dances, and they get to shape their minds and bodies using age appropriate exercises and movements. I keep finding myself amazed by the quality of the instruction. Ms. Byrne patiently helps my girls work on their fine and gross motor skills as well as their self-discipline, while still keeping the classes extremely joyful. The younger one's class uses parent participation, and we are always having so much fun! Ms. Byrne's gentle strength makes her a great role model, at a time when mass media present us with so many troubling ideas of what it is supposed to mean being a woman. Today's girls find themselves facing an ever-more confusing jungle of conflicting messages. I hope that the focus and self-esteem that my girls find in their ballet classes at Shan-Yee Poon ballet school will help them better navigate growing up in this crazy world. They also do find great inspiration in watching the older dancers at the school, sneaking a peek at Pointe class (or when enjoying the school's own Nutcracker performance or the last summer camp's delightful Coppelia interpretation). My older one is convinced she'll be a ballet teacher when she grows up. Time will tell if she sticks with dance, but, even if not, I consider Shan-Yee Poon ballet school a vital part of my support system as a parent and credit the school with helping me raise two girls with strong, healthy bodies, creative minds, and responsible, caring spirits. ”
— "SF Mommy"
