O'Brien Center of the Arts

"I’ve been with Martha for a few years now. She’s an incredibly dedicated artistic director who is trying to give the best opportunities to each and every one of her dancers. O’Brien offers many styles as well as competition based dancing and large ballet productions. There is such a variety of dancers and teachers to truly give a wonderful experience while here. I’ve been to several studios before O’Brien and I’ve seen the most improvement under this management as I’m continuously pushed and given the most efficient corrections from teachers. The environment here is great and other students are extremely welcoming and kind."

"This dance studio is my second home. Since going to college this year, I have missed everyone so much. Martha O'Brien is the kindest ballet teacher I have ever met. She truly values a dancer's heart and effort over their body type, which is so important and hard to find in the dance world. Ms. Sharon is the sweetest person, too. She has hand made me more costumes than I can count, and is always there for us when we need her. These two women are so strong and incredible, and I consider them my second moms. If you have a chance to be a part of this community, you are so blessed because it is really such a kind and welcoming place. I can't say enough good things about it."

"Wow, I'm surprised to see such ugly posts here. I've had my daughter at OCOTA on and off for 3 years and it's been a great experience. I was turned off by the strict, cold environment of some of the other ballet studios and have really enjoyed the familial feeling we've always had here. I especially appreciate that it appears that the older girls are friends or at least friendly. And they are always sweet to my young daughter. Martha and Sharon have been great to us as well! Honestly we have no complaints."

"This review is not false. I'd like to say that I'm very disappointed with this school. I brought my daughter to the class and it never started on time, so the ballet class lasted 45 min instead of the 60 min. It's filled with gossip and personal issues. Don't get in the way of the front desk person, she will smile at your face but will poke needles into a voodoo doll rendition of you at night. The teachers are unprofessional, it seems to me not certified to teach dancing or work with kids; very poor level of teaching, certifications from CrackerJack boxes. The owner is nervous and creates anxiety. She shares her personal problems with the parents and kids. During performances the dressing rooms are filled with stress, and not handled well by staff. There is very little discipline in the ballet class. Older girls talk back to the instructors during class and they're not disciplined, probably because the school is afraid to lose another customer. I saw police cars parked next to the school twice. The owner said it was a conflict between teens. If police were involved you have to wonder how healthy the environment is for kids. No wonder many classes were canceled; who can work at or attend a school under these circumstances? Worse yet, is the location; if you bring your child to this school you will "enjoy" the smell of West Petaluma chicken farms all day.Oh well,I guess the style of the school suits the environment"

"O'Brien Center of the Arts is a very unprofessional school. I met the owner of the school when my 2 daughters attended this school. She smiled at me, was nice and friendly, and made me feel like I was part of the family. Later, she spread ugly rumors about me and my daughters that were entirely untrue. She didn’t want to address this issue directly, didn’t return phone calls or emails. Of course, we had to leave the school.There has been ALWAYS favoritism in this school, that's why you can see five star reviews above and on other websites. This bad situation affected my daughters and they were really disappointed. The hypocrisy of the owner is frustrating. Is this a good way to treat customers? I’m glad we aren’t there anymore and the school is apparently closing. It seems like the owner has been spreading the rumors among her employees and customers that negative reviews on line are fake. But they aren't. Parents, if you decide to bring your child to this school get ready to hear a lot about a "review" topic. I've heard from some former employees of this school and parents (who escaped from this school because they're tired of working there for free) that the owner and her partner Sharon Smith (the front desk lady) harassed them with police. She sent policemen to their houses and told them they owe her money after all the work they've done for her for free. Totally ridiculous. All 5 stars reviews left for establishment. The owner is harassing her customers and asks even some parents to do so. One of them is Natalie N Kavanaugh . If you don't like O'brien Center you will be hounded by Natalie N K. She is very aggressive and crazy. Martha is using her to do dirty jobs and meanwhile Martha is hidding herself to look very "clean" and "kind". Kavanaugh 's daughter was treated for some reasons differently than many others. Probably, something related to their family money. Who is going to pay the owner's bills? Every 1 star review is followed by 5 stars. It tells a lot about this business. Most of teaches are leaving the school. The owner closed her Facebook page because she doesn't want to share her low rating, 2.6 stars People, please, read filtered reviews on yelp and birdeye. And, please do NOT trust front desk crazy one named Sharon. She is very dangerouse. She can hurt people in spite of her "pleasent" smile and her cartoonish voice. I only agree with 1 stars reviewers. This review is real and truthful, and it's here because where there's smoke, there's fire."