The Get Down

The Get Down is a dance studio and social venue in downtown San Jose (Jackson Street, corner of 5th). They teach adult classes across multiple street and social dance styles: hip-hop, house, locking, breaking, waacking, hustle, salsa, and capoeira. Classes run Monday through Friday, 7–10 PM for adults, with beginner-focused Get Down 101 sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, and progressive intermediate classes in most styles. They also run a youth program with separate classes for ages 3–5, 5–8, 7–9, 8–11, 9–13, and 10–17, teaching hip-hop, breaking, and capoeira at age-appropriate levels. The Get Down Kids Performance Team (10–17, by audition or invitation) trains at a faster pace and performs at local street festivals in Japantown and around San Jose.

The studio has two rentable rooms: the Boogie Room (900 sq ft, capacity 20–25 people, $57/hour) and the Elusive Room (300 sq ft, capacity 10–12 people, $37/hour). Both feature full-length mirrors, and the space includes a kitchenette with two mini fridges and microwave, private bathrooms, stereo systems, party lights, WiFi, AC and heating, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Get Down hosts regular social events, including Salsa Night every second Wednesday at Courage Anyone (399 S 1st St, Floor 2, San Jose). The August edition featured a 7–8 PM salsa lesson with Alyssa & Bohdan ($20, includes lesson and drink ticket) followed by social dancing 8 PM to close ($10 dancing only), with no partner required and DJ Willie providing music. They also organise workshops: a recent Acro-Floor Tricks workshop (Sunday, July 26, 3–4:30 PM, $35) taught inversions, shoulder rolls, shoulder stands, candlesticks, and floor turns, requiring kneepads and long-sleeve shirt or shoulder coverage.

The studio offers private lessons in 30-minute, 1-hour, and 1.5-hour sessions tailored to your music taste and preferred dance style. They also provide wedding dance choreography: a custom dance created for you and your partner that becomes a lasting memory of your special day. The team is led by owners Ceech Hsu (popping), Brian Rapaido (Get Down 101, Latin Boogaloo, and director of Get Down Kids and Boogie Wonders), and Jeannette Rapaido (waacking, director of Boogie Wonders and Get Down Kids). Other instructors include Alyssa Aguilar (salsa), Kristyn Tanaka-Roche (capoeira), John Sydiongco (locking and popping), Mark Dulay (hustle), Jay-R Salazar (house), and many others specialising in kids and youth classes. The Get Down was voted "Best Dance Lessons" in Best of Silicon Valley by The Metro in 2025, and celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026. They hold one showcase each for the Fall and Spring sessions, often after the final class, with dates and location announced later. Students may also perform at local community centers, events, and festivals.

Classes run in sessions with a structured schedule. You'll register through their student portal before your first class, and instructors will open the doors at class start time—please wait outside until then. Street parking is free after 6 PM. Trials ($30, by email request) and occasional drop-ins ($30/class) are available if space allows.

The studio employs over 20 instructors across all styles. Owners Ceech Hsu, Brian Rapaido, and Jeannette Rapaido lead the team. Instructors include Alyssa Aguilar (salsa), Kristyn Tanaka-Roche (capoeira), John Sydiongco (locking and popping), Mark Dulay (hustle), Jay-R Salazar (house), Jasen Almazen (old-school hip-hop and toprock), JayR Deguzman (funky freestyle), Lauren Benjamin (jazz fusion), and many others specialising in youth and kids classes. The studio selects instructors known in the local social dance scene as skilled dancers, teachers, and community leaders.

Get Down 101 explicitly targets absolute beginners wanting to dance, and many classes state "beginner friendly" or require no prior experience; salsa and hustle require no partner to register, and beginner-level breaking is open to all with no dance experience needed.