Our dearly beloved Mrs. San Juan passed away November 9, 2019.

Through her gifted teaching, genuine caring, and wonderful humor, Mrs. SJ touched so many lives and is deeply missed. It’s comforting to imagine her in Heaven, seated at her piano happily teaching again, smiling and encouraging the angels to try the exercise, “One more time!” Mrs. San Juan loved to teach, and she loved us, her students. The memories we made, the lessons we learned, and the happy times we shared with her and one another will hold a special place in our hearts forever.

Mrs. SJ started dancing in England at age 4, and began attending a boarding school for Ballet at age 9. When she graduated at 15 she had obtained the advanced degree in Ballet from The Royal Academy of Dancing, London, as well as her advanced in National dancing, Tap, and Natural Movement (Greek) for the Imperial Society, Teachers of Dancing. She opened her first school at age 18, and after moving to the United States as a new bride, began her family, giving birth to her son Mark in 1960, and to Miss Suzanne in 1963. In 1966, she opened the 3rd St. studio we dance in today. Due to her 40 year record of students receiving the highest attainable level in the RAD exams, Mrs. San Juan was appointed as one of the original four “splinters” — the first ever RAD examiners residing in the United States. In 2004, Mrs. SJ proudly added “Nana” to her resume, when Suzanne's son Jake was born. 

Mrs. San Juan taught and inspired three generations of dancers, both young and “not so young!” and at age 80, had no intention of stopping, coining the phrase “I will never retire, but rather expire here at the studio doing what I love.” Unfortunately in 2012, a stroke forced her in a new direction, whereby Miss Suzanne & Miss Jordan vowed to carry her legacy forward with everyone who attends San Juan Dance, and we will continue to honor her memory in this way.

-- Miss Suzanne

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Miss Suzanne grew up in the 3rd St. studio, and much to Mrs. San Juan's delight, she absolutely fell in love with all things performance related. She maintained her membership with the Royal Academy of Dancing (London) and Dance Masters of America. Skilled in all facets of Theatre Arts, Suzanne performed extensively throughout the Bay Area in dance, drama, and music before moving to Los Angeles in 1983. There she worked in commercials, film and television, as well as writing and performing Country music. When she returned to Northern California in 1990, Suzanne was in constant demand as a choreographer for the Los Altos Youth Theatre, countless Castilleja school events, fashion shows, and more. In 1994, Suzanne opened an additional San Juan Dance location (SJ Dance Express) in Willow Glen, which was in business for an extremely successful 18 years; SJ Dance Express was closed in 2012 after Mrs. San Juan's stroke.

She completed two years as President of Dance Masters of California, Chapter 13, and also served as a National Delegate for the 2010 and 2011 Dance Masters of America conventions held in San Antonio and Orlando.

"Raised in Los Altos, growing up at the studio and offering my first classes at age 16, I am so grateful to have called Los Altos my home and for the 42 years spent as a teacher of dance. As it was for my Mom and the generations of students she taught, it has been my privilege to share what I am so passionate about and witness the joy, creativity, and expressive fulfillment it has brought to so many lives. To leave the studio is bittersweet, but I do so knowing it will be in very capable hands, dedicated to nurturing and inspiring the dancers now and for generations to come." 

-- Suzanne San Juan