CORE Dance was founded in August 2010 by Leslie Baumberger, Stacy Millard, Rose Patti and Zheila Pouraghabagher after American Dance closed following 38 years in San Luis Obispo; Alexa Von Der Hoff ran the studio from 2018 and Isabella Lund became owner in January 2026. Based at 882 Ricardo Court, it offers ballet-based training for every age, style and commitment level, from age 2 through adults, and says it has the largest and most diverse performing groups on the Central Coast and has been voted Best of SLO for 15 consecutive years. Dancers progress through the Tiny Dancer series (ages 2-6), short beginning series, month-to-month classes, the CORE Performance Company groups, and the audition-only CORE Dance Company for ages 9 and up.