Marcelo Garcia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcelo_Garcia_(grappler)), one of the top pound for pound grapplers in the world, opened a new studio in New York City in mid-October 2009. It is a large (for NYC) and attractive space with brand new high end mats on the floors and walls. The locker room for men has three just-installed showers, three changing booths, and a set of cubbies for clothes. There is a separate facility for women.

I won't get into Marcelo's various tournament victories, as anyone with even a passing interest in sport jiujitsu knows that he is one of the world's best. In addition to his skill as a competitor, he's a fine teacher with a remarkable ability to identify exactly what a player must do to improve. Unlike many stars, he teaches all classes at the academy -- beginner to advanced -- personally.

The students are a friendly, welcoming bunch, and Marcelo's own legendarily pleasant demeanor is infectious. Average class size is ~20 persons, for which there is more than enough room on the mats.

Classes are Monday through Saturday. MWFS 12:30 classes are mixed level, MF with gi, WS no-gi. M-F 18:00 class is Fundamentals (beginners), M-F 19:00 is Advanced; MWF with gi, T and Th no-gi. It is typical for dedicated students to take the Fundamentals and Advanced classes back to back.

Unlimited classes cost $200/mo with a 1-year agreement, $230/mo for a 6-month agreement, $250 month-to-month. 2x/week classes cost $175/mo for 1-yr, $205/mo for 6-months, $230/mo for month-to-month. These rates are quite expensive, but are slightly less than those at Renzo's and Alliance NYC.

Each class is taught by Marcelo??? That's amazing...I've gotta get out there.

I hate you Jack. In a non-violent, completely jealous kind of way.
Spendy as hell, but man, I couldn't imagine a year under his instruction directly.

are there any drop-in rates?

are there any drop-in rates?

None posted. If it's a one-time or rare sort of thing, you can probably just drop by and pay a small mat fee.

I called in yesterday and the woman at the desk told me drop in fees are $40 per day for unlimited classes.

You also forgot to add that Macelo rolls with is students on a daily basis

You also forgot to add that Macelo rolls with is students on a daily basis

I've mainly trained at places where the instructors roll with students, so it didn't occur to me that it would need to be said. But you're right, I should add that he's a very engaged teacher who pays careful attention to his students and rolls with them every day.