We’re pleased to present a selective list of some our favorite NYC dance programs for all ages!
To see a slideshow of dance classes, as viewed through the eyes of differently aged dancers (from age 3-17), click HERE!
The Ailey School: This historic school offers programs for kids and young adults, ages 3-25. The Junior Division, for dancers 3-17, has a First Steps/Bounding Boys class for ages 3-6; and a Pre-Professional training program for ages 7-17. alvinailey.org
American Youth Dance Theater: Open to kids of all ages and abilities, there are a myriad of classes offered at this Upper East Side school. Mommy-n-Me, Tiny Tots, Pre-Ballet, Ballet and Pointe, Tap, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop are just some of the possibilities. americanyouthdancetheater.com
Applause NYC: The home of Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies, Broadway Babies, and Broadway SuperStars, Applause Theatrical Workshops are designed for kids who love to perform, whether they’re newborns or in grade 12. This Upper East Side studio offers theater games, improvisation, musical theater performance, acting, and dancing. applauseny.com
Ballet Academy East: The Upper East Side’s Ballet Academy East offers classes for children and adults of all ages. Programs include the Petite Dancer classes for 18 months to 2 years, as well as pre-ballet, tap, and modern for ages 3-6. The primary ballet class for ages 6-7 leads into the Pre-Professional Division for ages 7-19 and the less intensive enrichment program for ages 7-12. balletacademyeast.com
The Ballet Club: The Ballet Club is a unique program that provides professional training in a nurturing environment, as well as foundational life skills and intellectual stimulation. Class groups include the Children’s Creative Dance Club Division for ages 3-8, and the Performing Arts Pre-Professional Division for more intensive study for students ages 7 and up. theballetclub.com
Ballet Hispanico: This ballet studio on the Upper West Side adds Hispanic culture and dance styles to traditional ballet. A special Adventures in Dance class is offered for the 2-5 crowd; the general program for ages 6-18 offers over 25 classes a week in ballet, flamenco, hip hop, and salsa, as well as training in varied Latin American dance traditions. ballethispanico.org
Ballet School NY & New York Theatre Ballet: Ballet School NY, the official training academy of New York Theatre Ballet, offers graded classes for ages 3 and up at its new location in the East Village. The school’s small classes teach dance as a total art form, developing strong technical skills and discipline through individualized instruction. nytb.org
Broadway Dance Center: Young dancers receive elite training from leading dance teachers and choreographers in the Dance Center’s studios in the Theater District. The Children and Teen Program (ages 3-18) offers 32 weeks of instruction in creative movement, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater dance, Latin jazz, contemporary, jumps and turns, and lyrical dancing. broadwaydancecenter.com
Dancing Divas and Dudes: With locations on both the Upper West and East Sides, classes for children ages 2 and up abound here. Voted Nickelodeon’s Parents’ Pick for Best Dance Class, they offer ballet, tap, acro, jazz, and hip-hop at varying levels. dancingdivasanddudes.com
Downtown Dance Factory: Kids and adults can dance their hearts out at this Tribeca school. Kids age 2 through teens can take ballet, jazz/hip-hop fusion, tap, or lyrical dance at varying levels. For adults, there’s cardio dance and Zumba. downtowndancefactory.com
Ellen Robbins Dance: At Ellen Robbins, dance is presented in classes as an art form, the study of which includes a balance of technique, improvisation, and composition. Performance is a natural outcome of activities and classes at Ellen Robbins, though not necessarily the primary emphasis. At the end of the year, students have the opportunity to present solo compositions and to participate in a group work as well. ellenrobbinsdance.com
Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet: This Tribeca institution provides two programs: A full-day Professional Training Program for dancers ages 12-26; and a Young Dancer Program, which includes the Children’s Division (ages 3-12) and a Pre-Professional Division (ages 10-14). gelseykirklandballet.com
Joffrey Ballet School: Kids who enroll at the Joffrey Ballet School in the West Village are trained in classical and contemporary ballet as well as other forms of dance, including modern, jazz, hip hop, and character dance. A Children’s Program (ages 2-9) also offers Dance with Me (where parents or caregivers are the dance partner). A Young Dancer’s Program is available for ages 10 and up. joffreyballetschool.com
Lucy Moses School: This Hebrew arts school, located at the Kaufman Center on the Upper West Side, offers dance classes for kids and adults of all ages. Class offerings include Creative Dance (ages 3-4), Hop, Skip, and Dance (ages 2-3), Jazz & Broadway (ages 5-7), Pre-Ballet and Ballet Prep (ages 3-4 and 5-6), and Hip Hop Dance (ages 6-7). kaufmanmusiccenter.org/lms
Manhattan Movement & Arts Center: Located near Lincoln Center, children ages 3-teen can take a variety of classes, including Storybook Play, tumbling, pre-ballet/tap combination, and hip-hop. There are also drop-in ballet classes for older students. The MMAC is also home to the pre-professional Manhattan Youth Ballet. manhattanmovement.com
Manhattan Youth Ballet: Located at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, this audition-only ballet academy is geared toward young dancers (ages 8-23) seeking to dance professionally at the regional, national, international levels. manhattanyouthballet.org
The School at Peridance: The renowned School at Peridance has been recognized as a pioneer in dance education. The PeriChild Program for students 18 months to 18 years features a progressive, interdisciplinary approach to dance training, emphasizing a thorough understanding of various dance techniques while promoting self-expression and creativity. peridance.com
The School at Steps: The School at Steps cultivates young dancers, ages 3 months to 18 years, from their first step in a dance studio through their pre-professional training. Students discover their individual artistic voices in a creative environment under the guidance of an internationally recognized faculty. StepsNYC.com/school
Shooting Stars NYC: With various locations in the city, this company offers a non-competitive dance class for children ages 6-9 that combines street jazz, hip-hop, and pom precision, along with traditional dance technique. Competitive, award-winning teams for children 7-18 include the Eastside Energy Team, the Express Dance Team, and the Lyrical Expression Team. Schools can also work with the Company in providing afterschool programs like glee club and acting class. shootingstarsny.com
