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Best Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

Kids get a great foundation in classical ballet at Dance Theatre of Harlem. Photo courtesy of Dance Theatre of Harlem
Kids get a great foundation in classical ballet at Dance Theatre of Harlem. Photo courtesy of Dance Theatre of Harlem
9/5/22 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

If you have a budding ballerina who's pleading for dance classes in New York City, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice, and that fact holds true across genres and genders. We've rounded up 18 studios offering dance classes in NYC for kids. Most of these local dance classes in NYC offer programs for boys, and in general, you can study multiple styles at one studio; only a few specialize in one discipline.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from baby sign language classes to gymnastics classes, check out our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

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The Ballet Club offers dance classes for kids beginning at age 18 months. Photo by Rachel Neville/courtesy of the school
The Ballet Club offers dance classes for kids beginning at age 18 months. Photo by Rachel Neville/courtesy of the school

Best Ballet Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

New York Theatre Ballet School

East Village
New York Theatre Ballet School is the official training academy of NYTB, offering classes and camps for ages 4 and up. Since 1978, the NYTB School has developed its young dancers by following the Cecchetti syllabus, a method that emphasizes musicality, theatricality, gesture, and style. The summer session features pre-ballet for ages 5-7 (no audition required) as well as a higher level summer intensive for ages 8-13. READ MORE

The Ballet Club

Upper East Side
With a singular focus on ballet, The Ballet Club offers dance classes for kids ages 18 months and older. Classes are divided into three divisions: the “Dance Together” group, for ages 18 months-3 years, the regular children’s classes, for ages 3-9, and the advanced Performing Arts Pre-Professional Division. All students are also taught the history of dance and are encouraged to improvise to the music of classic ballets. READ MORE

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Harlem
Classical ballet training is the trademark of this storied Harlem dance school. Auditions are required for children ages 3+. Younger students join pre-dance and pre-ballet classes, while those ages 8 and older can join the Lower School, where a focus is on discipline and mastering ballet basics before moving on to the Upper School. Other genres are offered to complement ballet training, too. READ MORE

Ballet Hispanico

Upper West Side
This Spanish dance studio features classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, salsa, and tap for ages 2 and older. The Los Pasitos: Early Childhood Program introduces students ages 2-5 to coordination and movement techniques. The Encuentros: Open Class Program focuses on many dance traditions and is designed for ages 6-18. READ MORE

Sol Dance Center

Astoria, Queens
Opened in 2009, this dance studio offers a wide array of dance classes for ages 3 and older. The children's programs are split into three age groups: Baby Ballet caters to kids age 2 1/2-4, with a gentle introduction to the genre, plus plenty of fun, socialization, and movement. In the Kids Division, for ages 3-7, more formal introductory classes lay the foundation for study in ballet, hip-hop, and salsa. The youth teen dance classes, for ages 8-19, include styles such as tap, Latin, jazz, and more. READ MORE

Best Ballroom Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

Brooklyn Dance Lessons

Gowanus, Brooklyn
This award-winning dance boutique in the heart of Gowanus is now offering classes for kids and families. The studio aims to make dance relevant and accessible to the current generation with ballroom classes for all ages and skill levels, plus family dance classes and dance parties. READ MORE

Great Modern Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

Alvin Ailey

Midtown West
Founded by dancer/choreographer Alvin Ailey (1931-1989), this renowned school is dedicated to enriching the heritage of American modern dance and preserving the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience. Kids 7 and older must audition for more advanced classes, but there are no auditions for the introductory classes, including the popular First Steps class (for kids ages 3-6) and Bounding Boys (for boys ages 3-6). READ MORE

Brooklyn Arts Exchange

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Offering more affordable prices than many of its counterparts, this arts center provides tumbling, dance, and theater classes to kids ages 18 months and up. Choose from modern dance, ballet, and hip-hop for tweens and great movement classes for the toddler set. More advanced dancers (ages 9-18) may be invited to participate in Dance Performance Workshops, in which they'll deepen their study of dance technique and work on original choreography. READ MORE

Bridge For Dance, Inc. - Classes

Upper West Side
This dance studio offers traditional and non-traditional dance classes for dancers ages 2 and older. Styles include ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, plus creative movement and aerial circus classes. The Young Dancers Program is a year-long commitment with weekly classes scheduled from September to June, ending with a recital showcasing what the children have learned throughout the year. READ MORE

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Operated by the Mark Morris Dance Group, this reasonably-priced dance school offers classes for kids and teens and parent-and-me sessions for children ages 4 and younger. Children and teens, ages 6-18, can take modern, tap, jazz/hip-hop, ballet, and African dance classes. Advanced students, ages 10-17, can audition for the Student Company.  READ MORE

Cynthia King Dance Studio

Prospect Park South, Brooklyn
Cynthia King hosts a variety of dance classes for kids, including ballet, modern, hip-hop, and tap. The studio offers parent-and-me dance classes for toddlers and preschoolers. School-age kids who are serious about their studies may be chosen for the CKDS Company Program to learn ballet and contemporary styles at an accelerated pace with professional performance opportunities. READ MORE
Hip-hop is a high-energy dance style. Photo by Jonathan Hsu
Hip-hop is a high-energy dance style. Photo by Jonathan Hsu

Where to Find Hip-Hop Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

Downtown Dance Factory

Tribeca
This popular Tribeca dance school invites children as young as 18 months to its 9,000-square-foot studio to try out classes including hip-hop, tap, jazz, ballet, and a breaking program, especially for boys. Summer programs, birthday parties, and adult dance classes are also offered. READ MORE

The Brooklyn Dance Centers

Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
A borough favorite, this dance center operates from two locations in Brooklyn and offers a variety of dance classes, including ballet, contemporary, and break-dancing. Classes start at age 2. This studio ticks all the boxes with a nationally competitive dance team, dedicated teachers, and a mission to reach kids of all abilities. READ MORE

Nadia's Performing Arts Centre

Bayside, Queens
Specializing in small classes, this Bayside dance school promises lots of individualized attention for dancers. Instruction in ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop—plus more dance classes for kids—are offered for ages 2 1/2 and older. Placement is based on age and ability, and there are also audition-only performing opportunities. READ MORE

Jazz and Tap Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

American Youth Dance Theater

Upper East Side and Washington Heights
With popular classes like mommy-and-me, hip-hop, contemporary, tap, and Broadway, this dance school prioritizes a positive learning environment where children are encouraged to learn and grow. Classes are open for all ages, from toddlers to high schoolers.  READ MORE

American Tap Foundation

Greenwich Village
The American Tap Dance Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the genre of tap dancing. Beginners ages 3 1/2 and older start in the Young Rhythm Makers class, where they’ll learn basic steps and how to improvise their own combinations. Kids with more experience are placed in tap dancing classes like Hoofers and Hitters and Shim Sham Crew, where they’ll learn elements of early dances as well as contemporary forms. READ MORE

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

Midtown West
Founded in 1984 as one of the first dance schools with drop-in classes, this center offers tap, jazz, modern, ballet, hip-hop, and theatrical dance classes. The studio's annual program runs from September through June and ends with a showcase performed in front of friends and family. Dancers ages 2 and up of all levels and ages can register for weekly classes. Dancers aged 10-18 can be considered for the professional track. READ MORE

Steps on Broadway

Upper West Side
Steps on Broadway offers dance classes for kids 2-18 years at all levels in jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, theater dance, ballet, and hip-hop. The studio's First Steps program for ages 2-6 brings kids, teachers, and musicians together to create a joyful environment capturing the imagination and creativity natural to young children. Classes for ages 7-18 offer dance instruction that strengthens technique and artistic skills. Students are placed in classes according to their age and ability. READ MORE

Studio E of Dance

Flushing, Queens
A Queens staple, Studio E has been around since 1969. Children ages 2 and older can study ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and contemporary. Tiny Dancers, a separate program for preschoolers, introduces beginner ballet techniques and other forms of dance. Little ones are encouraged to strengthen their bodies as well as their imaginations. READ MORE

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