Whether you’re a starry-eyed newcomer or a pirouetting pro itching to shake up your routine, if you’re looking to take dance classes in NYC, we’ve got the getting-down lowdown. We’ve gathered information on various New York dance studios of different sizes and specialties to give you the best direction when it comes to choosing where to take your daily dance class—especially if you want to get your groove on without breaking the bank. Happy dancing!
Consider the following when choosing dance lessons in New York:
- Ease of access: Location and hours, your commute to the studio, and cost
- Amenities: Full-length mirrors so you can catch every lock and pop, supportive flooring to keep your salsa from getting too spicy, and barres to provide soubresaut stability
- Reputation: A long-standing (or shall we say, long-pliéing) reputation in the community for training dance icons and cultural contributions
- Diverse class offerings: Multiple styles across various skill levels
- World-class instructors: Teachers who are stars of the stage and have experience working with renowned dance companies
- Professional connections: Affiliations with top dance companies so you can rub shoulders with a high-caliber community
How To Become a Dancer in NYC
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1. Ailey Extension
Smack-dab in the center of Midtown on West 55th Street and Ninth Avenue, Ailey Extension offers a wide swath of classes each week for dancers of all levels and experience. By making dance truly accessible to all, the studio carries out Alvin Ailey’s legacy “that dance comes from the people and should be given back to the people.” Its rooms are also available to rent for rehearsals, events, and small groups.
Tip: If you want to give the studio a try, Ailey Extension offers discounted rates for new students and for class-pack in-studio cards.
2. Bridge for Dance
Located on the Upper West Side at 2726 Broadway between 104th and 105th streets, Bridge for Dance offers classes for all skill levels and ages. The studio’s faculty size may be smaller than some other options, but don’t let that fool you: Its instructors cover a wide variety of lesson types, including ballet, ballroom, tap, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and more. Classes take place every day but Sunday.
Tip: Dancers can connect with Bridge for Dance’s Uptown Rising choreographers to premiere new work, or can simply attend the showcase series.
3. Broadway Dance Center
BDC is a drop-in dance studio in the heart of Midtown on West 45th Street (between Eighth and Ninth avenues) that dedicates itself to the international dance community. With its wide variety of classes and more than 80 expert faculty members, you’re certain to find whatever style you’re looking for at almost any time of day. The studio is more focused on commercial dance than traditional ballet, bringing diversity and experiential knowledge to the NYC dance studio scene.
Tip: BDC is great for dancers looking to pursue careers on Broadway or in commercial dance.
4. Gibney Dance Center
Gibney Dance Center has expanded to two locations at 280 Broadway (Lower Manhattan) and 890 Broadway (Union Square) since its founding in 1991. A powerhouse of cultural support for the arts, the Center is also the home of the Gibney Dance Company. Open classes are geared toward contemporary dance, but also include ballet, conditioning, yoga, and more. And if you’re interested in creating your own work, studios are available to rent.
Tip: Movement Research classes also take place here, providing affordable classes for less than the studio’s usual rate.
5. Mark Morris Dance Center
Home of the Mark Morris Dance Group, this dance center is located on Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, just across the street from the famous Brooklyn Academy of Music. If you’re looking to keep your budget in check, this is the place to go due to its pricing tiers based on household income level. Modern dancers love it here, as well as dancers looking for West African, Afro Caribbean, flamenco, capoeira, and salsa classes.
Tip: While Mark Morris offers a variety of classes, there usually aren’t multiple classes going on at once, so it’s best to schedule ahead using the studio’s helpful app.
6. Peridance Center
Located on East 13th Street near Union Square, this dance center is also home to the KnJ Theater. Since its founding in 1983, the dance hub has been a core part of the New York dance community. Its hundreds of weekly adult classes in all styles and levels make it an easily accessible and inspiring center to get your training on. While it costs slightly more per class than some other options, purchasing a 10-class card can help you get in without breaking the bank.
Tip: You can find incredible workshops here with various modern and contemporary dance companies. Choreographers often hold company auditions at the end of the workshop week, and workshops provide an ideal way to feel their movement on your body before jumping into an audition.
7. Steps on Broadway
Steps is one of the most well-known dance studios worldwide. Founded in 1979 and located on the Upper West Side on 74th Street and Broadway, the studio has long served as the epicenter of New York’s professional dance community. A cultural hub that’s especially cherished by the Big Apple’s ballet dancers, Steps is home to highly sought-after dance teachers from top companies such as New York City Ballet, Paris Opera, Boston Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Classes are offered seven days a week in every style of dance you could think of, from ballet, pointe, and body conditioning to tap, street jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. No matter what your schedule may be for a given day, Step’s constant stream of classes will give you ample opportunity to take class at any hour.
Tip: If you’re looking for ballet inspiration, you can find Misty Copeland and other ballet stars taking (and teaching!) class here often.
Once you have some lessons under your (dance) belt, check out gigs on our NYC dance auditions and casting calls database.