Discover the Best Hip Hop Dance Classes in Los Angeles
Hip hop is an energetic style of dance that has risen to the height of popularity in the modern age. Though the style can be quite athletic, hip hop encourages self expression and can be tailored to all ages from children to seniors. Hip hop is a commonly recommended dance for improving coordination, flexibility, cardio, and fun.
Hip hop got its start around the 1970s in the United States. Its origins lie in African American culture and the music genres of rap and jazz. Hip hop arose among black youth as a form of self expression. As the dance rose in popularity among the general youth, dance battles were performed among all ethnicities. In modern times, hip hop is a common form of dance found in movies, advertisements, music videos, and stage performances.
Hip hop involves three main types of movement. Locking involves contracting the muscles in quick movements and freezing in place. Popping entails explosive movements that hit with the musical beat. “Breaking” can be categorized as its own form of dance, and classes can be found dedicated solely to learning it. Moves in breakdance include flips, tricks, and “power moves” that require a lot of body strength to perform. However, in hip hop, breaking focuses on less demanding moves with a focus on footwork and athleticism.
Why You Should Learn Hip Hop Dance in Los Angeles
Hip hop is a dance that is energetic and expressive. If you have a record of intending but failing to make it to the gym, hip hop dance lessons can be a fun and motivating method to get your blood pumping and your body sweating. Hip hop is similar to Zumba in its aerobic and anaerobic benefits. The dance works muscles throughout your body and improves flexibility and body strength.
Hip hop encourages self expression. Like many other hobbies, hip hop can be an outlet for creativity. As a physical hobby that often requires group performance, hip hop can also improve confidence and self esteem. While not every student will choose to perform on stage, attending class alone involves the possibility of looking silly in front of one’s peers. A positive environment of encouragement where mistakes are allowed to be made can decrease anxiety and increase self assurance.
Having a trusted circle of peers also increases an individual’s sense of community and belonging. This community can become a trusted source of general advice and support. Knowing they have a community to rely on has been reported to increase an individual’s general well being. Long lasting friendships can also be formed from dance classes where students bond over shared interests.
Though not as direct as the benefits given above, it’s possible to earn money from one’s hip hop skills after taking lessons. Hip hop dancers may perform on the street for extra cash or graduate from class to teach their own courses or start a dance studio. Hip hop dancers are also needed for stage performances, concerts, music videos, and other events.
In-Person Hip Hop Dance Classes in Los Angeles
Residents of Los Angeles will find hip hop dance classes for various age groups as well as courses on addition and adjacent dance styles. If you can’t find a specific course, reach out to the individual training institution to learn about possible future classes.
Athletic Garage Dance & BodyWork Studio
Athletic Garage Dance & BodyWork Studio offers hip hop classes for dancers of all levels. The dance studio focuses on dance as a fitness exercise and community experience. Families are encouraged to learn to dance together. Dancers with an interest in pushing techniques and training their body are encouraged to learn and become the performer they wish to be. The school is located in Pasadena.
Students can choose from a few hip hop courses. Beginning Hip Hop is available for students aged 16 and up. The course teaches hip hop basics, and students start to define their unique style. Students who are ready to advance can attend Intermediate/Advanced Hip Hop. Students learn more mainstream moves and choreography. They also continue their developments in personal expression.
Athletic Garage also offers hip hop classes that focus on specific types of movement. The Pooping class specifically focuses on explosive movements that hit on the beat. The course is open to students of age 12 and older. The Hip Hop Femme course teaches a combination dance style of hip hop, whacking – striking movements of the arms – and vogue femme, which includes fluid feminine movements. The class is open to dancers of all genders and freestyling is greatly encouraged.
Students aged 16 and older may also be interested in Jazz I and II. Hip hop is said to have been born from Jazz, and the two dance styles influence and borrow from one another even today. Hip hop dancers can expand their knowledge and personal style by learning to dance jazz. The course guides students from beginner to intermediate dance movements. Athletic Garage has offered Jazz dance classes for children and teens in the past. The studio also provides lessons in ballet, salsa, swing, and tap, among many other styles for dancers of various age groups.
Darren R. Wong
Looking for private dance lessons specialized to your specific needs? Darren R. Wong is famed for appearing on NBC’s World of Dance as a member of The Kinjaz. He has been teaching and performing hip hop for over 15 years, including a position as an adjunct lecturer at the University of California Irvine. It is Wong’s passion to teach students from all learning levels and locations around the world. He wishes to provide access to learning dance to students who may not have access to an official studio. Wong’s classes are available in 30, 45, or 60 minute intervals, and students can choose to learn either hip hop or break dancing. Scheduling is flexible, and all learning levels are welcome.
Los Angeles City College
The Los Angeles City College is known for offering community education and lifelong learning resources. The school provides courses with target audiences beyond degree seekers. Currently available is the Hip Hop Dancing for Seniors course (it should be noted that the age requirement is 21 or older). The class focuses on exercise to music from the 1980s and 1990s and promotes a safe and welcoming environment.
Additional courses currently offered by Los Angeles City College include Salsa for beginners and ballet for kids. In the past, the school has provided many classes on various dance styles. These include hip hop dance courses for kids, teens, and adults as well as belly dance, ballroom, and line dancing, among many others.
Virtual Hip Hop Dance Classes
Not everyone can attend physical dance classes or find hip hop dance studios near them. Virtual hip hop dance classes are available online from anywhere in the country without a commute. Students will require a reliable internet connection and space in their home or other learning environment that allows them to move around. Just like in a physical classroom, students can interact in real time with their peers and instructor, ask questions, and get personal feedback on their performance.
One common downside of online classes is the need for students to purchase any materials a class might require on their own. The upside to dance classes is all a participant truly needs is a set of comfortable clothing. These are items one would have needed to purchase for a physical class as well. The only additional equipment an online learner may wish to have is a standing mirror or video recorder set up so they can view their performance and see what needs changing. However, neither of these items is required.
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