Discover the Best Dance Classes in NYC
Learning dance is a great way to express your creativity in a way that gets your muscles and heart working. It’s a unique skill that allows you to express your creativity through physical movements. In addition, you can learn about how various cultures express their history through dance. You’ll be able to meet new people while learning a unique and valuable skill.
When you combine dance choreography with music, you create something beautiful that can tell stories, express emotions, and show cultural traditions. You can also perform it individually, as a pair, or in a large group, depending on the style.
If you’re interested in learning to dance in NYC, consider taking one of the many class options available to you. There are several great dance schools in NYC that are ready to take on new students.
Why You Should Learn Dance in NYC
Learning to dance offers benefits that are unique to this skill. Not only is it an art, but it can be counted as exercise, which gives you a way to express yourself while also burning calories and strengthening your muscles. You can take dance classes and meet people in your area who can introduce you to clubs, groups, and communities. This offers opportunities to learn new styles and collaborate with new people.
Here are a few more reasons why you should learn to dance in NYC:
- Having a fun hobby: Dancing is a stress-relieving hobby. Because it’s a form of exercise, it releases endorphins (the happy chemical) in your body, which reduces feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Plugging into part of a larger community: Dancing is a popular hobby amongst all age groups. No matter your age or background, you’ll be able to find a community who loves your style of dancing.
- Finding a dance job: If you’re interested in teaching dancing, then taking a dance class is your first step on your journey. You’ll be able to learn the skill you’ll need to teach dancing to others who are interested in the hobby.
If you know how to dance, you can also find jobs in the entertainment industry, like dance troupes, theater productions, and other performances. It’s a great skill that is both productive and fulfilling.
In-Person Dance Classes & Schools in NYC
CourseHorse lists several great in-person dance classes from NYC schools on their website. You can browse these classes to find one that interests you. Here are some of the best NYC in-person dance classes.
A great option is the SharQui - Bellydance Workout class that meets once for an hour. It has an average class size of ten people and is open to everyone ages 10 and up. With this dance, you’ll learn the unique breakdown and repetition of belly dance movements that can improve your posture, slim hips and legs, define your waist, increase upper body strength, and burn calories.
It’s a great dance to learn if you’re interested in trying belly dancing, but it’s also a great workout. The class is held in downtown New York and you’re encouraged to wear comfortable clothes. When you arrive, the class will provide hip scarves and other props if you’d like to use them.
The same school in New York also offers an Advanced Beginner Bellydance Technique & Choreography course. This class is for those who have already taken the first course and want to take a more advanced class that expands on the skills they already know. You will practice Egyptian-style bellydance technique with Carol Tandava as you learn beautiful choreographies to sizzling Middle Eastern music.
In addition, this more advanced class will give you individualized feedback, access to instructional videos, as well as performance opportunities on successfully learning choreographies.
Strictly Tango NYC offers an Intro to Tango class that meets for just over an hour in downtown New York City. It has an average class size of 20 people, which gives you the perfect opportunity to learn from and meet new people. According to the class description, you’ll learn three main things:
- A unique and sophisticated dance with etiquette beyond the steps
- A sensual, relaxed, slow pace dance where the “embrace means acceptance”
- A new way to connect with people using the language of the body
The class is taught by Sergio Segura, Director and founder of Strictly Tango NYC and creator of the Learn Argentine Tango system. You’ll learn the basic fundamentals of tango and you’ll be guaranteed to be dancing at the end of the class. It’s a great way to begin tango for those who have never danced it before. In addition, no partner is necessary. You’ll just need to bring a pair of comfortable shoes and socks.
Tap dancing is a unique form of dancing that emphasizes the sound of tapping feet with special, metal-clad shoes. If you’re interested in learning to tap dance, take Bridge for Dance’s Tap (Beginners). Although the class says it’s for beginners, you will need basic knowledge of the terminology for tap dancing.
Fit4Dance offers a Hip Hop Dance class that has an average size of 10 people per class and is open to everyone ages 15 and older. The course description says, “This is a fiery open level hip-hop class that defies the norm of hip-hop. This class focuses on rhythm, character building, and of-course defining your ‘sauce’!” During the class, you’ll learn new choreography as you listen to the music and follow the instructor.
This is also a great class to take again and again as you improve during each class. You’ll be surrounded by people of all levels, including beginners, intermediate students, and experts, so you’ll get all of the help you need.
There are many New York schools that offer dance, and we’ve only covered a small portion of the options available. You can also take swing dancing classes, ballet, salsa, and more. If you’re interested in learning to dance in NYC, check out CourseHorse’s pages that list the available classes.
Virtual Dance Classes & Schools
Online dance classes are a great option for those who can’t commute to in-person classes. You’ll get the same great support from professional instructors and you’ll be able to follow along and learn from the comfort of your home.
CourseHorse has several great online dance classes listed on the site. One of the best online dance classes is Ballet Barre Online from Anna Griffin Dance. In this class, you’ll learn ballet terminology, and correct body placement to improve posture, flexibility, range of motion, coordination, and rhythm. The instructors will inspire and challenge you to reach your full potential.
This class is open to beginners, though ballet experience is recommended. You’ll need to use ballet slippers and wear athletic or dance wear. In addition, make sure your hair is pulled away from your face.
Dance of Venus offers a Beginner Belly Dance class that lasts for one hour. It has a small average class size of just four people, which ensures that you’ll get personalized feedback throughout the class.
The class description says, “Attending this class will give you lean muscles and sculpt you into your best feminine shape while improving your posture, flexibility, musicality and grace. The class is designed in such a way that your musicality, technique and grace will develop and you will be able to dance on your own in a short time.”
92nd Street Y offers a Modern Dance (Open Level) class that will explore the body's relationship to breath, weight and space through standing and floor work. In addition, you’ll develop strength and movement flexibility. This class has an average class size of 12 people and is open to those 18 years and older. In addition, it includes seven dance sessions to help you improve from one class to the next.
Private Group Dance Classes in NYC
Businesses and companies should always prioritize the health of their employees and group members. Employees will often get burnt out from participating in the day-to-day grind of their jobs. Without proper ways to relax throughout the day, your employee’s productivity could suffer. One of the best ways to allow your employees to relax is by booking a fun team-building event like dance classes for private groups in NYC.
A great private group class from CourseHorse is the Virtual Group Stretching & Alignment class. This class lasts for one hour and helps participants to stretch, relax, and align their bodies. According to the class description, “[t]his Stretching & Alignment class incorporates various styles of increasing flexibility including techniques used by dancers to expand your personal range of motion and prevent injury. Variations on exercises will be offered to help movers of all backgrounds and fitness levels safely challenge themselves.”
Another great class is the Virtual Rough Day Recharge class that lasts for one hour. The course focuses on easy-to-learn desk stretches that you can do with only a chair and your office or home desk. The course also provides students with guided meditation sessions, ASMR relaxation sessions and other stress relief techniques.
You can also request that the class send out sensory kits that include massage balls and other fidget toys to help the group relax as much as possible. It’s a great class for employees to relax together while learning tools to help them take productive virtual breaks throughout the day.
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