I hear it all the time: where can I find adult beginner dance classes that don’t suck?
You know, the ones that aren’t filled with fresh-out-of-high-school, eager young dancers who make you feel ancient.
The ones that don’t feel cliquey and exclusive and full of regulars who make you feel irregular.
The ones that focus less on technique and cardio, and more on fun.
And oh, the ones that actually go at a slower paced beginner level - because so many seem to move so fast!
These were EXACTLY the questions that I was asking myself (and Google) 10 years ago when I first wanted to return to dance.
You see, I had quit ballet when I was 19 years old, and fast forward to age 26… I felt way too intimidated to show up to a place like Broadway Dance Center .
There seem to be so many adult beginner dance classes in NYC, yet not many of them seem approachable when you are feeling out of practice - and out of shape.
Not to mention, so many of them focus on cardio and fitness, and sometimes (ok most of the time) I don’t want to do cardio for an hour… I just miss the feeling of 5-6-7-8!… learning a dance for the fun, creativity, and self-expression of it.
All of those reasons led me to start dancing alone in my room (because, hey, sometimes your teddy bear is the only audience you want). Years later, I created Dance Again, because I started to meet others who were also wanting to get back into dance in an approachable way that emphasized collaboration and self-expression.
Today, our adult beginner (and returning) dance classes are still thriving.
Our members keep coming back because of the welcoming atmosphere, the combo of structure and freedom in the classes, and the option to work on dances over time - and even get on stage with them!
our Dance Again crew after the last theater showcase
Are you looking for adult beginner dance classes in NYC + Brooklyn?
Check out this list for some ideas to best fit who you are:
Want a big facility with a big variety to choose from? Mark Morris (in Brooklyn), Gibney (in Manhattan), and Alvin Ailey (in Manhattan) are all fantastic studios and probably the most beginner-friendly of all the big studio options out there. Peridance is in downtown Manhattan and also has a lot to choose from.
Want a smaller facility with a more personal vibe? Dancewave (in Brooklyn) has a pretty good variety, hosting a class share program with local teachers leading their own classes. Fit4Dance in Crown Heights Brooklyn takes a more fitness based approach, but also has classes like Jazz, Ballet, Haitian, Hip-Hop and more. And of course, the Dance Again studio - more on that one below!
Want to feel like you’re in a music video? Sass Class (in Manhattan) offers sexy, sassy vibed class series, which end in an actual music video shoot! They have limited in-person options, plus online classes.
Want to learn steps + dance with a partner? Have you tried out different ballroom dance styles? I haven’t done much of it, but I hear it’s super fun.
Want a free-flowing, spiritual kind of dance club experience? Styles like 5Rhythms and Ecstatic Dance have been a staple for years. For free flowing dancers who like that vibe, but in more of a club setting, you must check out the DayBreaker and The Get Down parties.
Want a welcoming environment in which you can reclaim your creativity and inner dancer? Dance Again is here for you! Combining basic jazz/modern warm ups, guided improv, and collaborative choreography with an emphasis on self-expression, it’s a welcoming space to return to dance - or reclaim the dream you never quite started. You can learn choreography or take a class more focused on expressive movement. All levels, styles, and bodies are welcomed. Click here for the details!
Want a ballet class that’s actually led a beginner-friendly level? Rusty Ballet class is here for you! Another offering through the Dance Again studio, Rusty Ballet was designed specifically for anyone who is craving the familiar structure and rhythm of a ballet class, but without the intimidation factor!
Want to start alone in your room without the pressure of a mirror or other eyes? Check out Dance With This Book and then join my free digital dance series to activate your body and creative expression.
I’d personally looooove to see you in the Dance Again studio if you feel called, but whatever you do, please keep dancing YOUR dance!
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to the movements that move us,
Jess
