Types of Dance Classes

Your graceful, coordinated child loves to dance and wants to learn the different types of dance classes offered at dance studios. There are pros and cons to each, and one type of dance may suit her while another does not. Dance studios frequently offer combination classes, as well as introductory classes focused on a particular type of dance. The most common offerings include:

Ballet: It’s been around for hundreds of years, respected throughout the world. It’s the perfect blend of grace and strength. But don’t let the ease of a seasoned ballerina’s moves fool you, because ballet is the most technical of dance forms, usually involving a very structured curriculum, along with many, many years of dedicated study and practice. Balance and poise are essential elements of classical ballet. Children can usually begin taking serious ballet classes around five or six years old. Recommended dancewear includes flat pink ballet shoes for young students and split sole for older students around ages seven to 12. Leotards with pink tights round out the look, along with hair pulled back in a neat bun. Girls usually are not expected to train in Pointe shoes until they reach 12 years old or at the recommendation of the instructor. 

 

Jazz: Think Broadway musicals. Think All That Jazz. Jazz dance gets the body moving, and in dance studios it is usually part of a coordinated team with choreography. While Jazz dance is less technical than ballet, it is far more technical than Hip Hop. It incorporates the moves of numerous dancing styles created by legendary choreographers such as Bob Fosse, Alvin Ailey, Jerome Roberts, Twyla Tharp, Lester Horton, among many others. Recommended dancewear includes leotards with tights and jazz shoes. 

Tap: It’s all about the rhythm and the energy. Coordination is extremely important because tap is a very technical form of dance, but it is incredibly rewarding. Tap dance lends itself well to just about any type of music, including pop tunes, and it’s accessible to all ages young and old. Recommended dancewear includes leotards with tights and black tap shoes. Tie your hair back because tap is a great workout. Study the legendary moves of Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and the incredible Eleanor Powell, among many, many others.

Hip Hop: It’s been added to many dance studios, along with the big three of Ballet, Jazz and Tap. Learn the moves your child sees performers do on television. Hip Hop is a combination of improvisation, body control and teamwork. Breakdancing falls into the category of Hip Hop. It’s high energy and incredible exercise.

Bollywood: Bollywood dancing has grown in popularity in the U.S. It originated in India as a form of dance performed in Bollywood movies. Bollywood dance style incorporates head, neck and body movements, symbolic gestures referred to as mudras and footwork. Mudras together with full body movements gives meaning to the Bollywood dance style.

Other popular types of dance classes include lyrical, ballroom, modern dance, contemporary, bellydance, country line dancing, Highland, and Irish dancing.