If your child has a natural affinity for movement and loves to express himself or herself in a big way, beginner dance classes are a great way to encourage any little body that loves to be in motion. From professional dance studios with children’s programs, child-focused dance schools, or your local YMCA or community center, beginning dance training abounds in our area. Check out dance camps and clinics for summer and vacation breaks, or annual programs beginning every fall. 

No matter what you choose, know that even a few simple lessons can make an impact. A 2013 report written by the National Dance Education Organization associates six major benefits with the study of dance, including reading and language skills, mathematics skills, thinking skills, social skills, motivation to learn, and positive school environment. Helping your child find a dance or gymnastics program will not only help them develop new skills, but will help grow  body confidence and abilities that can last a lifetime. And yes, deliver countless adorable photo ops!

If your little dancer is preschool aged, many dance studios and schools offer classes designed to introduce children to dance movement and rhythm. Once they’re age six and above, the possibilities expand and children can enroll in a variety of classes in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and more.

Ballet 180

945 N Valley Forge Rd, Suite 100, Devon

 

Ballet 180 strives to build community and spread kindness through the art of dance. Classes are taught as a progression of skills that develop throughout the course of each school year. They offer Toddler Dance for ages 2-3 years and Pre-Primary Ballet & Tap for ages 3-4 years.

Betsy Daily School of Performing Arts

800 Lancaster Ave, Berwyn

 

Betsy Daily School of Performing Arts strives to create the ultimate performing arts environment, offering dance and voice training for students, ages 3-18. Classes for the youngest dancers are the Ballet/Tap Combo for ages 3-4 and 5-6 years. For older children, there are an array of classes including Acro, Ballet, Ballroom, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, and Voice.

ContempraDance

375 West Lancaster Ave, Strafford Shopping Center, Wayne

 

ContempraDance School is a comprehensive state-of-the art dance facility with spacious studios. The studio offers various levels of classes for dancers from beginners to professionals and is dedicated to providing instruction in a warm and caring environment. Their Pre-Dance classes 1, 2, and 3 are the first steps for little dancers, ages 3-6 to begin to learn the basic positions, exercises, and dance steps of ballet, tap, and jazz.

Dancexpress

313 Iona Avenue, Narberth

 

For more than 25 years, Dancexpress has provided a positive atmosphere for children and adults to experience the joy of dance. Programs run September through May, for ages 2+, with a Summer Dance Camp in the summer. Every May, the studio hosst a recital to showcase the talent of its students and choreographers.

Movements in Motion

17 Mifflin Road #102, Havertown

 

Movements In Motion believes that the arts enrich the life of a student and build self-confidence, discipline and a passion for dance. Their First Steps Program is designed for kids ages 2-5 and parents can request a trial class for this program or any other that they offer.

Philadelphia Dance Academy

116 Cricket Ave, Ardmore

 

Based in Center City, The Philadelphia Dance Academy began offering Early Childhood, Primary, and Pre-Professional classes on the Main Line in 2013. Since that time, the have received glowing reviews from parents for the quality of their dance instruction. The Early Childhood Program includes Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet classes designed to cultivate the joy of ballet and introduce the format of a dance class to the youngest dancers.

 

Philadelphia Studio Ballet

339-345 W. Lancaster Ave, Haverford

 

Philadelphia Studio Ballet develops dancers with strong, clear, classical technique with an emphasis on artistry, purity of line, and quality of movement. Their programs include Mommy & Me for ages 18 months-3 years, Little Ballerinas for ages 2.5-4 years, and Pre-Ballet for ages 3-4 years.

Twirl

3544 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square

 

Twirl has three spacious dance studio rooms with sprung dance floors and a lobby where (during non-COVID times) parents can drink free coffee and observe classes any time on the TV monitor. Pre-school dance classes, open to children 3+, are divided into three parts: tap, acrobatic skills, and dance basics.

Wayne Ballet & Center for Dance Arts

335 W Lancaster Ave, Wayne

 

Children and adults of all ages and abilities will find a full dance program at Wayne Ballet and Center for Dance Arts. Wayne Ballet strongly believes that ballet is the backbone of all other dance forms. Classes for young dancers include Pre-School, Primary, Elementary Ballet, Ballet 1, and Ballet 1X.