So you want to learn to dance Hip Hop like the music videos! If you live or work in New York City, you’re in luck. There are tons of options for Hip Hop dance classes. There are two types of schools that offer Hip Hop dance classes. First, there are schools that have been established for many years, that offer Hip Hop dance classes in addition to classes they have offered for decades — ballet, tap, jazz, modern, etc. They are excellent schools with long-established reputations, and they hire the best and brightest instructors. Just because you see other students around in tutus and ballet shoes, doesn’t mean the hip hop dance classes at these schools are not serious. They are! There is a second type of school for hip hop dance classes: in New York City, there is actually a dance academy that is strictly hip hop! It offers a full-time certificate in hip hop. If you want total hip hop immersion, this school is for you. Want to hip hop for fun? There are some great schools where you can enroll and take classes.
First, a school that is strictly hip hop
THE BLADE ACADEMY School of Contemporary Hip Hop Dance Education
101 W.23 St. #122 tel. 877-462-6316
New York, NY 10011 [email protected]
This is for full-time study of hip hop [they offer a certificate]. You have to go through an admissions process.
But, there is a 3-hour class every Friday evening that anyone can take. $20 per class, but they sell 5- or 10-class cards that give free-class bonuses. They also offer private instruction.
Schools that offer Hip Hop Dance Classes
THE ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER EXTENSION
The Joan Weill Center for Dance 212-405-9000
405 W.55th St.
New York, NY 10019
The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, now in its 50th year, is legendary. They have a full-time program with a rigorous audition process, but anyone can take classes through their extension program. They have all levels of hip hop dance classes. $16 a class, but if you purcase a 10- or 25-class card, the per-class rate is less expensive
DANCE NEW AMSTERDAM
280 Broadway 2nd floor [entrance on Chambers St] 212-625-8369
New York, NY 10007
This Tribeca dance school has beginning and intermediate hip hop dance classes.
They require a yearly membership for $30, and each class is $16, although there are 10- or 20-class cards that provide a discount on per-class price.
BROADWAY DANCE CENTER
221 W.57th St [between Broadway and 7th Ave.] 212-582-9304
New York, NY 10019
This is a school where professional Broadway dancers go to brush up or just to work out.
Several hip hop/funk classes every day from basic level to advanced intermediate.
classes are either $14 or $15, depending upon which card you purchase [5- or 10-class cards are available]
DJONIBA DANCE AND DRUM CENTER
37 E.18th St. [Broadway] 7th floor 212-477-3464
New York, NY 10003
Do you want to study hip hop dancing in an Afro-Centric environment? This school offers hip hop and a host of African dance classes as well
A 90-minute class is $15. Discount cards available. This school offers a coupon, which you can print off their website, for a free trial class for new students.
PERIDANCE CENTER
890 Broadway 6th floor 212-505-0886
New York, NY 10003
This school is like a hidden jewel in the Union Square area. They have classes in hip hop, hip hop/jazz, “popping”, “popping and locking” and “wackin'”
classes are $17 each…..10-class card $160
So, whether you have never hip-hopped before, or if you have hip-hopped for years, and want to work out or learn new moves, you can find a lot of hip hop dance classes in New York City!
