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Best Dance Classes Near DC for Kids

Tiny Dancers offers laid-back dance programs for kids ages 2-12. Photo courtesy of Tiny Dancers
Tiny Dancers offers laid-back dance programs for kids ages 2-12. Photo courtesy of Tiny Dancers
8/6/23 - By Jennifer Swope

One perk of raising children in the DC area is the volume of high-quality classes for kids of all ages, including dance classes. Whether you have a budding ballerina or Baryshnikov or a kid who wants to learn some smooth K-pop or break dancing moves, there's a dance class for them in DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia.

Read on for our favorite dance classes near DC, from ballet and tap to hip-hop, modern dance, and other styles. For more great classes for kids—including art classes, cooking classes, and swimming lessons—visit our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

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Joy of Motion Dance Center offers classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and other dance forms. Photo courtesy of the dance center
Joy of Motion Dance Center offers classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and other dance forms. Photo courtesy of the dance center

Best Dance Classes in DC for Kids

CityDance

Friendship Heights
CityDance offers a well-rounded curriculum of ballet training and contemporary dance techniques rounded out by jazz, tap, hip-hop, and world dance forms taught by renowned faculty. Students ages 4 and older are welcome, with creative movement classes for dancers ages 3-5 and parent & me classes for ages 18 months - 2 years. READ MORE

Dance Place

Brookland
Dance Place in University Heights offers ballet classes for kids ages 4 and older, as well as tap, hip-hop, and other classes for ages 6 and up. There are also creative movement classes for little ones ages 3-5 and Move with Me classes for ages 1.5-3 with a caregiver. READ MORE

Joy of Motion Dance Center

NOMA
Joy of Motion offers a robust program for youth, teens, and adults through camps, classes, workshops, and master classes. Dancers ages 5-14 can participate in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and world dance camps, or opt for one of two specialty summer programs: Little Pop Stars and Triple Threat Musical Theater. Campers also take part in games, crafts, and an end-of-week show, with snacks provided and before/after-care options. Classes are offered for students age 18 months to 14 years throughout the year by term, or as drop-in for teens and adults. READ MORE

Princess Mhoon Dance Institute

Woodridge
Princess Mhoon Dance Institute has classes for ages 2-18 in ballet, hip-hop, modern, jazz, and African. PMDI strives to bring community together through the power of dance. READ MORE

The Lab Breakin' Academy

Vienna, Takoma DC
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the United States to specialize in Breakin’ (break dancing). The program is foundation-based and builds upon previous weeks' concepts and lessons. Little Breakers classes are for ages 3-5 and Take the First Step classes are for ages 5-12. Classes for ages 13-17 are coming soon at the DC location and are already available at the Virginia location. READ MORE

The Washington School of Ballet

Tenleytown, SE DC
The Washington Ballet School offers ballet programs for students ages 1-18 from September to May at both its NW and SE campuses. Students enrolled in levels Pre Ballet 3 and up can audition for the company production of The Nutcracker, with performances at the Warner Theatre.  READ MORE
Despite its name, the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy offers classes in more than just ballet. Photo courtesy of the dance studio
Despite its name, the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy offers classes in more than just ballet. Photo courtesy of the dance studio

Best Dance Classes in Maryland for Kids

Bethesda Conservatory of Dance

Bethesda
Welcoming dancers of all levels and abilities (ages 2 and older), Bethesda Conservatory of Dance offers high-quality, low-pressure classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop. READ MORE

Maryland Youth Ballet

Silver Spring
The beauty of ballet, and the discipline required to express it, are at the forefront of classes at Maryland Youth Ballet. The program begins with early dance and introductory classes for ages 2 and older. Serious dancers progress to the pre-professional program, where pointe work is introduced for girls and supplemental classes in jazz, modern dance, and flamenco are available. READ MORE

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy

Gaithersburg
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre offers classes in creative movement, early ballet, classical ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern, and more for ages 3 and older. There are classes for beginners, a track for pre-professional ballet students, and several performing opportunities for all students. READ MORE

Wheaton Studio of Dance

Wheaton
With a goal of combining dance and community, Wheaton Studio of Dance offers classes in ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, and acro for dancers 3 and older.  READ MORE
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the US to specialize in break dancing. Photo courtesy of the academy
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the US to specialize in break dancing. Photo courtesy of the academy

Best Dance Classes in Northern Virginia for Kids

Adrenaline Studio

Herndon, Tysons
This studio has a huge portfolio of dance programs ranging from beginner ballet to advanced hip-hop and beyond, including competition dance teams. Classes and camps are for ages 3 and older. READ MORE

Born 2 Dance

Vienna
K-pop? Check. Hip-hop? Check. Ballet? Musical theater? Tap? Jazz? Acro? Check, check, check, check, check. Born 2 Dance offers dance classes for kids ages 3 and older in just about every discipline you can imagine.  READ MORE

Dance Academy of Virginia

McLean
The Dance Academy of Virginia offers classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical for all ages (2 and older) and experience levels. Private classes are also available. READ MORE

The Lab Breakin' Academy

Vienna, Takoma DC
The Lab Breakin' Academy is one of the first dance academies in the United States to specialize in Breakin’ (break dancing). The program is foundation-based and builds upon previous weeks' concepts and lessons. Little Breakers classes are for ages 3-5 and Take the First Step classes are for ages 5-12. Classes for ages 13-17 are coming soon at the DC location and are already available at the Virginia location. READ MORE

Tiny Dancers

Alexandria, Fairfax City, Mosaic
Tiny Dancers' three Northern Virginia locations—Alexandria, Fairfax City, and Mosaic District—offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theater classes for ages 3 and up. Little ones ages 2 and 3 can take the school's Wiggletoes classes with a parent or caregiver. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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