Do You Have a Born Dancer in the Family?
One of my favorite memories of my kids as toddlers is how early they started dancing. On those little wobbly legs where they tumble time and time again, you see a tiny bounce in their step, a wave of their arms, and nodding of their heads to the beat.
Dance is a powerful art that can begin early in a child’s life.
For many, their interest in dance continues as they get older and want to enroll in formal classes to convert those early wobbles into graceful movements.
But where to start?
Fortunately for Kalamazoo, the community offers a wide variety of classes, ranging from 18 months to 18 years, for boys and girls. These classes offer opportunities for social growth and creative expression.
This guide is full of options, whether your child’s interest is ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz or modern dance, or something in between.
Finding the Right Fit Dance Class for Your Child
Different Studios, Different Vibes
When choosing a dance studio, you’ll want to research the costs involved (class attire, tuition, recital attire and tickets) and the studio’s goals/style. Do you want to travel for competitions on a team? Or is your child looking to dance for the fun of it?
Call around and visit studios before enrolling; most will let you watch (or try) a class before committing to a session.
We’ve rounded up over a dozen locations in Southwest Michigan for your child to twirl, tap, twist and flip into dance.
Ballet Kalamazoo
At Ballet Kalamazoo, you will find a dance studio filled with kind, friendly and welcoming dancers and families.
Ballet Kalamazoo is a youth ballet company in Downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan for dancers ages 3-17 years. Ballet Kalamazoo focuses on teaching a high standard of classical ballet technique.
Together, we create a positive, fun and healthy atmosphere to learn dance. Ballet Kalamazoo’s goal is to mentor young people of all ages to be beautiful dancers who are grounded with solid values and personal integrity.
Through our commitment to family-friendly programming, age appropriate costumes, and music, we provide an environment that will inspire and empower, leading to the consistent achievement of goals.
Our performance group, The Dancer Collective joins together a dedicated group of motivated youth dancers. During the weekly company class and rehearsals they build friendships, learn to work as a team and are able to take on the responsibility of carrying the larger roles in our ballets. They lead and inspire and become role models for our younger dancers.
After just a few classes, you will discover Ballet Kalamazoo truly delivers on our commitment to help our students discover their individual talents, propelling them forward to reach their fullest potential.
“Amy treats each dancer, three years old through her oldest students, as full-of-potential ballerinas. Her classes are fun, but each activity is chosen wisely and supports the student in learning proper technique.” ~Samantha Anderson
Website | Facebook | Instagram | 169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 | 269-267-6681
Academy of Dance Arts
It is our philosophy at Academy of Dance Arts that by providing a quality dance education with performance opportunities, dancers will build friendships, gain a strong work ethic, and be part of an amazing team.
Our staff is full of enthusiastic and knowledgeable people who create a classroom balanced with hard work and fun. Our studio’s motto is “Where Big Dreams Start Little, and Every Child is a Star”
“Our daughter has been taking dance classes at Academy of Dance Arts for the last 8 years. Emily and her staff have proven to be talented, delightful individuals that truly care about the happiness of their students. Through this experience, my daughter has grown as a dancer, learned the value of hard work, and developed an appreciation for the art of dance.” ~Gianna Balazs
Website | Facebook | Instagram | 536 Romence Road Ste 109, Portage, MI 49024 | 269-329-2002
West Michigan Dance Center
West Michigan Dance Center is proud to offer dance classes for children from ages 3-18.
We provide technically-based instruction for beginners as well as continued training for more advanced dancers. Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Hip Hop classes are available for beginners and intermediate dancers.
Our students show off their skills in a year-end recital that highlights the progress they have made throughout the year!
Website | Facebook | 678 Maple Hill Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 | 269-254-8781
Wellspring Dance Academy
Growing resilient, confident, imaginative individuals through technique and creative movement is part of Wellspring’s mission and passion. We focus less on costumes and competition and more on technique in a co-creative and nurturing environment.
Wellspring Dance Academy, where creativity confidence and collaboration take center stage.
Website | Facebook | 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 204, Kalamazoo, 49007 | 269-342-4354
Ballet Arts School of Dance
Ballet Arts has been providing excellence in dance education for over 40 years!
We offer classes in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance for ages three through adult.
Our goal is to help dancers find their own creative abilities through a solid foundation in ballet.
See our website for details.
Website | 2018 Rambling Rd, Kalamazoo MI, 49008 | 269-345-3433
Dance Studios in Greater Kalamazoo
Ballet Kalamazoo |169 Portage Street, Kalamazoo | 269-267-6681
Ages 3+ | Classes: classical ballet (American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum)
Academy of Dance Arts | 536 Romence Road, Suite 109, Portage | 269-329-2002
Ages 2+ | Classes: ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, pre pointe, pointe
West Michigan Dance Center 678 Maple Hill Drive, Kalamazoo | 269-254-8781
Ages 3+ | Classes: ballet, lyrical/contemporary, tap, jazz, gymnastics, hip hop
Boys: hip hop
Wellspring Dance Academy 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 204, Kalamazoo | 269-342-4354
Ages 3+ | Classes: ballet, modern, hip hop, modern, creative movement, side-by-side (family dance)
Ballet Arts School of Dance | 2018 Rambling Road, Kalamazoo | 269-345-3433
Ages 3+ | Classes: ballet, jazz, tap, character, pre pointe, pointe
Bernatche School of Dance | 6772 South Westnedge Ave – Suite B, Portage
Ages 2+ | Classes: tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, pre pointe, pointe, acro
Boys: hip hop (6 week workshop)
Excel Dance Centre | 6775 West Q Avenue, Kalamazoo | 269-568-0582
Ages 1.5+ | Classes: ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, gym, acro, musical theatre, modern, pointe
Boys: hip hop (meets once a month)
Momentum Dance Studios | 6712 Financial Parkway, Kalamazoo | 269-544-3000
Ages 2.5+ | Classes: ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, gym, acro
Mosaic Hall & Dance Center 10097 Oakland Drive, Portage | 269-321-4400
Ages 2.5+ | Classes: acro, ballet, baton, breakdance, body percussion, jazz, modern, tap, lyrical, hip hop, belly dance, flamenco, musical theater
Patti Herm School of Dance 719 E. Allegan Avenue, Otsego | 269-694-4565
Ages 3+ | Classes: ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, modern, pointe
SMLC Ballet Ministry (St. Michael Lutheran Church & School) 7211 Oakland Drive, Portage | 734-765-5324 (Sue MacQuarrie)
Ages 2-12 | Classes: ballet, jazz, lyrical
The Dance Zone (two locations) 28895 Red Arrow Hwy., Paw Paw | 269-655-1500
56330 City Center Circle, Mattawan | 269-668-3832
Traci Phelps Studios LLC 9975 E. M-89, Suite 1, Richland | 269-365-5344
Ages 2+ | Classes: ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, acro, tumbling, pointe
Trinity Prep Center | 6018 East Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo | 269-430-3171
Ages: Infant + | Classes: Zumbini, ballet, tap, hip hop, tumbling
YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo 1001 W. Maple Street, Kalamazoo | 269–345–9622
Ages 1.5 – 9 | Classes: creative dance, ballet, tumbling
Full Directory of All Lessons + Learning Opportunities
Kalamazoo’s full directory of lessons and learning opportunities at your fingertips. Classes for kids of all ages – including general classes and special interest classes.
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