Searching for Dance Classes for Your 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 a nodding of their heads to the beat.
Dance is a powerful art that can begin early in a child’s life as a favorite extracurricular activity.
For many, their interest continues as they age and they want to enroll in formal dance classes to convert those early wobbles into graceful movements.
In this guide
Where Do I Start?
You start here. Fortunately for Kalamazoo, the community offers a wide variety of dance classes for boys and girls, ages 18 months to 18 years.
This guide offers many options, whether your child’s interest is in ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, modern dance, or something in between.
Featured Dance Studios
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Ballet Kalamazoo
Ballet Kalamazoo prioritizes teaching an exceptional standard of ballet technique by integrating the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum with the Proven Teaching Syllabus © of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.
We provide a welcoming and inclusive environment at our studio. Our dancers and their families are supportive, friendly, and kind, providing a positive and enjoyable learning experience. Our ultimate goal is to guide and mentor young individuals of all ages to become accomplished dancers with solid values and personal integrity.
Our devotion to the art of classical and contemporary ballet is reflected in our repertoire, which includes works such as The Nutcracker, as well as beloved fairytale ballets and collaborations.
After just a few classes, you will discover that Ballet Kalamazoo truly delivers on our promise to help our students uncover their individual talents and propel them forward to reach their fullest potential. Discover your dreams, Dance at Ballet Kalamazoo!
We provide a welcoming and inclusive environment at our studio. Our dancers and their families are supportive, friendly, and kind, providing a positive and enjoyable learning experience. Our ultimate goal is to guide and mentor young individuals of all ages to become accomplished dancers with solid values and personal integrity.
Our devotion to the art of classical and contemporary ballet is reflected in our repertoire, which includes works such as The Nutcracker, as well as beloved fairytale ballets and collaborations.
After just a few classes, you will discover that Ballet Kalamazoo truly delivers on our promise to help our students uncover their individual talents and propel them forward to reach their fullest potential. Discover your dreams, Dance at Ballet Kalamazoo!
OFFERING: Ballet Classes, Jazz, Lyrical, Creative Movement
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Academy of Dance Arts & Apparel
At Academy of Dance Arts, dancers experience a nurturing environment where everyone shines. With both recreational and competitive tracks that are thoughtfully cultivated to allow dancers to realize their personal dance dreams.
Our staff is full of enthusiastic, knowledgeable individuals who adore their dancers and create a classroom where dancers progress each week with a curriculum that is both challenging and exciting.
Dancers will build friendships, confidence, and learn what it means to be part of a team. The memories that dancers create at ADA will last forever.
Our staff is full of enthusiastic, knowledgeable individuals who adore their dancers and create a classroom where dancers progress each week with a curriculum that is both challenging and exciting.
Dancers will build friendships, confidence, and learn what it means to be part of a team. The memories that dancers create at ADA will last forever.
OFFERING: Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro Dance
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Wellspring Dance Academy
We are passionate about providing a space where our students can excel their dance technique and artistry at their own pace.
Our qualified dance instructors and refined curriculum deliberately support a student-centered approach to learning so our students confidently progress through our program.
We are proud of our sustained partnerships with organizations including KCReady 4s, Kalamazoo Youth Development Network, and Dance Education Equity Association, who guide us through this important work.
Offerings for ages 3+.
Our qualified dance instructors and refined curriculum deliberately support a student-centered approach to learning so our students confidently progress through our program.
We are proud of our sustained partnerships with organizations including KCReady 4s, Kalamazoo Youth Development Network, and Dance Education Equity Association, who guide us through this important work.
Offerings for ages 3+.
OFFERING: Ballet Classes, Jazz, Modern, Creative Movement
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Momentum Dance Studios
Momentum Dance Studios is proud to offer a wide variety of exceptional dance classes!
Located at Branch Gymnastics in Kalamazoo, we offer Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, and Gymnastics Combo classes. We strive to educate and inspire our students with a life-long love of dance as performance art. Our dancers learn how to dance while building self-esteem and having fun in our unique recreational and newly competitive environments.
Classes start at age 3- sign up today!
Located at Branch Gymnastics in Kalamazoo, we offer Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, and Gymnastics Combo classes. We strive to educate and inspire our students with a life-long love of dance as performance art. Our dancers learn how to dance while building self-esteem and having fun in our unique recreational and newly competitive environments.
Classes start at age 3- sign up today!
OFFERING: Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
AGES: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
BSD Dance Studio
BSD Dance Studio offers non-competitive dance instruction in Portage, Michigan for toddlers to adults in a variety of dance formats.
At BSD, we celebrate the uniqueness of all dancers and are a safe and welcoming studio family. We are BOLD. We are STRONG. We are DEDICATED. Together, WE ARE BSD.
At BSD, we celebrate the uniqueness of all dancers and are a safe and welcoming studio family. We are BOLD. We are STRONG. We are DEDICATED. Together, WE ARE BSD.
OFFERING: Toddler Dance Classes, Mommy & Me, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro Dance, Modern, Creative Movement, Parent & Child
AGES: Infants & Toddlers, Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
AGES: Infants & Toddlers, Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Dance Classes for Kids FAQs
Enrolling in dance classes can feel overwhelming at first. We’ve rounded up the most frequently asked questions to help get your future dancer started:
Q1: At What Age Do Dance Classes Start?
Many dance studios offer classes beginning at age two, but kids can enroll at any age.
Q2: When Do You Register for Dance Classes?
Most studios open registration in the Spring (May) for the following Fall season. Many stagger enrollment, offering sign-ups to existing students first before expanding to all local families.
Q3: Where Can My Child Dance Without A lot of Experience?
Most studios offer both recreational and competitive dance options. Recreational would be open to all interested dancers, irrespective of experience level.
Q4: Will We Have to Travel for Competitions?
Yes. If your child is enrolled in competitive dance, travel will be required. We recommend confirming travel expectations (locations- national/regional and frequency) before registering your child.
Q5: How Much Does it Cost to Participate in Dance?
For the youngest dancers, expect to pay about $40 per month for lessons plus dance attire and recital costs.
As dancers age, they frequently enroll in multiple disciplines (ballet, tap, acro, jazz, etc) so costs will increase. Competitive dance costs more and would also include travel expenses.
Recital costs are additional: parents usually have to pay separately for performance tickets and costumes.
Q6: What Clothing or Equipment is Needed for Dance?
Dancers would be required to wear a leotard and tights with the proper shoes for most disciplines and comfy clothes for hip hop. The dance studio should provide apparel requirements at registration.
Dancers (whether recreational or competitive) will also need special costumes for recitals.
Directory: Kalamazoo Dance Studios + Dance Classes
We’ve rounded up over a dozen locations in Southwest Michigan for your child to twirl, tap, twist, and flip into dance.
Academy of Dance Arts 536 Romence Rd, Ste 109, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Ballet Arts School of Dance 2018 Rambling Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 |
| Ballet Kalamazoo 316 S Kalamazoo Mall, Ste 108, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| BSD Dance Studio 6722 S Westnedge Ave, Ste B, Portage, MI 49002 |
| Excel Dance Centre 6775 W Q Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
| Kalamazoo Chinese Academy 203 E Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49002 |
| Momentum Dance Studios 6712 Financial Pkwy, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
| Mosaic Dance Center 10097 Oakland Dr, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Move with Joy Dance Studio 1103 Portage St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 |
| Patti Herm School of Dance 719 E Allegan Ave, Otsego, MI 49078 |
| Rootead 505 E Kalamazoo Ave, Ste 3, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| SMLC Ballet Ministry St. Michael Lutheran Church & School 7211 Oakland Dr, Portage, MI 49024 |
| The Dance Zone- Paw Paw 28895 Red Arrow Hwy, Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
| The Space Dance Company 2636 US-131, Schoolcraft, MI 49093 |
| Traci Phelps Studios LLC 9975 E M-89, Ste 1, Richland, MI 49083 |
| Trinity Prep Center 6018 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 |
| Tye Chua Dance 315 W Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| Wellspring Dance Academy 359 S Kalamazoo Mall, Ste 204, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| West Michigan Dance Center 136 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 |
| YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo 1001 W Maple St, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 |
More Sports & Extracurriculars
Move with Joy – Dance, Yoga, and Pilates Studio in Downtown Kalamazoo! She has lots of different dance classes for kids. She makes them incredibly fun and amazingly informational. Joy is an incredible teacher.