9 Dance Classes for Toddlers in NYC

If your toddler already has moves and loves dancing, they could be the next viral hit with our list of 9 dance classes for toddlers in NYC. 

While I loved to sing as a toddler, I don’t remember dancing much, probably because I have never had any rhythm. Dancing can be a great outlet for expressing emotions, interpreting the meaning of music, honoring traditions, or simply just doing it to have fun and relax. There is typically coordination among your movements. If they don’t coordinate, that’s still cool, you can still dance to your own beat and rhythm. The history of people dancing started in ancient times. We can trace it to India, Egypt, China and Greece for as far as history can tell. During those times it was a form of ritual when someone needed to get healed, or for other rituals such as weddings, which has remained a thing today. In ancient times, the people also did dancing as a form of entertainment for guests or as a form of celebrating victory after a war was won and the soldiers came home.

Many days, I wish I had more rhythm than I do. Many of my friends are great dancers, with a lot more rhythm than me. One of my friends works as a dancer and is immensely talented. I mainly wish I was a great dancer for the really cool and unique opportunities it affords. For example, you can travel the world dancing on a cruise ship, you can dance back up for global pop stars, and you can even be in some of the big name Broadway shows. How cool would that be? From jazz to hip-hop, to folk and ballet, the dance world is vast, if you are passionate about it, you can do some pretty amazing things.

Babies enjoy music and they even dance along to an upbeat tune. As early as eight months, they can learn to dance. Babies don’t comprehend instructions as this stage though, but they just move along with the sound. This is a great start in developing a tot’s motor skills, language, and even vocabulary. Confidence and discipline will also be developed. Most dance classes will usually accept students around two to three years old and so on. Most of the time, little ones must be accompanied by parents or babysitters which are usually the rules to most dance classes for toddlers in NYC. You just have to see if you can drop off your kids or a companion is required. But no worries, this would be a great bonding for you and your tots. Aside from dance classes for toddlers in NYC, there are also dance classes for adults. If you want to get started in ballet, take a look at our article on 9 Cheap Ballet Classes in NYC for Adults.

We managed to get results for our list from the Class Curious database and did some additional checking using a Google Search. The results were impressive and most have year round dance schedules. They also have various events that feature their hardworking students. Our list is not ranked in any particular order, but all the studios have a dance class that focuses on toddlers.

If you think your little one has talent, you will want to sign them up to one of our 9 dance classes for toddlers in NYC below.

9. East Pointe Dance

Alyse Keyser is the founder and director of East Pointe Dance where classes are available for ages two years and older. Their focus is not only to one dance technique but you can choose from classical ballet, modern, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, stretch and a lot more. East Pointe Dance does not want only to extend the techniques to their students, but they want them to learn to love dancing, discipline, and principle. They may have various techniques offered but the quality of their teaching is on point.

8. Mark Morris Dance Group

In 1980, Mark Morris founded the Mark Morris Dance Group, that ranks 8th on the list of dance classes for toddlers in NYC. He is an artistic director and a choreographer.  Not only does this institution has a dance center, but it also has a wellness center not only for fitness but also has a therapy suite with two private treatment rooms. Mark Morris Dance Group has classes for toddlers to which they require the presence of parents or their caregivers.  But did you know that they offer classes for children with special needs?  They keep the number of attendees minimal so as they can give their attention fully to each student.  The parents can also participate but it is optional.

7. Downtown Dance Factory

They accept dance learners starting at age two.  Their dance class includes jazz, classical ballet, hip-hop, tap, lyrical and boys’ hip hop and breaking classes. Aside from these dance techniques, Downtown Dance Factory also hosts cardio and Zumba classes for adults. They accept party bookings, particularly a dance party experience, providing the space, trained teachers, and other party needs.  The party packages vary on the theme that you choose.

6. Peridance Capezio Center

Read, dance, and play is what Peridance Capezio Center offers to their young students ages one to four years old. However, for students, eighteen months to two and half years old, there is a creative and fun dance activity with props and music where they can enhance basic motor skills. As their students grow older, they do not only learn the techniques, but they are also imparted with the basic vocabulary of the techniques. Most importantly, they learn discipline.

5. Dance Project of Washington Heights

Dance Project of Washington Heights was able to secure a spot on our list of dance classes for toddlers in NYC. Their aim is to provide high-quality, but affordable dance classes. Dance Project of Washington Heights’ well-trained teachers impart techniques on ballet, modern dance, tap, and hip-hop. This institution does charge traditional tuition for their classes, due to the fact that they need to cover their expenses like the salaries of the teachers.

4. Chelsea Piers New York

Ballet, tap, or hip-hop are the choices you’ve got for your tots here at the Chelsea Piers New York. Chelsea Piers is a sports village located along the Hudson River. This institution is not just into sports but it also has daycare and preschool where our little ones learn to socialize and grow in a fun and active environment. You just have to know what you want to do and you will be able to find what you are looking for here at Chelsea Piers.

3. Joffrey Ballet School

While the others have much in store to offer, Joffrey Ballet School, the next on our list of dance classes for toddlers in NYC focus on ballet alone.  They offer a step by step ballet class for the young ones.  They teach the appropriate techniques based on the age of their students so they can absorb what they are learning. High-quality training of classical ballet and contemporary ballet with a modern twist is what awaits you here.

2. City Kids Dance

At the second place on our list of dance classes for toddlers in NYC, we have the formerly known Let’s Dance Brooklyn that is now known as City Kids Dance. With the help of the parents in the neighborhood who encouraged the director and founder of City Kids Dance Dina Gray, a class for toddlers was materialized. The teachers are trained not to put a limit on the child’s movement but to encourage them to move and express themselves naturally incorporating classical, folk, and multi-ethnic genres. They require the participation of the parents or the caregiver for the toddlers’ dance class.

1. Brooklyn Arts Exchange

Not only dance is offered for toddlers, but they can also do yoga and gymnastics at Brooklyn Arts Exchange. The core values of their programs are skill-building, creative choice, collaboration, performance, and community. Their programs are drop-in where the participation of a parent or caregiver is needed or drop-off which is for preschoolers where they learn independently. Our tiny tots will learn to socialize and the parents can see the milestones of their little one.

We hope this list of 9 dance classes for toddlers in NYC will help you pick the perfect one for your little dancer.