Dance styles, explained in plain words.
American dance studios teach several styles, and the names can be confusing if you didn't grow up with them. Here's what each one is, what it looks like, and what it builds in your child.
Ballet
The classical foundation of dance. Graceful steps, balance, and beautiful posture.
Tap
Special shoes with metal plates turn your feet into a drum.
Jazz
High-energy dance to pop and Broadway music, with kicks, turns, and leaps.
Hip Hop
Street-style dance with grooves, footwork, and freezes to today's music.
Contemporary & Lyrical
Expressive, flowing dance that tells a story or shows a feeling.
Acrobatics
Dance combined with gymnastics: cartwheels, bridges, and handstands.
Musical Theater
Singing, acting, and dancing together, the way Broadway performers do.
Our preschool combo classes: two styles in one class
Little dancers have short attention spans, so our Twinkle Stars classes split each lesson between two styles. Searching for toddler ballet, preschool tap, or kids' tumbling? These are the classes you're looking for.
Half ballet for grace, balance, and listening. Half tap for rhythm and coordination. A gentle first class for most preschoolers.
See preschool classesHalf hip hop for energy and musicality. Half acro for tumbling, rolls, and strength. Great for active little ones who love to move.
See preschool classesWhich style fits my child?
Choose your dancer's age and what you'd most like dance to give them.
A gentle first class that builds balance, listening, and grace, with tap for rhythm.
The $39 trial includes two weeks of unlimited classes in your dancer's age group, so they can try more than one style.
Questions in another language? Call us.
¿Nuevo en la danza? Le explicamos cada estilo en palabras sencillas. Llámenos: (732) 659-4237.
नृत्य की दुनिया में नए हैं? हम हर शैली को आसान शब्दों में समझाते हैं। कॉल करें: (732) 659-4237
第一次接触舞蹈？我们用简单的语言为您介绍每一种舞蹈风格。欢迎致电：(732) 659-4237
Which dance style should my child start with?
For ages 2 to 5, start with a combo class: Ballet & Tap or Hip Hop & Acro. From age 6, most dancers take ballet plus one or two other styles in our Junior Dancers program.
Can my child try more than one style?
Yes. The $39 two-week trial is unlimited, so your dancer can try every class in their age group before you choose.
Do we need dance experience or special clothes to start?
No experience is needed. Comfortable clothes are fine for a first class, and we'll tell you exactly what to wear for each style after you book.
Is dance good for boys?
Absolutely. Our Rhythm Crew boys' program, ages 6 and up, focuses on hip hop, tap, acro, jazz, and musical theater, and builds athletic strength and discipline.