GR’s Best 10 Dance Classes: Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop + More

Dance Classes Teaches Creativity, Athleticism and Social Skills

Dance is a powerful art that can begin early in a child’s life. 

It’s one of the more popular extracurriculars and classes for kids.

From easy mommy+me dance classes to a more formal education, Grand Rapids has many places where kids can get involved in the style they love the most.

Kids in dance classes can experience both social growth, physical health and creative expression.

But where to start?

You stare here. We’ve found the area’s best ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, modern dance classes, and everything in between. 

In this Article

FAQs – How Dance Classes for Kids Works

What Age Do Dance Classes Start?

Many dance studios offer classes starting at age two, but kids can enroll at any age. 

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.

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.

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.

How Much Does it Cost to Participate in Dance?

For the youngest dancers, expect 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.

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.

Favorite Dance Studios Around Grand Rapids

Following are the area’s top rated dance studios & classes, as voted on in our annual Best of Grand Rapids Awards.

These studios have wowed parents and kids over and over with their passion for teaching kids dance.

Winner: Rockford Dance Company

TOP 10 Dance Studios / Lessons

1. Rockford Dance Company

2. HIS Dance Academy

3. Hearts in Motion Dance Project

4. Caledonia Dance & Music Center

5. Integrity School of Dance Arts

6. Academy of Dance Arts Inc

7. Dance With Me by Amber Marie

8. Body Language Dance Company

9. Studio Dance

10. Haus of Glass Dance

Winning Dance Studio - Caledonia

131 E Main Street SE, Suite E, Caledonia MI, 49316

From your child's first class to their graduation performance, CDMC has a class for everyone!

They specialize in beginners of all ages and training through pre-professional levels. But CDMC is More Than Just Great Dancing®, going beyond technique to develop important life skills.

CDMC will inspire your child through dance!

This is our second year at CDMC and we LOVE it. My daughter danced at two prior studios and CDMC is hands down our favorite and where we will stay. The teachers are knowledgeable and loving. They put on beautiful performances, and we look forward to many years with them. Highly recommend! ~Stephanie Pratt

Winning Dance Studio - Grand Rapids

4336 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI, 49525
523 Ada Dr., Ada MI, 49301

At Hearts in Motion, we believe that dance has the power to create strong, confident, happy kids.

We focus on training great technique while fostering a joy for the love of dance and creating magical moments.

Be sure to check out our satellite location in downtown Ada!

This is an amazing and age appropriate environment for dancers of all ages. The instructors promote hard work in a fun and engaging way. We love Hearts in Motion!

Winning Dance Studio - Grand Rapids

2715 29th ST SE, Grand Rapids MI, 49512

Ages: 3 months-Adult

Offering Recreation and Pre-Professional Divisions: Babes In Arms, Toddler, Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Character, Modern, Musical Theatre, & Hip-Hop

Celebrating our 20th season of Guiding Young Hearts and Big Dreams.

Recreational classes for beginning dancers and Pre-Professional classes to prepare for future post-high school opportunities.

“You go above and beyond taking care of each and every dancer. The sense of love and family is felt here. Thank you so much for being a blessing!” ~ KB

Winning Dance Studio - Kentwood

2925 28th Street SE , Suite D, Kentwood Michigan, 49512

At Studio Dance, we believe if you Dream Big and Werk Hard, you can do anything.

Creating an environment for happy, strong, and confident kids is what we do best!

Come join our dance family!



Directory of Dance Classes in Grand Rapids

A full list of all the dance classes and academies in West Michigan that kids love.

Grand Rapids Ballet School in Grand Rapids

341 Ellsworth Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
• Ballet Classes
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

61Syx Teknique Street Dance Academy in Grand Rapids - NW

2751 Alpine Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
• Breaking
• Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Academy of Dance Arts in Comstock Park

684 Six Mile Road NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321
• Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro Dance, Modern, Creative Movement
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Ada Dance Academy in Ada

6086 Fulton St E, Ada, MI 49301
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Body Language Dance Company in Jenison

888 Chicago Drive, Jenison, MI 49428
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Caledonia Dance & Music Center in Caledonia

131 E. Main Street SE, Suite E, Caledonia, MI 49316
• Toddler Dance Classes, Mommy & Me, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro Dance
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Dance Dimensions in Northview

5174 Plainfield Ave NE #3, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Breaking, Lyrical
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Dorr Dance Academy in Dorr

1743 142nd Avenue, Dorr, MI 49323
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

Hearts in Motion Dance in Grand Rapids

4336 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
• Toddler Dance Classes, Mommy & Me, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro Dance, Creative Movement
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

HIS Dance Academy in Grand Rapids - SE

2715 29th St, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Integrity Dance Arts in Byron Center

2495 84th St SW, Byron Center, MI 49315
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Karin's Horse Connection & Legacy Stables in Caledonia

8001 Patterson Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
• Toddler Dance Classes, Mommy & Me, Ballet Classes, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro Dance, Modern, Creative Movement
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Kathy's Dance Co. in Hudsonville

3239 Oak St, Hudsonville, MI 49426
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Lake Michigan Dance Academy in Allendale

6561 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, MI 49401
• Toddler Dance Classes, Mommy & Me, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro Dance
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Michigan Ballet Academy in Cascade

1595 Galbraith Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
• Toddler Dance Classes, Mommy & Me, Ballet Classes, Jazz
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Over the Top Academy of Dance in East Grand Rapids

2423 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Rhythm Dance Center in Belmont

2350 Belmont Center Drive Suite 500, Belmont, MI 49306
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Creative Movement, Contemporary
• Infants & Toddlers, Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Rockford Dance Company in Rockford

10580 Northland Drive, Rockford, MI 49341
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids in Grand Rapids - Downtown

475 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
• Toddler Dance Classes, Ballet Classes, Tap, Jazz
• Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

Kids take dance classes like ballet in Grand Rapids.

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2 thoughts on “GR’s Best 10 Dance Classes: Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop + More”

  1. Miss G Ballet is new in town! We opened February 2021 & having recently obtained our LLC, we are growing by leaps & bounds in a little barn-studio in Alto. Ballet classes ages 3-Teen. Online & In-Person. We also offer a pre-performance club for kids interested in building character through stage performance. Our live, interactive dance show simultaneously trains leaders and introduces families to the Art of Ballet! Club-style ballet classes, crafts, activities & events.
    Email [email protected] or see our history through our Facebook Group @missgballet. Gia Budrick 616-204-2158
    *Uniqua’s Unicorns Ballet Camp July 25-28, 2022 (email or call to register)

  2. Wow! I am shocked there is no mention of Imprint Dance Company. Imprint Dance Company has an amazing competition team as well as wonderful recreational classes. This studio just won Best Studio at a National Competition in Myrtle Beach in July 2021. The studio is well run by Crystal Delgado and Jazzae Ford and is worth your time and money.

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