Ballet, jazz or hip hop: which dance class is right for my kid?

Choosing a first dance class can feel like a big decision, but it doesn't have to be. The best class is the one your child is excited to walk into. Here's how ballet, jazz and hip hop compare, plus our other styles, so you can match the class to your kid.

The quick answer

• Loves twirling, music and dressing up? Start with ballet.
• Always performing for the family, full of big kicks and spins? Try jazz.
• Bounces to every song and loves current music? Try hip hop.
• Taps on everything and loves rhythm? Try tap.
• Flipping off the couch? Try gymnastics & tumbling.

And if your child is under 5, the answer is simple: ballet is where our youngest dancers start, from age 2.

Ballet: the foundation

Ages: 2 and up

Ballet teaches posture, balance, control and musicality. Classes follow a clear structure: barre, center work, then traveling steps across the floor. For our youngest dancers, real ballet basics are taught through music, imagery and games.

Great for kids who: enjoy structure, love graceful movement, or want to build skills that carry into every other style.

Good to know: ballet makes every other style cleaner. Many of our dancers take ballet alongside a second style. Learn more about our ballet classes.

Jazz: big energy, built on technique

Ages: 5 and up

Jazz is sharp, upbeat and made for the stage, with turns, kicks, leaps and stylish choreography. It's built on ballet fundamentals, so it's the natural next step for kids who love ballet but want more energy, and a great start for kids who love to perform.

Great for kids who: love to perform, want to learn turns and leaps, and have energy to spare.

Learn more about our jazz classes.

Hip hop: rhythm and confidence

Ages: 5 and up

Hip hop is grounded and rhythm-driven, built on grooves, footwork and isolations set to music kids know. Every song we use is chosen and edited to be age-appropriate. It's high energy and fun, but it's still a technique class: dancers learn to hit the beat and control their movement.

Great for kids who: love music, have lots of energy, or feel more at home in sneakers than ballet shoes.

Learn more about our hip hop classes.

Jazz vs. hip hop: what's the difference?

Parents ask this one a lot. Jazz builds on ballet technique, with lifted, clean lines, turns and leaps. Hip hop is lower to the ground and driven by rhythm and grooves. Neither is "easier." They're simply different ways of moving, and plenty of kids enjoy both.

Our other styles

Tap (ages 5 and up): dancers make the music with their feet. A natural fit for kids who love rhythm, drumming or counting beats, and a great second style for sharpening timing.

Gymnastics & Tumbling (ages 5 and up): cartwheels, handstands and walkovers on mats, taught step by step with careful spotting. Perfect for active kids, and it builds strength and flexibility that help every other style.

Contemporary (ages 7 and up): floorwork, momentum and expressive movement. Great for kids who want dance to feel personal, and very welcoming to tweens and teens who are new to dance.

Can my child take more than one style?

Yes, and most of our dancers do. Popular pairings:

• Ballet + jazz: ballet's balance and placement make jazz turns and leaps stronger.
• Ballet + hip hop: structure and control, plus rhythm and freedom.
• Tap + anything: tap sharpens timing and musicality for every style.

Start with one class a week. Once your child settles in, adding a second style is easy.

What if they don't love their first choice?

That's normal, and it's useful information. Sometimes a child who wasn't sure about ballet lights up in hip hop, or the other way around. Classes are grouped by age and level, so switching styles doesn't mean starting over socially.

The easiest way to find out is to try. Take a look at our class schedule, or book a free trial class and let your child show you what they love.