Does your child love to dance around the house? If so, it could be time to look into dance classes for kids. But which style should you choose? Consider the dance class styles available at Dance Academy USA along with tips for making the right selection. Each title also links to videos so that you can watch these wonderful styles in action on the recital stage!

Ballet

Children who excel in ballet love wearing tutus and twirling around the living room. Ballet music is classical and refined, and dance positions are in French, offering your child a little cultural exposure.

To excel in ballet, dancers must develop their balance, flexibility and stamina. If they stick with it, ballerinas age 12 and up can graduate to pointe, a challenging derivative of ballet that involves training and dancing on your toes.

Tap

Tap is a percussive dance style that involves wearing shoes with metal taps on the bottom. Students learn about timing, rhythm and keeping a beat while dancing to lively music.

Jazz

Jazz is a high-energy dance style inspired by music of the same name. Advanced students perform impressive leaps, quick turns and fast footwork. Jazz encourages improvisation and allows dancers to make each move their own. In this way, jazz dance classes for kids are great for self-expression and discovery.

Lyrical/Contemporary

Lyrical/contemporary is a fusion of classical dance styles. Dancers learn choreography that expresses the deeper meaning and purpose of the music they dance to. The movements performed in lyrical and contemporary dance classes for kids are graceful and flowing, which requires great strength and flexibility. Dancers often perform barefoot or in nude-colored half dance shoes.

NOTE: Lyrical/contemporary dance students must also enroll in ballet classes.

Hip-Hop

If your child likes hip-hop music, this dance style of the same name could be a perfect fit. Hip-hop is very popular for ages 7 and up, offering a combination of floor work, footwork and intricate gestures. Like lyrical dance, hip-hop tells a story, but in a high-energy, explosive manner.

Combination Classes

If you and your young dancer aren’t sure what style is best, try a combo class designed for 6- to 8-year-olds such as tap/jazz or ballet/jazz to suit your preferences.

Even younger dancers ages 3-6 years old can enroll in Creative Dance (Age 3) or Intro to Dance (Ages 4-6). These lessons introduce children to ballet and tap. The main focus is to instill a love of music and dance, enjoy a structured weekly social event, and build a foundation for future advancement in the dancer’s chosen style.

Ready to find the right dance classes for kids in the San Jose, CA area? Enroll today at Dance Academy USA in Cupertino! You can also call us or email us with any questions you have.