Looking for a dance school in Singapore for your kids? Here's a list to help you get started!
In our children’s growing up years, we are probably looking for activities that not only help them develop motor skills, but also enabling them to learn life skills. Dance might be what you are looking for! Dancing exercises the whole body, improving flexibility, coordination, balance and even memory (when they learn choreography!). This is also good stress relief for our little ones, giving them respite from school while creating opportunities to socialise and learn teamwork.
Considering the number of dance schools that came up our search, looks like dance is already a popular hobby among kids – see if our picks fit you!
1. Emerge Arts & Media Academy
Venue: 6 Raffles Blvd, Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Check them out here.
Emerge Arts & Media’s team of skilled instructors offers not only enriching dance classes, but also singing, piano and musical theatre courses for kids. Most classes are offered to kids as young as 4 years old. If your child is excited about the possibility of performing onstage some day, Emerge also has a good record of such opportunities! Still undecided?
Check out the trials available on the BYKidO SHOP here.
5th Avenue School of Jazz and Street Dance
Venue: 20 locations island-wide (including their affiliated Dance Pointe and dACADEMY School of Contemporary Dance) at Ang Mo Kio, Alexandra Retail Centre, Bidadari, Bishan, Buangkok Square Mall, Bukit Panjang, Buona Vista, City Square Mall, Jurong, Khatib, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sengkang West, Sembawang, Tampines
Check them out here.
This school specialises in street jazz and hip hop, welcoming enthusiasts from as young as 5 years old to above 13, and skill levels from beginners to advanced.
They deliver a curated, rich and varied dance repertoire through an immersive training programme – what’s more, complemented by prestigious accredited certifications (suitable for young dancers who are keen to use dance for their Direct School Admission (DSA) Exercise in Primary 6 and Secondary 4). Certifications aside, classes for beginners are easy to learn, fun, energetic and engaging!
All That Jazz Dance Academy
Venue: 5 locations at Claymore Hill, East Coast Road, Orchard Road, Prinsep St, Winstedt Road
Check them out here.
Dedicated to providing students with a high standard of artistic dance education to inspire and foster excellence in the arts, the academy's training emphasizes on classical ballet training as a foundation for all dance classes. A wide variety of dance programmes is available for all ages starting at 2, such as ballet, jazz, tap, street dance, hip hop, contemporary and more!
The academy boasts a syllabus of Acro Dance founded by Mellisa Klassen, offered to children aged 5 and above, building a core foundation combining dance and acrobatic.
Artistate Dance Academy
Venue: 1 Selegie Rd, #05-01/02 GR.iD, Singapore 188306
Check them out here.
Priding themselves on delivering a holistic street dance education, their kids and teens academy has three main programmes. In Kids Hip Hop for 4-7 years old, MOE-certified instructors put your kids’ youthful energy to good skill, using dance as a means for character building and a vessel to form new friendships. Kids & Teens Breaking for ages 7-16 is designed specifically for kids and teens to grasp movements in the various areas of breaking, through two levels - Basic and Advanced. Teens Hip Hop for 12-16 years old is suitable for both students who have no prior experience as well as those wish to further expand their knowledge, join a larger external Singapore dance community and take their dance to the next level.
Still uncertain? Send your kids to their trial sessions for some fun!
Attitude Performing Arts Studio
Venue: No. 1 Jalan Anak Bukit, #01-29 & 15 Bukit Timah Plaza, Singapore 588996
Check them out here.
Counting 20 years as a dance institution in Singapore, an illustrious community of artists makes this state-of-the-art studio a cultural hub - complete with its own café! Daily classes cover an extensive range of genres, from ballet and jazz, to hip hop and modern dance - catering to all levels. A bonus for parents who are looking at getting active while kids are at dance, there is a fitness wing onsite.
Centre Stage School of the Arts
Venue: Main campus at Block 15 Woking Road, Singapore 138694 | East campus at 5000G Marine Parade Road, #01-32 Laguna Park, Singapore 449290
Check them out here.
This is one school that goes all the way back to 1999, founded by Peter Hodgson and Alison Tompkins for children to use drama to explore both the imaginative and the concrete world. Since then, the school has developed into a full performing arts centre and now offers creative programmes for even toddlers!
Centre Stage boasts over 20 different courses, across drama and musical theatre, dance, singing, speech and drama classes. They even have an extensive early years programme including parent & toddler classes, as well as a pre-school style programme. The dance programmes cater to as young as 3, and cover a dance discovery class, ballet tots, musical theatre dance, ballet, boys dance, and the other street dance variety. We are not surprised their holiday camps are highly sought after!
Charlotte Marn School of Dance
Venue: 1 Coleman St, B1-19 The Adelphi, Singapore 179803
Check them out here.
A school dedicated to providing dance for children, their team of trained, passionate dance teachers conduct classes in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, acro dance and also progressive ballet technique/dance conditioning.
Dance Tots programmes start for 3 year olds, exploring creative movement, ballet, jazz and acrobatics. Children aged 6 and above gets to choose from the wider selection.
Crestar School of Dance
Venue: 5 locations at Hougang, Jurong East, Marine Parade, Woodlands
Check them out here.
While this school offers a robust selection of popular choices such as ballet, hip hop, jazz and others, we were drawn to their Creative Movement & Dance programme, segregated into 3 levels for ages 18 months to 4 years old. Co-developed by their faculty of dance specialists and early childhood experts, Crestar’s Creative Movement & Dance programme adopts a proprietary dance curriculum that allows children as young as 18 months to get acquainted with dance. Thematically-designed lessons are complemented with interactive learning tools to make learning fun and memorable, thereby cultivating interest of our young learners.
Parents will be pleased to know they even have a proprietary developmental assessment chart to effectively track and monitor the progress of the young learners.
dACADEMY School of Contemporary Dance
Venue: 20 locations island-wide (including their affiliated Dance Pointe and 5th Avenue School of Jazz and Street Dance) at Ang Mo Kio, Alexandra Retail Centre, Bidadari, Bishan, Buangkok Square Mall, Bukit Panjang, Buona Vista, City Square Mall, Jurong, Khatib, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sengkang West, Sembawang, Tampines
Check them out here.
Affiliated to the 5th Avenue School of Jazz and Street Dance and Dancepointe Academy, they share their extensive network of locations. dACADEMY aims to encourage individual growth and inspires artistic expression, designing their classes from anatomical and somatic (mind-body movement practices) perspectives, facilitated to develop the individual’s movement possibilities through the medium of contemporary dance.
Their programme levels group ages 5-8, 9-12, and 13 and above.
Dancer's Dream Studio
Venue: (By appointment only) 2 locations at 8D Dempsey Road #03-06 Singapore 249672 and 75E Loewen Road #01-02 Singapore 248845
Check them out here.
DDS’ holistic dance curriculum focuses on a balance between skills and play-based learning. Students get involved in dance-related games and creative ideation, introduced within dance routines. Children learn all 5 Latin dances in sequence: cha cha, samba, paso doble, jive and rumba. Classes for kids regardless of age and levels follow a robust structure.
Dancepointe Academy
Venue: 20 locations island-wide (including their affiliated 5th Avenue School of Jazz and Street Dance and dACADEMY) at Ang Mo Kio, Alexandra Retail Centre, Bidadari, Bishan, Buangkok Square Mall, Bukit Panjang, Buona Vista, City Square Mall, Jurong, Khatib, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sengkang West, Sembawang, Tampines
Check them out here.
Established in 2005, Dancepointe Academy is a frontrunner in Singapore's dance academy scene. Their programmes nurture young learners from the age of 3. While starting out in classical ballet, the academy has since expanded to introduce several specialised faculties, encompassing 5th Avenue School of Jazz & Street Dance, Dance Factory School of Kpop Dance and dACADEMY School of Contemporary Dance.
Their Pre School Ballet for 3 & 4 years old promises an enjoyable experience for young children to channel energy, develop physical skills, stimulate imagination and promote creativity. We like how they combine classical ballet techniques, music and storytelling, and use props and toys in the classroom. They even have a live pianist for selected ballet classes, guiding the kids to execute coordinated dance steps at the right music tempo.
Elevate Dance Academie
Venue: 27 West Coast Highway, #02-01/02 Singapore 117867
Check them out here.
Established in 2017, Elevate Dance Academie is an award-winning boutique dance school, focusing on providing quality dance education and coaching in three main genres of dance - classical ballet, modern and jazz. They also offer a wide range of other dances such as tap, contemporary and hip hop. Their classes are conducted in small groups of 8 to 12 students in each class.
The school encourages both boys and girls to try out their classes, even ballet. Additionally, their students have opportunities to participate in stage performances, local excursions and overseas immersion programmes, local and international dance competitions and more.
John & Josephine Dance Creative
Venue: 231 Bain Street, #04-03/05, Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231
Check them out here.
This school promises to expose children to the wonderful world of ballroom dancing. For kids as young as 4, teachers encourage children to foster a more positive attitude and explore their own self-expression.
Programmes span across 3 main categories: Ballroom (Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz), Latin (Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble) and Social (Salsa, Merengue, Rock N Roll, Disco Rock, Others).
Kavanagh Dance
Venue: 2 locations at 1999 Lor 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319258 and 8 Grange Rd, #03-05/05A Cineleisure, Singapore 239695
Check them out here.
Started in 1972, the school has been nurturing young children in the field of dance for over 50 years. Offering The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing [Australia] (C.S.T.D.) dance syllabi catered for even toddlers and young children, choose from ballet, theatrical, modern jazz, tap and contemporary to discover your kid’s talent and passion.
O School
Venue: 1 Selegie Road, #05-01/02 GR.iD (formerly PoMo), Singapore 188306
Check them out here.
Established in 2006, O School was conceived by founder Kenny Low and seasoned professional dancer Ryan Tan. While their solid background is in street dance, their junior programme for ages 5 to 12 is a hip hop-centric syllabus, helping children develop physical fitness, dance skills and confidence, while having fun in a safe and conducive environment.
Classes are segregated into 5-8 years old, 8-11 years old and 10-12 years old.
Sports Hub Kids Dance Class
Venue: 5 Stadium Drive, OCBC Arena, Singapore 397631
Check them out here.
Did you know there are cheap and affordable dance classes for kids at the Sports Hub? Pre-schoolers and toddlers can get exposed to the world of music and dance from as young as 3 years old. Be it jazz or Bollywood, classes are conducted by Divya Kalia Kannan from Dancematazz International, a national-level dancer trained in various dance forms including Indian classical dance, folk, modern jazz and salsa. She is great with kids and ensures they enjoy their learning in class.
Tahiti Dance Fitness
Venue: 1 Coleman Street, #02-47, Singapore 179803
Check them out here.
This school was founded in 2009 by Tahitian sisters Lila Evrard & Beatrice Heitiare Caisson, both very passionate about dance, fitness and health. Based on beautiful Tahitian dance (“Ori Tahiti”) moves combining all the fitness components of a cardio workout, strength building, balance and flexibility, with grace, femininity, energy to enhance wellbeing. Suitable for all ages and backgrounds, the programme runs for Toddlers (“Ori Tahiti”) aged 3-5 and Kids & Teens (“Ori Tahiti”) for 6-12 year old.
Your little ones will get to discover one of the most fun ways to move their bodies, through joyful songs and fun tropical drumbeats, while improving their posture, self-confidence, coordination, and more.
Taneo Dance Academy
Venue: 120 Woodlands Ave 1, #04-01 ACE The Place CC, Singapore 739069
Check them out here.
The academy was founded in 2011 by local actor Mr Neo Ren Jie and Mdm Terri Tan. Starting as a humble dance enrichment service provider at various country clubs and pre-schools, they have since made their mark in various major dance competitions and festivals such as Chingay and NDP. Classical ballet and modern jazz are their strengths, where students learn in a supportive, inclusive and happy atmosphere.
For students who are preparing for their Direct School Admission (DSA) application, this is one school with proven track record.
Tanglin Arts Studio
Venue: 22 Camden Park, Hollandse Club, Singapore 299814
Check them out here.
Established in 2007 by a prima ballerina, the school prides themselves on teaching the correct techniques of dance, while developing children’s creativity and artistry. Their Early Years Programme uses the “Leap ‘N Learn” curriculum, combining ballet-based training with creative movement and pretend play. The students and teachers here come from all around the world, forming their own unique community. Their premises at Hollandse Club is a plus, for family members to optimise while waiting.
*Images are from the schools' website or social media