Here’s Where You Can Take a Drop-in Dance Class in and Around Philly
For when you want to channel your inner ballerina, learn how to salsa, or just want to move and groove.
Here’s where you can take a drop-in dance class in the Philly area. / Photograph by Laine duPont for Evolve Dance
If you’ve ever taken a dance class, you know that it keeps your body and mind challenged, disciplined, focused, and energized. No matter if you’re doing time steps in tap shoes or pliés at the ballet barre, you’re getting a total-body workout. Luckily, you can shake your groove thing at a handful of local studios without needing to register for the full year. Whether you’re looking to belly dance, do ballerina twirls, or twerk, we’ve rounded up places in and around Philly where you can take adult dance classes.
Amy Novinski
Where: 1901 South 9th Street, unit 615, South Philly
Cost: $10-$20 (in-person); $10-$15 (online)
This studio inside the Bok building caters primarily adults interested in ballet and pointe, offering classes for those experienced in the genres and for those with no dance background. Novinski has also introduced multi-day workshops for dancers passionate about improving their skills.
Chez Impact of South Jersey
Where: 224 Fries Mill Road, Turnersville
Cost: $16-$21
This space in South Jersey has been inspiring adult dancers for over 40 years. Classes are designed to teach dancers a high-energy routine which will be performed in small groups at the end of class. Recent offerings have included heels, contemporary, and hip hop.
DanceFit Exertainment
Where: 98 Bethlehem Pike, Chestnut Hill
Cost: $10-$20
Created for people who love to dance (regardless of experience or skill level), DanceFit Exertainment aims to transform your workout into a party. No matter if you drop in their Chestnut Hill studio in person or virtually, you’ll get to groove in group classes like Jazz Fit, Zumba, Motown Movement, and Ballet BarreFit.
Diana Alexis Dance Academy
Where: 421 North Haddon Avenue, and 320 North Haddon Avenue, #6 — both in Haddonfield
Cost: Varies
This Haddonfield dance school offers a number of classes for youth, but doesn’t neglect the adults who want to either learn or continue enjoying the art. Currently, it runs adult tap and ballet, both of which cover the basics and crucial techniques every dancer needs in order to keep growing.
Equilibrium Dance Academy
Where: 1802 South Broad Street, South Philly
Cost: $20-$25 for pop-ups; $120 for eight-week sessions; and $150 for 10-week sessions
This November and December, Equilibrium Dance Academy will host varying levels of pop-up tap classes that you can drop in and enjoy. Starting in January of 2024, catch four different tap series — they range from basic/beginner to intermediate/advanced.
Estilo Dance Studio
Where: 2036 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown
Cost: $30 (day pass); $120 (monthly pass); and varying costs for private lessons
Estilo Dance Studio in Fishtown runs group classes in mambo, salsa and Bachata for adults. Sessions are typically two hours (6:30-8:30 p.m.) Monday through Thursday, with designated classes for beginner and intermediate dancers. You can also receive private lessons in Latin dance from Estilo founder Michael Andino — whether you want to learn by yourself, with a partner, with your kid, or with a few friends.
Evolve Dance
Where: 2039 Walnut Street, unit 1F, Rittenhouse
Cost: $26
Evolve Dance in Rittenhouse is home to high-energy, non-competitive dance classes that’ll have you smiling the entire combo. Current offerings include Hot Girl Jazz, dance sculpt, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and sultry beginner heels — all in a supportive, fun environment.
Fit For Life
Where: 714 West Avenue, Jenkintown
Cost: Starting at $10
If you are looking to get into dance or dance fitness, but don’t know where to start, Fit For Life is for you. The Jenkintown space offers beginner ballet, hip hop, Zumba, intro to jazz, intro to contemporary, and beginner tap, with instructors modifying difficulty levels based on student needs.
Flair Dance Company
Where: 730 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
Cost: $20
Head to this Collingswood dance studio for adult classes nearly every day of the week. You can expect to learn a variety of styles, including jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, Pilates for dancers, and South Asian fusion.
Flaunt Fitness
Where: 1939 South 17th Street, 2nd floor, and 22 Wolf Street, unit 2D — both in South Philly
Cost: $30 (pole and fitness); $35 (aerial)
Flaunt Fitness reminds us that pole dancing is an amazing (and challenging!) way to get your body moving. The South Philly brand has a bunch of different pole classes, ranging from introductory to advanced. If the pole isn’t for you, Flaunt Fitness also offers dance fitness classes like twerking, jazz, and hip hop.
Jazz Unlimited
Where: 201 South Route 73, Marlton
Cost: $25
In business for over 50 years, Jazz Unlimited offers drop-in adult hip hop, jazz, tap, and “Move & Sculpt” classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. While some experience is helpful, classes are open to all levels of dancers with experienced instructors ready to cater to each class’s needs.
Koresh School of Dance
Where: 2002 Rittenhouse Square, Rittenhouse
Cost: $18
Since 1993, Koresh has been providing open dance classes to the public, with drop-ins ranging from ages four through seniors, and beginners through professionals. Open to the public Monday through Saturday, the school offers classes in ballet, hip hop, modern, and jazz, with each style taught to various skill levels. Plus, Koresh often hosts workshop series, where you can learn the ins and outs of select dance forms over the course of several weeks.
Mastah Tee Fitness & Dance
Where: 714 Reed Street, South Philly
Cost: $18
Classes at Mastah Tee Fitness & Dance focus on low- to mid-impact dance movements that will improve range of motion, flexibility, and blood flow. While dancers are sure to have fun and get a good workout, the goal of owner Trina Lyons is for all clients to build confidence. In-person classes are available on Mondays and Saturdays, but feel free to drop-in virtually throughout the week.
The Performance Garage
Where: 1515 Brandywine Street, Spring Garden
Cost: Varies depending on class
Performance Garage’s class offerings rotate frequently, but currently, they’re running ballet, Egyptian dance, and a ladies-only dance fitness class. The space can also be rented out for classes, workshops, and rehearsals.
Philly Dance Fitness
Where: 1301 Locust Street, second floor, Midtown Village, and 1923 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse
Cost: $14-$19
Philly Dance Fitness might be Philly’s most popular dance organization focused on fitness and fun. With over 15 genres taught, this biz is designed to meet the needs of everybody — as in, every type of dancer in every type of body — with styles like Bollywood, tap dancing, pointe, and Zumba.
Powerhouse Dance Studio
Where: 1990 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill
Cost: $25; prices vary for master classes
Classes at Powerhouse are offered at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for dancers looking to continue their practice recreationally or professionally. Students will learn a short combo in an inviting, judgment-free space in a variety of styles, including tap, ballet, contemporary, pro dance team, jazz, and hip hop. The studio also brings in master instructors for 90-minute sessions monthly.
Rain Dance Studio
Where: 5900 Greene Street, unit B, Germantown
Cost: $15 minimum
Rain Dance Studio focuses mainly on youth and teen classes, but it does offer some adult dance sessions, too — from ballet to African to tap to hip hop. Single classes are pay-what-you-can, but there is a $15 minimum cost.
The Rock School
Where: 1101 South Broad Street, South Philly
Cost: $15
Since 1963, the Rock School has trained students in classical ballet in order to help them go on to professional companies. The school currently offers open sessions of ballet fusion for adults (ages 16 years and older) on Tuesday evenings. A basic knowledge of ballet terminology is encouraged but not required.
Second Chance Dance
Where: 5836 Henry Avenue, Roxborough
Cost: $75 per month, with prorated options available
This Roxborough studio caters specifically to dancers who are over the age of 18 and are either looking to return to dance or want to learn. Find beginner and intermediate classes in an array of styles, including jazz, modern, the Horton technique, ballet, and tap.
Society Hill Dance Studio
Where: 1919 East Passyunk Avenue, East Passyunk
Cost: No drop-in offering; $195 per person for six-week courses
Society Hill Dance Studio is the place to go if you’re looking to learn how to salsa, samba, swing, waltz, fox trot, or dance jazz. (You can also sign up for private lessons!) Plus, the instructors can even choreograph your wedding dance if you want to do more than just sway back and forth on the floor.
Sound Space Performing Arts
Where: 1501 North 31st Street, Brewerytown
Drop-in rate: $20-$25
Founded in 2015 by Pamela Hetherington, Sound Space originated as a studio space solely for percussive dance (a.k.a. tap dancing and hoofing). Since then, the studio has expanded to include other forms of dance — in the past, there’s been flamenco and the Horton technique. You can find the current class schedule here.
Symmetry Dance Wellness
Where: 2006 Sansom Street, Rittenhouse
Drop-in rate: $22 (in-person); $15 (online)
Specializing in ballet, Symmetry runs various classes, including beginner, pointe, express, and open studio. You can also take private lessons for $80 per session, or have a friend join you ($40 per person).
Urban Movement Arts
Where: 2100 Chestnut Street, second floor, Rittenhouse, and 812 Chestnut Street, Washington Square West
Drop-in rate: $15
Urban Movement Arts is dedicated to teaching adults genres and techniques characteristic of hip hop, American folk dance, and the African Diaspora movement. We’re talking breakdancing, Reggaeton, Latin dance fusion, Soul Train, Lindy Hop, waacking, salsa, and a slew of others. (Bonus: There’s a roller-skating dance class with Best of Philly winner Great on Skates!)
Valley Forge Dance School
Where: 216 West Beidler Road, suite 800, King of Prussia
Cost: Classes start at $10, but you’ll need to pay for eight classes upfront
In King of Prussia, find this dance school, which hosts adult sessions Monday through Friday. You can choose from ballet, tap, barre, Bollywood, and more.
