Best Dance Classes For Kids In OC
Dance is one of the best ways for children to be expressive and learn to show emotion and artistic expression. Also, the health benefits yield it to be a great activity to start at a young age. Orange County heralds some of the best studios and academies for children looking to dance and here are the top five.
South Coast Conservatory
27652 Camino Capistrano
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 367-0099
www.scconservatory.com
Being ranked as one of the best in Orange County is nothing new for the South Coast Conservatory. With eight studios, two annual productions and over 20 qualified instructors, this location is ranked nationally in a competitive program. What sets this studio apart from the others is its master classes featuring teachers from around the world including, for example, a class with Christina Woodard for contemporary jazz. The programs available at this facility for children include a Pre-Academy Program that is catered to children from ages two to seven. It includes a combination of creative dance, music and movement, mini hip hop and much more. Other programs available include the elite academy for dancers from age five to 16 looking take on competitive styles or focus solely on ballet and contemporary techniques. An "a la cart" academy program is available for all various dance disciplines from ages six to 18 that include jazz, hip hop, lyrical, ballet, tumbling and much more.
CF Dance Academy
116 E. Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 870-5742
www.cfdance.net
The CF Dance Academy, located in historic downtown Fullerton, offers a dance education and training with classes for children as young as two-years-old into their teens and also the adult age groups. The academy also offers classes in locations around Orange County like Anaheim, Yorba Linda and Buena Park. The technique used is more performance-based as opposed to competition-based as other academies are structured. In honor of founder Cathleen Forcucci, The Dancing Angels is a fundraising team that works to raise scholarship funds for children that wish to attend the academy. A wide variety of dance techniques are offered including ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary and more.
Tustin Dance Center
14662 Franklin Ave., Suite C
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 544-3072
www.tustindance.com
For more than 35 years, the Tustin Dance Center has served the Orange County community with its various programs and classes for children of all ages. With the vision "to instill in the hearts of our students an exhilarating love for the wondrous art of dance," the center offers youth classes that teach the fundamentals of different dance forms from ballet to hip-hop. There's even a program available for children from ages zero to seven called the Kindermusik with a curriculum that helps a child's brain development. The studio was established back in 1978 and has been under the direction of Kelly Meyers since 2013. With more than 40 years of experience in the world of dance, Meyers has taught primarily at the Tustin studio for the past 19 years. Her experience includes tours with the La Ballet throughout various countries in Europe including Germany, France, Belgium and Switzerland. She brings a wealth of experience and talent to the studio in Tustin. The studio is committed to provide the best experience for both children and their parents.
West Coast School of the Arts
890 Baker St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 754-4199
www.wcdance.com
The staff at West Coast School of the Arts consists of award-winning individuals and choreographers that add to the dance instruction given at the studio. Dancers of all ages are welcome to join and at all levels of experience. The atmosphere is very much like a big family. Owner Paula Kessinger said, "My staff has been together for many many years. We truly love working together. It is definitely a very large family. Many of the teachers trained with me since they were children." This studio competes nationally and auditions for these teams are held year round for those who are interested in competing. A variety of classes are available including ballet, jazz, hip hop and lyrical. According to Kessinger, the academy focuses heavily on technique, "So even if you are a recreation dancer, you are being trained very well." For those who want to take their dancing to the next level, camps are available over the summer that include dance intensive, dance club camp and a pre-audition camp that teaches the combinations and technique ahead of time for those interested in joining the national team. The studio also has regular visits from choreographers like Stacey Tookey from "So You Think You can Dance" and principle dancer from the New York City Ballet, Tyler Peck.
All-Star Dance Academy
10184 Adams Ave.
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(714) 982-8842
www.allstardancehb.com
Striving for a fun and non-competitive environment for kids, All-Star Dance Academy offers programs in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and much more. With low monthly rates and free trials for first-timers, your children can discover the dance that they enjoy the most. Multiple class discounts and friend referral discounts are some great incentives, especially if you are trying the studio for the first time. Among other classes that are offered, the academy has a summer dance camp, movie nights and in-studio showcases and recitals.
Related: Best Dance Studios In Orange County
