My youngest son Sean loves to dance and hip-hop is his top dance of choice. My husband and I will be enrolling him in either hip-hop or football (his other main interest) in the fall. Back at the beginning of July, I reached out to readers on Facebook to get some input regarding the best hip-hop classes for kids in NYC. As usual, they came up with some great options. I researched all of them and here are my top picks:
1. Piel Canela Dance Company
500 8th Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(212) 924-6160
(Ages 5 to 12)
Referred by MitC reader Mandy Williams-Rodriguez, this program offers salsa and hip-hop classes. After paying a registration fee of $20 for an 8 week program, you only pay an additional fee of $15 per class when your child misses a class. As well as making dance training available to a wider range of families, this is such a wonderful way to teach kids (and parents!) commitment. Best of all, the instructors have a great reputation for effectively teaching high energy classes.
2. NY Kids Club
Multiple locations (West 89th/91st Street, West 68th Street, East 67th Street, East 22nd Street, Brooklyn Heights and Battery Park)
(Ages 3 to 5 and 5 to 7)
My friend Anna Fader recommended this club that has six different locations. Anna runs a really wonderful site, Mommy Poppins where she has some other hip-hop classes listed.
3. Uptown Dance Academy
167 East 121st Street
New York, NY 10035
(212) 987-5030
(Ages 5 to 19)
Recommended by my friend Gail (whose daughter is enrolled in dance classes), UDA has a reputation for being one of the top dance schools for urban youth in the tri-state area. They offer open registration for their affordable classes with no waiting lists. All are welcome.
4. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The Joan Weill Center for Dance
405 West 55th Street (at 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019
(212) 405-9500
(Ages 7 to 17)
In addition to their celebrated professional school, Alvin Ailey also offer classes to the general public…including “Hip-hop/Street” ones. There is a special Hip-hop 4 Kids class for kids ages 7 to 11. Older kids (ages 12 to 17) can enjoy taking hip-hop classes in Ailey’s “Teen Extension”.
5. StudioE School of Dance
187-16 Union Turnpike
New York, NY 11366
(718) 264-0100
(Ages 5 to teens)
My friend Nancy/The Mama Maven recommended this studio that her neighbor’s daughter attends. Founded in 1969, this Queens school has a reputation for offering quality dance instruction. They offer the following classes:
In addition to these recommendations, I also want to mention the following hip-hop classes for kids in NYC:
6. 92Y Hip-Hop dance classes: They offer “Hip-Hop for Boys/ 9 and up; Hip Hop for Teens / 12-18 yrs; and Beginning Hip-Hop. (The 92Y is a Mom in the City sponsor, so be sure to check out all of their art, music and dance class options if you are looking for fall classes for your kids.)
7. Various YMCA Hip-Hop classes:: They offer classes for ages 4 years 11 months to 17 years 11 months.
8. Sports Club/LA – Upper East Side: Their childcare enrichment program includes “Creation Station Pip Hop” that teaches hip-hop to kids ages 4 to 6 years.
Has your child taken a hip-hop dance class that I didn’t include? If so, please include them in the comments. Thanks!
{Post images courtesy of respective sites.}