If you have a little one at home who won’t stop dancing, now is the perfect time to enroll them in a dance class! Studios all over Seattle are filling up spots in their classes for Fall, including parent involvement classes, formal classes that lay the ground for future prima ballerinas and casual dance classes at your local community center. Let us help you pick the perfect class in Seattle for your tiny dancer!
Cornish Preparatory Dance
Best for: Beginners and those hoping to improve upon their dance skills.
Ages: Ages 4-6
Classes: While the classes at Cornish Preparatory range from beginner all the way through to advanced levels, the classes for the kiddos ages 4-6 teach basic movement and dance skills.
Dress: Appropriate dance attire.
Neighborhood: The original campus is in Capitol Hill and the Main Campus is downtown.
Online: cornish.edu/preparatory_dance/curriculum
Evergreen City Ballet
Best for: Enthusiastic little dancers.
Ages: Classes begin at 18-months.
Classes: Beginning classes begin with Mommy and Me classes (ages 18-months to three years) and Creative Movement classes that helps kiddos develop their imagination, while giving them physical awareness, and confidence.
Dress: For the Mommy and Me beginner class please wear loose fitting clothes. For the Creative Movement classes, Evergreen requires a pink leotard (no skirt), pink tights and pink leather shoes.
Neighborhood: Renton, WA
Online: evergreencityballet.org/school.html
All that Dance
Best for: Children who are definitely ready to take dance and may even have aspirations of moving forward with dance as they grow.
Ages: Classes begin at 18-months.
Classes: Beginning classes include Dancin’ Tots (with a caregiver) and Creative Ballet (without a caregiver – parents watch from the lobby).
Dress: Comfortable clothes and ballet shoes or bare feet. Long hair must be tied back.
Neighborhood: Main location in Wedgewood and an additional location closer to University Village in Ravenna/Bryant.
Online: all-that-dance.com
Dance Fremont!
Best for: Children who are looking to dance for years to come.
Ages: Classes begin when little ones can walk steadily.
Classes: Beginning classes include Parent/Child Class which last until approximately age three, followed by Creative Dance.
Dress: Comfortable clothes for the Parent/Child Class. Creative Dance has specific dancewear requirements.
Neighborhood: Located in the Fremont/Wallingford neighborhood.
Online: dancefremont.com
Darrah Blanton Dance
Best for: Children who are just getting started with dance and are looking for a nurturing environment to do so. Parents are invited to watch the last five-minutes of class only.
Ages: Classes begin at 20-months.
Classes: Beginning classes include a Parent-Toddler Class and Pre-Ballet. Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Tap/Ballet Combo classes are available for older children.
Dress: Clothes that are comfortable to dance in such as leggings and a leotard. Specific dance shoes required in some classes.
Neighborhood: Studio locations in Queen Anne, Ballard and Capitol Hill.
Online: darrahblantondance.com (also pictured above)
Little Gym
Best for: Children who are curious about dance, but want to explore it in a fun, energetic environment.
Ages: Classes begin at age three.
Classes: Each class is geared for a different age group, focusing on the appropriate dance skills for that age.
Dress: None specified – check with each location.
Neighborhood: 11 Locations in the Greater Seattle area including the Eastside, West Seattle and Interbay.
Online: thelittlegym.com to find the location nearest you.
Lynn Beasley’s Children’s Dance Workshop
Best for: Children who are ready to dance in a slightly more structured environment. Parents are allowed to watch from the back of the class, as long as they are quiet and do not distract their dancers.
Ages: Classes begin at age three.
Classes available: Beginning classes are Creative Dance. More options available as they grow.
Dress requirements: Each class wears a specific color of leotard and tights. Dance shoes not required until the upper classes.
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Online: lynnbeasleydance.com
Seattle Parks & Recreation Department
Best for: Families looking for dance classes in their own neighborhood where their children can meet other little neighborhood dancers. Parents are allowed to watch classes at some locations.
Ages: Classes begin at 18-months
Classes available: Beginning classes include Tot-Bop (with parents), Creative Movement, Creative Ballet, Little Ballerinas and Tiny Hip-Hop .
Dress requirements: Varies based on class.
Neighborhood: Community Centers around Seattle.
Online: Visit the SPARC program to view upcoming schedules and locations
For dance clothes and supplies in Seattle, visit Centerstage Dance Shop in the University District, but be sure to call first because selection can be limited. Target also has a small dance clothes selection.
Has your little dancer taken classes at one of these locations? Tell us what you love about them!
– Katie Kavulla
