Dance Classes in nyc

HSA Dance immerses students in studying a rich tapestry of ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and African dance disciplines. Dance students participate in master workshops, performances, and events.

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HSA Dance

A Celebration of Pride and Excellence

HSA Dance submerges students in Harlem’s rich history of dancing superstars celebrating Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Afro-Caribbean techniques. From Josephine Baker to Billy “Bojangles” Robinson to our first director of dance, Arthur Mitchell, Harlem has been the home to many amazing dancers and these artists are highlighted throughout our class curricula. We offer pre-professional level classes whether students are serious about training or wishing to enrich their lives and supplement their arts education. HSA Dance provides classes regardless of skill level or prior training as well as advanced classes requiring audition or assessment. Whether dancing for fun or with a pre-professional mindset, HSA Dance provides tools that will follow young people into adulthood.

Dance Intensive

Mid-Winter Explosion Intensive

HSA 2025 Midwinter Explosion Intensive runs from February 18 to 22, Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:45 AM to 5:00 PM, with check-in starting at 9:00 AM. Open to dancers ages 9 to 21, this intensive offers an incredible opportunity to train in Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Precision techniques, all for just $200. No auditions are required—placement classes will take place on the first day, ensuring every dancer finds the right level for growth.

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Discover HSA Dance Pathways

HSA Dance Programs

Our HSA Dance Early Childhood program offers a variety of classes, including Mini Tap, Pre Primary Ballet, Primary Ballet, and Early Childhood Hip Hop. These classes are designed to nurture the creativity of our youngest students while helping them build foundational skills for their future dance training. We recommend that parents consider enrolling their children in multiple dance styles to further enhance their development as dancers.

Our HSA Dance Level 1-2 classes offer a diverse range of styles, including Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Acro, Afro-Caribbean, Horton, Pointe, and Broadway Dance. These classes focus on building foundational skills in each discipline. We recommend students train 2 to 4 days a week across different styles to enhance their development and growth. Additionally, students in these levels are evaluated for our College Prep Program and Performance Ensemble Groups.

Our HSA Dance Level 3-5 classes offer an extensive selection of styles, including Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Acro, Afro-Caribbean, Variations, Pointe, Horton, and Broadway Dance. Many students at these levels participate in our Teen and Junior Ensembles, training 3 to 5 days a week to enhance their skills and growth. We encourage this level of commitment to help students develop versatility and proficiency in various styles. Additionally, students in these levels are evaluated for our College Prep Program and Performance Ensemble Groups, providing further opportunities for advancement and performance experience.

American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Student Examinations Benefits

The ABT Student Examinations offer graded evaluations that assess a student's ballet skills and artistic presentation, drawing on ballet principles from the French, Italian, and Russian schools of training.

For Students

These exams help build confidence, enhance training, and provide recognition for their achievements.

For Teachers

Instructors receive valuable feedback that can help refine their teaching methods.

For Parents

Participation in the exams is not mandatory but is highly encouraged. The exams are open to ballet students from Primary A to Level 4. To be eligible to participate, students must be registered for the entire year.

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HSA Jr and Teen Dance Ensembles

The HSA Jr and Teen Dance Ensembles are made up of select students ages 10-17 from our HSA College Prep, Pre Prep, and Merit Programs. These students are ambassadors of the HSA Dance Program training and rehearsing extensively throughout the year on a pre-professional level. These students not only perform in HSA Recitals, Concerts, and Productions but also perform throughout the city at high profile events and performances. Notable Performances have included The Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, THEARC Theater in Washington DC, Bryant Park, Nike Headquarters, Bryant Park, Marcus Garvey Park, The Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall and More.

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HSA Jr and Teen Dance Ensemble Apprentice Program

The HSA Jr and Teen Dance Ensemble Apprentice Program allows selected HSA dance students the opportunity to train and rehearse with HSA Jr and Teen Dance Ensemble members. Members will learn choreography, rehearsal etiquette, and have the opportunity to perform with the Jr Dance Ensemble in select performances at HSA and throughout the city.

Partnerships

With a strong philosophy rooted in sequential learning, HSA is proudly a certified American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum School. This involves our students training with certified ABT Curriculum teachers and select students participating in our yearly ABT Exams. In addition, we are excited to have a partnership with Radio City Music Hall and the Radio City Rockettes who offer workshops and mentorship through their dancer development program. The Wilhelmina Modeling Agency’s WillyMoves Division also works with our students throughout the year educating our students and parents on the business side of the commercial dance and entertainment industry.

Partnerships

Get To Know Us

Discover our dance instructors

Our instructors are active professional performers, lending a competitive edge to our programming

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Voices of Inspiration

Hear What Our Students Say

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"This program has helped me to grow as a dancer and gain confidence in my ability to dance.."

Alexandra F.

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"The dance department at Harlem School of the Arts changed my life..."

Skylah W.

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This is my 2nd year at Harlem School of The Arts and the school is wonderful.

Codie S.

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Frequently asked questions

Students, ages 12-17, interested in pursuing a career in the arts would benefit from HSA Prep, which provides accelerated arts training to prepare students for a continued education in the arts.

Ages 2-6 require no assessment for classes; simply choose the class that is the right fit for your child’s age. For dance classes and private music lessons, each student will be given an assessment by the department to determine the appropriate placement level for classes.

Yes. However, for those students who do not have access to an instrument, HSA can provide a list of stores that rent a variety of instruments.

Each semester runs for 16 weeks. Classes generally last between 30 minutes to 2 hours, and students may take as many classes as they like during our 32-week school year.

The HSA Early Childhood program offers classes for children ages 2 to 4 years old, see details and class descriptions on each department’s page. Several of the early childhood education classes require an adult caregiver to participate!