fbpx

Where to Take Dance Classes in the Twin Cities (Top 10)

  • Updated April 28, 2023

best dance classes twin cities

Ready to up your dance game?

Whether you’re a lifelong dancer, total newbie, or you’re looking to practice for you and your soon-to-be spouse’s big day, our guide has got you covered!

We’re sharing all the best dance studios and dance classes around Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities! And as a bonus, we’ve organized it by types of dancing, so that you can find your perfect moves.

Map of Dance Studios around Minneapolis & St. Paul

Best swing dance class: TC Swing

Terry and Cindy Gardner are icons in the Twin Cities swing dance scene. They’ve been teaching and hosting swing events around the Metro for decades. Whether you’re a beginner with two left feet or have a few sock hops under your belt, there’s something for everyone at a TC Swing event.

Their “learn to dance” private lessons, group lessons, workshops, and weekly swing events are affordable and meant to help you learn the fundamentals in a fun and casual atmosphere.

All classes come with a free pass to one of their 1st Saturday swing events held at the 301 on Main Event Center in the St. Anthony neighborhood of Minneapolis.

  • Address: 301 On Main Event Center, 301 Main Street NE, Minneapolis 55413
  • Website: TC Swing

Best ballet dance classes: Ballet Royale Minnesota

Ballet Royale Minnesota in Lakeville advertises as “an extraordinary place to dance.”  We couldn’t agree more.

Well-known in the Twin Cities as the premier ballet academy, you know you’re receiving world-class training in your classes. They offer a variety of styles for dancers of all levels and ages, private lessons, and a “Ballet Beyond Barriers” adaptive dance program.

Adult beginner ballet classes are 1 hour long and designed for individuals with no previous ballet experience.

Best dance class for couples: Date Night Dance at The Flying Pig

Want to give dance lessons a try but not sure if your partner is up for it? Just looking for a fun (and romantic) night swaying away?

Date Nights at The Flying Pig Dance Studio in Minneapolis happen monthly. For $30, you and a partner can get a short slow dance lesson (a few easy turn combinations and 1 or 2 footwork patterns) followed by an hour or so of nothing but slow dance music.

Best ballroom dance class: Cinema Ballroom

We can’t go an entire article about dance classes without mentioning “Dancing with the Stars .” Partly because we know fans are reading this who watch every episode wishing they could Cha Cha or Foxtrot with the best of them.

That’s where Cinema Ballroom comes in. It’s where Twin Cities ballroom fans go for all-things partner dancing lessons.

You’ll find professional instructors, all forms of ballroom, and classes for both social and competitive dance. Cinema also hosts nationally-known guest instructors, including many of the faces featured on Dancing with the Stars.

The thing we love about Cinema is how they meet everyone wherever they are in their dance journey. Everyone who enters the studio starts with a “getting started” consultation. During the meeting, you chat with staff about what you’d like to learn and your dance experience, and then get registered for a class schedule that works for you.

  • Address: 1560 St. Clair Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
  • Website: Cinema Ballroom

Best fitness dance class: Piloxing at Straightline Dance & Fitness Studio

Part Pilates, part boxing, part dance. Piloxing has been around for a few years, but it grew in popularity with Twin Cities exercise dance fans throughout the pandemic.

Bring water and weighted gloves, and get ready to sweat.

The talented team at Straightline will give you a great workout, a supportive environment, and a music-driven challenge.

Best hip hop dance class: House of Dance Twin Cities

The hands-down favorite for Hip Hop classes in the Twin Cities, this is the only dedicated hip-hop studio in the area. The team here is dedicated to being the best in the business and having a premium-class experience.

The official dance studio of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx basketball teams, you know you’re in good hands (and among the best hip-hop artists in the Midwest).

Best folkdance classes: Tapestry Folkdance Center

Since Tapestry Folkdance Center opened in its South Minneapolis home in 1999, this non-profit dance center has hosted some of the most eclectic classes in the Twin Cities. You’ll find traditional instruction and casual dance events for ballroom varieties, English Country, and International Folk classes worldwide.

From Bollywood to traditional contra. From English country dances to swing, you’ll find it all at Tapestry. Open to all skill levels and interests, this is a truly unique dance community you won’t find anywhere else in the Metro.

Best kids dance class: Platinum Dance Center

There’s nothing worse as a parent than forking out a ton of cash to sign up your kid for lessons, only for them to dislike the instructor and refuse to go. It’s why we recommend skipping the frustration and heading to Platinum Dance Center.

All instructors at their Edina and Wayzata locations are nationally licensed and certified as Youth Protection Advocates in Dance. That puts parents at ease that their kids ages 1-18 will be in good hands and receive a balanced, healthy approach to dance.

Platinum also offers recreational and competitive programs, so families can choose classes that meet their needs and kids’ interests.

  • Address: 2 Twin Cities locations
    • 5300 Edina Industrial Blvd STE 300 Edina MN, 55439
    • 3311 County Rd. 101 STE 100 Wayzata, MN 55391
  • Website: Platinum Dance

Best Latin dance class: Duende Dance Studio

In Spanish, “Duende” (dwen-day) means one with a magical spirit, having a soul, or being moved by art.

The spirit of Salsa, Bachata, and Latin Dance runs deep at Duende Dance Studio in St. Louis Park. It caught our eye among all the other Twin Cities options for Latin Dance classes because of its straightforward, no-experience-necessary approach to teaching salsa.

Lessons here are progressive, meaning you can walk in with no prior dance experience and work your way up to social dancing in just a few lessons. No partner is needed, just a clean pair of shoes and an interest in learning these soulful dances.

Best dance class for toddlers: Creative Movement at Spectrum Dance

It takes a unique (and very patient!) instructor to herd a group of 3-year-olds for a choreographed dance class.

The Creative Movement classes at Spectrum Dance Studio in St. Paul consistently rank as “Best of” by Twin Cities parents, in part because their instructors not only have professional dance experience, but many also have child development, psychology, or education experience.

Expect your toddler to get practice with dance fundamentals like ballet and tap, as well as work on child development skills like group socialization, class etiquette, and spatial awareness.

Share on
Subscribe

Don't miss out

on awesome updates around the Twin Cities.
About the Author
Amy

Amy

A rural-Wisconsin transplant, Amy's called Minneapolis & St. Paul her home since 2005. Since then, she's lived and explored all over the Twin Cities, and she can't wait to share her experiences with you!
More like this