Dance Classes for Kids
Aug 11th, 2008 by Caroline
My five-year-old daughter has been begging me to find a dance class for her. (Her only requirement is that they have performances throughout the year…. such discriminating taste.)
I’m searching for dance classes in Cambridge, and have found many, but would love suggestions if you’ve found a class that you can rave about (or have any comment on the list below).
Here’s my short list:
Katie Dealey (she teaches dance & movement at my daughter’s preschool and they LOVE her) teaches Creative Dance classes ideal for kids who aren’t in school/daycare since they’re both in the morning. In Central Square.
Tuesday 10:00am-11:00am, Ages 2-4, Beginning Parent & Child
Tuesday 11:00am-12:00pm, Ages 3-6, Creative Dance
*Dicki Johnson Macy teaches Duncan Dance on Tuesdays. Parents and kids rave about her classes, inspired by Isadora Duncan. Think Duncan-like tunics and creativity. In Central Square.
*Eve Agush teaches Tap 1 (5-9yrs) and Tap 2 (9-16yrs) on Wednesdays. I’m thinking of enrolling my five-year-old since she’s big into rhythm lately. She focuses on coordination, body alignment, rhythm and age/skills appropriate choreography.
*Gretchen Hayden, of the Chhandika School of Kathak Dance teaches Kathak Classical Indian Dance for Children (girls & boys) on Sundays.
My husband took my daughter to their performance at the Peabody School and they left enthralled. The dancers wear bells on each ankle, and work on their technique, dance and dramatic expression.
Creative Dance and Pre-Ballet offer a non-competitive and fun experience for kids ages 3-7. My then-three-year-old daughter was thrilled Miss Angela’s Wednesday class. This is not the strict ballet class in the recesses of your memory–it’s pure joy. In Harvard Square.
Margaux Skalecki leads Ants in the Pants Yoga & Dance for Kids, a yoga-creative movement-ballet hybrid on Thursdays for 3-5 year olds. In West Cambridge, close to Harvard Square.
Knickin’ it old school here: a chance for your 6-8 year old to try out breakdancing. They also offer the dance staples of ballet and tap. In North Cambridge.
Hey Moms,
Both my daughters (6.5 and 9.5) have taken classes at the Deborah Mason school of Dance. At the end of the year there is a spectacular dance performance that is REALLY fun to watch with hip hop, tap, ballet, modern and much more. The classes are serious but fun and teachers are warm and very friendly.
My puppy is eating the kitty litter so must go!
Thats my pick over all the others…we’ve tried several of the others and Deborah’s is by far the best experiencwe.
Thanks, Nyssa. Following your recommendation, I called the Deborah Morgan School of Dance and they’re having an open house this Friday (8/22) and Saturday (8/23) from 3:00-7:00pm. I was also talking to the sister of a friend of my daughter’s and she put in a good word for DMSD–said she’s taken both ballet and modern dance there for years and LOVES it!