Our guide to dance and gymnastics programs in Manhattan, NYC includes a range of classes and programs for kids, including jazz, ballet, hip hop, pointe, yoga, and elite gymnastics training in NYC.
DANCE
91st Street Academy
316 E. 91st Street
New York
(646) 276-4019
info@91ACADEMY.com
Spend up to 6 exciting weeks developing acting and dance skills, growing in confidence and self-expression, and having lots of fun! Classes offered: Hip-Hop, Jazz and Ballet, Kids’ Yoga, Drama, Music Theatre, and Kids’ Zumba! Morning Session: 3’s, 4’s, 5’s OnStage (3-5 yr olds) 9-11:30am. Afternoon Session: All Stars (1st-8th Grades) 12-3pm.
92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Ave., New York
212-415-5573
Everything they want…everything you need. Day camp for ages 5-14 in a beautiful country setting just 20 minutes from the GW Bridge. Outdoor adventures, environmental explorations, challenge course, zip-line, arts, film, cooking, martial arts, swimming, and much more, all taught by seasoned professionals, artists, musicians, and entertainers! Check out specialized camps in arts, science, filmmaking, fashion, and sports. Camps for special needs are also available. Young campers (3-5 years old) attend in Manhattan at 92Y. Sleep away camp and more are also offered. Convenient pick-ups from a variety of Manhattan locations.
The Ailey School
The Joan Weill Center for Dance
405 W. 55th St.
212-405-9000
The Ailey School’s junior division offers classes for children beginning at age 3. The First Steps and Bounding Boys programs offer an enjoyable introduction to dance, bringing the joy of music and creative movement to young children. The pre-professional program for students ages 7-17, encompasses a broad curriculum of dance classes including Horton, Limón, and Graham-based modern dance techniques, classical ballet, tap, West African, and Spanish dance. Classes are taught by experienced, nurturing dance instructors with extensive experience working with children.
Applause New York City
Home of Rock-n-Roll Babies, Broadway Babies, and Superstars
St. Jean's Community Center, 184 E. 76th St.
New York
212-717-0703
info@applauseny.com
Applause NYC is the number-one rated, highly acclaimed NYC music and drama program for all ages! Classes include Broadway Babies and Rock-n-Roll Babies (ages 4 mos.-3 years), Little Stars (ages 3 and 4 years), Stars (ages 4 and 5 years), Superstars (K-5th Grade), and Applause Weekend Workshops (5th-12th Grades). Applause NYC also does birthday parties for ages 1-12 that include acting, singing, dancing and fun. Don't forget Applause for your next special event! Check out our classes and locations at applauseny.com.
Body & Spirit
Rutgers Presbyterian Church
236 West 73rd St.
212-877-8227 x 212
Join us in celebrating 10 years as the Upper West Side’s best value! Our programs include many dance classes and a fabulous musical theatre workshop offered by a professional staff, as well as our usual classes. This year, our art instructor Cindy Schaffer will also be teaching afterschool programs, in addition to the handprints classes she has taught for years here during the mornings. Take a look at our website for details.
Broadway Arts Factory
DANY Studios, 305 W. 38th St., New York
646-543-2823
Broadway Arts Factory is a 501(c)(3) educational institution dedicated and devoted to the training of musical theatre students between the ages of 11 and 18. Our faculty consists of highly skilled educators who are also successful Broadway performers or members of the Broadway community. This is your chance to study dance, voice, and acting under one roof. Our sliding scale of program fees allows talented students this opportunity no matter what their financial background may be.
Broadway Bound Kids
St. Michael's Church, 225 W. 99th St
New York
917-300-8554
info@broadwayboundkids.net
Belt out show tunes, create scripts, become songwriters, take master classes with Broadway stars, and perform on stage in our stress-free summer programs. Rock out "Glee-style," and become part of a Glee Club in "Gleek Week." Sing, dance, act; create scripts, songs, sets, and costumes in "Create-A-Musical." 4th-9th-Grade performers may audition for the "Broadway Bound Players" musical! Go to broadwayboundskids.net for more information and to register!
City Treehouse
129A W. 20th St (bet. 6th & 7th Avenues), New York
212-255-2050
Drop-in for classes or bring your playgroup for a custom class. Enjoy dance classes presented by Creation Station, yoga presented by Karma Kids, and much more. City Treehouse has been recognized as Best Indoor Playspace by New York magazine, Nickelodeon, and Urban Baby, and offers a nature-themed indoor play area that features the largest indoor water play center in New York City. Drop-in play, parties, and special packages for playgroups and unlimited family play are available. Reservations are recommended.
Downtown Dance Factory
291 Broadway, 5th floor, New York
212-962-1800
Downtown Dance Factory, a comprehensive dance school located in a brand new, multi-studio complex in the heart of Tribeca, offers dance classes to kids aged two through teen in jazz, hip-hop, tap, ballet, and lyrical, as well as musical theater from TADA!. Downtown Dance Factory also offers a popular all-boys hip-hop program. With adult dance classes and dance-themed kids’ birthday parties on the menu as well (think ballet, hip-hop...even breakdance!), Downtown Dance Factory has something for everyone! Register now!
Ellen Robbins Modern Dance Classes for Children and Teenagers
Studio Maestro, 68 W. 48 St
New York
212-254-0286
Modern Dance Classes with Ellen Robbins do what dance is supposed to do: train bodies, enrich minds, set free imaginations. Ellen’s classes include technique, improvisation and composition – the natural outcome of which is performance. At year’s end, students present their own solo compositions and participate in a group work choreographed by Ellen. Each child’s unique talent and personality shines through. Register now for fall classes with New York’s most acclaimed modern dance teacher for children aged 5 through teens.
Greenwich House
224 West 30th Street, Suite 302, New York
212-991-0003
Greenwich House offers a rich, arts-focused curriculum for students ages 3-17 at its After-School, Summer Camp, and Music and Pottery programs. Expert instructors guide children in music, art, dance, and other creative classes, providing a safe, fun environment for learning and growing. Opportunities range from private music instruction and group choral programs (for adults too!) to pottery, cartoon art, and digital photography; select from more than 40 different weekly after-school and Saturday classes. The Music School also presents many free or low-cost concerts and recitals throughout the year.
Hola! A Playgroup in Spanish
917-648-5006
info@holaplaygroup.com
For over eight years, ¡Hola! A Playgroup in Spanish, a unique grass-roots immersion program, continues to expand its programs where children learn to love Spanish because it’s taught in the most fun way. ¡Hola! follows a natural approach to help develop oral skills. Programs focus on a wide repertoire of concepts to build vocabulary and help acquire the correct use phonetics from a native speaker. Classes are taught through use of original and traditional music, movement, games, props and art. Locations in the UES, Chelsea, Flatiron and new on the East Side.
Joffrey Ballet School
434 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd floor, New York
212-254-8520
Joffrey Ballet School transforms passionate dance students into versatile artists, able to collaborate and evolve fluidly in a fast-changing society. We offer a complete program for pre-professional students or trainees, a full curriculum for young dancers, and open classes for professional level and adult beginners. The Joffrey Ballet School provides a positive, nurturing environment for students of all levels and abilities. Programs: Children’s (ages 2½-7), Young Dancer (ages 7-17), Pre-Professional Trainee (ages 14-24), Adult/Open (ages 18-80).
Literacy Takes A Bow - East Side Performing Arts Center
Located at the Gymtime Center, New York
631-624-6824 / 631-624-5107
info@literacytakesabow.com
Be at the center of it all – theatre, dance, singing, creative writing, and performance! ESPAC’s after-school classes for ages 4-16 – Encore! Encore!, A Moving Experience, Play Building, and more – promote self-expression, problem solving, positive energy, and confidence, while allowing kids to explore the arts. Join the ESPAC community for a trimester of creativity and collaborative fun! Free Trial Class! We can even bring an arts program to your school through our innovative in-school program, Literacy Takes a Bow. Visit us online!
New York Chinese Cultural Center
390 Broadway, 2nd floor, New York
212-334-3764
Study Chinese language & culture, make friends & have fun! New York Chinese Cultural Center offers exceedingly fun bilingual classes in language, traditional dance, ballet, Peking opera acrobatics, martial arts, and arts & crafts. Our programs provide social interaction and cultural enrichment in a safe and caring environment for children 3-1/2 years old and up. For more information, visit nychineseculturalcenter.org, or call (212) 334-3764, x102.
Peridance Capezio Center
126 E 13th St, New York
212-505-0886
Rutgers Community Programs
236 W. 73rd St. (at Broadway), New York
212-877-8227 x212
New families, bring your children ages 1-10 to the Rutgers Community Programs FREE Open House, Saturday, September 22, 9:30am-12:30pm. We have Mommy & Me and On My Own playgroups; Ready, Set, Go! preschool alternative for kids aged 3-5; Mandarin; art; dance; movement; soccer; and Curtains Up Playhouse, the musical theater program where kids ages 5-10 act, sing, dance, and design sets for the spring production of “Cinderella!” $25 off a fall class or $100 off Ready, Set, Go! if you attend the Open House. RSVP required.
Salsa Babies (Non-Stop Play)
917-279-2926
info@nonstopplaynyc.com
SALSA BABIES was named "Best Kids Class 2008" by Westchester Magazine! Dance your way back into shape with the best little partner of all...your baby! We will show you how to wear your baby safely and comfortably while you learn popular Latin dances and get your groove back! All levels of fitness and dance experience are welcome; however babies must be at least 6 weeks old. Classes available in the Upper East Side, Midtown West and Tribeca! $120 for a six-week session.
StageCoach Schools
45 E. 81st St.
347-678-8989
330 Smith St, Brooklyn
718-852-3208
Stagecoach is not just for performers, it is for everyone who loves to act, sing and dance for pure enjoyment. Stagecoach helps children grow, at their own speed, into effective human beings. At the same time our caring and talented teachers and principals make sure they keep their feet firmly on the ground. Classes run on Saturday mornings from 10am to 1pm. StageCoach training is training for life!
Star Kidz - NYC
NYC & Westchester locations
914-921-0006
NYC (Upper East Side)
Westchester (White Plains)
Star Kidz is a unique program combining singing, acting, hip-hop, and more, all in one class! Since 2004, we’ve helped hundreds of kids, ages 3-17, learn performance skills and build confidence through fun, motivating classes. Through a carefully designed curriculum, Star Kidz features a staff of New York City-trained instructors who teach technique, develop performance skills, and build confidence for every level and age group, from Broadway hopefuls to those on the shy side. View our online video: starkidzonline.com. Let your child shine!
Third Street Music School Settlement
235 E. 11th St. (at 2nd Avenue), New York
212-777-3240
Located on East 11th Street, Third Street Music School Settlement has been changing lives and its community by providing world-class music and dance instruction since 1894. Serving children and adults ages 0 to 99, Third Street has something for everyone! Early childhood and preschool programs instill a lifelong love of the arts and learning. For older children, teens and adults, individual/group lessons as well as enrichment programs, ensembles, and performances promote skills, achievement, and enthusiasm to all who wish to move along the pathway of excellence in music and dance.
GYMNASTICS
74th St. MAGIC
510 E. 74th St., NY
212-737-2989
74th St. MAGIC offers one of the NYC’s most comprehensive enrichment programs with a wide array of classes in our Mini MAP program (early preschool enrichment), MAP program (preschool alternative classes), and MAGIC program (music, art, gymnastics, and cooking classes). Sharing a building with Epiphany Community Nursery School, children will find state-of-the-art classrooms, a baby gym and a fully equipped, full-size gym, as well as an outdoor rooftop playground. MAGIC offers "gymtastic" birthday parties and an extremely popular Summer Days Camp.
Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex
23rd Street & The Hudson River Park, NYC
212-336-6518
Chelsea Piers is a 28-acre sports village located on three historic Hudson River piers, offering Manhattan’s best sports programming for children ages 12 mos.-17 years. Children enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, including a gymnastics center, rock-climbing wall, indoor soccer fields, basketball courts, batting cages, two indoor ice rinks, high-tech golf driving range, 40-lane bowling center, and Little Athlete Exploration Center. For gymnastics, basketball, soccer, baseball, rock climbing, and other sports programs, call 212-336-6500. For ice skating or hockey programs, call 212-336-6100. For junior golf programs, call 212-336-6400. For bowling, call 212-835-BOWL.
Elliott's Classes
131 W. 86th St., New York
917-517-8721
elliottsgymnastics@gmail.com
Elliott’s Gymnastics Classes is the only New York City kids’ gym that combines movement science with child development theory (CDT) to produce fitness and activity programming for children, from infants to those as old as 14. Our ability to conduct classes, either within a facility or in one of NYC’s parks, demonstrates that fitness is not just about having great apparatus and facilities, but about content and optimal child development. The Elliott's Classes methodology and approach is tried and true, and has been tested over the last 17 years.
Harlem YMCA
181 W. 135th St
New York
212-912-2160
This fall the Harlem YMCA has an exciting array of youth programs and activities including afterschool academic enrichment, guitar and keyboard lessons, sports clinics and leagues, health workshops and fitness training, visual and media arts instruction, dance and martial arts classes, and swimming instruction and leadership activities. We’ve got something for everyone — toddlers, pre-schoolers, school-aged kids and teens. So bring your kid to the Harlem YMCA, the place where kids go to grow…
Jodi's Gym
244 E. 84th St.
212-772-7633
25 Hubbels Drive, Mt. Kisco
914-244-8811
jodgym@aol.com
Jodi's Gym has been providing New York kids the highest level of fun, friends and fitness for 30 years! Their step-by-step, no-fail approach ensures that every child feels a sense of accomplishment. From the tiniest tumblers to advanced gymnasts (ages 9 mos.-12 years), there is something for everyone. They offer mommy-and-me gym, gym and music classes, preschool gymnastics, school-aged gymnastics, Creation Station dance classes, Mad Science, Motion Evolution, special needs gymnastics, summer and holiday-break camps, free member perks, free open playtime, play groups, private lessons, and the best birthday parties ever.
The Little Gym - Harlem
258 St. Nicholas Ave, New York
646-684-4262
Have an awesome birthday bash! We do all the work! There's no better place to celebrate than at The Little Gym of Harlem. The first 60 minutes of your party is spent in our gym, where kids will be engaged in age-appropriate instructor-led games, activities, obstacle courses and periods of free play. The final 30 minutes of celebration is spent in our specially decorated party room, where kids can enjoy cake, drinks and pizza. We handle all of the details for you, from set-up to clean-up!
The Little Gym - New York
2121 Broadway, Bet. 74th & 75th St., 2nd floor, New York
212-799-1225
The Little Gym is an exercise and motor development center for children, offering gymnastic classes, sports skills development, dance, cheerleading, and karate classes for children ages 4 mos. to 12 years, in a loving, non-competitive environment. Qualified instructors implement programs designed to build self-esteem and confidence. An emphasis on music and fun encourages both physical and emotional growth. The Little Gym also offers summer camp, holiday camp, Parent Survival Night, and Awesome Birthday Bashes.
My Gym - UWS
22 W. 66th St., (bet. W. Central Park & 65th Street Transverse)
212-724-3400
My Gym has spent 25 years building children’s self-esteem and nurturing a love of fitness and activity. Gym, yoga, and martial arts classes are offered in our clean, safe and fun environment for children 6 weeks-10 years. Member benefits include unlimited free plays, as well as exclusive savings on parents’ night out, camps, and birthday parties! Whether working on fine motor skills or core strength, we wrap it all up in fun activities, so your child is laughing and smiling while they are learning and developing.
New York Kids Club
6 Fantastic New York Locations!
212-721-4400
Gair Morris, Director of Programming
The New York Kids Club offers children 6 months - 12 years the opportunity to build body awareness and confidence through physically challenging activities including Baby and Toddler tumbling classes, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, and Sports Time. Children explore and express their individuality and tap into their creativity in artistically enriching programs, including music classes, Preschool Musical, and Ballet. The Culinary Institute exposes children to healthy international foods and instills good eating habits. Progressing children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth is at the heart of every program.
Sokol New York
420 E. 71st St (bet. First & York Avenues)
212-861-8206
office@sokolnewyork.org
Our colorful, fully equipped tot gym for children ages 10 months-5 years has participants coming back year after year! This allows each child to build skills and independent movement. Our goal is to teach skills in a positive and playful manner. Our instructors guide each child in small steps, which ensures big success. Fun challenges and skill mastery motivate us to do more! We offer age-appropriate activities on all our equipment. So let’s jump for joy together and build skills to last a lifetime! Program year September 17, 2012-June 7, 2013. Register now.
