5 Best Studios for Dance Classes in Dubai
If you’re thinking of joining a dance class but don’t know where to start, we got you covered. In this article we listed our top picks for studios that offer dance classes in Dubai.
We reviewed the best ones so you know which one probably suits your needs best. Read on to learn more!
How much are dance classes in Dubai?
There are no set prices for dance classes because it would depend on the following:
- The dance studio you choose
- The kind of dance (ballet, jazz, contemporary, etc.)
- Skill level of the class
- Frequency of the class
- Expertise of the instructor
So a lot of factors come into play in the pricing of classes. Although, on average, you can spend around 371 AED for a few sessions.
Where to Get the Best Dance Classes in Dubai
We evaluated the dance studios based on the following criteria:
1. Dance Studios Dubai
1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.2 Intuitive booking process | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
2.1 Experience and credentials | ★★★★★(5/5) |
2.2 Teaching abilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
3. RANGE OF CLASSES | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Dance Studios Dubai specializes in ballroom and social dance. This includes the following dances:
- Salsa
- Bachata
- Samba
- Rumba
- Chacha
- Tango
- Waltz
- Viennese Waltz
They are open to all skill levels, so it doesn’t really matter whether you’re a first-time dancer or a pro. They have a variety of dance programs that can accommodate all levels with instructors that have experience teaching all kinds of students of different levels.
They are very responsive on Whatsapp, so you can message them there for any questions you may have. They are also very warm and friendly when answering your concerns, which is a green flag for the type of environment they have.
As for their pricing, we learned that they usually hold an introductory lesson first that lasts around 45 minutes. In this first session, you’ll meet one of their dance instructors, get acquainted with their dance studio and facilities, and learn about the dance classes they offer.
By the way, the introductory lesson costs 100 AED. After this first lesson, the instructor will recommend which program and package will be best for your needs, skills, and budget.
They offer one-on-one sessions and group sessions for both kids and adults. For professional dancers, they also have dance competitions and showcases.
We found this great because they really guide you and lead you to a program that best suits you. So if you’re a beginner dancer, this can be a strong choice for you.
We took a peek at the instructors’ credentials and we were impressed by their level of expertise and training. They’re all from Ukraine and have extensive experience dancing and coaching.
This shows in their professionalism, talent, and inclusive teaching style, as reported by their students.
But based on the price of the introductory lesson, we see that the cost can get a bit steep. So if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, it might be best to look into other options.
Pros
- Experienced teachers
- Responsive to inquiries
- Caters to all skill levels
Cons
- Fees are on the high side
- Inconsistent operating hours
Student Reviews:
I always look forward to my lessons
Professional studio with only top professional instructors. I always look forward to my lessons and feel great afterward. It is very rewarding to see where I was in dancing and where I am now… huge Thank You to Dance Studios. -Tanya Engvig
Extremely comfortable with the professionalism, friendliness, and dedication of all the teachers
Having been dancing with JLT Dance Studios for a little over 2 years I am extremely comfortable with the professionalism, friendliness and dedication of all the teachers. They are all accomplished dancers themselves who dedicate their lives to dance and it shows! Every class, I have 100% of my teacher’s attention – with a genuine feeling of him wanting to make me the best dancer that I can be – no matter what level I am or what level I am ready for.Janos is not only an amazing dancer however a great teacher who I am very happy and proud to have training me.I have met some lovely students in the studio who have become very good friends.
No matter how young or how old you are when you start (and I am very much the latter!) …dance does something to your inner soul. My dance motto “I dance to express, not to impress”. A very big thank you to Janos and thank you to JLT Dance Studio!”- Tanya Engvig
2. James & Alex Dance Studios
1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.2 Intuitive booking process | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
2.1 Experience and credentials | ★★★★★(5/5) |
2.2 Teaching abilities | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
3. RANGE OF CLASSES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
James and Alex Dance Studios offers classes for different styles of dancing for both children and adults of any skill level. Refer to the list below for the classes they offer:
- Salsa
- Bachata
- Kizomba
- Ballet
- Contemporary
- Hip hop
- Pole fitness
- Zumba
- Swing/Aerial Yoga
They offer classes for four different skill levels (Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate, Advance). So they can accommodate whether it’s your first time to take up dancing or you’re already a professional dancer.
We love the fact that they offer a free demo lesson to first-timers. It’s a great way to see if you’re a good fit for their teaching style.
Students praise the quality of instruction they get at the studio. In our survey, they often mentioned how passionate and patient the teachers are.
A lot of them also noted that the dance studio has helped them improve their skills quickly. They said that the attention to detail and rigor in teaching has helped them get better over time.
They are also very accessible. Based on our experience, they reply to emails almost instantly.
Aside from all this, we also like how this studio is in a convenient location in Concord Tower in Dubai Media City. It’s easy to commute there because it’s right next to the Palm Jumeirah tram station and is a 15 minute walk from the train station.
If you do bring a car, there’s pay parking in the building and meter parking nearby.
Pros
- Free demo lesson
- Good quality of instruction
- Convenient location
- Parking available
Cons
- Closed on Fridays
- Opens late from Sundays to Thursdays
Student Reviews:
This place and the staff are warm, friendly, and helpful
As an ex professional dancer who has been off the floor for some time, I took the plunge and we went to the James and Alex dance studio. Intimidated by my decision I was thrilled to find that this place and the staff are warm and friendly and helpful. I don’t fit into their traditional classes because of my background but they have tailor made a package for me to be able to get back on the floor and learn some new grooves. This is what dance is supposed to be about. Simply enjoying dance and making it accessible for everyone no matter what their level or requirements. One visit and I’m already a firm fan. Very great full for a positive visit. -Trina Mole
Motivates us to be confident and stand out in the dancing
I would highly recommend whoever is a beginner or pro to come and join this fantastic studio. I’ve taken Salsa classes with Isabela and I feel very grateful and lucky to have her as my instructor when I was a beginner. I love her patience and professionalism in the class and she always motivates us to be confident and stand out in the dancing. I can see my big improvements from the beginning until now. She has a bubbly personality so I always feel interested in the class. Most importantly, you can find people in common here and you will definitely love the passion and positive vibes in the studio. There are various dance classes and packages so it’s very cost-effective and it can give you the most options to try and learn different types of dance. Join here! You will grow up super fast and get rid of shyness very soon. -Wenyi Shen
3. MAD: Mad About Dance Dubai
1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.2 Intuitive booking process | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
2. EXPERTISE | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
2.1 Experience and credentials | ★★★☆☆(3/5) |
2.2 Teaching abilities | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
3. RANGE OF CLASSES | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Mad About Dance, simply known as MAD, has been around for over 8 years. Since then, they have taught over 10,000 students and held around 15 different dance programs.
They have two branches, one in Bur Dubai, and another in Greens. We checked both out and they are spacious and fully-furnished, both conducive for productive dance lessons.
They offer a lot of classes for both kids and adults that are mostly catered to beginners. We inquired and these are the classes they are holding currently:
- Bollywood Freestyle (separate classes for kids and adults)
- Gymnastics (kids)
- Hip hop and lyrical (kids)
- Hip hop (adults)
- Bhangra Basics (adults)
- Bollyhop (intermediate)
- Bollywood Fitness and stretches (adults)
- Zumba (adults)
Since their classes are very beginner-friendly, we think that this is a great option for those who just want to be comfortable first with dancing. Based on our experience, they have a very fun, relaxed, and encouraging atmosphere.
Their students rave about the instructors’ professionalism, patience, and good communication. They also mentioned that they loved the 15-minute workout session before class.
They offer group sessions but you can opt for a private session if you want a more focused class. You can even take your friends for a private group session, making for a fun and unique bonding experience.
However, if you’re looking for more rigorous and intensive dance training for professional dancers, it might be best to check out other options in this list.
As for pricing, we found that their classes are affordable compared to competitors. So, this is a great option if you want to enjoy dance classes but are on a limited budget.
One downside is that their site is a bit cluttered and does not contain important information you’ll need, making it inconvenient to learn about their services. It’s a good thing they’re active on their social media platforms, where they regularly post their students’ videos.
They’re also very responsive on Whatsapp. So, you can inquire about their services and book your first trial session there (which is free, by the way).
Pros
- Affordable classes
- Free trial lesson
- Good for first-timers
- Extensive experience
Cons
- Might not be suitable for professional dance training
- Website is difficult to go through
Student Reviews
Instructors and staff have always been very friendly and kind
MAD has been a good place to go and learn dancing. Instructors and staff have always been very friendly and kind compared to other dance studios that I have experienced. I am personally not a great dancer but taking classes in MAD has improved me drastically because of the teaching methods. I would definitely recommend MAD to a lot of people. From beginners to advanced. -Rahul Shetty
My happy place
Mad About Dance (M.A.D.) is my happy place. It offers a wide variety of dance and fitness classes catering to all – men, women and children. I have been totally hooked to its fitness classes (MADX) since the day I joined, and my day is incomplete without it. It lifts my mood and puts a spring in my step each time I attend. MADX has an exercise regime along with a dance routine which focuses on firming up the entire body. It beats attending the gym any day. The instructors – Ankit, Kamal and Kashyap, each one extremely talented, have their own unique style in which they facilitate the classes allotted to them making it fun and energizing with lovely Bollywood song mixes. SWAG beginners class facilitated by Kamal is equally enjoyable with brilliant choreography and is suited to anyone who would want to learn some swanky Bollywood dance moves-even if you have two left feet! If you love Bollywood music and the moves that go along with it, this is the place for you! It is never too late to follow your passion!Thank you, M.A.D for making me ‘mad about dance’ and fitness! Keep spreading the joy and madness! -Benazir Rehman
4. Ric Banks Dance Academy: Bachata, Kizomba, Salsa, Ballroom, Zumba, Belly Dance, Hiphop Dance Classes Dubai
1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.1 Responsiveness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
1.2 Intuitive booking process | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
2.1 Experience and credentials | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
2.2 Teaching abilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
3. RANGE OF CLASSES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Ric Banks Dance Academy has been around for over 3 years, making them a bit younger compared to their competitors. However, we included them on this list because of their impressive track record and established clientele.
They offer a wide range of classes for adults of different skill levels. See the list below:
- Salsa
- Bachata
- Kizomba
- Hip hop
- Ballroom
- Afrobeat
- Swing
- Ballet
- Zumba
We were also pleasantly surprised that aside from dance, they also offer yoga, gymnastics, and karate classes. So this is a great contender if you want to shake things up and try other classes aside from dancing.
However, if you’re looking for dance classes for your kids, they don’t seem to offer them here. You can look into our other options in this list.
Previous students all comment on the instructors’ infectious energy and fun classes. This seems best suited for beginners, so if you’re looking for a more intensive dance program, you might need to check out something else.
As for pricing, we noticed that their group sessions are not that pricey. However the private classes can get a bit expensive, so that’s something to consider with this studio.
Check out their packages below:
Package | Inclusions of the package | Price |
Silver | 4 Private Classes 4 Group Classes | 1000 AED |
Gold | 8 Private Classes 8 Group Classes | 1800 AED |
Platinum | 12 Private Classes 12 Group Classes | 2500 AED |
Group classes | 8 Group Classes | 500 AED |
We tried booking a session on their site and they responded very quickly through email. They also offer to give you a call on Whatsapp for further questions and inquiries.
Pros
- Affordable group sessions
- Wide range of dance styles and activities
- Fun atmosphere
- Responsive
Cons
- Younger compared to competitors
- Fees for private sessions are on the high side
- No classes for kids
- No intensive dance programs for professional dancers
Student Reviews:
Friendly instructors and great energy
Amazing dance studio, wonderful friendly instructors and great energy. The classes are fun, affordable and held in a comfortable and safe environment. Once you join Ric’s Academy, you immediately become part of the dance family. -Zina Komad
The classes are fantastic, our instructor is awesome
My husband and I started salsa classes in January and initially I wasn’t sure if he would enjoy it as he wasn’t as keen as I was. Seven weeks into classes and my husband is more excited about dancing than I am! The classes are fantastic, our instructor Shaahid is AWESOME and I would Def recommend you give it a try with them. Whether you join alone or bring your partner. It’s such a great social atmosphere at their salsa evenings and everyone is so welcoming. Love, love dancing with this academy. -Shaila De Araujo Venter
5. Tempo Dance Center
1. ACCESSIBILITY | ★★☆☆☆(2/5) |
1.1 Responsiveness | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) |
1.2 Intuitive booking process | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) |
2. EXPERTISE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
2.1 Experience and credentials | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
2.2 Teaching abilities | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
3. RANGE OF CLASSES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
4. STUDENT SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Tempo Dance Center is a modern dance school that has been teaching for over 15 years. They have served over 10,000 students since then.
Their extensive experience must be why they have a solid reputation as a dance studio in Dubai.
They cater to both kids and adults of different skill levels and ages. See their list of classes below:
- Ballet (kids and teens)
- Bollywood (kids)
- Salsa
- Tango
- Body isolation
- Dabkeh
- Zumba
- Afrodance
- Belly Dance
- Cardio
- Bachata
- Kizomba
They have a wide range of classes that you can choose from that can accommodate beginners or intermediate dancers. They don’t have a set intensive dance program for professional dancers, though.
However, since they offer customizable classes, there can still be personalized options here for professional dancers. You just need to coordinate with the dance school.
The students rave about the highly customizable classes according to your own schedule, needs, and goals. This is perfect if you already know your specific goals and training needs.
Their teachers also strike us as well-trained and credible, and most of them have even won dancing competitions globally. During our trial class with them, we saw how efficient their instruction is and how passionate they are in what they do.
The atmosphere is also very vibrant and friendly too, which is the perfect learning environment for beginners.
A downside is their booking system on their website, though: it’s a bit outdated and they don’t respond quickly there. It might be best to give them a call directly for inquiries and signing up for classes.
Pros
- Highly customizable classes
- Wide range of classes and styles
- Experienced and professional teachers
- Over 15 years of experience
- Open 7 days a week
Cons
- Booking system not intuitive
- No set intensive dance programs for professional dancers
Student Reviews:
The instructors are so friendly, professional, and honest
Best dance school, the instructors are so friendly, professional and honest. The most important thing is that the administration follows up with the students weekly. The educational program between private and group classes are effective and further on can be individually adjusted to achieve the highest possible progress in a short time, improve and develop the dancing skills.
Best fun place on Thursdays! -Elisabeth Abou Samra
The teachers are wonderful and the programme is really nice
I love Tempo! I danced there for two and a half years and only stopped because I left Dubai! The teachers are wonderful and the programme is really nice with the private and group classes. The week ends with a social dance party every Thursday, which is a lot of fun and gets packed with dancers from all over Dubai. I definitely recommend Tempo!! -Rima Alsammarae
How do I pick the best dance studio?
With an array of different dance studios, it can be hard to pick the right one for you. So we listed things you have to consider when choosing where to have your dance classes.
Your experience and skill level
Different dance studios have different areas of expertise. Some offer a lot of options for beginners, while some excel at training professional dancers for competitions.
Knowing your current skill level and goals can help you determine which one can give you exactly the environment and training you need.
Your budget
Dance classes costs can get pricey, so it’s best to find the studio where you can get the most value for your money. Once you have finalized your list of possible dance studios, inquire and ask about their prices.
From there you can compare and contrast and check where you’ll get the best deal that is within your budget.
The Studio’s track record and expertise
If this is going to be a long term investment, you have to make sure that you are getting the best dance training and support you can get. Check out the studios’ track record and the credentials of their dance teachers.
Referrals and reviews
Lastly, referrals and online reviews can give you insight into the first-hand experience of the students. It can show you what kind of atmosphere and environment the dance studio has.
Although every student is different, reviews can paint a picture of how it feels like to take classes in that dance studio. This can help you ascertain whether it’s the right one for you or not based on your needs and preference.
FAQs about Dance Classes in Dubai
There you go, guide to the best dancing schools that offer dance classes in Dubai. We hope we were able to help you determine the best one for your needs and budget.
Did we miss out on any good dance studios? Let us know your experience through the comments.
By the way, here are articles on other classes and services you can find in Dubai that you may be interested in too: