Dance programs allow students to pursue their passion while honing their talents. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people who wish to pursue a career in the performing arts. Simply put, talent is not always sufficient.
Because of this, dance programs teach dance techniques. Also, describe the logic underlying certain moves, including how culture has influenced dance.
Teaching dancing to students allows them to appreciate various cultures, meet professionals, and form lifetime friendships. Dance education can be obtained at colleges or performing arts special schools. Read on to find out about the best contemporary dance schools in the world.
The Best Contemporary Dance Schools in the World
The following are the best dance schools in the world:
#1. The Juilliard School
Juilliard dancers are proficient in the language of the moment. With a foundation in classical ballet and modern dance approaches, they imbue structure and discipline in their bodies.
Juilliard, located in New York City, is one of the country’s most prestigious dance schools. It provides a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance program that lasts four years. In a total of 150.5-151.5 credits, the course curriculum offers knowledge on themes such as dance composition, ballet and its techniques, hip hop, ethics, music studies, stagecraft, kinesiology, acting for dancers, and so on.
Students at The Juilliard School are nurtured with the value of becoming a nuanced dancer who is also a versatile performer, with the option of picking from a list of electives like Yoga, Mindfulness, Choreography, and so on.
Robert Battle, a prominent American dancer, and choreographer is also an alumnus of the Juilliard School of Dance. He graduated in 1994 and is currently the artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
$40 gets you into one of the world’s best modern dance companies. Because of the popularity of the studio, the majority of the dance shows are live-streamed.
The Juilliard School of Dance demands that all audience members be completely immunized. You have committed to a full-time bachelor’s program in Fine Arts in order to join the dance studio. The application process necessitates a rigorous auditioning process. Ballet, modern, and classical dance are taught to program participants.
#2. P.A.R.T.S.
The Performing Arts Research and Training Studios (P.A.R.T.S) emphasizes offering in-depth technical training that builds upon the skills of its students in the field of Dance as a member of some of the best dance schools for contemporary dance in the world.
The school, which was founded in Belgium in 1985, follows a curriculum based on the artistic skills of choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and incorporates elements of both theatre and music. P.A.R.T.S. trains its students in two ways: the Training Cycle and the Research STUDIOS.
#3. Folkwang University of the Arts
Folkwang’s Institute of Contemporary Dance and Dance Studio provides artistically and organizationally integrated courses that are inextricably related to its master’s degree programs. Since the university’s inception in 1927, “Folkwang Dance” has grown to embody the brand name of modern kinds of dance.
Among the world’s leading dance schools, the university also offers training programs in Music, Theatre, Design, and Academic Studies. Its Institute of Contemporary Dance provides a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Master of Arts in Dance Composition, as well as minors in Interpretation, Choreography, and Movement Analysis, or Movement Notation. A Master of Arts in Dance Pedagogy is another option.
#4. The Place
With the most thrilling dance environments in the world, The Place is a powerhouse for dance development, leading the way in dance production, training, and performance.
The Place, located in London, provides an extensive range of classes and courses, as well as performance development programs through its various dance schools, such as Richard Alston Dance Company and London Contemporary Dance School, as well as a 288-seat theatre with world-class participatory opportunities for its artists.
Its offerings include vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate, and research studies. The Place has initiated initiatives such as Choreodrome, Work Place, and Pivot Dance in order to strengthen budding talent.
#5. Paris Opera Ballet School – France
This dance school has been ranked as one of the best in the world for the previous three centuries. The Paris Opera School was created in 1713 by King Louis XVI in Paris. It was first designed for adults but later expanded to include young adults and children.
#6.The Royal Ballet School – London – England
The Royal Ballet School of London has been named one of the world’s top three dance schools. Ballet dancer Dame Ninette de Vallois founded the Academy of Choreographic Art.. The school eventually relocated to the Royal Opera House, where it became known by its current name.
#7. New York University, New York
New York University is a well-known name among the world’s finest dance schools. This university provides a distinct modern combination of dance education. It teaches pupils dance, music, body movement to music, and art production. It also has campuses throughout Asia.
#8. Conservatori Superior de Danza
The institute is a world-class performing arts, contemporary and classical dance institution comprised of numerous schools, each specializing in a specific subject. It is the only public institute in Madrid that provides high-quality dance instruction.
CSD, located in Madrid, provides degree programs in Dance Pedagogy as well as Choreography and Dance Interpretation. Its research-based curriculum helps pupils understand the performing arts. To enroll in a prominent dance school program, applicants must pass a test and meet academic prerequisites.
#9. Vaganova School, Russia
Russia is well-known for its dancing schools around the world. Ballet, a well-known dance genre, is very effective. The Imperial Theatrical School was established in 1738.
It had 12 boys and 12 girls when it was founded, and it gained its current name in 1957. The school is named for Agrippina Vaganova, a pivotal figure in the creation of contemporary Russian ballet.
#10. Brent Street School
It has been in business for almost 30 years and is based in Sydney, Australia. It teaches modern classes as well as jazz, hip hop, music, musical theater, and other styles. Many of the dancers who have graduated from this school have gone on to perform in Broadway musicals.
#11. Skidmore College, United States
Skidmore College is one of the greatest dance schools in the world, with two paths to select from Performance/Choreography or Dance Research.
The first track is more of an applied dance degree, where students will study about choreography, dance production, and so on. The other track focuses on the theoretical aspects of dance, including anatomy and kinesiology for dancers.
#12. Brenau University
Brenau University is ranked first among the best dance schools. It features one of the greatest dance departments in the country. The department will equip you to become a professional dancer, scholar, and artist in a supportive learning environment.
This school provides alternatives. You can get your B.A. with a concentration in modern dance, advanced ballet, or jazz/musical theater. Dance pedagogy, as well as pre-occupational and pre-physical therapy, are also choices.
#13. Edith Cowan University, Australia
Their dance curriculum is primarily centered on contemporary dance, with students learning the necessary abilities through performances, classroom practice, and intensive training.
They will not only prepare pupils for physical excellence, but they will also incorporate creativity into the curriculum. Furthermore, the university employs the perspective of dance as an art form as well as an educational insight.
Edith Cowan University is one of the best universities for dance in the world, and it has consistently ranked as the highest public school for undergraduates in Australia, with a 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality that has been consistently awarded to the university for fifteen years, proving its top ranking in the country.
#14. Millennium Dance Complex, United States
The facility, sometimes known as “the spot where it all happens,” is located in the heart of Los Angeles. The studio complex leads Hollywood’s contemporary dance style, setting global trends.
This dancing studio has hosted several celebrities, including Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Kary Perry, Selena Gomez, Justin Timberlake, and others.
Dance classes are also available at the Millennium Dance Complex for adults aged 14 and up. It also has a Certificate Program for intermediate to advanced dancers that last 2-12 months.
The Workstudy Program at the dancing studio allows ambitious dancers of all levels to train for a year. The dance studio complex comprises Orange County, Las Vegas, Denver, Nashville, Salt Lake City, and Miami.
#15. Académie des Arts Chorégraphiques, France
The Academy Of Choreographic Arts is a prominent dance facility in Paris that also offers dancing classes for those interested. The dance studio is well-known for its world-class instructors who specialize in modern contemporary dance.
Académie des Arts Chorégraphiques offers dance classes in their studio for as cheap as €18 per month. A 10-class package is also available for €160 at the dance studio. Because it is contemporary dance, there are no dress requirements.
The dance studio also does not have any prerequisites for its applicants. All you have to do is pay a €20 one-time registration cost and then pay for any further lessons.
#16. Pineapple Dance Studios, United Kingdom
The Pineapple Dance Studios, founded by model and businesswoman Debbie Moore, has a single London facility and is noted for its superb choreography and presentations. David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, One Direction, and many more celebrities have performed at the Pineapple Dance Studios in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Pineapple Dance Studios has classes for adults of all ages. You may easily reserve them ahead of time by utilizing their Pineapple LIVE app. Yoga, stretching, dance skills, ballet, and modern dance techniques are taught in the classes at this dance studio.
#17. 1Million Dance Studio, South Korea
If you’re a BTS fan, 1Million Dance Studio requires little introduction. They are well-known throughout the world for their distinctive contemporary dance choreographies, as well as their dance covers of popular K-Pop songs by BTS. The dance studio also has over 25 million YouTube subscribers, making it a top dance channel on the internet.
To join 1Million Dance Studio, simply register on their website and select a dance class that fits you. The best thing about 1Million Dance Studio is that there is no age limit for joining. Classes are open to everyone, even beginners. They have classes starting as low as $20. You can also purchase reduced bundles of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 dance classes.
#18. Broadway Dance Center, United States
The Broadway Dance Center reigns supreme as one of the world’s best dance studios in the heart of all things art. It demonstrates the talent that shapes global trends. It has taught Britney Spears, Madonna, Elizabeth Berkley, and Jason Samuels Smith.
You can join Broadway Dancing Center, which has programs for students with a variety of dance interests. However, the dance studio is not cheap. Depending on the curriculum, you might anticipate paying anywhere between $2950 and $9000.
For those who are interested, Broadway Dance Center provides a variety of programs. The Independent Training Program is designed for those who cannot commit full-time and lasts three, six, or even one year. For those who want to pursue dancing professionally, a Professional Semester program is available. Both programs require applicants to have prior expertise in contemporary dance.
#19. Canadian Dance Company, Canada
The Canadian Dance Company, just across the Northern border, is well-known for its broad and competitive dance programs. The dancing studio has programs for all levels of dancers. It has programs for competitive dancers, those who want to dance professionally, and those who just want to learn for enjoyment.
It has two locations in Ontario: Oakville and Burlington. The Canadian Dance Company, with its massive dance studios and highly skilled dance instructors, is one of the world’s top dancing studios, making significant contributions to modern contemporary dance.
To join the dance studio, you must first register on their website and then choose your desired training program. Canadian Dance Company also has a number of summer programs available in both of its Ontario facilities.
#20. Dance Energy Studio, Germany
Dance Energy Studio in Lörrach, Germany, has nearly a million YouTube subscribers and produces some of the best choreographies in the world. The studio specializes on modern dance covers of popular songs by Beyonce, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, The Pussycat Dolls, Jennifer Lopez, and other artists.
Every week, the dancing studio also provides more than 30 courses for dancers of various abilities. These courses are open to students ranging in age from 1.5 to 77. The workshops are taught by some of Western Europe’s most accomplished contemporary dancers. Dance Energy Studio charges between €22 and €130 for each 55-minute dance instruction.
If you’re seeking a top dancing studio in Germany, visit Dance Energy Studio’s website and contact their customer service.
#21. Danz People, Singapore
The Danz People dance studio, located in Asia’s tech hub, brightens up the shows in theaters all throughout Singapore. Both modern Western dance and Southeast Asian dance genres are highly emphasized at the studio. Their choreographies are a unique fusion of Eastern and Western movement, form, and intensity.
To join the dance studio, visit Danz People’s website and register for available classes. Hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, street jazz, K-Pop, and other styles are taught in classes. They charge a one-time registration cost of $20 and a class price of $17. Bundles of these classes are available at discounted prices.
#22. Dynamite Studios, Australia
Dynamite Studios, Australia’s top dance studio, creates some of the best modern choreographies in the world. They have a variety of classes for those of you who wish to learn to dance as a beginner or who want to join the ranks of the world’s top dancers.
Dynamic Studios is located in Upper Coomera, Queensland, just outside of Brisbane. All of the dance studio’s students and performers have access to industry-standard dance studios.
#23. Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
Many believe the Vaganova Ballet Academy to be the birthplace of contemporary ballet. As each year of schooling leads to lower and smaller class sizes, this 275-year-old school only lets those deemed to be the absolute finest dancers in their year to graduate.
As a result, just 25 of the 3,000 students who apply to the school at the age of 10 will graduate at the age of 19. Classes for international students, however, are held annually for students aged 16 to 20.
Certain graduating students may be offered opportunities by the Mariinsky Ballet company after graduation. Others find their way to companies all across the world, including the Bolshoi Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.
This institution has an impressive alumni list that includes three of the most influential ballet dancers of all time, Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Anna Pavlova.
#24. Paris Opera Ballet School (Paris, FR)
This school is part of the Paris Opera, the world’s oldest national dance company, and is located in the Paris district of Nanterre. Because of its proximity to the Paris Opera, this 300-year-old institution allows students to immerse themselves in one of the world’s most prominent ballet companies.
The Paris Opera Ballet School graduates approximately 95% of the company’s dancers. The Paris Opera Dance School has alumni who have changed the face of ballet, including Sylvie Guillem and Katherine Higgins, a rising star at the Paris Opera.
Elisabeth Platel, who won the coveted Benois de la Danse ballerina prize in 1999 and has choreographed for George Balanchine, John Neumeier, and Rudolf Nureyev, currently directs the school.
#25. Royal Ballet School (London, EN)
The Royal Ballet School has a long list of prominent alumni, including Dame Margot Fonteyn, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, and Kevin O’Hare, the current director of The Royal Ballet.
This school for 11-19-year-old dancers in London, England, has a reputation for sending its students to some of the most prominent dance companies around the world, including the Royal Ballet in London and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
The Royal Ballet School ensures that its students receive intensive dancing training and outstanding academic preparation since it also houses art studios, computer labs, a physiotherapy treatment facility, and other amenities.
The Royal Ballet School is the only dancing school to have trained four of the thirteen Prima ballerina assoluta recipients: Margot Fonteyn, Eva Evdokimova, Phyllis Spira, and Alessandra Ferri.
#26. Elmhurst Ballet School (Birmingham, EN)
With a tight relationship with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, this school provides its pupils with exclusive access to the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Artistic Director, Carlos Acosta, who has held the role since 2019.
Elmhurst Ballet School students can also expect to work in the Birmingham Hippodrome, one of the finest theaters in the United Kingdom.
The school, which serves students aged 11 to 19, has a cutting-edge campus that includes seven dance studios, a 250-seat studio theater, and a theatrical workshop.
Robert Parker, a former main dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, acts as Artistic Director, providing students with industry supervision. Elmhurst graduates include Dame Merle Park, Melissa Hamilton, Jacqui Chan, and Paul James Rooney, among others.
#27. The Juilliard School (New York, NY)
The Juilliard School’s Dance Division provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perfect their skills in a variety of dance forms, including ballet, hip-hop, tap, contemporary African, various Ballet methods, and more.
Alicia Graf Mack, the program’s director, has danced for Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, Beyoncé, John Legend, Andre 3000, and Alicia Keys. As a result, graduates may be found in virtually every aspect of the international dance scene.
Juilliard graduates range from Carla DeSola, a pioneer in Liturgical Dance, to Rina Schenfeld, Prima Ballerina with the Batsheva dance company, to Daniel Lewis, a contemporary dancer with a background in Yiddish Theater.
Along with Alicia Graf Mack, several Juilliard dance faculty members are working professionals, including Val “Ms. Vee” Ho, who has appeared in numerous films and talk shows, Ray Hesselink, a Broadway tap dancer, and Deborah Wingert, who has danced for both lives and filmed Shakespeare performances.
#28. Fordham University (New York, NY)
Fordham University partners with The Ailey School of Dance to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to combine the best of The Ailey School’s tradition of dance prestige with Fordham’s academic excellence through their Ailey/Fordham dance BFA, which is located near one of the world’s dance epicenters in New York City’s Lincoln Center Area.
Working inside the dance school founded by world-renowned dancer Alvin Ailey, this degree focuses on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the world’s dance approaches, with mandatory study in a variety of dance forms.
Danelle Morgan, a Radio City Rockette, Amy McClendon and Jordan McHenry, two Cirque du Soleil dancers, and other Broadway dancers are all Ailey/Fordham alumni.
Students can become acquainted with the world-renowned Alvin Ailey dance ensemble while training under elite dance professors such as Dance Theatre of Harlem alum Melanie Person.
#29. Tisch School of the Arts (New York, NY)
The BFA in Dance at the Tisch School of the Arts not only offers a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on both the creative and technical aspects of dance, but it also provides students with on-the-ground experience in the types of professional settings that career dancers work in on a daily basis.
The Tisch School of the Arts boasts a one-of-a-kind curriculum that starts with core dance training and progresses to students joining the Second Avenue Dance Company in their final year.
Each summer, students participate in summer residencies that include rigorous training taught by guest dance groups, artists, and practitioners. Sofia Nappi, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE: A Dance Company and David Dorfman Dance will be among the guests at the Tisch summer residency in 2022.
As a result, this program provides students with the opportunity to begin developing the network, experience, and portfolio of a career dancer. It’s little surprise, then, those three recent Tisch alumni were named among the 25 to watch in 2021 by Dance Magazine.
#30. School of American Ballet (New York, NY)
In collaboration with the New York City Ballet, the School of American Ballet chooses kids ages 6 to 18 to receive some of the most prestigious ballet instruction in the world. In addition, 200 kids in that age group will be able to attend summer classes and finish a five-week intensive training program.
The School of the American Ballet is directed by Jonathan Stafford, a former ballet master for the New York City Ballet. Its faculty includes 60-year industry veteran Kay Mazzo and Aesha Ash, a former New York City Ballet soloist and founder of The Swan Dreams Project, an organization that seeks to dispel stereotypes about Black women in ballet. 90% of New York City Ballet performers have graduated from the School of the American Ballet, and noteworthy graduates include Paloma Herrera, Mary Ellen Moylan, and Debra Austin.
#31. Oklahoma City University Ann Lacey School of Dance and Entertainment (Oklahoma City, OK)
This university is a must-see for anyone interested in a career in dance production at any level. This school offers unique chances for students who desire to contribute to the world of dance, with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Dance Performance, Dance Management, American Dance Teaching, and Entertainment Business.
Professor Jo Rowan developed the Ann Lacy School on the premise that American dance art forms such as tap, jazz, and theater dance should be given academic respect.
It was the first university of its kind to teach these dance traditions, and it has long been regarded as one of the top schools in the world for these styles of American dance. Jo Rowan, the program’s and the American Spirit Dance Company’s creator, currently teaches at the Ann Lacy School, allowing students to learn from a pioneer in the field.
#32. The Bolshoi Ballet Academy
This is the last on our list of best contemporary dance schools in the world. Graduates of this program, which is affiliated with the Bolshoi Ballet, have received numerous People’s Artist of the USSR awards, “prima ballerina assoluta,” and “premier dancer” accolades—the greatest honors any dancer can receive in Russia.
The Bolshoi Ballet Academy educates pupils ages 9 to 19. Marina Leonova, a People’s Artist of Russia (the highest honor bestowed upon artists by the Russian Federation), is the current director of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy.
Recent graduates of the institution include MacArthur Fellowship recipient Alexei Ratmansky, who also received a Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for his work with the American Ballet Theatre. Do you have suggestions or questions about the best contemporary dance schools in the world listed above? Please leave a comment below.
