Watch CBS News

Top Dance Classes For Kids In South Florida

A dancer's life starts early with children donning tutus at the age of two. It's not always clear who will be playing and who will be a prima ballerina, but the great thing about childhood is that children can explore their gifts in a safe environment. South Florida has its share of dance schools from beginner to advanced designed to open your child's mind and enhance their ability. There is no right school, only the right school for your child's development. So view this list, in no particular order, of South Florida's finest dance classes and set your child on a creative course that could carry them into adulthood.
Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Miami Dance and Music Academy
8761 S.W. 24th St.
Miami, FL 33165
(305) 229-0806
www.mdmacademy.com

Miami Dance and Music Academy is the perfect place for parents to get a sneak peek at their child's progress. The 6,000-square-foot studio houses several dance studios with a one-way mirror so parents can monitor their children's progress or watch TV in the lobby as they wait. Children from ages three and up can participate in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, pointe, modern, flamenco, acrobatics and kindergarten dance. Fees are based on frequency of visits but the serious dance student can attend up to six hours per week, making these classes great for students who want to learn several disciplines, grow as a dancer or just have fun with a new experience.

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Meg Segreto's Dance Centre
11336 State Road 84
Davie, FL 33325
(954) 476-6612
www.megsegretosdancecentre.com

Meg Segreto's Dance Centre is a fun, friendly environment focused on turning your child into the best dancer he or she can be. Class selection is determined by age and skill level, with ages three to five learning ballet and tap while older children graduate to tap, jazz, classical ballet, hip hop, modern and lyrical dances. Advanced dancers are hand selected by the studio for the Perpetual Motion Dance Team where members compete locally and nationally in dance competitions and community performances, sometimes including a Disney World performance. Tuition is paid yearly with costumes and recitals requiring an additional fee but it's well worth the money for an opportunity to discipline your child without damaging their confidence.

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Stars Dance Studio
3800 S.W. 137th Ave.
Miami, FL 33175
(305) 485-7827
www.starsdancestudiomiami.com

If you've ever watched "Dance Moms" on Lifetime, you know that the curriculum will produce amazing, world class dancers by any means necessary. Star Dance Studio was the subject of the now cancelled "Dance Moms: Miami," and even though it had two great instructors, one of which was a finalist on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," the show was filled with parental drama. Often times, reality shows create drama to attain higher viewership so it's possible that your child could be entering a highly disciplined, drama-free environment, but parents should be aware that only career-driven dancers should attend these classes and children should be comfortable wearing more adult dance attire. Classes include contemporary, ballet-pointe, lyrical and jazz from tikes to teens.

Related: Top Dance Studios In Miami

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Broadway Kids Studio
9042 W. State Road
Davie, FL 33324
(954) 693-7500
www.broadwaykidsstudio.com

Broadway Kids Studio is South Florida's version of "Fame," rapidly expanding from 1,600 square feet in 2008 to over 7,000 square feet with its upcoming expansion. The facility houses a fully functioning black box theater, a recording studio, a piano studio, an instrument studio and one of three planned dance studios. Classes are flexible with after-school, group and private lessons available and dance students ages two to 18 can study jazz, hip hop, ballet, tap and acrobatics along with choir, acting, musical theater and improvisation. Demand for this program is high and hopefuls are usually wait listed so act fast if you have a multi-talented child who has a shot at the big time.

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Weston Dance Academy
16646 Saddle Club Road
Weston, FL 33326
(954) 217-5858
www.westondanceacademy.com

Dancers ages 2.5 to adults of all skill levels are welcome at the Weston Dance Academy. It's a family owned and operated facility that teaches ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical jazz, broadway jazz, hip hop, tumbling, flamenco, salsa, pilates, belly dancing, aerial silk and musical theater. Advanced dancers can audition for the Acceleration and Excel Dance Companies and represent the school in community performances, but mainly this is just a place to have fun. Serious dancers can begin here but they might require a more advanced program to develop their skills.

Related: Best Theater Groups For Kids In South Florida

Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.