Ballroom dancing’s got a new-and-improved rep among kids, and NYC studios are taking note.
By Gena Hymowech
Pierre Dulaine Dance Club
We’ve got great news for youngsters who haven’t experienced Pierre Dulaine’s Dancing Classrooms program in school or participated in Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing Family Dance, which the dance instructor leads: Starting March 10, Dulaine’s famed studio is offering 9- to 14- year-olds beginning ballroom lessons. Classes will culminate in an end-of-semester parent-child tea dance.
25 W. 31st Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, fourth floor
(212-244-8400).
Mambo Unico
Mambo Unico teaches kids salsa, mambo and cha-cha in a challenging mixed-level class. Here, students ages 5 to 14 learn to dance New York style “on two” (it’s a beat thing). Children in the program have occasional performance opportunities.
American Physique, 1661 Weirfield St between Cypress and Wyckoff Aves, Ridgewood, Queens (917-698-2984).
Young Dancers in Repertory
Created in 1985 as a touring ensemble, Young Dancers began offering classes to the public in 1992. In February, YDR started beginner’s salsa for children (ages 9 to 14). The course includes those three all-important Ts—twisting, turning and Tito.
Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, 345 Ovington Avenue between Third and Fourth Aves, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (718-567-9620).
DanceSport
It’s hard not to be intimidated by the photos of dance legends on the walls at DanceSport. But kids shouldn’t feel nervous. Raluca Georgiana—who teaches beginner’s salsa to kids ages seven and up and the more advanced multidisciplinary class for teens—makes learning a breeze. She’s even gotten kids to waltz.
1845 Braodway at 60th St, second flor (212-307-1111).
Jo-Lee Dance and Performing Arts Studio
In this school’s exciting new swing class, kids over age six will learn the history of the form, along with how to jitterbug. Instructor Susan Jones hopes to give her students opportunities to meet swing-era dancers.
541 West 145th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway (212-283-1359).
