Maya RichardsonStepping into a dance studio can feel intimidating, whether you are a parent signing up your child or an adult trying something new for the first time. I still remember lacing up my first pair of jazz shoes and feeling completely out of place.
That’s why finding the right environment matters so much. A welcoming studio with supportive instructors can make the learning process feel exciting instead of overwhelming, no matter your experience level.
To help narrow down the options, wee looked into the best dance classes in Columbus across a variety of styles, from high-energy hip hop to elegant ballroom.
This guide highlights the local studios that stand out for their instruction, atmosphere, and ability to help students build confidence on the dance floor.
How much does it cost to join a dance class in Columbus?
The cost of joining a dance class in Columbus varies depending on the number of classes you’ll attend and the type of instruction. Monthly tuition for weekly youth sessions typically ranges from $40 to over $160, while adult drop-in rates generally sit around $14 to $16 per session.
| Service Type | Estimated Cost |
| Monthly Tuition (Youth/Weekly) | $40 – $160+ |
| Adult Drop-in Class | $14 – $16 |
| Adult 10-Class Package | $100 – $120 |
| Private Lessons | $35 (Intro) – $50+ |
| Annual Registration Fee | ~$25 |
1. Oyo Dance Company
Website: https://www.facebook.com/OyoDanceCompany
Address: 2000 S High St Ste B240, Columbus, OH 43207, United States
Contact: (614) 253-6683 / [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Friday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Oyo Dance Company is a professional dance company in Columbus, Ohio, whose Children & Youth Dance Program is now taught and fostered by Oyo, the professional company in residence at Inspiration To Movement. The program offers an inclusive and welcoming environment where young dancers can develop strong technical foundations, artistry, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for dance.
Unlike traditional recital-focused programs, Oyo’s Children & Youth Dance Program is non-recital based, allowing students to focus on meaningful dancer education rather than simply learning choreography for an annual performance. Students aged 10 and older also have the opportunity to audition for Oyo’s annual family production, providing an optional pathway into professional-style performance.
A major strength of the program is its emphasis on specialized dance training. Students can develop their skills through Vaganova (Russian) ballet technique, Graham and Horton techniques for Modern dance, as well as Ballroom dance, giving them exposure to established approaches across multiple disciplines.
The program also offers Youth Pilates starting at age 10, providing dancers with an opportunity to complement their dance training through cross-training. The class is designed to support physical development and help prevent injuries, making it a useful addition for students who want to build strength and body awareness alongside their technique.
All classes are taught by professional dancers with years of experience, giving students the opportunity to learn from instructors with practical knowledge of the discipline. This professional guidance supports Oyo’s goal of developing dancers who understand not only how to execute movement, but also how to approach it with intention, artistry, and technical discipline.
Another notable advantage is the program’s welcoming approach to students with different interests, abilities, and levels of experience. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Oyo encourages young dancers to explore movement and artistic expression while building the skills and confidence needed to progress.
Overall, Oyo Dance Company offers a strong option for families seeking professional, technique-focused dance education rather than a conventional recital-based studio experience. Its combination of specialized training, professional instructors, optional performance opportunities, Youth Pilates, and an inclusive environment makes it particularly appealing to students who want to develop as well-rounded dancers.
Customer Reviews:
The company is profesional
Good place and also good school for kids in ballet, ballroom, and Latin dance The company is profesional, They have a lot show in Columbus
- Cornejo Alexander, Facebook Review
The care and dedication shown to the personal growth and development
Oyo Dance Company brings a potent and multifaceted message of hope to the arts and dance communities in Columbus. With a culture that’s exceptionally and intentionally body-positive, many dancers have come into Oyo and thrived, having perhaps been limited in the past by their own thoughts and experiences, or by teachers who told them they “didn’t fit the mould.” The care and dedication shown to the personal growth and development of each dancer is remarkable. Under Rachel Nace Maynard’s direction, many have taken their skills and artistry to levels of which they had previously only dreamed. Rachel’s knowledge of the body and its faculties, her lifelong study of many styles of dance, along with her own process of rehabilitation from injuries and restoration to professional dancing allow her to create a culture and environment of artistic excellence and diverse presentation.
- Adam Maynard, Facebook Review
2. Artisan Dance Studio
Website: http://www.artisandancestudio.com/
Address: 4140 Indianola Ave
Contact: (614) 824-5503 / [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Finding a dance studio that works for your whole family is not easy. However, Artisan Dance Studio stands out because they offer great programs for both toddlers and adults.
Their staff is highly trained and uses a structured plan to ensure everyone learns correctly.
We recently talked to one of our colleagues who signed up here. She loved the adult series because it made her feel comfortable right away.
She also mentioned that their clear leveling system takes away the fear of being a beginner.
One thing to note is that adult classes are mostly held in the evenings or on Saturday mornings. This might be hard if you work at night and need a daytime class.
Even with this limitation, the high-quality performance opportunities make it a wonderful place to learn dance in Columbus.
Customer Reviews:
This studio is a true gem
I have taken adult dance classes at Artisan Dance Studio for almost 8 years and I cannot recommend this place enough! This is a supportive, welcoming, and positive environment for dancers of all ages and levels. The teachers are passionate and very knowledgeable about dance. I look forward to taking class here every week—this is my safe space and I could not ask for a better place to dance. This studio is a true gem and we are lucky to have to have it here in Columbus!
- Amanda Kyle | Google Review
I am so thankful
I have been at Artisan now for almost 6 years. After taking a 17 year hiatus away from ballet, I am so thankful that I found such a wonderful place to start dancing again. For adult dancers, you won’t find a place in central Ohio that offers such a wide array of dance styles and levels, there truly is something for everyone. I’ve even had the opportunity to perform on stage again, which was something I didn’t think would ever happen.
- Erica Borstelman | Google Review
3. Columbus Northwest Dance Studio
Website: http://columbusnorthwestdancestudio.com/
Address: 1089 Bethel Rd
Contact: (614) 459-8079
Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Starting ballroom dance takes a lot of confidence. Columbus Northwest Dance Studio helps by offering a unique guarantee where they will replace any lesson you did not enjoy for free.
They follow the well-known Fred Astaire curriculum, using a mix of private and group lessons to help students build confidence and prepare for real social dance settings.
Much like taking piano lessons, ballroom dancing takes patience, repetition, and consistent practice. That’s why we appreciate that their certified instructors do a good job of guiding students through that process step by step.
The studio is also a strong option for anyone interested in regional dance competitions, thanks to its structured training approach.
That said, they are closed on weekends, which can make scheduling difficult for people with busy weekday routines.
They also focus entirely on partner dancing, so anyone looking for solo styles like jazz or hip-hop will need to explore other studios instead.
Customer Reviews:
Enthusiastic, friendly and patient instructor
My daughter and I are dancing to “Fall on Me” at her wedding. Instructor Sarah gets 5 stars from this old codger. She custom choreographed a beautiful waltz that perfectly fit the music, the lyrics and the occasion. We always left smiling. I can’t image a more enthusiastic, friendly and patient instructor. Prior to our lessons, I did not know how to do a single dance step. Thanks Sarah!!!
- Barne Blessed | Google Review
Cannot recommend enough!
We used Fred Astaire dance studio to choreograph our first dance of our wedding. Our instructor was William. He took two guys who had never had experience with dancing, and made a complete hit out of our first dance! Cannot recommend enough!
- Kyle Cannole | Google Review
4. Dance E.L.I.T.E Performance Academy
Website: http://www.danceelitecolumbus.com/
Address: 5720 Westbourne Ave
Contact: (614) 604-9597
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Parents looking for a place that builds character and skill will love Dance E.L.I.T.E Performance Academy. They focus on turning beginners into great leaders through a very clear plan.
Their hip-hop routines require a lot of coordination and control, much like the focus and breath discipline involved in singing lessons.
The studio also makes things easier for parents by including recital costumes in the fees, which removes a lot of extra planning and unexpected costs.
Students on the competitive team do need to attend a mandatory summer intensive, though. That can be difficult to balance with family vacations or other summer activities.
Even with that commitment, the academy still stands out for its supportive community atmosphere and the many opportunities students get to perform publicly and build confidence.
Customer Reviews:
DEPA has been a fantastic experience
DEPA has been a fantastic experience for our daughter. She is learning and growing so much as a dancer since she has been there. DEPA is a warm and caring environment that not only develops wonderful dancers, but also helps students gain skills and confidence to succeed in life.
- Aisha E | Google Review
The instructors and director are incredible
Dance ELITE is a wonderfully ran, incredibly organized dance studio. They offer a wide range of classes and levels to suit anyone’s taste. It definitely has a family feel and I would recommend them 10 times out of 10. The instructors and director are incredible and you will not be disappointed! My daughter has been dancing here for a couple of years and she absolutely loves it.
- Makielia Musick | Google Review
5. Columbus Dance Theatre
Website: http://www.columbusdancetheatre.com/
Address: 592 E Main St
Contact: (614) 849-0227 / [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Columbus Dance Theatre is a great fit for aspiring classical performers who want serious, career-focused training.
Because the studio also operates as a professional ballet company, students train in the same environment as working dancers. They also get hands-on exposure to the realities of stage performance.
They even use an in-house black box theatre, which gives students experience with stage lighting and production elements alongside their dance training.
The programs are designed to prepare students for professional careers, with classes that also encourage original choreography to help dancers develop their own artistic voice.
That said, the advanced tracks require a major weekly time commitment, so it may feel overwhelming for someone simply looking for a casual hobby.
The studio also focuses specifically on concert dance, meaning commercial styles are not part of the curriculum.
Customer Reviews:
This place is amazing
This place is amazing. The children are all joyful. You can tell they love to dance and not just doing because of the parents. You must try this place to view new dancers or if you have a child who loves dance. The instructor is awesome.its amazing to watch these children grow in the talent they love. The instructor pushes them to reach and surpass the limits the children thought they had, opening their eyes that they are capable of more than you know and more than the believe.
- Jon B | Google Review
6. Dance Edge
Website: http://www.mydanceedge.com/
Address: 7400 Dublin Rd, New Albany
Contact: (614) 321-2348 / [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Dance Edge does a great job of making new students feel comfortable from the start. Their structured teaching system guides dancers from beginner to advanced levels, helping build a solid foundation across different Latin dance styles.
One thing that really stands out is how welcoming they are to solo dancers. You don’t need to bring a partner to participate, which makes getting started much less intimidating.
When we attended an introductory session recently, we also appreciated how flexible the instruction felt. Students we spoke with shared that their private lessons were also adjusted to match their learning pace instead of following a rigid format.
The main thing to watch out for is their cancellation policy. They require at least 24 hours’ notice for changes, and missing that window means you will still be charged the full lesson fee.
Customer Reviews:
Love the atmosphere and the teachers
This is a wonderful place to learn and grow in skill. The lessons are almost always introductory and skilled dancers are present and always willing to help. Love the atmosphere and the teachers. Several styles of dance are available to learn. Traditional ballroom, country, and Latin as starters.
- Dustin Serrick | Google Review
Maya was amazing!
My fiance and I had Maya for our wedding dance lessons, and she was amazing! She made us feel so comfortable. We also told her ahead of time that we were only planning on doing two lessons – she never pressured us to book more than we wanted & really fit a lot into both lessons which made us feel like we got our money’s worth. She was very knowledgeable and we would definitely recommend going here!
- Sydney Speer | Google Review
