Dance lessons can help kids to develop self-confidence, creativity, and a love of moving their bodies. If you’re considering enrolling your child in dance classes, you probably know there are a range of options to choose from, including hip-hop, jazz, tap, and ballet. To help you decide which discipline is best for your child, here is a guide to some of the most popular types of classes.

What Are Some of the Most Popular Dance Class Genres?

1. Tap

A mainstay of French theater and musicals in the early 20th century, tap dancing experienced a resurgence in the 1980s thanks to artists like Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, who brought an innovative, modern edge to the form. It requires coordination, body control, and sense of rhythm, so it’s tough to master, but dedicated students who regularly attend their dance classes find it a fun and rewarding art form.

2. Ballet

When thinking of dance classes for children, the timeless grace of ballet is what comes to mind for many people. Ballet is a very technical form of dance that requires focus and discipline, but provides kids with a creative outlet for expressing powerful ideas and emotions through elegant movements. Classes teach balance, flexibility, and strength, and are best suited to athletic students who like to hone their physical skills.

3. Contemporary

Contemporary dance combines elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance to create a dynamic genre. While these dance classes do provide instruction in the technical aspects of movement, they tend to be more relaxed than disciplines like ballet. More than any other form of dance, contemporary focuses on creative expression and unique interpretation, so they’re recommended for energetic, independent thinkers.

For over 50 years, Joan Garrett Dance Arts Studio in Newark, OH, has been teaching dance classes for children of all ages. Specializing in hip-hop, tap, pointe dance, and jazz, their experienced instructors are dedicated to providing personalized attention to students at all levels, making lessons an enjoyable experience. Follow them on Facebook for updates, or call (740) 344-8789 to enroll your child.