Lena CaldwellWhen I first got into K-Pop, it’d take me hours just to learn a short Tiktok choreography, while my friends, who aren’t even fans, could get the moves in a few sessions. That changed when I stumbled upon a K-Pop themed dance class that inspired me to give it a shot.
As somebody with two left feet, I won’t lie, it was challenging. But the energy, encouragement, and fun had made me come back again and again. Now, it’s a regular thing and I’ve even managed to make new friends.
And it’s not just K-Pop, we mix things up with everything from funky hip-hop to smooth bachata. So if you’re looking to get better at dancing or just want a fun way to get active, read on for our top picks of the best dance studios in Charlotte!
How much do dance studios in Charlotte charge?
In Charlotte, an average dance class typically costs about $10 to 20 for a drop-in session and around $40 to $150 per month for a class package or monthly memberships.
1. First Dance Charlotte
Address: 3626 Country Club Dr
Phone: +1 704-916-9399 or [email protected]
Business hours: Monday to Thursday – 6 PM to 9:30 PM
Just as its name suggests, First Dance specializes in helping couples nail their first dance with lessons by Alex who’s been teaching since 2014.
What we love about Alex’s approach is that she’s patient and diligent, making her well-suited for beginners with no dance experience at all as well as those planning parent dances like Mother-Son or Father-Daughter routines.
We also appreciate her thoughtfully designed lesson plans that make it easier to build confidence and progress quicker. We also found it convenient that she holds both in-person and online lessons, perfect for those with busy schedules but don’t want to miss a session.
That said, it’s worth keeping in mind that Alex is a one-woman-show, so sessions are by appointment only. Hence, you’ll need to get in touch as soon as possible, especially if you have an upcoming wedding.
For those still on the fence, we recommend browsing through her YouTube channel to get a sense of her work.
Flawless and professional
“We had the absolute BEST experience with Alex! We did 5 personal lessons in her home studio, and it was truly incredible from start to finish. Her vibe and knowledge are just unmatched. She made us feel so comfortable even though we had absolutely no idea what we were doing at first! She worked with us so patiently and diligently until we felt confident, and by the end we not only had a beautiful first dance, but also felt flawless and professional for our parent dances too. That last class dedicated to our parents was exactly what we needed! On top of that, the whole process was so much fun it ended up being one of our favorite parts of wedding prep and such a special experience to share as a couple. We can’t recommend Alex enough!”
Amazing dance instructor
“Alex was an amazing dance instructor, providing basic videos for us to practice together before our first session but able to lead us all the way from absolute beginner level with no experience to a stunning first dance for our wedding in only a few lessons! She worked with us and our song choice to create choreography that was both impressive and attainable for our level of dance experience, and that fit our personal style and aesthetics. She also helped choreograph the Father/Daughter dance and it went very well! Would recommend anyone looking for a dance instructor for their wedding dances to check her studio out, and her pricing for the different packages offered is more than reasonable!”
Katerina Bornholm, Google Review
2. RW Latin Dance
Address: 756 Tyvola Rd Suite 734
Phone: +1 704-449-8112
Business hours: Monday to Saturday – 4 PM to 11 PM
RW Latin Dance is led by Rodrigo and Wendy Jimenez who bring extensive experience as both performers and instructors across local and international stages. They cover nearly every Latin dance you can think of, from the Argentine tango to choreographed Quinceañera routines.
Hence, they’re the perfect pick for those looking to practice their footwork and musical timing while having fun.
We also like that they offer a variety of class formats, from drop-in group sessions to private classes, along with fun extras like dance nights and bootcamp events. Plus, they’re open six days a week until late, making it easy to fit a class after school or work.
To boot, we found their rates to be comparable to most adult dance studios in the city. Their drop-in rates usually go for $20 per class with packages starting from $150. However, we were quite bummed that they don’t offer refunds, which could be a drawback if your plans change.
Made us feel comfortable and confident
“I love this dance studio! They really take their time and tailor everything to your schedule and dance needs. Rodrigo and Wendy created a mom and son wedding dance that was easy to remember and made us feel comfortable and confident. Highly recommend them for wedding dances, Sweet Sixteens, or anyone wanting to learn how to dance! 💃🕺”
Super encouraging and great teachers
“Loving the 8 week beginner salsa course. Rodrigo, Wendy, Steven, and Janise are super encouraging and great teachers! I didn’t realize how much fun I would have with this course. Such a fun group of people and environment to learn. 100% recommend!”
3. NC Dance District
Address: 4109 Stuart Andrew Blvd A
Phone: +1 980-938-0213
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6 to 9 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 1 PM
NC Dance District is a high-energy hip-hop dance studio that’s known for their dynamic approach. Rather than traditional classes, it blends professional-level training with performance-like choreography.
But what we love most is their flexible class options, ranging from drop-in sessions to private lessons for weddings, team-building, or special events.
We also especially like that they provide first-time visitor rates that can be used within the week, along with discounted drop-in pricing for those who sign up online.
On top of that, their membership perks are a nice bonus, which include discounted prepaid classes and a free class during birthdays.
All said, we think it’s worth noting that some may find NC Dance District quite fast-paced, especially for beginners without any dance background, as they may need time to catch up.
Plus, their schedule’s quite limited, with classes running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. only on weekends and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Has been AMAZINGGGGG each time
“So far I’ve been here twice and it has been AMAZINGGGGG each time! The instructor is truly a delight. He is positive, all about body confidence and really following what makes you feel good. This place is top tier! I did the beginner hip hop! Love!!!!!”
Had the BEST time
“Had the BEST time at Alex’s class! My mom was in town visiting from Maryland and decided to try the beginner hip hop dance class. Boy was it a blast. Alex even came up to my mom who’s 58 years young & made her feel so comfortable and confident when she almost threw in the towel early. She now says this must be a staple every time she visits. Thank you Alex for a night to remember! Can’t wait for our next class 💃🏻”
4. Midtown Ballroom
Address: 1133 Metropolitan Ave #180
Phone: +1 704-579-6000 or [email protected]
Business hours: Daily – 10 AM to 8 PM
What we appreciate the most about Midtown Ballroom is that they offer a first time dance consultation, allowing interested participants to discuss their goals with the instructor and get a feel if the lesson plan and class structure is for them.
Aside from your usual private lessons and group classes for partner-style dances, they also offer children’s programs which are perfect for young adults who are interested in building a solid foundation in dance and performing arts more seriously.
That said, it’s worth noting that their classes are held in a ballroom studio, which is great for the overall ambiance but also comes with slightly higher pricing.
We also like that there is a dedicated page for information on instructors, perfect for those who like doing their own homework before making a decision.
Although classes are appointment-only, they’re available every day. We also found it helpful that students can opt for individual lessons rather than committing to package deals.
Lessons became such a fun, stress-free time
“We had the best experience with Midtown Ballroom Charlotte! They choreographed our first dance, and it ended up being one of our favorite parts of the whole wedding. Not only did they make us look great on the dance floor, but the lessons became such a fun, stress-free time together during all the craziness of planning. We can’t recommend doing this enough before your big day. Bonus it makes for great photos! Thanks Josh 🫶”
Brittney Lewter, Google Review
A great experience
“Midtown Ballroom is great. We took dance lessons in preparation for our first dance at our wedding and it was a great experience! Our instructor, Emily, was amazing. She is super kind and talented and met us where we were. She coached us and essentially choreographed a wonderful routine to our songs that brought our vision to life. I also appreciated that we could purchase lessons individually instead of having to buy packages. Overall, I would highly recommend.”
5. Open Door Studios
Address: 3706 Central Ave On the corner of Central and, Eastway Dr
Phone: +1 704-817-9281 or [email protected]
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 to 7 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 1 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Living up to its name, Open Door Studios was created with inclusivity at the forefront, regardless of age, skill level, or dance style. That said, there are a wide variety of adult and youth dance and fitness classes designed for both dance education and fun.
Hence, it’s no surprise that they’re a popular pick, whether it’s summer dance camps or group workshops. The only catch is that weekend classes are limited, which can make scheduling a bit tricky.
As for their pricing, we found it fairly standard for the city, with $20 drop-in classes and class cards starting at $125 for 8 classes, valid for up to six months. As for their youth classes, these start at $50 for a 30-minute class, except for ballet which starts at $125 for Ballet I.
We also appreciate that they have a dedicated page for their instructors, allowing those interested to do a bit of research on each teacher and even view their availability.
Dance instruction that is extremely good
“Open Door is top notch!!! Super kind environment combined with dance instruction that is extremely good. They focus on the students and care about their experiences at the studio. The ballet instructors are extremely talented and have resumes that are very impressive from their own professional careers. The owner is so nice and talented too!This is a place where all are welcome. But it’s also a place that trains pre professional ballet dancers with very elite ballet instruction and small class sizes. This is a gem of a school in Charlotte!”
Jennifer Barrett, Google Review
Taught by high quality professionals
“Open Door has been such a blessing for our family. Our dancer has connected with amazing teachers and has had the opportunity to train in a rigorous pre-professional program on a more flexible schedule. We love that she is able to fill in gaps with drop-in classes taught by high quality professionals. Jacque and Jesse are such a bright spot in the dance world. They are so knowledgeable and run the studio with kindness, grace, and integrity. Very thankful for Open Door!”
