The 10 best dance studios in Charlotte
Charlotte’s dance studios include a school that opened in 1956 and is now in season 71, a ballet school founded in 1968, an Irish dance academy, and a Latin dance company and ballroom studios where no partner is needed. This list covers 10 dance studios in Charlotte, from Uptown to Steele Creek, and five of them also teach in nearby towns such as Cornelius, Harrisburg and Indian Trail. Classes start with children as young as 2, and a single adult drop-in class starts at $18. The list is for parents choosing a first class, adults who want to learn ballroom or salsa, and competitive dancers. Entries are listed alphabetically, not ranked.
How we chose
Each studio showed 2026 activity: a 2026-27 class schedule or tuition guide, a dated late-2026 event or performance, a live booking calendar with November 2026 classes or, for one studio, website updates in October 2026. Picks are based on training history and faculty as each studio lists them, the styles and ages taught, posted tuition and drop-in prices, and coverage from WFAE and WBTV. The list mixes children’s schools with adult ballroom and Latin studios. Studios whose websites could not be read or showed no 2026 activity were left out. One studio is part of a national franchise. No studio paid to be included.
Carolina Dance Academy
Artistic director Jessica Salas founded this Steele Creek studio in 2000 and still owns the academy, which teaches ages 3 and up in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop and acrobatics. Monthly tuition is all-inclusive, covering classes, recital costumes, recital admission for family and guests and a recital video download, and the CDA Company team competes at local, regional and national events.
Why we chose them
- Primary ballet for 3-year-olds is $100 a month on Monday afternoons.
- The Trio Combo of ballet, tap and jazz for ages 7 to 9 is $135 a month.
- Hip-hop is $110 a month, with a beginner class for ages 6 to 9 on Wednesdays.
- Registration is $65 per family, and add-on classes drop to $65 a month.
- Families buy their own dancewear and shoes, since recital costumes are covered.
Address: Charlotte (Steele Creek) — 13902 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Franchisee and owner Jennifer DeSantis has been with Arthur Murray for more than 20 years, and Mark DeSantis’s bio says he is in his 37th year with the organization and is certified as an adjudicator with the World Professional Dance Teacher’s Association. The studio teaches ballroom, Latin, beach, nightclub, Western and wedding dances through private lessons, small group lessons and practice sessions.
Why we chose them
- New students start with an introductory sample lesson, for singles or couples.
- Arthur’s Kids Dance Program serves children ages 5 to 15.
- Lessons run on weekdays only, from 1 to 9 p.m.
- A sister studio serves Lake Norman from North Cove Road in Cornelius.
- The sample-lesson form asks for two preferred times, and the studio calls to confirm.
Address: Charlotte (south Charlotte) — 8700 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 800
Charlotte Ballet Academy
The school of Charlotte Ballet began in 1993 as Dance Place, the official school of North Carolina Dance Theatre, and took the Charlotte Ballet Academy name in 2014. Classes meet at the Center for Dance Uptown and at two satellite sites, and the Preparatory Division starts children at age 3 with Creative Movement, then Pre-Ballet and Tap and Beginning Ballet and Tap.
Why we chose them
- Adult drop-in classes are $18 for ages 14 and up, and Fundamentals classes need little or no experience.
- Creative Movement for 2026-27 is $890 in tuition plus $195 in registration fees.
- The pre-professional program is by audition only and runs year-round.
- WBTV’s QC Life featured the adult drop-in classes in January 2026.
- Park free in the gravel lot behind the building when space allows, and pre-register for drop-ins.
Address: Charlotte (Uptown) — 701 N. Tryon St., with classes in south Charlotte and Cornelius
Charlotte School of Ballet
Gay Porter founded this classical ballet school in 1968 and is still artistic director, and the school is the home studio of the Charlotte Youth Ballet, which she also founded. Training starts with the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and moves into the Cecchetti method, with tap, jazz, modern and hip-hop on the schedule too. Bridget Porter Young is assistant artistic director.
Why we chose them
- Adult ballet is $87 a month for one weekly class, after a $70 registration fee.
- Adults can also buy a 10-class card for $175 or a 20-class card for $300.
- New students may need a placement meeting, and trial classes can be requested online.
- Missed classes can be made up within 30 days.
- Weather closures don’t necessarily follow the CMS schedule, so call the studio.
Address: Charlotte (Cotswold area) — 627 S. Sharon Amity Road
Jami Masters School of Dance
Established in 1989, this noncompetitive school teaches dancers from age 2 through adults in two spaces in the same shopping center, On Park and the original Backlot, and the 2026-27 season is the school’s 38th. Jami Masters heads the faculty list, and the dance year runs September to May, with spring concerts in June and a company chosen by audition each year.
Why we chose them
- Monthly tuition runs $70 for a 25-minute weekly class to $110 for an 85-minute class.
- Adult drop-ins are $25 each or $225 for 10, with daytime ballet, tap and stretch.
- Yearly fees include $80 registration and a $95 recital package.
- Holiday performances run December 11 to 13, 2026.
- The studio closes November 25 to 29 for Thanksgiving and December 21 to January 3.
Address: Charlotte (Park Road) — 4201 Park Road and 530 Brandywine Road, Park Road Shopping Center
Midtown Ballroom
Founder and owner Erica Millarc, a native of Argentina, competed in the International Standard division, according to the studio’s bio, and the teaching staff comes from Serbia, Ukraine, Colombia, Cuba, South Africa and beyond. Lessons cover Latin, ballroom, social, country and line dances for every level, and no partner is needed. Lessons run seven days a week by appointment.
Why we chose them
- A first-time consultation is $50, with a few basic steps and goal-setting.
- A five-week Cha Cha series starts November 18, 2026, at $125 a person or $240 a couple.
- The event calendar includes a Holiday Party on December 4, 2026.
- The studio works with a nonprofit that gives free lessons to people with disabilities.
- Call between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to book.
Address: Charlotte (Midtown) — 1133 Metropolitan Ave., Suite 180
Miss Donna’s School of Dancing
Donna Mitzel opened her first studio with 100 students in September 1956 while a student at Queens College, and Miss Donna’s counts the 2026-27 season as year 71. Four studios now serve the metro, with 32 instructors teaching ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop to recreational students ages 2 to 17, and daughter Shannon directs the recreational program.
Why we chose them
- Two siblings get $15 off tuition; with three or more, one child dances free.
- Competition teams audition in August and compete at four regional events plus a national.
- Beginner tap and ballet for ages 3 and 4 meets at Sardis on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
- Parents can watch the last 10 minutes of the final lesson each month.
- Call 704-847-3322 for openings; late registration is still accepted.
Address: Charlotte (southeast Charlotte) — 1707 Sardis Road North, with studios in Harrisburg, Indian Trail and the Long Creek area of northwest Charlotte
The Reid Academy
Founder Stacie Greiner-Reid earned her TCRG Irish dance teaching certification in 2011 and her ADCRG adjudicator certification in 2019, and the school, formerly Connick-Reid Academy, teaches children from age 3 through championship level. In October 2026 the academy co-hosted a two-day fall feis at a University City hotel, with judges from five states. Teacher Kelly Gallagher toured with Lord of the Dance from 2009 to 2013.
Why we chose them
- Charlotte classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, with beginners ages 3 to 6 on Thursdays at 4:15 p.m.
- Free trial classes are capped at four spots a session, so sign up early.
- Dancers perform each year in the Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
- The academy held grade exams on October 16, 2026, the day before the feis.
Address: Charlotte (LoSo) — 4109 Stuart Andrew Blvd., with a second studio in Cornelius
Rumbao Latin Dance Company
Five Charlotte Latin dancers formed this company in March 2013, and the name blends rumba and tumbao, the beat that On2 salsa follows. WFAE reported in July 2025 that Rumbao and a Brazilian arts group opened a shared studio off North Tryon Street. Classes cover salsa, bachata, Brazilian zouk, cha-cha, merengue and tango, and no partner is needed.
Why we chose them
- Beginner semesters cover Salsa On2 at 7 p.m. and bachata at 8 p.m., on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Drop-ins aren’t allowed after the first two classes of a semester.
- The kids program runs from Little Movers, ages 4 to 7, to a teen class, at $69.99 a month.
- A monthly Noche de Sabor social includes a Black Friday edition on November 27, 2026.
- Classes meet at more than one location, so check each class listing before going.
Address: Charlotte (Monroe Road) — 4418 Monroe Road, with semester and kids classes at 901-B N. Tryon St.
Steps N Motion Dance Studio
Owner and director Sabrina LeClair runs this studio, established in 1981, which now has three locations, including The Fountains Studio in south Charlotte. Classes run from Dance Preview for 2-year-olds through adults, with adult hip-hop and tap on the fall schedule, and preschool hip-hop uses the Ready Set Dance curriculum. Registration for the 2026-27 season opened in May.
Why we chose them
- Tumbling classes are capped at 14 students, or 12 at Indian Land.
- New students can book a free trial class online.
- Tumbling students need a teacher’s permission to take a class outside their age group.
- The other two studios are in Wesley Chapel and Indian Land, S.C.
Address: Charlotte (Ballantyne area) — 8183 Ardrey Kell Road, with studios in Wesley Chapel and Indian Land, S.C.
Prices, hours and opening status last checked November 13, 2026. Call ahead where an entry says to.
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