Best Dance Classes for Kids in Dublin

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Last Updated on December 4, 2020

Whether you are looking for a new after school activity or to further your child’s dance career, these classes are offered by the best dance schools in Dublin. They invite students from beginners to advanced to become part of their dance family. Dancing is great to build physical fitness and a way for children to express themselves creatively. Each student at these dance schools is encouraged to find their unique dance style and way to express their artistic side. No child is the same but when students join together in dance, they become part of one beautiful art piece. These schools offer classes for children as young as 2 years old up to 18 and beyond. In this selection of schools, you will find lots of different dance styles such as classical ballet classes by The Metropolitan School of Dance based in North Dublin, Irish dancing by Banbha in Clonsilla, or Cheerleading at Motion 2 Motion in Sandyford. We covered North Dublin and South Dublin on this list to make sure you can find the best dance school wherever you are based.  

Find the best dance classes for your little dancer below.

North Dublin

Dublin 3, Dublin 13 – Balbriggan, Howth, Clontarf, Lucan, Leixlip, Sandymount

The Metropolitan School of Dance

Let your child join this prestigious Ballet school to discover their full potential as a dancer. The Metropolitan School of Dance is Dublin’s oldest ballet school with over 70 years of history. The classes are taught following the Royal Academy of Dance’s syllabus. Each teacher is passionate about dance and each class is structured for the students to develop a love for dance in a fun and welcoming environment. The school organises a show at the O’Reilly Theatre at Belvedere College for the children to showcase their talent and family and friends to enjoy. Children can participate in examinations to enter the next Ballet grade if they like. This school offers a Young Dancers Programme aimed for children aged 3 – 6 where various props and instruments are used for children to get familiar with musical expression, different dance styles, and coordination skills. If your child is seeking a professional career in dance, there are specialised classes for older students to prepare them for a career in dance.

Address:

  • Studio 1: Balbriggan Flemington Community Centre, Hamlet Lane, Clogheder, Co. Dublin
  • Studio 2: Howth, Howth Presbyterian Church Hall, 103 Howth Rd, Howth, Dublin, D13 DH52
  • Studio 3: Clontarf, Belgrove Senior Girls National School, Seafield Rd W, Clontarf East, Dublin 3
  • Studio 4: Lucan, St Andrews National School, Lucan Road, Lucan, Co. Dublin
  • Studio 5: Leixlip, Scoil Chearbhaill Uí Dhálaigh, Old Hill, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
  • Studio 6: Sandymount, Christ Church Hall, 9 Sandymount Green, Dublin, D04 YT68

Classes by The Metropolitan School of Dance:

  • Young Dancers Programme age 3 – 6
  • Ballet age 7 – 8 Grade 1 
  • Ballet age 8 – 9 Grade 2
  • Ballet age 10 – 12 Grade 3
  • Ballet age 12+ Grade 4
  • Ballet age 12+ Grade 5
  • Ballet age 12+ Grade 6
  • Ballet age 12+ Grade 7
  • Ballet age 12+ Grade 8 

Dublin 15, Clonsilla

Banbha Irish Dancing

Run as a family business, this is the best Irish dance school in Dublin. Irish dancing is an active and energetic dance style that is practiced all over the world. Banbha Irish Dance school has been in Dublin for over 15 years and is competing with its students at World Championships. Students can choose whether they would like to dance just for fun or if they would like to take part in competitions. Everybody is included no matter their abilities and age. If you would like to sign up your child to this school, there are trial classes available. At the moment, this dance school also offers online dance classes. 

Address:

  • Studio 1: Huntstown Community Centre, Huntstown Way, Blakestown
  • Studio 2: Luttrellstown Community Centre, Porterstown Rd, Annfield, Co. Dublin, D15 DY29
  • Studio 3: Scoil Oilibhéir, An, Coolmine Cl, Clonsilla, Dublin, D15 PX99

Classes by Banbha:

  • Reeltots age 2 – 6
  • Irish dance beginners age 6 – 18
  • Irish dance intermediate & advanced age 6 – 18

Swords

Back Street Dance Studios Dublin

Does your child have the groove? This dance school is for all the funky kids out there. The main focus of BSD is hip-hop and they are amazing at it. If you can remember 2019’s amazing winners of Ireland’s Got Talent, it was BSD’s dance crew! If you want your child to step into these incredible dancers’ footsteps, check out BSD. All classes are open to boys and girls. One of their special classes, unique to this dance school is the House Class, a class for kids to explore their own dance style in a freestyle environment. Kids classes start at the age of 2 and consist of stretching, exercises, games, choreography and at the end relaxation. Back Street Dance Studios offers a class just for babies and toddlers to learn rhythm and use instruments to get familiar with music. Some classes are available on Zoom.

Address: Columba House, Lakeshore Dr, Airside Retail Park, Swords, Co. Dublin

Classes:

  • Parent & child interactive music class age 5mths – 5 years
  • Funky Babies 30 mins class for age 2 – 3 
  • Funky Kidz 45 mins class for age 3 – 5
  • Commercial intermediate & advanced age 13+
  • Ballet Grade 1 – 5 age 7+
  • Breakdance age 10+
  • Hip Hop intermediate & advanced age 7 – 12
  • Hip Hop Advanced 13+
  • Contemporary beginners & advanced age below 12
  • Contemporary beginners & advanced age 12+
  • Lyrical Jazz age 11+
  • Tap age 7+
  • House Class – Freestyle mixed ages
  • & more classes available

South Dublin

Dublin 2, Dublin 4 – Dún Laoghaire, Castleknock

National Performing Arts School

A long history of nearly 30 years of teaching dancing to students of all ages, including celebrities like Colin Farell, brought this dance school to its prestigious status. After so many years, the National Performing Arts School has developed a great understanding of what kids enjoy and to let them explore their own way of loving dance and art. The dance instructors pay a lot of attention to each child by making sure the kid’s creativity, passion and uniqueness are expressed in their art. They currently also offer Zoom classes for kids who would like to continue their dance classes at home. As part of the classes, the groups put together a choreographed dance that is performed at the Olympia Theatre in front of parents to celebrate the students’ achievements. Apart from their great variety of dance classes NPAS also offers singing and drama classes. 

Address:

  • Studio 1: The Lir, National Academy of Dramatic Art, Pearse Street (at Grand Canal Quay), Dublin 2
  • Studio 2: Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4
  • Studio 3: Mounttown Community Facility, Fitzgerald Park, Mounttown, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
  • Studio 4: Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Castleknock, Co Dublin

Dance classes by National Performing Arts School:

  • Pre-Primary & Primary Ballet age 4 – 7
  • Ballet age 8 – 12+ (Grade 2 – 7)
  • Contemporary age 7 – 12+
  • Contemporary Advanced age 12 – 18
  • Contemporary & Jazz age 7 – 11 
  • Jazz age 12+
  • Tap age 7 – 11
  • Tap age 12+
  • Hip Hop & Funk age 10+
  • Hip Hop & Funk age 12 – 18
  • Musical Theatre & Drama age 4 – 6, age 7 – 11, age 10 – 14, age 12 – 15, age 12 – 18.

Dublin 6, Dublin 18 – Sandyford, Glencullen, Citywest, Balally, Monkstown, Ballinteer

Motion 2 Motion School of Dance

Motion 2 Motion is a modern dance studio run by Sadbh Lawlor. She runs the school energetically and inspires her students to dream big and have fun while learning. At Motion 2 Motion students are encouraged to be part of creating choreographies to present at the annual show to parents and friends. What is special about this school is that it offers Cheerleading. Kids get to learn cool stunts, how to tumble, and all those fun cheers. The dance groups are taking part in competitions. This school also offers holiday camps in spring, summer, and autumn. 

Address:

  • Studio 1: Monkstown Educate Together, Kill Ave, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin
  • Studio 2: Enniskerry Rd, Sandyford, Dublin, D18 E0A8
  • Studio 3: Broadford Rise, Ballinteer, Dublin
  • Studio 4: St Patrick’s NS, Glencullen, Glencullen House, Barrack Rd, Dublin 18
  • Studio 5: Citywest Educate Together, Citywest Dr, Co. Dublin

Classes by Motion 2 Motion:

  • Kids Hip Hop & Jazz age 4 – 7
  • Hip Hop & Jazz age 8 – 12
  • Breakdancing 6 – 9
  • Breakdancing 10+
  • Youth Dance mixed dance styles age 10 – 12
  • Youth Dance mixed dance styles age 13+
  • Contemporary age 8 – 14
  • Ballet age 3 – 5
  • Ballet age 6 – 8
  • Cheerleading age 7 – 14

Dublin 8, Newmarket 

MyArt Dance School

This dance school is focussing on letting children find their own voice in art. MyArt dance school performs at various festivals and competitions across Dublin and nationwide. Veronika, the headteacher is a professional choreographer and her students are successfully competing all over the country. At this dance school, various dance styles are taught so each child can find their own way of expressing themselves. What is great about this school is that they also offer children’s art classes. You might have one child that likes to dance and another that likes to draw and here you can get both of their needs met. At the moment, MyArt offers online ballet and online hip hop dance classes due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Address: CityHouse, Newmarket, Dublin 8.

Classes by MyArt:

  • Ballet kids
  • Ballet juniors/teens
  • Hip hop
  • Popping
  • Yoga
  • Modern & lyrical dance teens

Dublin 16, Dundrum

Miss Ali Stage School

You might not have heard the name of this Performing Arts School but you most likely have seen it. Miss Ali’s students have performed on the Late Late Toy Show, at the Wembley Arena and taken part at X-Factor. This is not a classical dance school. Students learn dancing, singing, and performing all in one. It is a holistic approach to performing arts letting each student’s star shine bright on stage. At classes, various dance styles are combined including commercial dance, ballet, jazz dance, and more. At Miss Ali’s classes, kids are part of creating an amazing show with themes such as Alice in Wonderland or even their own original creation for the Late Late Toy Show. Parents get to see their children’s progress at a yearly performance. Miss Ali is bringing out each child’s confidence and channels their creativity into an amazing dance performance. 

Address: Unit CSA 2.5, Building 9, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Rd, Dublin 16

Classes at Miss Ali’s Stage School:

  • Dancing Only: MADC Crew Beginners, MADC Crew Advanced for mixed ages
  • Dancing, Singing & Acting Classes:
  • Age 3 – 6
  • Age 6 – 8
  • Age 7 – 9
  • Age 8 – 10
  • Age 7 – 11
  • Age 9 – 11
  • Age 10 – 13

Does your child love dancing but is looking to challenge themselves beyond the stage? If you are looking to let your child increase their coordination skills and self-confidence, why don’t you let them try out one of our recommended Martial Arts classes in Dublin? Practicing Martial Arts is a great way to strengthen the body and mind, make friends, and release stress after a long day at school.