Dance Lessons in East New York

Dance Times Square’s founders and professional Latin ballroom dancers, Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin, corral expert dance instructors into their studio space to teach students of all levels high-energy dance routines. With an impressive roster of celebrity clientele, such as Vanessa Williams, Pierce Brosnan, and Betty Boop, along with decades of experience in the dance and choreography world, Tony and Melanie remain leaders in competitive Latin ballroom dance. The nimble-footed instructors rolls out dynamic group and private lessons, leading participants in shimmying through a wedding dance class or mastering skills for such dances as the salsa, tango, cha-cha, or swing.

Professional dancer Francis Teri knows how to celebrate. He’s danced at Ziegfeld Theater for the party in honor of Dirty Dancing's 20th anniversary and at the 30th anniversary shindig for the iconic Saturday Night Fever. At Dance Fever Studios, he and a team of experienced dance instructors party down everyday, helping students hone specific footwork skills or nail the basics in beginner and intermediate classes. Attendees learn good timing and partner connection in beginner salsa, or how to pull off the waltz and foxtrot in ballroom dancing. During beginner and intermediate hustle classes, students learn how to do the basic dance step without disturbing the goldfish in their shoes.

Owner, instructor, and professional dancer Jannelle Cortes dedicates Groovefit Belly Dance Classes' schedule to empowering dance techniques that also ensure an invigorating workout. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jannelle began exploring ballet in Washington, D.C., at the age of 4 before studying at professional studios in New York and learning about Egyptian cabaret and folkloric dance while in Egypt. Jannelle's experiences living in the cultural mélange of New York inspired her to embrace such nontraditional styles as belly dance, samba, and mambo. Zumba sessions keep tempos high and pulses racing by synchronizing dance-based exercises with Latin-inspired melodies, and belly-dancing classes teach students the abdominal control they need to unbutton a shirt without using their hands.

Zack’s Dance Loft’s founder draws inspiration from the Latin and ballroom dance styles popular in the Big Apple. Back when he worked as a financial analyst at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Zack began teaching Latin dance at the company. Now that he’s founded his own business replete with a 2,000-square-foot studio sporting oversize mirrors on the walls and a floating dance hardwood floor, Zack and his staff train clientele in salsa, wedding dance, pole dance, and more.

Happy hour classes begin with an open bar and provide an hour of dance instruction in salsa, swing, tango, or other styles. The sessions conclude with socializing and drinks, much like ballet recitals or successful heart surgeries. Throughout each workshop, Zack cultivates a casual atmosphere. In 2006, he told New York magazine he often makes friends with his students, and the magazine went on to declare that his “private lessons are as technically sound as anyone’s—and way looser and more fun.”

Amid the illuminated signs, speedo-clad cowboys, and web-slinging superheroes of Times Square, it can become difficult to stand out. Ral’eau Salsa Dance Company, one of the neighborhood’s many businesses, has just the solution—teaching students to express themselves through a variety of energetic, sensual dances that originated in Latin America and calorie-torching Zumba classes. Teachers demonstrate the steps of New York- and LA-style salsa with patience and positivity, using easy-to-follow cues to help students master each swivel, spin, and air-guitar solo. They also teach other styles of movement, including tango, hip-hop, and swing, which students can take to the streets during field trips to dance clubs and cruise ships.

In addition to hosting signature Salsa classes, Ral’eau Salsa Dance Company opens its spacious, climate-controlled studios to those who want to tone muscles and burn fat through Zumba classes. Fostering a community of 1,000-plus members, the company hosts more than 300 classes per month across various disciplines while maintaining intimate class sizes. With five levels of progressive advancement, students will meet new people, improve dancing techniques, boost self-esteem, and stay fit while swiveling their moves in a lively environment. To accompany a wide array of fitness classes including pilates, yoga, and mixed martial arts, instructors lead private dance lessons to help couples gear up for weddings, proms, or three-legged races on the set of Soul Train.

Specifically tailored for any level of dance pupil, classes at NYC Belly Dance home in on the body’s natural movements rather than relying on practiced choreography. Laidback instructors eschew standards to help students tap into their personal rhythm and swaying style. NYC Belly Dance’s open-form schedule allows hip-shakers to commence their tutelage at any time, though they must arrive in comfortable clothing and soft footwear by horse-drawn carriage.