Dance Lessons in McDonough

Founded by former Georgia Tech cheerleading coach Matt Cremers and his wife, Angela, a high-level gymnast, Champion Kids offers classes, camps, and open play opportunities on a padded playland of colorful obstacles. Prior to opening Champion Kids in 2006, Matt and Angela taught gymnastics and cheerleading to children for more than 15 years. Champion Kids’ programs integrate foam pits, music, and dancing to keep students motivated. Classes include parent-tot gymnastics and preschool gymnastics, which keep students moving and learning while developing the skills to navigate the bars and vaults strewn throughout most work environments. Ballet and jazz classes are also available with Champion Kids' 20-year veteran dance instructor, Miss Ashley, who began her competitive dancing career at only 7 years old.

Cofounded by professional dancer Alexander Thomas and personal trainer Daniel Hamilton, Diamond Dance & Fitness works to foster active, nutritional lifestyles through a varied schedule of programs and periodic group outings. Classes are headed by experienced instructors—the studio's signature ballroom course has teachers who are competition-trained. Meanwhile, dance-fitness courses such as Zumba help to put an upbeat spin on classic exercise techniques without the added risk that comes with practicing the moonwalk on a treadmill.

Melodies rhythmically flood the studio's space on Salsamante Saturdays, when guests trace bachata, merengue, and salsa steps across the dance floor. In addition, visitors can get custom fitness advice in personal-training sessions and in-depth nutrition advice from health coaches.

Chi Chi Randolph has choreographed routines for hip-hop artists including Nelly and the Black Eyed Peas. Kari Lehman has 15 years of ballet training experience. Viviane Bressan turned her love of belly dance into a career, traversing the globe while teaching and performing the ancient art. At Dance Austin Studio, these three number among more than a dozen dance instructors whose dazzlingly diverse backgrounds enable an array of classes for everyone from preschoolers to grownups and fitness buffs to serious students of dance.

Zumba combines fast-paced cardio choreography with dynamic Latin rhythms, and the 18-and-older Sexy Stiletto Fit class uses high heels to tone calves and build confidence. Students can choose to learn fundamental positions, steps, and vocabulary during structured ballet, lyrical, and jazz programs, or they can develop video-ready swagger during hip-hop classes. The studio’s sense of fun occasionally spills out into the community—it recently teamed up with the city’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to spark a flash mob at city hall, held to raise awareness of emergency preparedness and help officials practice what to do if invaded by dancing aliens.