Best dance schools in Indianapolis: find options near you

Three years ago, I had never danced before, but finally decided to learn. Nervous but determined, I called Latin Expressions Dance Company. Kyle, the owner, picked up, heard me out, and immediately put me at ease, patiently explaining what to expect (class schedule, types of classes, etc.) and making me feel comfortable enough to show up for my first class shortly after!

When I arrived, everyone was super friendly, inclusive, and welcoming, and I quickly discovered plenty of other beginners just like me! I started taking Salsa classes, then began Bachata soon after, attending week after week. Kyle is an excellent dancer and great teacher, as are all the instructors there. You’re bound to learn and have fun!

What began as a nervous phone call has turned into a three-year journey I never want to end. Dancing has become a fantastic social activity that keeps me active and connects me with genuinely good people. The instructors are knowledgeable and approachable, providing excellent instruction regardless of your level. The community they’ve built is truly special and supportive.
The best part? I loved it so much that I was recently given the opportunity to teach others, giving new students the same encouraging experience and knowledge I received.

If you’re on the fence about trying dance, make that phone call or stop by! This place changed my life in the best possible way!
Bonus pic at the bottom of me goofing around after Kyle was practicing one of his many performances! (P.S. If you love performing, or even watching them, this is the place for that too!)

Started salsa classes at Latin Expressions Dance Company last June with a fellow travel nurse after moving to Indy! From day one Kyle and every instructor, has been welcoming, inclusive, and respectful.
(It’s important to note that recent negative reviews were mistakenly directed at this studio and were actually intended for a different company with a similar name.)

What we’ve experienced here is quite the opposite: a vibrant, diverse, and supportive dance community where people of all backgrounds come together to share joy through dance. If you’re looking for a place to grow, connect, and feel uplifted, this is it! I’m so grateful to have found this space 🙂

Such a great studio! Everyone here is so warm and welcoming. I have been going here for a little over a year now and not only has my dancing improved tremendously but I’ve also made some really cool friends. The instructors and the owner really care about all their students. 5 stars!

Latin Expressions is great! I haven’t danced salsa in eons, and I signed up for the beginner class. I feel like I’m learning from the best. Kyle makes it fun!

Best place in Indy to learn Salsa / Bachata! Their classes go by levels, and are a 4 week progressive series – so whichever level you are in, you attend that class once a week for the month, and then can move on to take the next level.

Included in the price, You can also take all levels below your current level.
For example, if you are at Salsa Advanced 1 level, you can take all Salsa Advanced 1 classes, in addition to all Salsa Intermediate and Salsa Beginner.
So as you advance, you are able to take more classes throughout the week!

In addition, they usually have 3-4 evening dance socials per month (once per week) and their socials are the best ones in my opinion! lots of space to move and lots of great dancers!

(by the way, the reviews about a viral video about how “an instructor didnt hug a biracial child” is NOT about this studio – they RARELY even have children in class. (i think personally ive seen like 2 children in the past several years) – that video is in regards to another unrelated dance studio in Plainville, CT…. this place is the furthest thing from showing racial discrimination)

Signed up as a Christmas gift and it’s been going great. Fred has been immensely helpful and patient with all our questions (and missteps!). Though I always thought I lacked rhythm, now I think I just needed some training.

It is my first time taking Bachata classes and I love it! It is always fun and the instructor Kyle makes sure to clear any doubt if you have questions. I recommend this place to whoever loves dance and even if you don’t know how to this is the place to learn!

DanceWorks Indy is such an amazing place – it has a great variety of styles of dance, multiple levels so you can work to progress (if that’s your goal) or just keep from getting bored! It’s perfect if you’re just looking to move your body and have fun too ❤️

The instructors are all amazing, kind, helpful, and supportive, and the cost of classes, lessons, and workshops is SO affordable, esp. when you compare it to other studios. I’ve made multiple friends here who I also hang out with outside the studio, so it really does have a fantastic community feel as well.

It’s the perfect place for you whether you have lots of dance experience or are brand new! Their new customer deals are also fabulous for trying the most things and getting the best bang for your buck.

They have had good classes in the past but I showed up 8:05 for a 8pm class and the doors were locked and it says it’s closed?? I get starting on time but pretty unprofessional to not even have anyone at the door

This place has become my home away from home! I love the environment they’ve created, which is so welcoming to all. I’m so grateful to have found my dance works fam. Highly recommend taking any and all classes but especially anything Zoe teaches!

I love DanceWorks Indy! I’ve been dancing here for a little over a year now after never have done any sort of dance in my life! The faculty are welcoming and warm and have real experience. They put on amazing workshops and offer so many types of dance and fitness classes. If you are new it’s definitely a place to check out it’s an amazing space tailored just to adults of all levels. Their philosophy is dance works for everyone and they do an phenomenal job of representing that! Can’t wait for my next class!

My first time in DanceWorks last night for Margo’s beginners contemporary dance. I LOVED IT!!! I received a warm welcome and tour. Margo’s class was both easy to understand and follow and challenging, my legs are feeling it. All the other students were so kind. I received a welcome gift bag on my way home. I look forward to exploring different classes and returning to Margo’s class, she’s just so fun and knowledgeable.

I am so happy I have found DanceWorks Indy! Moving to Indiana has been hard and for the first year of being here I felt like I was missing something. I never thought that finding a dance studio would be what finally makes Indiana feel like home. Everyone is so nice and welcoming! I haven’t danced in 12 years and I was so nervous to start taking classes, I can be very insecure at times. During my first week of classes I had so much fun and knew I would be returning for many more! The classes are fun, all the instructors are amazing, and no one is judging you! DanceWorks Indy is such a positive place and I love that I can just be myself!

DanceWorks is my favorite place in the city. It is truly a safe space to explore movement, dance for the first time, return to dance again, or continue your regular training. The teachers are knowledgeable, encouraging, friendly, and diverse. The clientele are diverse as well, so every person belongs in the space and is welcome. DWI is quick and clear with all communication (via email, phone, and in person) and always has fun events (social and class-related) that everyone is welcome to. The studio is clean, the bathrooms are stocked with extra feminine products and deodorant. I couldn’t recommend DanceWorks Indy enough, if you’ve been on the fence and want to dance and find a loving community, you’ve found the right place.

First time seeing DK and I can’t wait to subscribe to the 2025-2026 season NOW. The pieces were wonderful, current and fun. My bestie was visiting and she was thrilled to have THIS to do in Indy-WOW

Dance Kaleidoscope and is an amazing professional dance company that has been celebrated in Indianapolis for years. I highly recommend going to see a show or taking a class or just following them on Facebook the skill and the talent is unbelievably wonderful.!

I recently attended Dance Kaleidoscope‘s concert, New Horizon, and was immediately excited for the Indy dance scene!
The new director, Joshua Blake Carter,
artistic voice was fresh and impactful and the dancers danced his work beautifully.
I highly recommend new and old audiences members check out their upcoming shows!

My husband and I traveled from Wisconsin to see Julie perform for Kaleidoscope. We were thoroughly impressed with the performances of all the dance company members. The lighting, costumes and choreography was truly amazing. Looking forward to seeing future performances.

I attended New Horizon at the IRT, an introduction to Joshua Blake Carter’s life and career. I’d not really been to a performance of dance since I was a kid, and I was simply blown away. The skill of the dancers brought this deeply moving and personal story to full emotional bloom. I am grateful for the experience and look forward to seeing more in the years to come!

“Dance Kaleidoscope in Indianapolis, Indiana, proved to be a captivating ballet experience. The performance showcased an impressive blend of artistry and skill, leaving the audience spellbound. The choreography was nothing short of excellent, seamlessly weaving together movements that conveyed emotion and storytelling. Each dancer’s precision and grace added depth to the performance, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle. Dance Kaleidoscope truly captured the essence of ballet, making it an unforgettable evening of beauty and expression. The company’s dedication to delivering such a high-caliber performance is commendable, solidifying its place as a standout in the world of dance in Indianapolis.”

I started attending performances put on by Dance Kaleidoscope last year after being introduced to them by a friend, and I am thoroughly impressed with the entire production. Each performance is better than the last and I look forward to what’s to come in 2024!

I highly recommend Tippy Toes, especially for anyone looking for a great place for their preschooler to start their passion for dance! My 5 year old twin daughters just completed their second year with Miss Kyndra & they are just over the moon for everything they have to offer. They look forward to their class every week & have made several wonderful friends all while learning fundamentals in ballet/tap in a safe, fun environment with a tailor-made curriculum that is very engaging for their age group. Needless to say — We LOVE Tippy Toes School of Dance!

My daughter loves going to tippy toes! The instructors are super helpful and very nice.

This is my 4th year at TTSOD it is an amazing place all the teachers are wonderful and nice if your thinking about bringing your kid there you should

This is my 14th year at TTSOD, and I couldn’t be happier! I’ve been on the competition team since I was 8 years old and have grown exponentially here. The friendships are everlasting and the teachers go above and beyond to make this studio a home. Highly recommend!

My granddaughter has been dancing here for the past 7 years! She has had great teachers. They are very organized for recitals and such.

The teachers there are incredibly sweet, and helpful to the students. The costumes and recitals are always very age appropriate and the owners all take so much care and pride in working with the kids.

Instructors are very attentive and helpful.

I don’t see many young men in the classes.

Good place to have your kids learn dance, many options. Our kid has been going there for several years.

If you are in the dance community in the Indy area, you know Expressenz is THE place to send your child. Your dancer will not receive a better dance education anywhere else around Indiana. Not only will they receive a top tier dance education here, you are also met with extreme kindness and clear communication. We have been to a couple different studios and are SO proud and happy to have found our dance home and family. Start your kiddo as young as you can here so their skills will always be the best that is available to them. You won’t be disappointed by choosing this for your dance needs. This is our forever dance home

I’m so happy that my girls found such a great dance studio and dance family. The attention to technique and detail is amazing. The ballet teachers and classes are wonderful. Each teacher and owner bring so much talent to the studio. We are blessed to be part of such an amazing program.

We are truly blessed to have found this dance studio for our daughter. It is her 9th year at the studio with 7 of them on the NZ Company Competition Team. The attention to technique is phenomenal! The family environment created by the owner and the other NZ staff is 2nd to none. Mostly we value the self confidence that our daughter has gained from the supportive encouragement by the staff to continue to push herself to her highest ability. All while having fun. This is a life lessons to be valued.

Expressenz is such an amazing studio that not only focuses on improving technique, but building strong personal character as well. The teachers are professional, students receive first-rate training and the facilities are gorgeous. My daughter loves training at Expressenz!

Its no wonder anyone in the dance world knows and respects this studio! They have been the most organized, considerate, genuine group of professionals I have encountered in this field. Their sincerity in building our kids up not only as dancers but well rounded individuals and friends/dance family is encouraging and a breath of fresh air. Oh! And the educated, professional, talented, committed instructors…. Barre none, the best! A+ Dance Center!

My son has trained at Expressenz Dance Center for nine years. The staff and dancers are his forever dance family, and he has benefited from his dance experience at Expressenz in immeasurable ways. As he wraps up his senior competition season this summer, he will always be a proud NZ alum! #nzordie

This studio is exceptional in their training & care for the dancers! My daughter attended a summer intensive and learned so much more than we ever dreamed of! We’ll be making sure we come back!

This place is AWESOME! Huge floor, floor to ceiling mirrors, beautifully decorated! All of the teachers are former champion dancers so instruction is top level! There are many private lessons happening at the same time but since the space is so big, everyone has room and space to dance. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!

I have been taking lessons from Markus for about 8 months. He is an amazing instructor. Wallace and I take lessons from Kristiina as well. She is wonderful and we enjoy our lessons very much. They are both encouraging and push you to do your best. I highly recommend Indianapolis Dance Lessons!

Want to dance? Now is the time and this is the place! I have been taking lessons from Markus for over a year. He is young, funny and extremely knowledgeable. Markus has a lot of students, and they all adore him. As a high-level competitor himself, he passes the knowledge on to anyone willing to learn. Could not be happier here, come join us!

I have been coming here from Chicago for several years. This is the best place to learn ballroom dancing. My teacher Kristina is one of the top international style teachers in the country. I definitely recommend this place. There is no studio like this in Chicago area.

Great place to learn ballroom dancing! Kristiina and Markus are both great teachers, I think the classes are at a good value, and the space itself is really nice. The classes really are tailored to what you want to get from them and I think the order of operations they use when teaching work really well.

My wife and I have been taking lessons from Kristiina for 6 years. We think she is a wonderful instructor and would highly recommend lessons with her. Whether you want to learn a single dance for a special occasion, want to become a well rounded social dancer, or want to compete at the highest amateur levels, Kristiina can help get you there!

A great place to learn ballroom dancing! I’m a competitive ballroom dancer and I take lessons from Rauno regularly. Rauno is a very professional and friendly instructor. They have a nice floor as well! I would recommend this place to both competitive and social dancers!

I took classes here in the 90’s and love seeing my daughters follow in my footsteps. Curtain Call provides a wholesome dance experience with age-appropriate songs and costumes. I especially love that they don’t compete so the focus remains on dance and not a trophy. You could not ask for a better or more dedicated staff. We love our dance family!

My youngest absolutely loves Curtain Call. She has learned so much over the past few years, and continues to grow. The teachers are amazing and very inclusive. They support all dancers no matter what level they are in dance.

A positive dance community! We appreciate the opportunities this studio gives its dancers to grow as performers. We also love that confidence and character are built alongside skillful dance training.

Curtain call has been my girls 2nd home since they were 3 years old. The instructors and staff have always made them comfortable and confident. They have learned so much more than dance in their years at this studio.

Our daughter has been dancing at Curtain Call Dance Center for 9 years, and it truly feels like family. The environment is always positive and safe, and we appreciate how much care and support is given to every dancer. The staff is wonderful, and the friendships and skills our daughter has gained are invaluable.

We’ve been a part of this studio for 10 years and I would highly recommend it to any family searching for a dance home.

I grew up going to this dance studio and the instructors have shaped me to become the best person and dancer I can be. These dance instructors have prepared me for a career in dance! Definitely recommend Curtain Call to any dancer of any age!

I have been going for a year and half and have enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve made new friends, danced with many different partners (I’m single) and cut a rug like no body’s business! You got to check it out for yourself. $29 for 2 private lessons. It’s enough to get your feet wet and test it out. You’ll be glad you did. When you go, tell them Melissa sent you.

My mom, sister, and I visited Indianapolis for the weekend and decided to step out of our comfort zones by trying out a dance class. Thankfully, we stumbled upon Five Star Dance Studio, and it was awesome! Jeff and his team greeted us warmly, making us feel right at home from the get-go. Our cha-cha class was filled with laughter and learning, thanks to the incredibly welcoming atmosphere fostered by everyone there. If you’re in the area and seeking a fun and unique experience, I highly recommend checking out this gem. Thank you, Jeff and team, for helping us craft unforgettable memories!

Jeff provided solid instruction for the foundations of multiple dance styles in a short amount of time-even teaching the many types of music that could work with our dances. He was informative, encouraging, engaging, as well as accommodating to our level of dance and schedule! I look forward to continuing lessons in the future!

My fiancé and I are getting married on 12/18/2021! We have no experience in dance whatsoever but wanted to learn a choreographed first dance and wow our guests! This Dance studio has phenomenal dance teachers and staff that are very patient and you can tell they all love their jobs! We felt very welcomed from the very first moment that we walked in the door! This place is a Very positive and fun environment! We will continue coming here! To continue to grow in our dancing!

New dance instructor, Katie Marie, makes dancing such fun! Great place to learn to dance & dance on Thursday night’s without booze.

I first tried out a free lesson at end of May 2014 after trying out a dance through a school program. I love it so we started attending and paying for/taking lessons from this studio after that free lesson. All the staff always have positive attitude and willing to help you learn the basics before you master advanced moves. I have seen it change my husband to be more confident in himself especially on the dance floor and develop more social skills- he’s typically a quiet guy (a homebody- very happy to stay home). I love that we have parties at the studio every week and then there’s group dances almost every night so you always have options on which dances you want to learn/practice every day.

For four years, my husband and I have taken lessons at Five Star Dance Studios and, although we’ve been students at all 3 locations, greenwood is our primary studio. We have experienced the benefits of ballroom dance under the careful tutelage of our instructors, who are knowledgeable and dedicated professionals. Dance has become an integral part of our time, as well as an educational and enjoyable hobby, thanks to their instruction. Five Star’s curriculum is geared towards social dance and all 3 locations offer environments that are supportive to new and current students. The staff and students are always enthusiastic and encouraging despite the various missteps that happen along the way.

After another experience at different dance studio that was somewhat disorganized and chaotic, we were so grateful to find this gem! From the very beginning, everything about this studio has been professional, warm, and incredibly well-run. The communication is clear and timely, the schedule is reliable, and the instructors are not only talented but truly care about the kids.

Our child looks forward to every class and has grown so much in confidence and skill in such a short time. The positive and supportive environment has made all the difference. It’s clear the staff puts their hearts into what they do, and it shows in how happy and engaged all the dancers are.

We couldn’t be happier with our decision to switch studios — this place is exactly what we were hoping for and more. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a dance studio that’s both nurturing and organized!

MONEY HUNGRY. I wouldnt even recommend this place to my worst enemy. This was my daughters first year of dance and gymnastics, you pretty much pay an arm & a leg to have your child perform for 2 minutes in a recital just to have the staff talk down to you like trash. Krissy or kristy at the front desk is condescending and will talk down to you like you are stupid because she had to do her job and find out some information for a customer thats paying hundreds of dollars for my child to be there. Your reaction to her condescension really gave her a high horse to talk down to me even more. I was actually speechless after my interaction with her. The owner acts as if shes far superior than the people that are paying her salary. She even admitted to giving my daughters dance class an incomplete costume (that we paid a very pretty penny for) stating that they should have sewed the belts on so they dont move. But instead of correcting her mistake she proceeded to tell us, the parents, to take care of the problem and sew it on ourself. AS IF WE DIDNT PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR THIS ALL TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY. Not to mention my daughter has had the same boring gymnastics class with the same boring routine and it never changes.. Shes learned nothing in 7 months! I cant wait for this recital to be over so I can go somewhere that cares about more than just money! What a terrible experience for my daughters first dance & gymnastics!

My girls go here and it’s absolutely fabulous. Great staff and coaches. Both of my daughters are in teams for gymnastics. They love it and look forward to coming to class every week. We are there 4x/week. My youngest is in dance as well and we love to participate in the recital. Great place to grow and learn.

I signed my 2 year old up for the toddler gymnastics class that’s for 15-36 months. Its a small class and it was clear immediately that most of the littles had been coming a while or had older siblings in classes. I felt like an outsider and clueless as nothing was explained to us very well. The instructor spent more time talking with the moms than actualling instructing gymnastics to the littles. These are toddlers who are just learning how to talk, so they need a bit of guidance in my opinion. I didn’t feel like my son was receiving that. I’m sure its great for older kids, and it seems more geared towards girls and dance. So I chose to withdraw him for a gymnastics place that is more equipped to help toddler boys better. Thank you for the experience The Dance Refinery.

I danced here for 8 years, and I have to say it’s a shame that some people will still support this studio, the coaches are extremely rude to you unless you kiss up and you parents do as well. The favoritism is outrageous and if you’re not a favorite your scum to them. I was pulled into the owners office to be told I had to lose weight and my body was distracting, I was at an average weight for my height and age but was pushed into an eating disorder. The teachers used to get drunk with students and one specifically slept with students right after they graduated. I also witnessed homophobia towards students by the owners husband and racism towards other dancers. Do not go here if you want your child to have a healthy relationship with themselves because this place tore me down until I felt like nothing. Only a select number of faculty I would trust with a child.

I started dancing at the The Dance Refinery when I was 2 years old. It mentored me into the person and professional choreographer I am today. The staff at this facility are incredibly student centered and so great!

My daughter loves going to her dance class every week. The teachers are so sweet, and every one there is very nice and helpful. Would highly recommend this place for anyone who is looking to get their kid into dance.

started coming here for the adult ballet classes and it has been the best decision! definitely recommend if you are looking to return or explore dance as an adult 🙂

Best studio, teachers are friendly and teach true technique of dance in all genres of dance. Family atmosphere and professional at the same time.

My kid’s dance academy works from here. It has got some good studios. Very clean and spacious. The whole area got good parking spots too.

Awesome dance academy my daughter has learned so much and the instructors are top notch!!!!!

Awesome classes, friendly staff, quality instruction

The saturday they have amazine class!

Love love this studio!