BALLET, JAZZ, TAP, HIP HOP OR ACRO: WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?
Your child wants to dance. Great.
Now you open a dance timetable and suddenly you're choosing between ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acro and classes you've possibly never heard of before.
So, which dance style should your child actually do?
At BPA Dance Studio in Berrinba, we teach a range of dance styles for children of different ages and experience levels. While some dancers know exactly what they want to try, plenty of families need a little help choosing.
Here's a simple guide.
BALLET
Ballet is one of the foundations of dance training.
Classes focus on technique, posture, control, coordination, musicality and precise movement. As dancers progress, ballet can help build strength and body awareness that supports their training across other dance styles too.
Ballet might suit a child who:
Enjoys structured learning, loves graceful movement, is interested in technique or simply keeps telling you they want to be a ballerina.
But your child doesn't need to already be graceful, flexible or technically strong before starting.
Those are skills they come to class to develop.
JAZZ
Jazz is energetic, expressive and a lot of fun.
It incorporates kicks, turns, jumps and combinations while helping dancers develop coordination, technique, performance skills and confidence.
Jazz can be a great option for children who love upbeat music and really want to dance.
Jazz might suit a child who:
Loves performing, enjoys energetic movement, learns dances at home or is always putting on a show.
HIP HOP
Hip hop is energetic and full of personality.
Classes introduce dancers to age-appropriate hip hop movement, choreography, musicality and performance.
For some children, this is the style that finally makes them say, "YES. That's the one I want to do."
Hip hop might suit a child who:
Loves current music, has plenty of energy, enjoys strong and expressive movement or isn't particularly interested in traditional dance styles.
Hip hop can also be a great starting point for children who want to dance but don't picture themselves doing ballet.
ACRO
If your child spends half their life upside down, acro might already be on your radar.
Acro combines dance with carefully developed skills involving strength, flexibility, balance, control and tumbling.
While tricks are exciting, good acro training is about learning the foundations and building the strength and technique required to perform skills safely.
Acro might suit a child who:
Loves cartwheels, bridges, handstands and physical challenges, or is constantly trying to turn the lounge room into their personal gymnastics floor.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO PICK JUST ONE?
No.
Many dancers train in multiple styles because they enjoy different things about each class.
A dancer might love the technical challenge of ballet and the energy of jazz.
They might do jazz and tap.
They might absolutely love acro but discover hip hop is where their personality comes alive.
As dancers grow, training across different styles can also help them become more versatile.
That doesn't mean your child needs to immediately enrol in everything.
Starting with one or two classes that genuinely interest them is completely fine.
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS NO IDEA?
That's normal too.
Ask them what sounds fun.
You can also think about how they naturally move and play.
Are they constantly doing cartwheels?
Do they make up performances?
Do they love copying choreography?
Do they light up when they hear certain music?
That can give you a starting point.
For younger children, an age-appropriate preschool dance program can also introduce them to different types of movement before they need to choose individual styles.
WHAT IF WE CHOOSE SOMETHING AND THEY DON'T LOVE IT?
Trying something new is how children discover what they enjoy.
They don't need to arrive at their first dance class already knowing they've found their lifelong passion.
Sometimes the style they were desperate to try isn't ultimately their favourite.
Sometimes the class Mum thought they'd never enjoy becomes the highlight of their week.
That's okay.
Dance is a journey, and their interests can change as they grow.
FIND THE RIGHT DANCE CLASS AT BPA
BPA Dance Studio offers children's dance classes in Berrinba for families throughout Logan, Browns Plains and surrounding areas.
Whether your child wants to try ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acro or simply wants to start dancing and doesn't know where to begin, our team can help.
Tell us your child's age, previous experience and what they're interested in.
We'll help you find an appropriate place to start.
Ready to choose your child's dance classes? Explore BPA's 2027 classes or contact our team for help finding the right fit.
