Lin NormanTrying to find the right dance studio in Music City can feel a bit like attempting a triple pirouette before you’ve even stretched. It’s dizzying, confusing, and likely to leave you falling flat.
Choosing a studio means finding a space that matches your specific goals, schedule, and skill level, and chasséing through the options is no easy task.
But don’t sweat it, ‘cause we’ve totally got your back. We explored the local dance scene to help you locate the top ballet classes in Nashville.
Here are studios where absolute beginners can learn the basics, and seasoned performers can refine their technique and master complex choreography.
How much do ballet classes cost in Nashville?
Ballet tuition in Nashville ranges from $15 per adult drop-in session to over $1,235 annually for specialized children’s academies.
Class Type | Average Cost |
| Adult Drop-In Class | $15 – $35 per class |
| Children’s Tuition (Monthly) | $84 – $92 per month |
| Pre-Professional Academy | $1,200 – $1,235+ annually |
1. Nashville Ballet
Website: https://www.nashvilleballet.com/
Address: 3630 Redmon Street
Contact: (615) 297-2966 | [email protected]
Schedule: Varies By Class Level
Nashville Ballet takes full advantage of its location by teaming up with local musicians and bringing live piano accompaniment right into the studio to help students really grasp musicality.
Operating the largest professional dance company in the state, they focus heavily on creating socially relevant, Nashville-centric performances.
When you train here, you learn the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) curriculum on professional-grade sprung floors, which keeps your joints safe during high-impact leaps.
Just be prepared for a pretty strict environment regarding attendance and uniform colors. Their rigid dress code might not appeal to someone seeking a casual afternoon hobby.
Registration fees also run higher than your average community center.
Still, if you plan to train seriously, this facility sets you up with an incredibly solid foundation.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful way to share the love of dance
Nashville Ballet is incredibly welcoming and professional. I recently visited their open house and learned about their Adaptive Dance Program for kids – what a wonderful way to share the love of dance. I’m looking forward to the Adult Ballet classes. It’s never too late!
- kelly wright | Google Review
European elegance that’s truly inspiring
I’ve never had any prior dance experience, and Eric Harris is my Ballet Level 1 instructor. He’s incredibly professional, welcoming, and attentive to detail. No matter how many students are in class, he always takes the time to correct technique, explain terms clearly, and treat everyone with respect—all while keeping a great sense of humor. To me, his teaching has that timeless, European elegance that’s truly inspiring. I’m very grateful for his work.
- Marharyta Fedina | Google Review
2. Millennium Dance Complex Nashville
Website: https://www.mdcnashville.com/
Address: 2844 Logan Street
Contact: (615) 593-4200 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Mon-Fri 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sat-Sun 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Landing an audition in the entertainment industry requires a specific edge, much like the intense preparation you would find at top acting schools.
Millennium Dance Complex Nashville (MDC) brings a Hollywood-style commercial dance pedigree to the local community. Here, students learn directly from professionals who tour with major recording artists.
We recently chatted with someone who used the studio’s cost-effective monthly pass, and she absolutely loved the high-energy, welcoming environment.
Classical progression definitely takes a backseat here. You won’t find a rigid syllabus like the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) leading to year-end exams. Ballet mainly serves as a secondary focus behind hip hop and jazz funk.
Classes focus on practical, industry-relevant skills that translate directly into music videos and live tours. This also aligns with the studio’s use as a rental space for video shoots.
Since their main goal here is modern commercial success, purists looking for traditional ballet training might find this spot a bit lacking.
Customer Reviews
Best dance studio
By far the best dance studio I have ever been to. Full of wonderful dance instructors with extensive experience. Everyone is so nice and encouraging no matter what level they are at. This place is one of my favorite parts of living in Nashville and deserves the great reputation it has. GOD BLESS MDC! <3
- claire abercrombie | Google Review
Honored to call MDC Nashville our home away from home!
In a world full of divide, we are grateful to be at a studio that truly embraces unity and diversity. The instructors are reasonable, fair, and pour into EVERY dancer to ensure they reach their full potential. At MDC Nashville, you can expect honesty and transparency, as well as a place that your dancer will grow! We are honored to call MDC Nashville our home away from home! 🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️
- Monica Blake-Beasley | Google Review
3. BellePAC (Bellevue Performing Arts Center)
Website: https://www.bellepac.com/
Address: 8101 TN-100
Contact: (615) 662-8553 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Mon-Fri 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Sat 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Preparing for a collegiate audition demands well-rounded skills. BellePAC addresses this by offering comprehensive performance training in dance and acting, preparing students for higher education.
They weave a leadership curriculum into their classes to teach determination and teamwork right alongside standard technique.
Instructors actively avoid the high-pressure competition circuit, instead promoting a healthy body image and mental wellness. Students progress through a clear, syllabus-based technical path while picking up practical skills like resume building.
Pre-professional dancers seeking competitive trophies will also need to look elsewhere, though. The studio completely skips the contest circuit to keep the environment stress-free.
But if you want to focus on holistic artistic growth, the supportive atmosphere here really helps you thrive.
Customer Reviews
Love it!
These folks are fantastic! The owner is a wonderful human and every interaction we’ve had with the staff has been great. We have a child that takes ballet with a friend and they love it!
Pro tip: Off you don’t see specific classes for the age group you are looking for, ask about that. Jennifer is great about working things out.
- Alan Binkley | Google Review
Great class for the absolute beginner
I am taking the adult ballet class and it is an awesome, welcoming environment. I have no dance experience so it’s a great class for the absolute beginner and other (more experienced) ladies have said it’s a great class for them as well. Ms. Jennifer is so lovely and encouraging and makes sure class is not intimidating at all. Highly recommend if you’ve been wanting to try ballet but have been nervous to do so.
- Mackenzie Hackney | Google Review
4. DancEast
Website: https://www.danceast.org/
Address: 805 Woodland Street, Suite 314
Contact: (615) 601-1897 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Mon 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
- Tues-Thurs 3:45 PM – 5:45 PM
- Sat 9:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Training under seasoned stage veterans gives you invaluable insight into the performing arts. DancEast offers exactly that by bringing in former principal dancers from world-renowned organizations like the Cuban National Ballet to lead their classes.
As a registered nonprofit organization, they put community accessibility and pure artistic exploration way ahead of commercial competition.
Many of the students who tried their adult sessions told us they really appreciated the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere focused purely on technique.
Their heavy emphasis on theatrical concert dance over commercial styles also creates a great environment for learning classical foundations.
Just know that enrolling here means making a full commitment, since their withdrawal policies are pretty strict. You can expect to pay for the entire spring term even if your personal schedule suddenly changes.
They also skip the competitive convention circuit completely. So, if you want a pressure-free environment for pure technical development, this academy really delivers.
Customer Reviews
Great environment
We’ve had our daughter here for a few years and are so happy with the education. It’s a great environment with reasonable expectations, caring teachers, and well run. Hoping to continue for years to come.
- Miranda Huffman | Google Review
Absolutely loved it
Signed my daughter up for classes here this year and she absolutely loved it. So much so we signed her up again for some summer camps while she’s out of school. We’re in a situation with joint custody etc and Amy was extremely personable and flexible with our schedules.
- Tony Callaghan | Google Review
5. Dance In Bloom
Website: https://www.danceinbloom.com/
Address: 8133 Sawyer Brown Road, Suite 601
Contact: (615) 662-4819 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Mon-Fri 3:30 – 8:00 PM
- Sat 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Balancing a child’s extracurricular activities with a busy work schedule requires serious convenience. Dance In Bloom bridges that gap by offering an integrated after-school care program right alongside their standard classes.
They cultivate a strong family-first philosophy, ensuring all music and choreography remain completely age-appropriate for younger learners.
The facility also outlines a clear developmental path from toddler combination classes all the way up to advanced teen technique.
Parents can easily watch their children learn via live-feed TV monitors in the lobby without causing distractions inside the studio.
That said, the advanced performance company requires a year-long commitment along with a signed code of conduct, which may not suit every schedule
Their single Bellevue location might also pose a challenge for families navigating heavy afternoon traffic from other neighborhoods.
Luckily, their free trial option lets you easily test the waters before signing up.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommend!
Our three daughters are enrolled in Dance in Bloom. They look forward to their class each and every week! All of their teachers have been wonderful dancers, great teachers, and caring adults. Destiny communicates really well and is super responsive to parent questions and needs. Highly recommend!
- Morgan B | Google Review
Safe place where kids and parents can get together
We took our daughter to “try out” dancing. 12 years later and 20+ recitals since then and counting. Dance in Bloom and the staff have become a second family.
I think it’s a Bellevue Right of Passage that all kids try out Dance in Bloom. It’s a safe place where kids and parents can get together.
I think it’s the best thing in Bellevue.
- Steve Dunn | Google Review
