18 Best Jacksonville Dance Teachers

A Social Affair Dance Studio has provided ballroom and Latin dance programs for the greater Jacksonville area since 1995. Beginner to advanced dancers can take classes in ballroom, swing, country western, salsa, night club, and other social partner dances. The staff is professionally certified and keep up-to-date with training by top national and international coaches. Students describe the instructors of A Social Affair Dance Studio as friendly, patient, and knowledgeable.

Absolute Dance Studio provides ballroom, Latin, swing, and wedding dance instruction for students in the Jacksonville Metro area. The studio hosts group classes, private lessons, and practice parties. Owner Stanislav Datsenko has earned many honors and placements in his professional dance career, including ranking as a semi-finalist in world and European dance championships. Students highly recommend Absolute Dance Studio for its team of friendly and capable dance instructors.

Alius Dance School integrates the Elemental Body Alignment System and other cross-training methods into classical dance instruction for Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Classes are available for all ages and include ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, musical theater, flamenco, and modern dance. The studio also hosts group fitness classes such as yoga, pilates, and Zumba.

All About Ballroom is a dance studio specializing in group and private ballroom dance classes for the greater Jacksonville area. The studio’s classes include waltz, foxtrot, salsa, tango, and merengue. Couples can also learn wedding dance choreography. The three wedding dance packages can be customized to accommodate both traditional and non-traditional weddings.

All-Starz Dance Studio specializes in children’s dance education for the greater Jacksonville area. The studio keeps class sizes small and arranges community dance performances throughout the year. Recitals are free for family and friends to attend. Owner Cindy Brown has taught dance for over 30 years, including as a dance team coach for Clay High School and Fleming Island High School.

Asbury Arts Center teaches dance, music, taekwondo, tumbling, and art for children in the greater Jacksonville area. Dance students can choose from ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, and baton twirling. All dance classes perform in an annual recital. Students who are selected for the center’s dance company participate in conventions, workshops, competitions, and community performances.

Buddy Sherwood School of Dance has over 60 years of history training dance students in the Jacksonville Metro area. Programs include tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop for both recreational and competitive dancing. Owner Luann Fair leads the school with the help of her daughter Allie Fair, an award-winning choreographer.

Callahan Dance Academy offers dance training for all ages of students in the greater Jacksonville area. The school has served the surrounding community since 1980. Classes are available in tap, jazz, hip-hop, clogging, ballet, lyrical, and recreational gymnastics. Owner and director Terri Vaughn began training in dance at a young age and has performed both locally and nationally.

Dance Express is a dance studio based in Orange Park and serving the surrounding areas of Jacksonville. Students can practice tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, clogging, hip-hop, and musical theater. Families receive free admission to the annual recital. Parents praise Dance Express for the positive influence and confidence development that students receive in training.

Dance Salsa Jax started in 2005 as Jacksonville’s first social salsa dance school. The non-profit organization hosts Latin dance classes, parties and performance events in salsa, Rueda, bachata, and cha cha. Director Ally Knight has been teaching dance since 2010. She has performed on stage both across the country and around the world.

Dance Theater of Jacksonville offers dance instruction for students two years old through adulthood. Classes include tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theater. Students can also participate in dance competitions, public performances, and an annual recital. Dance Theater of Jacksonville is highly recommended for its professional instructors.

Flamenco Perspective offers Spanish dance and flamenco education for students in the Jacksonville Metro area. Students of all ages can also participate in the classical castanet program. The school is part of Ponte Vedra Ballet and Dance Company and the Fusion Performing Arts Academy. Director Dawn Wolf started the Ponte Vedra Ballet and Dance Company in 2003, specializing in proper technique and injury prevention.

Mark Spivak’s Institute opened in 1980 to provide dance instruction to the Jacksonville community. The school serves all ages with programs in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, acrobatics, tumbling, and more. Students perform in an annual show to share what they have learned and practiced during the year.

Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio provides the Jacksonville area with private lessons, group classes, and dance parties in a wide variety of dance styles. Founders Chris and Krista Thomas have over 20 years of experience in dance instruction. The studio emphasizes fitness and holistic wellness.

Reach Destiny Arts is a dance studio in the Jacksonville area with classes from preschool to adulthood. The Christian-influenced studio focuses on creating a wholesome, positive environment to inspire students. Classes include ballet, pointe, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz. The senior dance team of Reach Destiny Arts has performed in regional and state talent competitions throughout Florida and won first place at an international competition in 2011.

River City Fine Arts Academy promotes fine arts training with a studio based in the historic downtown of Jacksonville. The studio supports dancers at any age and level through classes and private lessons. Since 2007, founder Mayra Fernandez has also led and choreographed F13RCE Dance Theatre, an experimental performing arts company for dancers in middle school and high school.

Switzerland Dance School provides well-rounded dance education for children in the greater Jacksonville area. Adult ballet and tap classes are available in addition to the full range of children’s programs. Former students have performed in professional dance companies both locally and nationally, taught in dance studios and schools, and traveled internationally for dance ministry. Families praise Switzerland Dance School as a supportive community that builds up the confidence of its students.

Tarifa Salem has specialized in Eastern dance arts for over 30 years. Tarifa teaches various dance classes, private sessions, and fitness training in the Jacksonville Metro area. She earned a Master’s degree in Dance Education from New York University and holds certifications in strength and conditioning, group fitness, yoga, aqua ballet, and more.