As dancers, we are often creatures of habit and can sometimes overlook all the incredible resources at our disposal here in the city. From studio space to anti-bunhead fitness, here are a few of the resources to take advantage of, especially as we hurdle through December and into a new year!
Where To Take Class
Steps on Broadway (Upper West Side)
- Open 7 days a week
- Offers a variety of classes including ballet, tap, theatre jazz, hip-hop, lastics stretch, and Gyrokinesis
- $20 drop-in, $18 pro-rate (i.e. equity)
- Niche: Steps is a New York institution and one of the best options for ballet dancers. Steps is reliable and facilitates strong relationships between student and teacher.
Broadway Dance Center (Hell’s Kitchen/Times Square)
- Open 7 days a week
- Known for bringing in the hottest stars on the stage for classes and workshops
- $22 drop-in
- Niche: BDC is another dance staple in the city with a more commercial approach. It is a great place to see and be seen.
Peridance Capezio Center (Union Square)
- Open 7 days a week
- Variety of classes with more contemporary work
- Resident company
- $20 drop-in, $17 pro-rate
- Niche: A great alternative to Steps, Peridance often has the advantage of smaller class sizes.
Ballet Arts (New York City Center)
- Open 7 days a week
- Predominantly ballet with a peppering of other genres
- Often hosts master classes with visiting and local artists
- $17 drop-in, $16 pro-rate
- Niche: Ballet Arts is a less expensive alternative with quality teachers. It can be less crowded than Steps or BDC but with a limited schedule.
Mark Morris Dance Center (Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
- Open 7 days a week
- One of the more diverse schedules, emphasizing collective support for dance and the arts
- $17 drop-in
- Niche: If you live in Brooklyn, this is a wonderful option. The Mark Morris Dance Center is also home to its wellness center, for fitness and therapy.
Gibney (Flatiron District and Tribeca)
- Promotes accessible space and training for the community with an emphasis on contemporary techniques
- Resident company
- $17 drop-in
- Niche: Gibney is a great option for contemporary classes and workshops with opportunities to get invested in other aspects of the nonprofit dance community.
Tip: These studios offer studio rentals. Consider renting out space if you are trying to film material for your audition reel, are rehearsing repertoire, or just want to play around with movement. They also all offer varying work/study opportunities.
Pointe Shoe Experts
Freed of London (Long Island City) – Brenda Neville – brenda@freeddirect.com
Grishko (Hell’s Kitchen) – Judy Weiss – judy@grishko.com
Onstage Dancewear (Midtown) also offers private fittings– info@onstagedancewear.com
*Most dance shops in the city offer fittings. Always check in with the individual store if you need to be fit.
Videographers And Editors
Nel Shelby and Associates
https://www.nelshelby.com/
Milan Misko – miskosproduction@gmail.com
Conditioning And Wellness
Harkness Center for Dance Injuries
https://med.nyu.edu/hjd/harkness/
Mark Morris Wellness Center
http://markmorrisdancegroup.org/dance-center/wellness-center
The Pilates Room
http://www.thepilatesroomnyc.com/
IMX Pilates (reformer)
http://www.imxpilatesstudio.com/
Cross Training
Anti-Bunhead
Tanya Trombly (@bulletproof_ballerina) – professional dancer, personal trainer ttrombly@antibunheadfitness.com
Gyrotonics
Village Gyrotonic
http://www.villagegyrotonic.com/
Circular Power Gyrotonics
http://www.circularpower.com/
Stamina
AKT https://aktinmotion.com/
Gym
Refine (Founded by former NYCB dancer, Brynn Putnam) http://www.refinemethod.com/
Barre
Physique 57 https://physique57.com/
Need more recommendations, want to learn more about Rachel’s process, or interested in booking a shoot? Drop us a line at info@www.rachelnevillestudios.com.
