Last Updated: July 10, 2025 | New Styles Added: K-pop Fusion, Contemporary Jazz
7 Main Dance Style Categories - Quick Guide
- Classical/Ballet
- Technical foundation with positions, turnout, and French terminology. Best for: discipline, posture, technique, and grace. Learn proper dance terminology that forms the basis of most styles.
- Jazz/Commercial
- High-energy, performance-focused with isolations and dynamics. Best for: stage presence, versatility, and entertainment. Perfect for those interested in performance skills.
- Hip Hop/Urban
- Street-style dancing with emphasis on rhythm, attitude, and personal style. Best for: self-expression, fitness, and contemporary culture. Connects strongly with music and rhythm.
- Contemporary/Modern
- Expressive movement combining multiple techniques with emotional storytelling. Best for: artistic expression, creativity, and versatility.
- Tap/Percussive
- Rhythm-based dance creating music through footwork. Best for: musicality, coordination, and rhythmic precision.
- Acrobatic/Athletic
- Dance combined with gymnastic elements. Best for: strength, flexibility, and impressive tricks. Excellent conditioning benefits.
- Cultural/Social
- Traditional and social dance forms from various cultures. Best for: cultural connection, social interaction, and community.
New to Dance? Start Here
- Ages 3-6: Creative Movement or Parent/Child classes - Build coordination and love of movement
- Ages 7-12: Ballet for technique, Jazz for fun, Hip Hop for energy
- Teens: Any style, but Contemporary and Hip Hop are especially popular
- Adults: Tap for low-impact rhythm, Hip Hop for fitness, Ballet for posture
Dance Styles Comparison Chart
| Style | Physical Demands | Music Type | Best Age to Start | Required Attire | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballet | High flexibility, moderate cardio | Classical, orchestral | 3+ years | Leotard, tights, ballet shoes | Posture, discipline, grace |
| Jazz | Moderate flexibility, high cardio | Pop, musical theater | 5+ years | Form-fitting clothes, jazz shoes | Energy, performance, versatility |
| Hip Hop | Moderate flexibility, high cardio | Hip hop, pop, electronic | 7+ years | Comfortable street clothes, sneakers | Rhythm, confidence, fitness |
| Contemporary | High flexibility, moderate cardio | Various, often emotional | 10+ years | Form-fitting clothes, bare feet/foot undies | Expression, creativity, strength |
| Tap | Low flexibility, moderate cardio | Jazz, Broadway, swing | 5+ years | Comfortable clothes, tap shoes | Rhythm, coordination, musicality |
| Acro | Very high flexibility, high strength | Various | 6+ years | Form-fitting clothes, bare feet | Strength, flexibility, tricks |
Explore the World of Dance
Dance is a universal language that speaks through movement, rhythm, and expression. Each style tells its own story, carries its own traditions, and offers unique ways to connect with music and emotion.
Dance styles are distinct forms of movement expression, each with unique techniques, cultural origins, music preferences, and artistic goals. From the structured elegance of ballet to the raw energy of hip hop, dance styles represent different approaches to interpreting music and emotion through the human body.
Every dance style has evolved through specific cultural contexts, historical periods, and artistic innovations. Understanding different dance styles helps dancers, parents, and enthusiasts choose the right form of expression for their goals, whether that's physical fitness, artistic expression, cultural connection, or professional development.
At Dance House Productions, we celebrate the diversity of dance by offering classes in multiple styles. Whether you're drawn to the precision of ballet, the energy of hip hop, or the creativity of contemporary dance, there's a style that will speak to you.
Click on any style below to learn about its history, characteristics, and what makes it special.
How Dance Styles Are Categorized
Dance professionals typically organize dance styles into several main categories:
- Technical/Classical Styles: Ballet, tap, and traditional forms requiring specific codified techniques
- Performance/Commercial Styles: Jazz, musical theater, and styles seen in entertainment
- Expressive/Contemporary Styles: Modern, contemporary, and lyrical focusing on emotion and artistry
- Cultural/Social Styles: Hip hop, Latin, ballroom, and folk dances rooted in specific cultures
- Fusion Styles: Acro, contemporary jazz, and other blends of multiple dance forms
Choosing Your Dance Style - Interactive Guide
If you love current music and want a fun workout...
Try Hip Hop or Jazz - both offer high-energy movement to popular music with great cardio benefits.
If you want strong technical foundation and discipline...
Start with Ballet - it provides the fundamental technique that enhances all other dance forms.
If you're drawn to emotional expression and artistry...
Contemporary or Lyrical dance allow for personal interpretation and storytelling through movement.
If you enjoy making music while you dance...
Tap dance transforms you into a percussionist, creating rhythms with your feet.
If you're athletic and love gymnastics...
Acro dance combines dance technique with tumbling and impressive tricks.
Popular Dance Style Combinations
- Ballet + Jazz: Classic combo for well-rounded technique and performance skills. Ballet provides the foundation while jazz adds energy and style.
- Hip Hop + Breaking: Street dance mastery combining grooves with athletic floor work. Perfect for those who love urban dance culture.
- Contemporary + Acro: Artistic athleticism blending emotional expression with impressive tricks. Great for competitive dancers.
- Tap + Musical Theater: Broadway-ready combination focusing on rhythm and stage presence. Ideal for aspiring performers.
- Ballet + Contemporary: Technical precision meets creative freedom. Develops both classical technique and modern expression.
Dance Trends in 2025
- K-pop Fusion Classes: Combining jazz, hip hop, and contemporary styles with Korean pop choreography
- TikTok-Inspired Choreography: Short-form dances perfect for social media and quick learning
- Virtual Reality Dance Experiences: Technology meets movement in innovative new formats
- Adult Beginner Programs: Post-pandemic boom in adults discovering dance for fitness and fun
- Inclusive Dance Classes: Adaptive programs making dance accessible to all abilities
- Mindful Movement Fusion: Combining dance with yoga and meditation principles
Dance Styles Popular in Southern Maine
In the Biddeford-Saco area, certain dance styles have gained particular popularity due to our community's interests and demographics. Ballet remains strong with families valuing traditional arts education. Hip hop has exploded among teens and young adults, reflecting national trends.
Our coastal Maine location brings unique opportunities - many dancers combine their training with performances at local festivals like La Kermesse Franco-Américaine, showcasing both traditional and contemporary styles. The competitive dance scene in New England favors versatile dancers who study multiple styles.
Adult dance fitness has also grown significantly, with many Biddeford and Saco residents discovering dance as a fun alternative to gym workouts.
Classical & Traditional
Foundational dance forms with rich histories and established techniques
Ballet
The foundation of all dance
Classical ballet is the foundation of most dance forms, emphasizing grace, precision, and storytelling through movement. Originating in the royal courts of France and Italy, ballet combines artistry with athleticism.
Key Elements:
- Five basic positions of feet and arms
- Turnout from the hips
- Precise alignment and technique
- French terminology
Benefits:
- Physical: Flexibility, strength, perfect posture
- Mental: Discipline, focus, attention to detail
- Social: Teamwork in ensemble work, stage presence
Tap Dance
Rhythm made visible
Tap dance transforms dancers into percussionists, creating rhythms with metal plates attached to their shoes. This uniquely American art form combines African rhythms with European dancing traditions.
Key Elements:
- Rhythmic precision and timing
- Coordinated footwork patterns
- Improvisation and personal style
- Musical interpretation through movement
Benefits:
- Physical: Cardiovascular fitness, coordination, agility
- Mental: Rhythm development, memorization, creativity
- Social: Performance confidence, musical collaboration
Contemporary & Modern
Expressive styles that blend tradition with innovation
Jazz Dance
Energy, expression, and individuality
Jazz dance is characterized by its energetic, expressive movements and syncopated rhythms. Born from African American vernacular dance and jazz music, it emphasizes individuality and improvisation.
Key Elements:
- Isolation of body parts
- Syncopated rhythms
- Sharp, dynamic movements
- Personal expression and style
Benefits:
- Physical: Full-body workout, flexibility, stamina
- Mental: Quick thinking, musicality, confidence
- Social: Stage presence, group synchronization
Contemporary
Freedom of movement and emotion
Contemporary dance combines elements of ballet, modern, and jazz dance. It emphasizes versatility, creativity, and emotional expression through fluid, organic movements that connect to the music and story.
Key Elements:
- Fluid, organic movement
- Floor work and levels
- Emotional storytelling
- Versatile technique
Benefits:
- Physical: Core strength, flexibility, body awareness
- Mental: Emotional expression, creativity, artistry
- Social: Collaborative creation, partner work
Lyrical Dance
Dancing the lyrics
Lyrical dance combines ballet technique with jazz, contemporary, and modern elements to express the emotions and story of the music's lyrics. It's characterized by fluid, expressive movements.
Key Elements:
- Emotional interpretation
- Ballet-based technique
- Connection to lyrics
- Flowing, continuous movement
Benefits:
- Physical: Grace, flexibility, control
- Mental: Emotional intelligence, interpretation skills
- Social: Storytelling ability, audience connection
Urban & Street Styles
High-energy styles born from urban culture and street dance
Hip Hop
Culture, community, and creativity
Hip hop dance emerged from hip hop culture in the 1970s, emphasizing personal style, creativity, and community. It includes various styles like popping, locking, and breaking, all united by the hip hop aesthetic.
Key Elements:
- Personal style and attitude
- Musicality and rhythm
- Freestyle and improvisation
- Community and culture
Benefits:
- Physical: Cardio fitness, strength, coordination
- Mental: Self-confidence, creativity, quick thinking
- Social: Cultural appreciation, crew bonding
Breaking
The original b-boy/b-girl dance
Breaking (breakdancing) is one of the original elements of hip hop culture, featuring athletic floor work, spins, and freezes. It's a highly athletic and creative form that emphasizes individual style.
Key Elements:
- Toprock (standing moves)
- Downrock (floor work)
- Power moves and freezes
- Battle culture
Benefits:
- Physical: Total body strength, agility, endurance
- Mental: Problem-solving, resilience, innovation
- Social: Respect, battle etiquette, crew loyalty
Specialty & Athletic
Specialized forms that combine dance with acrobatics and conditioning
Acro Dance
Where dance meets gymnastics
Acro dance combines classical dance technique with acrobatic elements. It requires strength, flexibility, and precise technique to seamlessly blend gymnastic skills with dance choreography.
Key Elements:
- Flexibility and strength
- Tumbling and acrobatic tricks
- Smooth transitions
- Balance and control
Benefits:
- Physical: Extreme flexibility, core strength, balance
- Mental: Risk assessment, precision, focus
- Social: Trust in spotting, impressive performances
Dance Conditioning
Building strength for dance
Dance conditioning focuses on building the strength, flexibility, and endurance needed for all dance styles. It incorporates exercises specifically designed to improve dance technique and prevent injury.
Key Elements:
- Core strength and stability
- Flexibility and mobility
- Dance-specific exercises
- Injury prevention
Benefits:
- Physical: Injury prevention, enhanced technique, stamina
- Mental: Body awareness, goal setting, discipline
- Social: Supporting fellow dancers, shared goals
Frequently Asked Questions About Dance Styles
What dance style should beginners start with?
While any dance style can be started as a beginner, many dancers begin with ballet for its foundational technique or jazz for its accessibility and fun factor. Adults often enjoy starting with social styles like hip hop or Latin. The best style is one that excites and motivates you to keep dancing.
Can you learn multiple dance styles at once?
Yes! Many dancers successfully study 2-3 styles simultaneously. Common combinations include ballet and jazz, contemporary and hip hop, or tap and musical theater. Multiple styles complement each other and accelerate overall dance development.
What's the hardest dance style to learn?
Ballet is often considered the most technically demanding due to its precise positions and requirement for flexibility and strength. However, "hardest" is subjective - breaking requires different athletic abilities, and tap demands complex rhythm skills. Each style has its own challenges.
What dance styles are best for kids?
Young children (3-6) benefit from creative movement and parent/child classes. Elementary ages can begin any style, with ballet, jazz, and tap being popular choices. Hip hop appeals to kids who enjoy current music. The key is finding age-appropriate instruction that makes dance fun while building skills.
Which dance styles help with weight loss?
High-energy styles like hip hop, jazz, and Latin dance can burn 400-600 calories per hour. However, all dance styles provide exercise benefits. The best style for fitness is one you enjoy enough to do regularly. Check our class schedule for fitness-focused options.
Do I need to learn ballet before other dance styles?
While ballet provides an excellent technical foundation, it's not required before starting other styles. Many successful hip hop dancers never studied ballet, and tap has its own foundational technique. However, ballet training enhances performance in most other styles.
What dance styles are best for adults?
Adults can learn any dance style! Popular choices include hip hop for fun fitness, ballroom for social dancing, contemporary for artistic expression, and tap for rhythm and coordination. Many studios offer adult beginner classes in multiple styles.
How many types of dance are there?
There are hundreds of dance styles worldwide, but they generally fall into 7 main categories as outlined above. Each category contains numerous sub-styles and variations, creating endless possibilities for dancers to explore.
What's the easiest dance style to learn?
Jazz and hip hop are often considered the most accessible for beginners due to their emphasis on natural movement and current music. However, "easy" depends on individual strengths - those with musical backgrounds may find tap intuitive, while flexible individuals might excel at contemporary.
Which dance style burns the most calories?
High-intensity styles like hip hop, jazz funk, and Zumba can burn 400-600 calories per hour. Breaking and acro dance also provide intense workouts. However, even lower-impact styles like ballet burn 300-400 calories per hour while building strength and flexibility. Learn more about dance fitness benefits in our dance blog.