Have you been searching for the best Hip Hop Dance Classes the Bay Area has to offer? Or perhaps you’re revisiting this topic after some time to see what’s new? If you’re eager to dive into the Bay Area dance scene and discover amazing hip hop classes, you’ve come to the right place.
Back in 2016 and 2017, I embarked on a personal quest to experience every hip hop class available in the Bay Area. As a dance enthusiast, I wanted to find instructors that resonated with me. This exploration was crucial because, when I’m passionate about something, I fully commit.
A lot has changed since then. Teachers have come and gone, and the global pandemic significantly impacted our lives, including the dance community. Now, in a post-pandemic world, many of us are重新evaluating our dance routines. If you’re wondering, “Which classes should I take now?”, it’s important to understand that I’m not currently attending every hip hop dance class in the Bay Area. Honestly, getting out for an evening class requires a truly compelling reason these days!
The sheer volume of options is another factor. The Bay Area dance scene has exploded since my initial exploration. New studios, fresh instructors, and an invigorating energy are everywhere. Social media’s influence has fueled a desire to learn dance, leading to a surge in new businesses. Simultaneously, shifts in the city and economy have caused some studios to close. Keeping track of who’s who is quite a task.
Consider this as you read: this blog post isn’t the definitive, end-all guide to hip hop dance classes in the Bay Area. No single resource can truly capture everything. However, Bopsidy comes pretty close, as they consistently update their listings and provide information on various classes.
What I can offer is my informed perspective on classes I personally enjoy or have heard exceptional things about. These are instructors and communities that promise joy, happiness, and a chance to connect with incredible people. You’ll learn choreography and foundational moves that will impress (or maybe slightly shock) your family at the next gathering. These aren’t TikTok-trend classes; they are comprehensive 60 to 120-minute choreography or foundations courses designed to give you a deeper dance experience.
Huge thanks to my dedicated friends – Ellen, Erica, Jennifer, Tanya, Jen, James, Kevin, and Josef – who are still hitting those evening classes and keeping me in the loop about must-try experiences. Their recommendations are invaluable!
The City (San Francisco)
San Francisco is where my hip hop dance journey truly began. Thankfully, the established studios are still thriving, along with some exciting new additions.
City Dance
Those familiar with City Dance from 2016 will remember their original studios: two large spaces and a smaller one upstairs. While they were bustling and full of energy, they lacked AC, could get extremely crowded, and the bathrooms were always busy. However, Sandy and Jylly tirelessly kept City Dance alive. Now, in their new location near the old spot, you’re in for a treat. The main studio is enormous, with incredibly high ceilings.
Alt text: Spacious hip hop dance studio in San Francisco with high ceilings and ample dance floor, City Dance.
The vast space is a welcome change. Parking is street parking in SF, so be mindful of your belongings.
City Dance boasts a fantastic roster of instructors. I’ve personally loved classes with: Emerson Aquino, Andy Nguyen, JJ The Killah, Daniel Kang, Jepoy Papas, Julia Pereira, Lauren Benjamin, Robert Yu, Jay Chris Moore, Dillion Nguyen, Jeric Peregrino, Georgie Cormack, Sila Poe Charukesnant, and Andres + Dom. Their class schedule also features many instructors I haven’t yet experienced, which is a sign of fresh talent and energy. I recommend trying a “double header”: take a class with a teacher I’ve recommended, followed by one with an instructor who’s new to you. This is the best way to discover instructors who truly match your style and personality. Some will be the perfect fit, while others might feel like that itchy wool dress your mom insisted you wear. You won’t know until you try!
The Company, an incredible dance team from Daly City, also holds weekly classes at City Dance called CompanyFam Choreo. Taking their class is a must. This isn’t for beginners; they will push you. Whoever is teaching in that slot, expect a challenging and rewarding experience. I’ve taken classes from The Company instructors like Jolo Cabrera, Alfred Remulla, Jepoy, and Aggie Loyola. Eddie Mina’s video perfectly captures the class’s intensity.
For newcomers to City Dance, I always suggest Emerson Aquino first. He was my initial City Dance instructor and played a key role in my hip hop dance journey. His classes are excellent for beginners, offering foundational moves that are also adaptable for more experienced dancers. Emerson’s positive and welcoming energy ensures a great 90 minutes.
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Alt text: Hip hop dance class led by Emerson Aquino at City Dance, San Francisco, beginner-friendly choreography.
For those seeking empowering, feminine-focused classes at City Dance, Julia Pereira is your go-to. Her classes are full of hairography and moves that will make you feel incredibly confident and powerful.
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Alt text: Femme hip hop dance choreography class with Julia Pereira at City Dance, San Francisco, emphasizing hair and body movement.
Alan Frias in SF
Alan Frias deserves his own category. He’s a significant figure in the Bay Area dance scene. Although he no longer resides here permanently, he regularly commutes to teach pop-up classes at City Dance and Uforia. Follow his account to stay updated on his schedule.
My first class with Alan was intimidating. Everyone seemed so skilled and danced with such intensity and passion. However, after about ten classes, I started to grasp his style and keep up. His classes are incredibly fun. He’s hilarious, often inappropriate in the best way, and, most importantly, a fantastic teacher. He teaches complex moves that feel natural on your body.
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Alt text: Energetic hip hop dance class with Alan Frias at City Dance, San Francisco, advanced choreography and dynamic movements.
Andres + Dom
Since April 2024, Andres and Dom have been teaching a weekly Saturday 11 am class at City Dance. It’s all about good vibes and fun. Both are NBA Warriors dancers, bringing top-tier talent. Their warm-ups are excellent, and they introduce intricate steps in an engaging and accessible way. Expect to sweat, laugh, and keep coming back. Their choreography is often bouncy and masculine, but you’re encouraged to personalize it with your own style.
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Alt text: Hip hop duo Andres and Dom teaching a high-energy class at City Dance, San Francisco, showcasing their choreography.
Check their Instagram stories for previews of the choreography they plan to teach, so you can mentally prepare for the fun chaos ahead.
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Alt text: Andres and Dom hip hop dance class announcement on Instagram, promoting their weekly session at City Dance, San Francisco.
Dance Mission
Dance Mission is a studio I truly adore. I love the brick walls and large windows. The dance energy within this space is exceptional. Teachers I’ve taken classes with or have been highly recommended include Brandie Norris, Jocquese Whitfield, David Schrag, Kyle Limin, Trey Brice-Russell, Micaya, and Tika Morgan.
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Alt text: Brandie Norris teaching a hip hop dance class at Dance Mission, San Francisco, showcasing expressive and dynamic movement.
Parking in the Mission District can be challenging, but the experience at Dance Mission is worth it. They’ve recently renovated and now offer two large studios, one medium, and a small one. The bathroom upgrades are a significant improvement from 2016!
Lines Dance Center
Pre-pandemic, I frequented Lines Dance Center for their hip hop offerings. Currently, their focus leans more towards ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. It’s a beautiful studio reminiscent of a classic New York studio, with large mirrors and marley floors. I’ve taken Kathy Mata’s ballet class, which was wonderful and insightful. For hip hop at Lines, Dexandro Montalvo is highly recommended. He significantly shaped my hip hop dance journey for years and now focuses on contemporary, which is incredibly challenging yet rewarding.
Learn more about Lines Dance Center here
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Alt text: Dexandro Montalvo demonstrating contemporary hip hop movement at Lines Dance Center, San Francisco, emphasizing fluidity and lines.
ODC
ODC was one of the first studios I attended as a beginner. Shereen Prince taught me my first grapevine here. While I felt awkward initially, after a year, I became more comfortable thanks to Shereen’s guidance. ODC offers diverse classes, including Contemporary, Salsa, Hula, Tai Chi, Ballet, Tap, Reggaeton, and Pilates. Their Rhythm & Motion class with Dudley Flores is fantastic. Dudley is a truly great person.
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Alt text: Dudley Flores leading a Rhythm & Motion hip hop dance class at ODC, San Francisco, blending various dance styles for a workout.
Rhythm & Motion is a dance workout class that blends hip hop, contemporary, salsa, and more. It can be overwhelming at first, but after a few classes, you’ll find your rhythm and feel empowered.
Rae Studios
Jessica Rae, the owner and creator of Rae Studios, is truly inspiring. She’s a phenomenal dancer, incredibly strong, and has built a business that not only teaches dance but also supports dancers in the entertainment industry. Her studio has grown impressively from a cute boutique space to a renovated studio designed for capturing those perfect Instagram moments.
Learn more about Rae Studios here
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Alt text: Interior of Rae Studios in San Francisco, showcasing a modern and stylish dance space designed for photos and videos.
They have two studios, medium and small, offering a variety of classes. I’ve taken classes with Jessica and JJ Ghera, both fantastic and fun. While I haven’t taken Ki’s class, I’ve seen him in action, and he’s incredibly talented.
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Alt text: Ki The ‘Tiger’ demonstrating powerful hip hop choreography at Rae Studios, San Francisco, highlighting dynamic movements.
Uforia Studios
While I’m sad about the closure of their Palo Alto studio, SF residents are lucky to still have Uforia’s Nob Hill location. This studio is a pink paradise.
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Alt text: Vibrant pink interior of Uforia Studios in San Francisco, showcasing its energetic and colorful dance environment.
They have a large dance studio and a separate spinning studio. Uforia offers dance, strength, and cycling classes. While all are great, their dance classes are my favorite.
Josef is the instructor at Uforia who has completely won me over.
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Alt text: Josef teaching a hip hop class at Uforia Studios, San Francisco, known for his positive energy and accessible choreography.
Josef’s classes are fantastic, and he’s incredibly positive. His choreography builds upon familiar club moves, enhancing and refining them to make you look and feel amazing. You’ll leave his class feeling like royalty.
Uforia often hosts excellent pop-up classes, so follow their Instagram to stay informed. Pop-ups are a great way to experience new instructors in a comfortable setting.
Popstar Booty Camp
I’ve been familiar with Carol Jay and Popstar Booty Camp for a long time. They hire instructors who teach choreography inspired by popular music videos. Want to learn Jeon Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You” moves? Obsessed with The Jungle’s dance style and want to embody “that girl”? Popstar Booty Camp has you covered.
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Alt text: Popstar Booty Camp hip hop dance class in San Francisco, focusing on popular music video choreography and performance style.
Keep in mind that music video dances are performed by professionals with years of training and extensive rehearsal. You might not master Jungle’s “Back on 74” choreography in one class, or even ten. But you will learn the moves and capture the essence of those iconic videos, which can be incredibly rewarding and inspiring.
Learn more about Popstar Booty Camp here
Mood & Moves
I visited Mood & Moves shortly after studios began reopening post-pandemic. It’s a charming boutique studio near the SF Costco. They have one studio space that hosts a variety of fun classes. Heels classes are particularly popular here, thanks to the clean wood floors, beautiful mirrors, and mood lighting.
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Alt text: Mood & Moves dance studio interior in San Francisco, featuring wood floors, mirrors, and ambient lighting, ideal for heels dance classes.
While heels aren’t my personal preference, I appreciate the artistry and know many dancers who love Mood & Moves for heels classes. Street parking is available, and the studio is accessible via stairs.
The Peninsula + San Jose
Being from LA, I appreciate the suburban vibe. The Peninsula feels like home, is close to work, and has two nearby Costcos. For a long time, finding dance studios in this area was challenging. However, that’s no longer the case.
Peninsula Lively Arts
Located across from Trader Joe’s in the former Circuit City building, Peninsula Lively Arts is a surprising find. Ballet is their primary focus, but they offer a Wednesday night hip hop class with Angela Barrera that’s highly recommended. While I haven’t taken her class myself, many dancer friends praise her, and from what I’ve seen, she’s excellent.
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Alt text: Angela Barrera teaching a hip hop dance class at Peninsula Lively Arts, showcasing her energetic and engaging teaching style.
Register for classes here: https://www.peninsulalivelyarts.org/adult-ballet-class-schedule
Folau House
George Folau is known for his incredible musicality and style. His regular classes in San Mateo are a must-try. While the classes are shorter, he packs a lot into each hour.
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Alt text: George Folau demonstrating his unique hip hop style in a class setting, promoting his classes in San Mateo.
Groovitude
If daytime classes are your preference, Groovitude in Palo Alto is perfect. Parking is always easy. Run by Mandy and Lisa, two talented and hardworking women, they consistently deliver great choreography. The dancers here are loyal and welcoming, creating a strong community. The dance style is lively and joyful.
Learn more about Groovitude here
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Alt text: Groovitude Dance Studio class in Palo Alto, showcasing a group of dancers performing joyful and energetic hip hop choreography.
Yuko Lee
Yuko Lee is a sweet and generous teacher. Her GROOV3 classes are always packed with enthusiastic dancers. For those who prefer dancing with a slightly older demographic, Yuko’s classes often attract a diverse age range, which can be refreshing.
Follow her IG for class locations
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Alt text: Yuko Lee teaching a GROOV3 hip hop dance class, emphasizing fun and inclusive movement for all ages and levels.
Motion Arts Center
Motion Arts Center in San Mateo is a charming space with easy parking and a welcoming vibe. Francesca’s intermediate hip hop class is positive and inclusive, accommodating both beginners and more experienced dancers. Her technique is excellent, and her classes are full of groovy moments.
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Alt text: Motion Arts Center hip hop dance class in San Mateo, featuring Francesca leading a diverse group of dancers in a spacious studio.
Learn more about Motion Arts here
Can’t Stop The Drop
Palo Alto residents don’t need to travel far to get their groove on. Devi has created Can’t Stop The Drop, offering outdoor classes with groovy vibes and powerful moves. They host regular classes and workshops, often incorporating costumes and creating final dance videos to share.
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Alt text: Can’t Stop The Drop outdoor silent disco hip hop dance class in Palo Alto, featuring dancers with costumes and energetic choreography.
Enjoy Dance Studio
Cupertino is home to Enjoy Dance Studio, a truly exceptional space. They’ve invested in everything a dancer could want: large mirrors, ceiling displays with live camera feeds of the instructor, dramatic lighting, AC, and 4K video recording with free downloads within hours. It’s a dream studio for dancers.
Teachers I love at Enjoy include CZ, Mo, Nate, Leon, Brandon, and Ray.
Navigating their registration system, which is primarily in Chinese, can be a bit tricky. Use Google Translate and persevere; it’s worth it.
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Alt text: Enjoy Dance Studio interior in Cupertino, showcasing its high-tech features, spacious dance floor, and modern design.
While Enjoy’s classes are slightly pricier, the technology and quality are unmatched. Parking is easy, and boba is just a short drive away.
Montage Dance Productions
I love Montage Dance Productions’ space and frequently check their Instagram for class updates. Classes I’ve enjoyed are with Lauren, Jaylen Pea, Chris Alcanices, and LQ. Parking is easy and free, and the vibe is great.
On One Dance Studio
Remember Monday Night Workshop from 2015? It was an incredible late-night dance class held at what is now On One Dance Studio. After renovations and new leadership, On One has become one of the most popular studios in the area. The leadership, community, easy parking, and proximity to Target are all fantastic. They have one large, one medium, and one small studio with great wood-like floors perfect for gliding.
Teachers I love or know are amazing at On One include Monica Chan, Nate Souryasack, Tad Racca, Rhoville, Alyssa Corpuz, Sila Poe, Jay Chris Moore, Kate Dimalanta, Jonathan Pham, Lauren Benjamin, Deziree Del Rosario, Eddie Mina, and Darius Sparks.
Teachers that especially stand out to me are:
Monica Chan, whose choreography is incredibly captivating.
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Alt text: Monica Chan teaching a hip hop class at On One Studios, showcasing her unique and engaging choreography style.
Tad Racca, whose grooves are fire, and footwork is incredibly fast.
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Alt text: Tad Racca leading a high-energy hip hop class at On One Studios, known for his fast footwork and dynamic style.
Rho, who always guarantees fun and hairography moments.
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Alt text: Rho teaching a hip hop class at On One Studios, emphasizing hairography and fun, expressive movements.
Nate, whose flow is incredibly joyful.
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Alt text: Nate Souryasack teaching a hip hop class at On One Studios, known for his smooth flow and joyful dance style.
Alyssa Corpuz, with her signature pony moves and infectious smile.
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Alt text: Alyssa Corpuz teaching a hip hop class at On One Studios, known for her pony moves, smile, and engaging teaching.
On One frequently hosts pop-up classes with instructors from around the world, which are highly recommended as a cost-effective way to experience diverse styles without traveling far.
Susan & Kerry Fitness Classes
While called fitness classes, Susan & Kerry Fitness Classes teach GROOV3 and Hip Hop cardio, which are high-energy dance workouts. If you’re new to hip hop and hesitant to start, these ladies are perfect. They teach basic, easy-to-learn moves and build upon them, helping you become a “groove master.” Even as a more experienced dancer, I still enjoy their classes for the fun and welcoming community.
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Alt text: Susan & Kerry Fitness Classes hip hop cardio class, showcasing beginner-friendly choreography and a joyful atmosphere.
Oakland
For me to travel to Oakland, a class needs to be exceptional. Crossing a $7 bridge and paying for gas, it has to be worthwhile. Two studios in Oakland consistently make the 80-mile round trip worth it.
In the Groove
Leslie Pantichpakdi and Daniel Kang have created In the Groove, truly one of the best studios. The choreography here is outstanding. I’ve been taking Leslie’s classes for over 10 years, and she’s my favorite.
Leslie’s choreography is simply captivating.
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Alt text: Leslie Pantichpakdi teaching a hip hop class at In the Groove Studios, Oakland, known for her intricate and musical choreography.
Daniel Kang’s classes are full of groovy joy. His chill vibe contrasts with the challenging yet fun choreography. In the Groove has several dance teams, contributing to the high quality of instruction. They frequently host pop-up classes with leading figures in the hip hop dance community.
Teachers I adore here include Leslie, Daniel, and Julia Pereira.
Learn more about In The Groove here
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT IN THE GROOVE They are expanding and seeking community support to create an even better dance space. Consider supporting their GoFundMe to help them build a fantastic new studio. Support them here.
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Alt text: In The Groove Studios promotion for their GoFundMe campaign, seeking support for their studio expansion in Oakland.
Full Out Studios
I’ve left a lot of sweat on the floors of Full Out Studios, and I happily continue to do so. They have three studios, with concrete floors ideal for gliding. Teachers I love include Emerson Aquino, Alli Fritz, Rocko Luciano, and Georgie Carmack. The 401K dance team also offers open classes here, featuring amazing guest choreographers.
Learn more about Full Out here
re.DEFINE
re.DEFINE in Hayward is the best studio in the area. Led by Michael “Mappy” Mappala and Margela Cruz, they’ve cultivated a welcoming community that creates beautiful dance. Teachers I love include Mappy, Margela, Cole, and Anthony.
Anthony’s choreography is particularly inspiring.
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Alt text: Anthony teaching a hip hop class at re.DEFINE studio in Hayward, known for his inspiring and soulful choreography.
Learn more about re.DEFINE here
Explore these studios and teachers to find your perfect hip hop dance class in the Bay Area. Get ready to move, groove, and discover the joy of dance!
