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Sydney's best street dance studios
Whether your style is hip-hop or popping, house or reggaeton, Sydney's got a dance studio for you. Here's six to put on your radar.
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As previous Red Bull Dance Your Style winner Tony Oxybel sees it, there’s nothing like the liberation that comes with dance.
“Generally in life, I’m a very reserved person,” he once told Red Bull. “But dance really brings that other side of me where I’m more fun and more confident. And dance allows me to deal with my true authentic self. It’s not as easy in real life to be vulnerable. But dance is really freeing.”
It’s a sentiment many dancers would echo. Luckily, in Sydney, there’s no shortage of places to tap into that liberation. We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dance studios -- if you’re keen to get moving, it’s just a matter of finding the right spot for you.
Whether you’ve been training your style for years or just feel inspired to take your very first class, here’s Sydney’s best dance studios (for adults, that is – kids might check out the likes of Dance Nation or the Intricate School of Hip-Hop).
01
DUTI
Where: Enmore
Since 2015, DUTI has been operating what might be Sydney’s coolest dance studio, smack bang in the middle of Enmore Road. DUTI – that’s Dancing Under The Influence – offers a fusion of contemporary, commercial and street styles. Here, you could take classes in hip-hop or dancehall; Brazilian funk or African dance. There’s also popping, house and reggaeton on offer, with beginner levels and open classes.
02
Crossover Dance Studio
Where: Sydney CBD
“This ain’t no warehouse,” Crossover Dance Studio declares on their website. Rather, their studios have been designed from the ground up with dance in mind. And with experienced teachers who’ve earned their stripes at battles around the city – think previous Dance Your Style victors Poppin Jack and Koh – they take street dance seriously.
They don’t just offer beginner or open classes – Crossover runs five different class levels, including advanced classes for high level dancers who’ve got over five years of dance in the style under their belt. The place to go if you’re a dedicated dancer looking to up your game.
03
Groove Therapy
Where: Erskineville and Marrickville
They might not have their own studio space – instead taking over the Anglican Church in Erskineville on Monday nights and Red Rattler Theatre in Marrickville on Tuesday evenings – but Groove Therapy have become one of the city’s best-loved dance purveyors for a reason.
Their classes are fun, loud and inclusive. Rather than drilling down to specific styles, they blend various street styles (think hip hop, house, dancehall and afrobeat) to offer “absolute beginner dance classes” that are “perfect for people who are convinced they can't dance”. Reserve your spot early -- their classes book out quickly.
04
Sydney Dance Company
Where: Walsh Bay
Sydney Dance Company is one of the city's most prestigious cultural institutions, home to a dance company full of Australia's finest talents. And it’s not only open to audiences looking to watch their incredible works.
Sydney Dance Company, or SDC, also run quality classes taught by some of the country’s most profile choreographers and instructors. There are over 75 classes on the schedule every week, ranging from ballet to contemporary and hip-hop. The cherry on the cake is SDC’s picture-perfect location: on the wharf, right next to beautiful Sydney Harbour.
05
Burrundi Theatre: Dance Central Sydney
Where: Surry Hills
Burundi Theatre – which operated as Dance Central under previous management – is a First Nations owned and operated dance studio on Cleveland Street in Surry Hills. Reborn under their new name in 2022, they offer drop-in classes for all levels, in heels, afro-fusion, dancehall, contemporary and hip-hop.
06
Movement Nation
Where: Hurstville and Parramatta
You don’t have to come into the city for a proper dance studio. With locations in Hurstville and Parramatta, Movement Nation is repping Sydney’s south and west. They offer classes like beginner hip-hop and choreography, plus Kpop, girl style and kids classes.
Did you catch this year's Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final? Check out the winning round from South Korean dance star Waackxxxy!
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