What is a contemporary dance?
Focusing on emotions and storytelling, contemporary dance is influenced by many forms of dance genres including ballet, jazz, lyrical and modern. Contemporary dancers aim to express themselves through movement, by placing emphasis on moving with ease and fluidity rather than the narrative of the dance.
The choreography tends to be very interpretive and allows the freedom of movement. It often involves the use of contrasting rhythms, postures and floorwork. Avoiding the strict structure of some dance styles, contemporary dancers are free to create new positions and experiment with movements.
Top contemporary dance classes in Singapore
Check out some of the top contemporary dance class studios in Singapore:
Company | Elevate Dance Academie |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://elevatedance.com.sg/ |
| Address | 27 West Coast Highway #02-01/24 Westway Mall, Singapore 117867 |
| Telephone | 81113601 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Tuesday : Closed (privates only) Wednesday – Friday: 6:30pm – 10:00pm Saturday – Sunday: 8:00am – 8:00pm |
Company | Dance Pointe Academy |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://dancepointe.com.sg/ |
| Address | 2 Jurong East Street 21, IMM Building, #04-28C (Lobby B), Singapore 609601 |
| Telephone | 65656368 |
| Operating Hours | Monday: 1:00pm- 9:00pm Wednesdays – Fridays: 12:30pm – 9:00pm Saturday: 9:00am- 8:30pm Sunday: 9:00am – 7:00pm |
Company | Stepping Out Studios |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Starts from $20 per session |
| Website | https://www.steppingoutstudios.com.sg/ |
| Address | 180 Kitchener Road, #08-05 City Square Mall, Singapore 208539 |
| Telephone | 6509 4300 |
| Operating Hours | Monday: 10:00am – 6:00pm Tuesday – Thursday: 9.30am – 6:30pm Closed on Fridays Saturday: 9:00am – 4:00pm Sunday: 9:00am –5:30pm |
Company | Sigma Collective Space |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $200 for 8 sessions |
| Website | https://www.sigmacontemporarydance.com/home |
| Address | 10 Raeburn Park, #03-10A, Singapore 088702 |
| Telephone | 9236 3464 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 9:00am – 10:00pm |
Company | STEP Studio |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $18 per class |
| Website | https://www.step.sg/ |
| Address | Peace Centre #04-13 228149 Singapore, |
| Telephone | 6397 4989 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 6:30pm – 10:00pm Closed on Sundays |
Company | Parampara |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | One time registration fee $50 From $90 per month for 4 classes |
| Website | https://www.parampara-sg.org/ |
| Address | 1 Brooke Rd, Singapore 429979 |
| Contact | 8138 7674 Email: [email protected] |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 10:00am – 8:00pm Weekends: 9:00am – 8:00pm |
Company | FiveLines |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://www.fivelines.asia/ |
| Address | 45 Armenian St, Singapore 179936 |
| Telephone | 8260 5368 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 9:00am – 6:00pm Thursdays: 8.30am – 5.30pm |
Company | DancEdge Academy |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $15 per session |
| Website | |
| Address | 520 Sims Avenue #02-02 Singapore 387580 |
| Telephone | – |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday: 7:00pm Wednesday: 7:00pm, 8:15pm Friday: 8:15pm |
Company | DanzPeople Singapore |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $16 per class |
| Website | www.danzpeople.com |
| Address | 6 Raffles Boulevard #02-15/16/17 Marina Square Singapore, Singapore |
| Telephone | 6884 9072 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 2:30pm – 9:30pm Saturdays: 11:00am – 7:00pm Sundays: 12:00pm – 7:00pm |
Company | Tanglin Arts Studio |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $25 per class |
| Website | https://www.tanglinartsstudio.com/ |
| Address | |
| Telephone | 8123 6770 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 3:30pm – 6:00pm Saturdays: 9:00am – 2:00pm Closed on Sundays |
Company | Converge Studios |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $16 per class |
| Website | www.convergestudios.sg |
| Address | #02-01, 137 Cecil Street, Singapore 069537 |
| Telephone | 6221 7980 |
| Operating Hours | Monday – Friday: 5:00pm – 10.30pm |
Company | Crestar School of Dance |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://crestardance.com.sg/ |
| Address | Blk 87 Marine Parade Central #04-301 |
| Telephone | 6352 5600 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 1:00pm – 9:30pm Saturdays: 9:00am – 7:00pm Sundays: 9:00am – 6:00pm |
Company | dAcademy |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | www.dacademy.com.sg |
| Address | Schools at Alexandra, Bishan, Bt Panjang, Jurong East, Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sengkang, Sembawang, Seletar. Yio Chu Kang, Tampines, Yishun. |
| Telephone | 6565 6368 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 12:00pm – 9:00pm Weekends: 9:00am – 9:00pm |
Company | BarreWorks Dance Studio |
| Speciality |
Services: Dance classes for all ages (3 years & up), Royal Academy of Dance (UK) registered school, Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop & Jazz Classes, Adult Ballet open classes, Competition training & Audition preparation |
| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://www.barreworks.sg/ Instagram: @barreworkssg Facebook: @barreworkssg |
| Address | 897b Old Holland Road, Singapore 278690 |
| Contact | Tel: (65) 9664 6551 Email: [email protected] |
| Operating Hours | Mondays, Wednesdays: 3:00pm – 9:00pm Tuesdays, Thursdays – Fridays: 9:00am – 9:00pm Saturdays: 9:00am – 7:00pm Sundays: 9:00am – 5:00pm |
| Clients | Children of all ages, from 3 years & up, Teens, Adults |
Company | The Dance Ensemble Singapore |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://www.des.org.sg/ |
| Address | 60 Waterloo Street Singapore 187957 |
| Telephone | 6334 7192 |
| Operating Hours | Mondays – Thursdays, Weekends: 10:00am – 6:00pm Saturdays: 10:00am – 10:00pm |
Company | The Dance Place |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://thedanceplace.net/ |
| Address | #08-02 Forum, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore, 238884 |
| Telephone | 69705262 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 10:45am – 8:30pm Saturdays: 9:00am – 1:00pm Closed on Sundays |
Company | Frontier Danceland |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $10 per class |
| Website | http://www.frontierdanceland.com/ |
| Address | 90 Goodman Road Goodman Arts Centre Block M #02-51/52 Singapore 439053 |
| Telephone | 6336 1526 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 9:30am – 6:30pm Saturday: 9:30am – 1:30pm Closed on Sundays |
Company | Joyful Steps & Rhythm |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | http://www.joyfulstepsandrhythm.com.sg/ |
| Address | 144 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, #03-29/30, Singapore 588177 |
| Telephone | 6465 5335 |
| Operating Hours | Monday: 3:00pm – 8:00pm Tuesday: 9:00am – 9:00pm Wednesday, Friday: 3:00pm – 9:00pm Thursday: 10:00am – 9:00pm Weekends: 9:00am – 7:00pm |
Company | Ritz Dance Studios |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | Contact for class rates |
| Website | https://www.ritzdance.com.sg/ |
| Address | #06-01, 1 Marine Parade Central, Parkway Centre, Singapore 449408 |
| Telephone |
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| Operating Hours | Wednesdays: 11:00am – 6:30pm Fridays: 11:00am – 8:00pm Saturdays: 9:30am – 5:30pm Sundays: 9:00am – 5:00pm Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays |
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Company | T.H.E Dance Company |
| Speciality |
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| Pricing | From $18 per class |
| Website | https://www.the-dancecompany.com/ |
| Address | 90 Goodman Rd, Blk M, #01-51 Goodman Rd, Singapore 439053 |
| Telephone | 6345 8454 |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays: 11:00am – 8:00pm Closed on Weekends |
Benefits of contemporary dance
Dancing provides a total body workout encompassing strength, balance and endurance. Also a form of exercise, it provides both mental and physical health benefits. Here are some of the advantages provided by contemporary dance:
Builds strength and endurance
As a highly energetic form of dance, contemporary dance focuses on one’s core strength and flexibility. Adopting the legwork from ballet and floorwork of modern dance, it combines various techniques from different dance genres. Through regular dance workouts, the routine can help to build muscle strength, improve posture and boost endurance.
Creative thinking
Being influenced by many dance styles, contemporary dance is constantly evolving over time. Unlike other choreographed dance, contemporary dance encourages self expression and spontaneous movement. Focusing on the use of body weight and muscles, it develops the dancer’s creativity to make use of the space using one’s body movement.
Helps to relieve stress
Like any form of physical activity, dancing releases endorphins. As a type of natural body painkiller, endorphins can help to benefit the mind and alleviate stress.
Dancing also provides a fun space for one to unplug and socialize with others. With the increasing use of technology, many may find themselves constantly tied to their phones. Being fully immersed in the dance lesson allows you to disconnect from the digital world. It provides you an opportunity to enjoy the space and be in the moment with your mind and body.
Things to consider before enrolling for a contemporary dance class
There are various contemporary dance classes offered by dance schools. While they are all conducting contemporary dance classes, many provide different types of offerings.
Whether you are looking for an introductory dance class or looking to improve your contemporary dance skills, it is important to enroll into a class that fits you best. Here are some factors to consider before enrolling into a class:
Cost
Dance studios typically offer affordable package prices for a fixed number of classes. If you want more flexibility and frequency of classes, there are some studios that charge a fixed monthly fee for unlimited classes. Aside from the class fees, do look out for additional costs such as the first-time registration, examination fee or competition entry fee.
For first timers who want to test the waters, you can consider signing up for a trial class. Often dance studios provide trial classes at a discounted rate or even free of charge.
Accessibility and location of dance studio
If you plan to attend dance classes regularly, it is important to consider the commute time and accessibility of the dance studio. As some of us may take on dancing as a hobby, we may be occupied with school or work in the day.
Finding a convenient location can help save time and travel costs. It is not respectful to your instructor and peers by showing up late for class. By choosing an accessible studio location, it avoids the possibility of missing classes due to conflicting schedules.
Structure and requirements of classes
Many studios group their students by skill, level and/or age. This creates a comfortable and ideal environment for instructors to guide students based on similar abilities. It also encourages students to learn and develop their skills through observation and discussion with their peers.
Do also check if the studio has a fixed number of students per class. With smaller groups, instructors are able to spend more time understanding each individual’s differences and provide guidance based on the student’s qualities.
Qualifications of instructors
Having a qualified instructor conducting the class can help to provide structure and knowledge to the lesson. Aside from qualifications, do find out about their previous teaching background. It is helpful if they have prior teaching experience dealing with students.
While qualifications and experience are crucial, one of the key deciding factors is finding a dance instructor that suits your personality and learning style. Trial classes are a great way to observe and get a sense of the instructor’s teaching style. It also provides you an opportunity to gather instant feedback about the instructor from the current students.
Safety standards of studio
Contemporary dance usually involves dancing barefoot and using dance techniques that require rolling and sliding on the ground. Dancing on concrete or tiled floors can injure your body and may cause you to suffer from physical problems in the future. Ensure that the studio has a slip resistance flooring installed with regular maintenance provided. This helps to relieve stress from your joints and is helpful in preventing floor burns or accidents while dancing.
Facilities provided in the dance studio
Having a conducive and clean space can help to create an optimal environment for learning. Some of the basic facilities studios should provide are good lighting, proper sound equipment and mirrors. This allows dancers to properly concentrate during the lesson.
Having clean showers, complimentary drinking water and toilets available in the studio is also a huge bonus. It is helpful when you plan to attend dance classes in between other commitments.
What to wear to a contemporary dance class
Unlike ballet or jazz dance, contemporary dance does not require any special dance outfits. As dancers are required to move their body freely without restriction, they typically opt for loose fitting and comfortable clothes.
Most of the contemporary dances are performed bare feet, therefore there are no special shoes to purchase. However, there are protective dance footwear available to help provide support and non-slip grip while dancing.
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