You quit ballet in second grade but can’t stop binge-watching Center Stage and So You Think You Can Dance YouTube clips. (We feel you.) Dip your toes back into the dance world with help from our guide. We scoured the city for classes fit for every personality. These stole the show.
The Fitness Fanatic
Style: Ballet meets bootcamp, set to Top 40 hits
Studio: Mazi Dance Fitness, 2001 West North Avenue, at Milwaukee Avenue (773-278-9600).
Standouts: Start swinging in Ballerina Fight Club; raise your heart rate in Zi-Cardio.
The Booty Popper
Style: Hip-hop (beginning to advanced)
Studio: Visceral Dance, 2820 North Elston Avenue, at Diversey Avenue (773-772-1771).
Standouts: Beginning hip-hop on weeknights, plus anything taught by owner Nick Pupillo or Kris Rhodes (he can kinda move).
The Bunhead
Style: Serious ballet
Studio: Joffrey Academy of Dance, 10 East Randolph Street, at State Street (312-784-4600).
Standouts: Basic ballet for true beginners, Keep Fit for intermediate dancers.
The Bunhead Who Dabbles in Other Disciplines
Style: Ballet, Pilates, Tai Chi
Studio: Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 North Dearborn Street, between Maple and Oak Streets (312-337-6543).
Standouts: Beginning through advanced ballet, floor barre, and Tai Chi.
The Ballroom Beauty
Style: Salsa, swing, waltz, tango, cha-cha, and more
Space: Duet Dance Studio, 2515 West North Avenue, between Campbell and Maplewood Avenues (309-750-6331).
Standouts: Four-week salsa for beginners (starts March 25), Friday night BYOB classes.
The Thoroughly Modern Mover
Style: Contemporary or modern
Space: Lou Conte Dance Studio, 1147 West Jackson Boulevard, at Racine Avenue (312-850-9766).
Standouts: Intermediate modern on Saturday; open-level contemporary on Friday nights.
The Jigger
Style: Classic Irish step dancing
Studio: Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 North Lincoln Avenue, between Wilson and Sunnyside Avenues (773-728-6000).
Standouts: Irish Step 1, unless you’re ready for Step 2’s reels, slip jigs, and hornpipes.
The Feet Stomper
Style: Tap
Space: Chicago Human Rhythm Project at American Rhythm Center, 410 South Michigan Avenue, between Congress Parkway and Van Buren Street, third floor (312-922-1272).
Standouts: Tap 1-5 with Lane Alexander.
The Indian Princess
Style: Bollywood
Studio: Various locations. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Ganesha Yoga, 3113 North Lincoln Avenue, between Greenview and Ashland Avenues (773-904-7870).
Standouts: Bollywood Groove, a.k.a. dance-cardio moves set to Hindi cinema jams.
Photos: Getty Images
