Top Hip Hop Dance Academies in New York City | Learn Breaking, Popping, Locking

The Rise of Hip Hop Dance in New York City

New York City has long been considered the epicenter of hip hop culture. From its origins in the South Bronx in the 1970s to its mainstream popularity today, hip hop was born on the streets and playgrounds of NYC.

It's no surprise, then, that New York is also home to some of the best academias de baile hip hop in the world. As the home of breakdancing and iconic hip hop dances like the Running Man, Roger Rabbit, and Vogueing, the city draws dancers from across the globe eager to learn from the originators of the artform.

The Pioneers of Hip Hop Dance

During hip hop's early days, dancers would gather in outdoor spaces like parks and basketball courts to battle, share moves, and develop new techniques and styles. Some of the early pioneers of New York hip hop dance include:

• The Rock Steady Crew - Founded in 1977, this iconic group was known for their breaking, locking, and uprocking moves.
• The New York City Breakers - Formed in the late 70s, they helped popularize breakdancing around the world.
• Crazy Legs and the Rock Steady Crew - Crazy Legs is considered one of the most influential early breakdancers and choreographers.
• Popin' Pete - Known as the "Godfather of Popping", Popin' Pete introduced this robotic dance style to NYC after learning it in California.

These groups and seminal street dancers laid the foundation for hip hop dance that would later evolve into distinct styles like breaking, locking, popping, house, voguing, and more.

Top Hip Hop Dance Schools in NYC

Many of today's top academias de baile hip hop en New York are run by legends from hip hop's formative years. Some places to learn from the greats include:

• Broadway Dance Center - Iconic NYC dance studio offering hip hop classes for all levels taught by world-renowned instructors.
• Peridance Capezio Center - Home of the Peridance Certificate Program, the premiere hip hop dance training program taught by elite master teachers.
• Alvin Ailey - Their Ailey School and junior program offer various hip hop styles from breakdancing to street funk to heels choreography.
• Main Event - Focused exclusively on hip hop dance training for theatre, commercial, and concert dance styles.

Hip Hop Dance Styles to Learn

New York's diverse hip hop dance academies teach both the foundational and contemporary hip hop genres. Some of the most popular styles offered include:

• Breakdancing - Acrobatic floorwork, freezes, downrock, powermoves, and other athletic breaking moves.
• Popping - The street dance style known for contracting and relaxing muscles to create robotic gestures.
• Locking - Characterized by expressive arm and hand movements combined with blocking footwork.
• House - Jacking footwork paired with fluid torso and arm motions, often danced to house music.
• Vogueing - Influenced by high fashion poses and runway walking, with angular arm and body movements.

From street styles to club dances, New York's prestigious academies offer diverse hip hop training for movers of all experience levels.

Tips for Choosing the Best Hip Hop Dance School

With so many options for academias de baile hip hop en New York, choosing the right training program can feel overwhelming. Here are some top tips for selecting a hip hop dance school in NYC:

Check Teacher Credentials

Look for instructors with extensive performance and competition experience. The best urban dance teachers tend to be active professional dancers and choreographers within the industry.

Visit Master Classes

Many studios offer one-off guest workshops with celebrity choreographers and touring artists. Take advantage by participating in these master classes to get a feel for the caliber of teaching.

inquirAbout Class Levels

Reputable academies divide classes according to ability, with offerings for absolute beginners through to elite dancers. Make sure the school caters to your current skill level.

Ask About Performance Opportunities

Performing allows dancers to showcase their expanding skills. Top-tier schools provide opportunities to perform in showcases, competitions, music videos, and beyond.

Tour Multiple Studios

Visit a few locations in person and take trial classes whenever possible. This gives you a firsthand glimpse into the studio culture and teaching style before committing.

By keeping these suggestions in mind, you're sure to discover your perfect hip hop dance home in the city that started it all.

FAQs

Where did hip hop dancing originate?

Hip hop dancing started in the early 1970s by African American and Latinx youth in neighborhoods of the South Bronx, New York City. Pioneering dancers would gather in public spaces to freestyle dance moves and experiment with new techniques.

Who were some of the original hip hop dancers?

Influential pioneers of early hip hop dance include the Rock Steady Crew, New York City Breakers, Crazy Legs, Popin' Pete and many unnamed street dancers. These innovators laid the groundwork for foundational styles like breaking, locking, popping and more.

What styles of hip hop dance can I learn in New York?

New York's top dance academies teach both classic and contemporary hip hop genres, including breaking, locking, popping, house, vogueing, street jazz, heels choreography, and diverse club/commercial styles.

How can I choose the best hip hop dance school?

When selecting a hip hop dance academy in NYC, consider the teacher's credentials, class levels for your ability, performance opportunities offered, visiting master classes, and touring multiple studios in person if possible.