The 6 Best Dance Classes in Galway

While dancing is a talent, it’s also a skill that you have to train for and master. As fun as it is, you can’t just practice anywhere.

To be a great dancer, you’ll need to elicit the help of professionals in the industry who know all the secret tricks and techniques. Luckily for you, we’ve got just that!

In this article, we’ve handpicked the best dance classes in Galway and made comprehensive reviews to help you decide where to enroll.

How much do dance classes cost?

We’ve noted some of the prices of the studios that we’ve included on our list so you’ll have an idea of how much to expect.

4M Dance Centre	Starts at €45 for 4 classes (kids and adults)
Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy	Pricing info available upon request
The Pole Garage Ireland	Pricing info available upon request
The Irish Dance Experience	€30 for a 90-minute lesson
Ultraflex Academy Of Dance	€70 for the term

The Best Dance Classes in Galway

Before we reveal our entries, let’s do a quick run-through of the criteria that we used to select our entries:

Class versatility – We considered the diversity of classes offered, different levels, and age groups. We looked at how supportive each studio was with every experience level.

Convenience – We took into account how easy it was to enroll, their schedules, and even the location of their studio.

Team – We looked at the instructors’ qualifications and backgrounds to ensure that you’re being taught by respected names in the industry.

Equipment and facilities – To ensure that each entry provides worthwhile experiences, we took a look at their amenities.

1. 4M Dance Centre

Class versatility	★★★★ (4/5)
Convenience	★★★ (3/5)
Team	★★★★ (4/5)
Equipment and facilities	★★★★ (4/5)

With 20 years of professional dance experience, Monika and Yuri opened 4M Dance Centre to bring the international dance scene to Galway for kids and adults to enjoy.

As multi-awarded dance trainers, their team of four instructors specializes primarily in hip-hop. Aside from that, they also teach salsa, breakdancing, Latin dance, and more.

Apart from that, 4M also offers limited workshops with some featuring special guests. Depending on how immersive you want to be, they offer single-session classes to six-week-long classes.

We think this is a great way to learn new dance skills under one roof. You’ll also get to learn directly from renowned names in the dance industry.

Did we mention that they also have toddler classes? We find that this is a fun way for kids to gain self-confidence and work on their motor and communication skills.

To celebrate the end of their training, 4M even holds annual showcases where students can perform in front of loved ones. We find that this definitely helps boost their morale and is a great way to cap off the class.

Focusing on their schedule, we like that they’re open weekly. However, we were bummed that they’re only open from 5 PM to 9 PM (8 PM on Fridays), which is quite limiting if you ask us.

So, if evening classes aren’t your cup of tea, you may want to skip this studio and check out our other entries instead.

Customer Reviews

Class environment is friendly, fun

“Super cool Monika and Yuri teach the hip-hop class my daughter attends, which she always looks forward to. The class environment is friendly, fun with some challenges to motivate young dancers. I like that children can do more than 1 class per week (2, and even 3), and reasonable pricing should be mentioned too. Glad we found you girls, keep up great work xx” -Victoria

So much fun

“Very professional dance studio in Galway. Place looks beautiful! I took one class for adults when I visited Galway and it was amazing! Also lately I joined their online classes and it was so much fun! I will definitely continue taking their online classes and anytime I am in Galway I will join classes in Studio! I can’t wait !” -Beata Bielecka

2. Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy

Class versatility	★★★★★ (5/5)
Convenience	★★★★ (4/5)
Team	★★★★ (4/5)
Equipment and facilities	★★★★ (4/5)

Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy has a wide selection of classes for all age groups and varying dance styles. From Twinkle Toes (ballet) toddler classes to Dance Fitness (workout), we think you’ll definitely be spoiled for choice here.

We think it’s worth highlighting that children are in same-age learning classes. This means that they’re with peers who are relatively the same size and possess the same skills as them.

Aside from kids and teens, they also offer two kinds of adult classes: Dance Fitness and Dance Club. The former is an interactive cardio workout while the latter is dedicated to learning and honing diverse dance styles for those with a bit of experience.

All that said, we think that this dance academy’s most noteworthy feature would be that they accept children who are on the spectrum and with special needs.

We’ve spoken to parents who’ve enrolled their kids, and we found that this prejudice-free environment helps boost their confidence, social skills, and body awareness and allows them to have a great time with kids their age.

Customer Reviews

Jay is amazing and kids adore him

“Our son who has Down Syndrome and Autism has been attending dancing class with Jay for last few months and he absolutely loves going there. The only problem is that he doesn’t want to leave once the class is finished… : )), which I think really reflects how much he enjoys the class. Jay is amazing and kids adore him. Thanks a million Jay and Genevieve for the joy that the dancing brought to our lives. We are looking forward to more dancing classes.” -Alena Mlynarcikova

All-round is a brilliant dancer and teacher

“Myself and my Fiancé  Fergal had dance lessons here with our dance teacher Jay for our wedding. He was absolutely excellent! He has so much patience and experience and all round is a brilliant dancer and teacher. We had so much fun learning the dance steps, he made us feel so comfortable and at ease. I 100% recommend him for anyone with any level of dance experience! Thank you so much Jay :)” -Mary Magrath

3. The Pole Garage Ireland

Class versatility	★★★★ (4/5)
Convenience	★★★ (3/5)
Team	★★★★ (4/5)
Equipment and facilities	★★★★ (4/5)

If you’re up for an unorthodox dance class, you should definitely check out The Pole Garage Ireland. As their name suggests, they teach pole dancing fitness classes for complete beginners to seasoned dancers.

We also think it’s worth highlighting that they’re for gender equality. This means that regardless of gender, you’re free to enroll in any of their classes.

Speaking of their classes, they have a wide selection to choose from depending on your skills and goals. We appreciate the diversity, as there’s a class for virtually everyone.

These include Starter Level 1 Program for complete beginners, Power Pole for full-body strengthening and conditioning, and even Tricks in Heels for those who want to try out tricks while wearing pole dance heels.

If you’re not one for crowds, they also offer one-on-one private lessons and online classes. With the former, you’ll get the instructor’s undivided attention, while the latter allows you to take part in the comforts of your home.

Even so, we don’t think that their classes are cramped, as they only allow 12 students in their studio. Since the pandemic, they’ve reduced their capacity to only six, too.

That said, their class capacity is quite limited. Hence, we highly suggest booking in advance, which you can do via their website, to ensure a slot.

Oh, it’s also worth noting that they only offer evening classes. So, if that doesn’t float your boat, you may want to check out the other studios we have on this list.

But if you’re not aiming to take this seriously, they’re also available for hire for party activities. We like that they even have a number of packages that you can check out here.

As for safety, they have safety mats available and their poles are bolted to the ceiling and floor. Since the pandemic, there has been no pole sharing, either.

To add, their teachers are certified instructors for all the classes that they teach. We find these measures definitely instill confidence in their students, especially the newbies.

Customer Reviews

Instructors are friendly and professional

“I’ve been training at The Pole Garage for almost 2 years now. It has always been a super warm and inclusive studio to train at. You feel safe and at home right away. Instructors are friendly and professional. Cannot believe the amount of progress I’ve made with the team here in such a short time.” -Craig Shalvey

Amazing experience

“Amazing experience! I loved the classes I took at Racheal’s studio. I was super nervous the first time I went to a class 😅 but Racheal made me feel so welcome and at ease throughout the class. The instructors are amazing. The vibe is so friendly and empowering from the moment you enter the studio. Thank you so much.” -Gaby B

4. The Irish Dance Experience

Class versatility	★★★★ (4/5)
Convenience	★★★ (3/5)
Team	★★★★ (4/5)
Equipment and facilities	★★★ (3/5)

With former lead dancer of Riverdance, Siobhán Manson, leading the way you’ll surely grow a newfound appreciation for traditional Irish dance.

Throughout her 15-year career, she has toured over 50 countries to promote Irish dance. Since then, she’s opened this studio for locals and tourists alike to enjoy a fun-filled yet relaxing experience.

We also found it impressive that Manson herself hosts each 90-minute class. So, we definitely think that your €30 is money well spent, as you’ll be taught by one of the best in the art.

We also think it’s great that they approach lessons with a relaxed and fun tone. So, no experience is necessary to be able to take part in her lessons and immerse yourself in Irish culture.

To add to the fun, you can join in groups and avail yourself of their group discounts, too. Though they don’t have any specific details up for display online, you can email them for more info.

While they are open daily, we were bummed that they only offer one class from 11 am to 12:30 pm each day. We find this schedule quite limiting, too.

To add, as we mentioned earlier, this studio is a popular tourist destination. So, we highly suggest booking your tickets in advance via their online booking feature.

To add to the convenience, you can even pay online via ApplePay, GooglePay, and PayPal. We find this quite practical, especially for tourists making payments across the globe.

Customer Reviews

Professional, engaging, and got everyone involved

“I booked Siobhán to teach 30 university students who are here from abroad. They did not know each other beforehand, and she created an excellent group environment. She was professional, engaging, and got everyone involved. We learned the Siege of Ennis, a brush dance, and some Riverdance. I overheard many compliments on her welcoming teaching style, and I have to agree. Would highly recommend for any group.” -Eimear Nig Oireachtaigh

Siobhán is amazing [at] teaching

“Siobhán is amazing teaching, she made the class really fun an easy to follow, we went on the week of St. Patrick’s day and learning the basics of Irish Dance made the experience so fun in the parade/concert. If you are in Galway this is a must do!” -Alfredo Hinojosa

5. Ultraflex Academy Of Dance

Class versatility	★★★★ (4/5)
Convenience	★★★ (3/5)
Team	★★★★ (4/5)
Equipment and facilities	★★★ (3/5)

Ultraflex stood out to us because it combines mindfulness and dance that is particularly suited to kids and teenagers.

Parents of students that we’ve spoken to share that the classes have helped their kids’ body confidence, social skills, stage fright, and more. So, it’s no surprise that Ultraflex is popular among children and parents alike.

Focusing on their classes, they teach hip-hop, contemporary, freestyle, lyrical, and musical. So, you’ll definitely have a number of dance styles to choose from here.

We also think it’s great that their method of teaching puts a lot of emphasis on self-expression and creativity. So, we think this definitely gives students the creative freedom to do as they please.

To add, they also aren’t fond of rough competitions. Instead, they have annual in-house showcases where students can show off their newfound skills to their loved ones.

So, if this kind of relaxed environment isn’t what you’re looking for, you may want to consider our other entries on this list.

But if you’re willing to give it a try, you can book your child a trial session for only €5. We definitely suggest taking them up on this offer, as it’ll give you a firsthand experience of how they run their classes.

Speaking of bookings, you can easily book an appointment online via their website with your client account. Plus, you can even pay online to ensure a seamless and contactless transaction.

We also found it convenient that they have four studios around Galway: Loughrea, Athenry, Craughwell, and Oranmore. Hence, we don’t think location accessibility would pose an issue.

All said, keep in mind that their popularity may cause them to be fully booked. Hence, we highly suggest securing your slot ASAP.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely loves her dance class

“Aisling absolutely loves her dance class in craughwell and has done it ever since the first ever class in craughwell and she has never said anything bad about flex yo style despite she is one of the oldest in her class she absolutely still loves it and is glad we are back in person x” -Noreen Curran

Brilliant dance class teachers

“Brilliant dance class teachers here are great and there’s always extra helpers on hand, my daughter can’t wait to start back this week indoor classes will be great now the evenings are getting cold and dark it’s a great way to get some exercise and learn fun dance routines, would recommend these classes to everyone, liz and elsa fowler” -Gacha Chloe

6. Corrib Dance Academy

Class versatility	★★★★ (4/5)
Convenience	★★★★ (4/5)
Team	★★★★★ (5/5)
Equipment and facilities	★★★★ (4/5)

Corrib Dance Academy (CDA) is a well-established dance school located in Briarhill Business Park, Galway, that specializes in providing high-quality dance education to children of all ages.

What’s great about them is that they pretty much offer a variety of dance classes, including pre-ballet classes for children as young as four years old, children’s ballet classes, modern theatre dance, contemporary dance, and jazz dance classes for children aged eight and above.

What made us recommend them is their team of highly qualified and experienced dance instructors who are dedicated to providing the best dance education to their students. All instructors hold relevant qualifications and have extensive experience in their respective fields, ensuring that students receive proper guidance and training.

In comparing their facility to others, CDA boasts of having fully equipped, dedicated ballet studios that provide an ideal learning environment for students. The studio is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including ballet barres, mirrors, and flooring, which ensures that students have access to the best possible resources.

In addition to these, we love their welcoming and inclusive environment where students feel safe and comfortable. This encourages students to develop their confidence and express themselves freely through dance.

While CDA offers a wide range of classes, the availability of these classes may be limited due to high demand. This may result in long waiting lists for certain classes, making it difficult for some students to enroll.

Customer Reviews

Here is one review from the parent of one of their previous student:

“My little girl loved it ,made 4 friends first class she loved the teacher ali ,she had fun prices are extremely reasonable“

FAQs about Dance Classes in Galway

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There you have it, folks! We hope we were able to help make your search for the best dance classes in Galway a lot easier.

Say, if you’re looking to hone more skills, check out our recommendations for other lessons here:

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