1. LAS VEGAS
Having Jennifer Lopez in your backyard when you’re miles and miles from Broadway never hurts. This studio (in the vicinity of Planet Hollywood’s Lopez-headlined “All I Have” residency) offers get-it-while-you-can master classes — one recent workshop entitled “J.Lo’s Dancers” welcomed 18-and-over dancers of all levels to participate. 8210 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89123
2. NEW YORK
As one of the first drop-in dance schools, BDC has entertained and trained its share of casual students as well as a cadre of A-listers since opening in 1984. And if you agree with the Schuyler Sisters that “history is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world,” among the celebrity choreographer instructors on staff is Jon Rua, from the original Broadway cast of the hit musical Hamilton. 322 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036
3. NEW YORK
Another New York City institution, Steps on Broadway is a dancer’s Mecca. With beginner to advanced levels, classes include feel-like-you’re-in-a-musical sessions with guest teachers Kurt Froman (fresh from coaching Jennifer Lawrence on the Red Sparrow film set) and Denise Caston (a Radio City Rockette alum). 2121 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
4. ATLANTA
Inclusion, possibility and rapture are Dance 101’s core values, and a quick look at the studio’s schedule seems to bolster that claim. One staff favorite is Thread, a sort of slow, tai chi–yoga mix set to soothing trance electronica. But the joy isn’t always passive: try a block-long lineup to audition for Beyoncé or choreography dreamed up on demand for movies like Passengers. And keep an eye out for Hailee Steinfeld, Nina Dobrev and Shailene Woodley sneaking in a class or two. 2480 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
5. LOS ANGELES
Millennium Dance is clearly the It Studio of Hollywood millennials, as evidenced by the social-media shout-outs from the likes of Selena Gomez and Kesha and paparazzi shots of Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens exiting post work-outs. Oh, and Bella Thorne teaches a Confidence Hip-Hop master class. MDC’s amazing courses are super-popular, and franchisable. 11528 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604
6. LOS ANGELES
How would you like to live and dance in la-la land? The “other” Mandy Moore, esteemed choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and this year’s Oscar-nominated La La Land, guest-teaches jazz and contemporary dance at EdgePAC. Enough said. 6300 Romaine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038
7. NASHVILLE
It’s not quite a dance studio — but it plays one on TV. Located on Nashville’s historic and vibrant Second Avenue, the saloon is where Layla (Aubrey Peeples), Will (Chris Carmack), and Scarlet (Clare Bowen) perform a concert on ABC’s Nashville. And although this town does have a rising hip-hop culture, thank you, the Wildhorse is true to it’s country-dance roots: Choreographer and country-charted singer Skyla Spencer teaches line dancing at the venue daily. 120 2nd Avenue N, Nashville, TN 37201
8. MIAMI
While Dade County focuses on Dance Moms progeny, who’s bringing sexy back? Shakira! Her recent gram has would-be bachata dancers yearning to learn the choreographed close embrace (in the name of dance fitness), and why not do so in Magic City? Rene Gueits’s studio is an open secret; the Cuban-American loves the Dominican dance, offering classes and co-sponsoring a Bachateando festival. 1405 SW 107 Avenue, Miami 33174
9. HOUSTON
This is Beyoncé’s hometown, and obviously, wherever she used to dance, we want to go. Unfortunately, Ms. Darlette Johnson Bailey, the prescient soul who told Queen Bey at 8 years old, “You’re going to be a star,” teaches only kids. But you can get close: One of Bailey’s former students, Jocelyn Parker, is on staff at Ginger Gondron’s suburban studio, where adults may take jazz and tap and schedule private lessons. 155 Country Lane Drive, Lumberton, TX 77657
10. CHICAGO
The company’s mission is to foster creativity in a challenging but respectful and positive environment for both adults and children. Classes include a Gaga movement workshop, which in essence is an Israeli approach to dance that emphasizes sensation and imagination, and effort but not pain, using an unceasing continuity of layered instructions; Natalie Portman is a practitioner. Singer and Dancing With the Stars choreographer Bobby Newberry has been featured as a jazz-funk master-class instructor. 2820 North Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618