Which Dance Style Is Right for Me?

Ballet vs. Contemporary vs. Jazz vs. Hip Hop vs. Girly vs. Heels vs. Dancehall

Choosing an adult dance class can feel a little overwhelming when you’re looking at a schedule filled with different styles. Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Girly, Heels and Dancehall all bring something different to the dance floor, so knowing where to start can be tricky.

Every style has its own movement, music, technique and energy. Your choice can also depend on what you want to get out of your classes. Some people want to build technique, while others want to express themselves, learn choreography, build confidence or simply have a really good time after work.

So, let’s take a look at what each style has to offer and see which one might be calling your name.

1. Ballet - For technique, control & grace 🩰

Ballet is focuses heavily on posture, balance, coordination, alignment, flexibility and controlled movement.

Adult ballet classes can include positions, pliés, tendus, relevés, turns, jumps and plenty of technique. Some exercises might feel challenging at first, especially when your brain is trying to remember what your feet are supposed to be doing!

That feeling is completely normal.

Ballet also teaches you to pay attention to small details. The placement of your arms, the position of your feet and the way you use your posture can all make a difference in your movement.

Adult ballet is a great choice for anyone who enjoys structure and wants to see their technique develop over time. You also don’t need a childhood background in ballet to get started. Beginner classes are designed to give you the space to learn at your own pace.

Ballet could be a great match for you when you:

• Enjoy learning technique

• Want to improve posture and coordination

• Like structured exercises

• Want to develop balance and control

• Enjoy graceful and precise movement

You may even find yourself walking around Brussels with slightly better posture afterwards. 

2. CONTEMPORARY — For expression & musicality 🌀

Contemporary gives you a lot of room to explore how your body responds to music. The style combines elements of different dance techniques and often focuses on dynamics, floorwork, lines, weight shifts and expression.

Some contemporary choreography can feel completely different from what your body is used to doing. You might spend part of a combination standing tall and controlled before suddenly moving towards the floor.

Your body has to learn how to transition between these movements while staying connected to the music.

Contemporary is also a wonderful way to explore expression. The movement can communicate an emotion, feeling or idea without needing words. You have room to develop your own interpretation while still working on technique.

People who enjoy creative movement and emotional music often find a lot to love in contemporary.

Contemporary could be a great match for you when you:

• Enjoy expressive choreography

• Want to explore different ways of moving

• Love connecting movement with music

• Want to develop musicality

• Enjoy a combination of technique and creativity

Your first few classes may introduce your body to movements it has never tried before. Give yourself time to learn them. Your body will gradually become more comfortable with the unfamiliar.

3. JAZZ — For choreography, technique & performance 🎷

Jazz brings together technique and performance in a really fun way. Classes can include kicks, turns, jumps, travelling exercises and choreography while giving you plenty of opportunities to work on your musicality.

The style has a lot of variety. Jazz choreography can feel energetic, dramatic, sharp, playful or smooth depending on the music and choreography being taught.

Learning jazz can also help you become more comfortable with choreography. You’ll need to coordinate your arms, legs, direction and timing while staying connected to the music.

Your brain may occasionally reach its maximum capacity during a combination. 😂

That is part of learning choreography!

Jazz is a great option for adults who want to develop their dance technique while also enjoying the performance side of dance.

Jazz could be a great match for you when you:

• Enjoy learning choreography

• Want to work on kicks and turns

• Like energetic movement

• Want to improve your dance technique

•  Enjoy performing to music

There is plenty of room to bring your personality into jazz, which makes it a fun style to explore as an adult dancer.

4. HIP HOP — For groove, rhythm & confidence 🔥

Hip hop is all about connecting your movement to the music. Grooves, rhythm, musicality and choreography all play an important role, giving you plenty of opportunities to develop your own movement quality.

One of the exciting parts of learning hip hop is discovering how much musicality can change the way a movement feels. A step can have a completely different energy depending on the beat, texture and music you’re dancing to.

You’ll also spend time learning choreography, which can help you become more comfortable with picking up combinations and moving with confidence.

Hip hop can be especially fun for adults who already love dancing around their living room or at the bar when their favorite song comes on. You might as well bring that energy to the studio! 

Hip hop could be a great match for you when you:

• Love rhythm-heavy music

• Enjoy grooves and choreography

• Want to improve your musicality

• Like energetic classes

• Want to become more confident in your movement

There is also a lot of variety within hip hop, so exploring the style can introduce you to different ways of moving and performing.

5. GIRLY — For confidence, attitude & performance 💅

Girly classes are a great space to explore confidence and performance. The choreography often incorporates feminine movement, commercial dance influences, musicality and plenty of personality.

The style gives you an opportunity to focus on how you perform a movement as well as how you execute it. Facial expressions, dynamics, confidence and musicality can all become part of the choreography.

Sometimes you learn a combination and immediately think:

Okayyy, I see what we’re doing today. 😂

Girly can be a really fun way to step outside of your usual movement habits and become more comfortable performing.

Girly could be a great match for you when you:

• Love pop and commercial music

• Enjoy feminine choreography

• Want to build confidence

• Like expressive movement

• Enjoy bringing personality into choreography

You can expect plenty of personality in these classes, so come ready to have fun and give the choreography your own energy.

6. HEELS — For confidence, performance & power 👠

Heels classes combine dance technique with performance, musicality and confidence. You’ll work on things such as posture, balance, lines, walking and choreography while learning how to move comfortably in heels.

Starting something new can feel intimidating, especially when you’re learning both the choreography and how to move in your shoes. Your confidence develops alongside your technique, so give yourself time to find your balance and movement quality.

Heels can also help you become more aware of how you use your body. Small changes in posture or the way you place your weight can completely change the movement.

A good heels class should leave you feeling challenged, supported and ready to try something new.

Heels could be a great match for you when you:

• Want to build confidence

• Enjoy commercial or pop-inspired choreography

• Love performance

• Want to explore feminine movement

• Enjoy challenging yourself

Comfort and safety should always come first. Wear appropriate dance heels when recommended, listen to your body and give yourself time to become comfortable with the movement.

7. DANCEHALL — For rhythm, energy & culture 🌴🔥

Dancehall is a vibrant dance style with deep roots in Jamaican culture. It has its own movement vocabulary, rhythms and grooves, making it an exciting style to explore.

Dancehall classes can be energetic and playful while also challenging your coordination and musicality. Your body may need to move in ways that feel unfamiliar at first, especially when you’re learning new grooves and steps.

The cultural side of Dancehall is also an important part of learning the style. Understanding where the movements come from and respecting the culture behind the dance helps create a deeper connection to what you’re learning.

Dancehall can be a great way to step outside your usual dance habits and experience a completely different movement style.

Dancehall could be a great match for you when you:

• Love rhythm-heavy music

• Enjoy energetic movement

• Want to explore Jamaican dance culture

• Want to challenge your coordination

• Enjoy learning new movement styles

Your body might need a little time to catch up with your brain during the first few classes. Keep practicing and the movements will start to feel more natural.

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So Which Dance Style Should I Try?

Choosing a dance style becomes much easier when you think about what you actually enjoy.

Ballet can help you develop technique, control and body awareness.

Contemporary gives you space to explore expression and musicality.

Jazz combines technique, choreography and performance.

Hip hop focuses on rhythm, grooves, musicality and confidence.

Girly brings together performance, personality and feminine movement.

Heels gives you an opportunity to develop confidence, balance and stage presence.

Dancehall introduces you to energetic movement and a rich Jamaican dance culture.

Your first class also doesn’t have to determine your entire dance journey.

Trying different styles is one of the best ways to discover what you enjoy. You might find that you love ballet but also want the energy of hip hop. Contemporary might help your expression while jazz helps your technique. Heels might bring out your confidence while Dancehall introduces you to movements you’ve never experienced before.

There is no requirement to pick one style and stick with it forever.

You can be a ballet dancer on Tuesday and a hip hop dancer on Thursday. Nobody is stopping you. 

Dance is a space where you can keep learning, experimenting and finding new ways to move.

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Ready to Find Your Dance Style?

Starting an adult dance class can feel a little scary, especially when you’re walking into a studio for the first time. Everyone has to start somewhere, and your first class is simply the beginning of learning something new.

You don’t need years of experience to enjoy dance. You don’t need perfect flexibility or perfect coordination before you walk through the studio doors. Those skills develop as you continue dancing.

The most important part is finding a class where you feel comfortable learning and having fun.

STU Arts Dance offers adult dance classes in Brussels for different levels and styles, including classes for beginners. You can check out our weekly adult classes to see what’s currently available and book your class here.

Bring your water, wear something comfortable and come ready to dance. We’ll see you in the studio! 💃🏽🕺🏽

See you in studio!

The STU Arts Dance Team