Ninth Street Dance

Welcome to Ninth Street Dance, a beloved "point of interest" and a true gem in the heart of Durham, North Carolina. Since opening its doors in 1993, Ninth Street Dance has been founded on the belief that people of all ages, shapes, and sizes can enjoy and benefit from learning to dance. It's not just a studio for professional dancers; instead, it's a vibrant community hub that invites anyone interested in exploring new ways of moving and inhabiting their bodies to join in the fun. For locals across the Triangle looking for a welcoming, non-threatening environment to learn diverse dance forms, relieve stress, and connect with others, Ninth Street Dance offers an unparalleled experience.

What truly sets Ninth Street Dance apart is its emphasis on the essence of movement and connection, rather than just rote steps. As one delighted student shared about a Balboa class, "Instead of focusing only on steps, he emphasized that dancing is about connection--to the music, to your partner, to the floor--and about feeling. What a great way to introduce a dance form!" This philosophy permeates every class, ensuring that students not only learn technique but also cultivate a deeper appreciation for dance as an art form and a means of expression. The wide variety of styles, from the rhythmic energy of Hip-Hop and Belly Dance to the grace of Ballet, ensures there's something for everyone, making it a place where "your love of dance can flourish," as a reviewer noted. Ninth Street Dance is truly a special place where North Carolinians can find joy, build skills, and connect through the universal language of dance.

Ninth Street Dance is conveniently located at 1920 Perry St, Durham, NC 27705, USA. While the studio notes that it can be "a little difficult finding the building" and that "it looks like there’s a restaurant in the same building," a helpful tip is to "keep walking towards the left you’ll find the studio." This address places it just off the bustling Ninth Street area, a vibrant and appealing shopping district in Durham, North Carolina. This central location makes it easily accessible for residents across Durham and the wider Triangle region, including those coming from Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and surrounding communities.

Despite its slightly tucked-away entrance, the studio's proximity to Ninth Street means that parking options are generally available. There is often free two-hour parking along Ninth Street and surrounding streets, with a City of Durham parking lot on the north side of Ninth Street offering parking for $1.00/hour (free on weekends and after 7:00 PM on weeknights). Its presence in a lively commercial area ensures that students can easily combine their dance classes with other errands or social activities. This accessibility underscores Ninth Street Dance's commitment to being a convenient and integral part of the local North Carolina community, inviting dancers of all backgrounds to join its welcoming space.

Ninth Street Dance offers an incredibly wide and diverse array of dance and movement classes for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, truly living up to its philosophy that "everyone can dance." Their extensive schedule caters to both adult/teen and children's classes, with options for beginners to experienced movers.

• Adult and Teen Classes:
  • Ballet: Offered at various levels from "Ballet Basics" (for absolute beginners) to "Beginning," "Advanced Beginning," "Intermediate," and "Intermediate/Advanced," including "Barre Only" options (some available online via Zoom). Focuses on posture, grace, flexibility, and strength.
  • Belly Dance: "Beginning" and "Intermediate" levels are available, exploring this sensuous, torso-driven Middle Eastern dance form with low-impact aerobic exercise.
  • Hip-Hop: Classes ranging from "Beginning" to "Intermediate," covering diverse street dance styles including breaking, locking, and popping, emphasizing rhythm and expression.
  • Bollywood Dance: "Beginning" (some online) and "Intermediate" classes, fusing classical Indian dance, hip-hop, belly dance, Latin dance, and more for a fun, energetic workout.
  • Social Dances:
    • Balboa: Focuses on connection to music, partner, and feeling, as highlighted by a customer review.
    • Brazilian Samba: "Beginning" level for this vibrant and rhythmic dance.
    • Salsa & Swing: Popular social dance forms for partner dancing.
  • Contemporary Dance: "Beginning" level classes exploring expressive movement and fluidity.
  • Jazz: Classes encompassing various styles and techniques.
  • Tap: Using feet as an instrument, developing rhythm and coordination.
  • AfroJazz: A blend of African and jazz dance elements.
  • Flamenco: Classes including "Beginning" and "Batas" (focusing on the long-skirted bata de cola).
  • Broadway Dance: Exploring theatrical dance styles.
  • Heels: "Beginning" and "Intermediate" classes focused on dancing in heels.
  • Jazz Funk: A fusion of jazz and hip-hop styles.
  • Line Dance: Popular social dance without partners.
  • Dance Video Divas: Learning choreography inspired by popular music videos.
• Children's Classes:
  • Designed for teaching dance and having fun, with a focus on fostering a love for movement without the pressure of competitions or elaborate recitals.
• Workshops:
  • For those unable to commit to weekly classes or interested in sampling different styles, workshops provide a flexible option to learn and experience various dance forms.
• Exercise Classes: In addition to dance techniques, the studio may offer movement-based fitness classes like Pilates or cardio funk, providing comprehensive options for physical well-being.

Ninth Street Dance distinguishes itself with several key features and highlights that make it a truly unique and cherished "point of interest" within the North Carolina dance community.

• "Dance is for Every Body!" Philosophy: This core belief underpins everything at Ninth Street Dance. The studio actively welcomes people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and experience levels, creating a truly inclusive and non-threatening environment where anyone can explore dance and movement.
• Emphasis on Connection and Feeling: Instructors, as highlighted by a customer review, focus on the deeper aspects of dance—connection to music, partners, and self—rather than just memorizing steps. This approach makes learning more intuitive, natural, and fulfilling.
• Wide Variety of Dance Styles: From classical Ballet to energetic Hip-Hop, expressive Belly Dance, vibrant Bollywood, and social dances like Salsa and Swing, the studio offers an incredibly diverse range of classes. This variety allows students to explore multiple forms or specialize in their favorites.
• Non-Competitive Focus: Unlike many dance studios, Ninth Street Dance explicitly states they "don't do competitions, stage elaborate recitals, or require additional fees of any sort." This focus on pure enjoyment and learning creates a less pressured environment, ideal for fostering a genuine love of dance.
• Highly Praised Instructors: Reviews consistently commend the teachers for being "the best," "caring, insightful," "knowledgeable and patient," and having a "real knack for finding the best and brightest, friendliest and most supportive instructors." This quality of instruction is a major draw.
• Strong Community and Loyalty: The studio has fostered a warm and friendly place that attracts "many loyal, returning students." This testifies to the positive and inviting atmosphere that encourages long-term participation and friendship.
• Accessible to All Ages: Catering to clients ranging from "six-month-olds to eighty-year-olds," Ninth Street Dance provides opportunities for lifelong engagement with dance, making it a multi-generational hub.
• Dance as Stress Relief and Mind-Body Connection: The studio highlights the benefits of dance for relieving stress, improving flexibility, strengthening the mind-body connection, and simply feeding the soul, aligning with holistic wellness goals.

For inquiries, class schedules, or to sign up for your first dance experience, please use the following contact information for Ninth Street Dance:

Address: 1920 Perry St, Durham, NC 27705, USA

Phone: (919) 286-6011

Mobile Phone: +1 919-286-6011

For locals in North Carolina, especially those in the vibrant Durham area, Ninth Street Dance is an absolutely ideal destination for anyone looking to embrace movement and dance. Its long-standing philosophy that "everyone can dance," regardless of age, shape, or prior experience, creates an incredibly welcoming and non-judgmental environment. This inclusive approach is perfect for beginners who might feel intimidated by traditional dance settings, as well as for experienced dancers seeking a fun and enriching outlet without the pressure of competition.

The broad spectrum of dance styles offered, from the foundational grace of Ballet to the energetic rhythms of Hip-Hop and Belly Dance, ensures there's a perfect fit for every interest. More importantly, the focus on "connection" and "feeling" over just steps, as highlighted by numerous testimonials, provides a deeply satisfying and meaningful experience. Ninth Street Dance isn't just about physical exercise; it's about fostering joy, relieving stress, strengthening the mind-body connection, and building a supportive community. For North Carolinians seeking a place to move, learn, and truly enjoy the art of dance, this Durham studio stands out as a cherished local resource.

Ninth Street Dance

1920 Perry St, Durham, NC 27705, USA