All things dance in Cairo: Cairo has a vibrant dance culture, with almost every style celebrated somewhere in the city. While some studios are catered to the adrenaline junkies among us and those who want to switch up their workout routines, a lot of studios are actually training up-and-coming dancers who want to go professional. We spoke to dance enthusiasts across different skill levels, and compiled what they suggested are the city’s most popular studios, providing classes for people who are just getting started, have been dancing for years, or just feel like doing something different.

FOR THE LATIN LOVERS-

One of the biggest names on the list is Soul Motion Studio, located in Mohandessin and established by Rasha Sadek and Salah Eissa. The studio offers folklore classes, pole, flexibility, and bachata — a Dominican dance style — and more, at four different levels that range from beginner to advanced. The studio also hosts salsa nights at Cairo Jazz Club, which are usually accompanied with hour-long sessions.

THE PRICE TAG- Walk-ins are EGP 350 per class. Packages will cost you a minimum of EGP 950 for four classes — or a month — and go up to EGP 3.3k for twenty classes for two months.

Another big name, Latin Love Studios, opened its doors in New Cairo in 2013 and has since garnered an impressive following, with over 67k followers on Facebook. The studio offers classes teaching Kizomba, Mambo, and Bachata classes along with a number of other beloved Latin styles. The studio also offers biweekly SBK (Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba) workshops at Heliopolis’s rooftop restaurant and bar Minglings where the community gets together with renowned professional dancers to hone their skills, and occasionally hosts dance camps in locations like Hurghada.

THE PRICE TAG- The price of attending one SBK night is EGP 250-300 (including a drink), EGP 600 for two, and EGP 850 for three. The studio currently offers a special 50% discount for the first month meaning 8 classes are for EGP 1k instead of 2k.

FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ENTHUSIASTS-

“A hub and home for the performing arts,” Agouza studio MAAT Cairo Contemporary Dance Center (CCDC) is Egypt’s first full-time contemporary dance school. Established in 1999, the school offers workshops, residencies, and classes — as well as chances for employment in the field — in a number of dance styles. Dance styles the studio teaches include: The Afro-Brazilian dance-martial art Capoeira, ballet, Sufi and theatrical dance. You can check out the July schedule before registering here.

The dance school offers one-year programs (levels 1 through 3, depending on your skill level) which include daily classes that last six hours a day for five days a week, and provide advanced professional training in contemporary dance, with both practical and theoretical classes. The programme’s sessions are hosted by guest instructors that hail from across the world, like Brazilian choreographer Guilherme Botelho. Fees for the year-long program will be announced in August, a representative told us.

THE PRICE TAG- Six classes of contemporary dance for beginners cost EGP 1.5k, while the more advanced level is at EGP 2k. Other classes like Brazilian Capoeira and ballet fall within the EGP 300-350 range per session.

Located in Maadi, Danssabeel Contemporary Dance offers contemporary dance and ballet classes, as well as somatic training to engage the body as well as the nervous system. The dance school offers a more academic approach, with some theoretical training woven into practical dance sessions, and longer, more comprehensive sessions.

THE PRICE TAG- Classes are organized in rounds that take place twice per week, with each lasting six hours, for the price of EGP 1.4k. Other six-hour classes offered once a week like yoga and oriental dance cost EGP 700.

AERIAL DANCE-

Fancy dancing mid-air?AcroDance Aerial Academy blends a number of arts and disciplines like aerial yoga and acrobatic dance in their New Cairo and Heliopolis studios. Each class lasts 90 minutes and features one prop: An aerial hammock that you can hang on to learn new tricks, drops, and movements. While not exactly for the faint of heart, you can ease your way into the world of acrodance with a beginners class to conquer your anxiety. Other classes include aerial hoops, and bungee fitness.

THE PRICE TAG- One 90-minute class is EGP 390 and a month-long pass, which covers four sessions, costs EGP 1.1k.

FOR A BIT OF EVERYTHING-

Another household name and by far the oldest on the list isSamia Allouba Gym, Dance and Fitness Centers, which was established in 1981. This studio combines dance and exercise, while also offering specialized classes like Latin-style dance, hip-hop, belly dancing and ballet. Known for their love of cardio, the studio offers high-energy classes for both children and adults. It has locations in Sheikh Zayed’s Americana Plaza and Maadi.

Adams Dance Studio is another eclectic studio, offering classes ranging from salsa and belly dance to contemporary and lyrical jazz in Sheikh Zayed’s Galleria40 and on the Mohammed Nagib Axis in New Cairo. The studio has a juniors program, with classes like ballet and hip hop, for children aged around 4.5 years of age. Older kids (around the age of 14) can join adults’ sessions, which are offered at beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. You can check out the July schedule here, and keep an eye out for its dance camps.

THE PRICE TAG- A package of four classes for children could go for EGP 850, while adults will need to fork out EGP 1k. Larger packages have promotional offers. If you’re not ready to commit just yet, you can try out a class for EGP 300 (for children) or EGP 350 (for adults).

One of the forces behind the El Gouna Dance Festival which took place last September, Brass Monkeys Studios is located in Lake View’s Lake House Club and Maxim Country Club in New Cairo. The studio offers dance classes like salsa, afro and hip hop, pole, contemporary and adult ballet. If you want to try something new, the studio also offers breakdance and step dance classes.

THE PRICE TAG- Four classes start at EGP 1k, while 24 classes are for EGP 3.75k. If you’re in it for the long haul, you can purchase the 6-month super monkey pass for an unlimited number of sessions for EGP 12k or a year-long pass for 16k. Walk-ins pay EGP 250.

Dance hub Central Studio has two locations in New Cairo — one inside Capital InternationalSchools and the other on Road 90 — catering both to children (tiny ballerinas can attend assessments starting the age of 3.5) and adults. Sessions for adults include breakdance, K-pop, ballet, and contemporary. The studio hosts an annual dance show — dubbed Central Experience — where each of the programs get to showcase their skills and choreographies.

THE PRICE TAG- Walk-ins cost EGP 300, while a package of four classes — valid for one month — are EGP 1k, and 12 classes — also valid for one month — are for EGP 2.4k.

We Are Good Space (GS) was established back in 2011 and is renowned for its creative choreography classes and its many movement-focused training sessions. The studio is located inside LA7 gyms in Arkan Plaza and New Giza Sports Club. The studio’s July schedule features open choreography sessions, ballet, as well as hip hop classes. GS welcomes children aged 5 -11, teens aged 11-16, and adults in separate sessions.

THE PRICE TAG- Walk-ins for kids are EGP 250, while adults and teens need to pay EGP 300. Four classes cost EGP 800 for children and EGP 950 for adults. LA7 gym members get a special rate.

BONUS POINTS- In addition to their dance studios, GS also has a talent agency to foster talented dancers and choreographers in Egypt, in addition to an events agency that is currently organizing the region’s first international dance camp.

Another eclectic option — with a twist: DanZone Dance Studio is an International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO) member — but its key differentiating feature is its tap dance classes. Classes are available for all skill levels, and focus on “rhythm, timing, and technique,” according to its socials. If you’ve never tried tap dance, the studio explains it’s a high-energy dance that helps improve coordination, flexibility, and musicality. It also offers classes for jazz, contemporary, and ballet. The studio has locations in Heliopolis and Maadi’s Field Community Club.

THE PRICE TAG- Prices vary within the EGP 150 to 200 range for one-hour sessions and certain classes offer trials without charge.

BONUS POINTS- The studio is also hosting a summer camp for teens between 10 and 16 July.

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