Tiny Dancers

FREE FORM

At Miss Melodee Studios, kids bring their creativity along with their slippers. Owner Melodee Bridges encourages students to freely express themselves through dance. Kids ages 1 to 7 are instructed to let their imaginations guide them through movement. Students dance and play to lively music Miss Melodee herself has composed.

18729 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, 818-344-5437, missmelodeestudios.com

LAUNCH PAD

Dancers as young as 3 can take a class at Degas Dance Studio. This attractive, spacious, wood-floored studio offers instruction in all styles of dance, including jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, contemporary and lyrical. Run by former professional dancer Anacia Weiskittel, the studio is known for giving young, aspiring professionals a solid start.

17247 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818-524-5503, degasdancestudio.com

DANCE HAVEN

While ballet may seem out of reach for kids with developmental disabilities, Ballet for All Kids welcomes them with open arms, giving them the opportunity to dance classical ballet and encouraging them to dream big. Director Bonnie Schlachte uses a teaching method she developed especially for children who face challenges. For children 2 and older.

16422 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 805-524-5503, balletforallkids.com

PERFECT PIROUETTES

The highly regarded Los Angeles Ballet Academy is run by Andrea Paris-Gutierrez, a former professional dancer with two of her own children currently in the Joffrey Ballet Company and trainee program. In this gorgeous, state-of-the-art facility, children as young as 3 can learn the basics. Teachers focus on discipline, guiding them through the standard rules and structure of ballet so they can move on to more advanced levels. 

16422 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818-382-2500, laballet.com