The Best Contemporary Dance Classes in Plainedge, NY

Last updated: June 2025

Plainedge, New York—located in Nassau County on Long Island—has a surprisingly robust contemporary dance scene for a hamlet of its size. Whether you're a teenager exploring your first plié, an adult returning to movement after years away, or a pre-professional dancer building your technique, you'll find training options that rival larger nearby hubs.

This guide evaluates the top contemporary dance studios in Plainedge based on faculty credentials, class variety, facility quality, and student feedback. We visited each location, reviewed class schedules and pricing, and spoke with instructors and students where permitted. Here's what we found.

How to Choose the Right Studio for You

Before diving into the listings, consider these three factors:

Your training goals. Do you want performance experience, rigorous technique, or a recreational outlet? Studios vary widely in their intensity and philosophy.
Schedule flexibility. Some studios offer daytime adult classes; others run strictly afternoon and evening sessions geared toward school-age dancers.
Budget and commitment level. Monthly unlimited memberships make sense for frequent dancers, while drop-in or package rates work better for irregular schedules.

1. The Plainedge Dance Academy

Best for: Serious pre-professional training and multiple performance opportunities

Address: 2454 Hempstead Turnpike, Plainedge, NY 11756 (plenty of on-site parking; NICE bus route N70 stops two blocks away)

The Plainedge Dance Academy operates at a level of intensity uncommon for suburban Long Island. Its contemporary program emphasizes Limón technique and contemporary ballet, with several faculty members holding BFAs or MFAs from programs like SUNY Purchase and Juilliard. Students here regularly compete and perform at regional showcases, including the annual Long Island Dance Festival.

Class sizes average 12 students, with advanced sections capped at 8 for more individualized correction. The academy draws dancers from across Nassau County, including Wantagh, Levittown, and East Meadow.

Age range: Ages 8 through adult; teen and adult classes separated by level
Class schedule: Weekdays 4 PM–9 PM; weekends 10 AM–5 PM
Class size: 8–14 students per class
Pricing: Starts at $150/month for unlimited classes; drop-ins $25
Trial option: One free trial class for new students; placement class required for intermediate/advanced levels
Contact: [email protected]

2. Rhythmic Innovations Studio

Best for: Dancers interested in somatic practices and individualized feedback

Address: 1870 Wantagh Avenue, Plainedge, NY 11758 (street parking available; small lot behind the building)

Rhythmic Innovations Studio takes a deliberately non-traditional approach. Founder and director Maria Chen trained in contact improvisation and Body-Mind Centering®, and those influences thread through every level of the curriculum. Classes here feel more exploratory than at a conventional competition studio, with frequent improvisation exercises and partner work.

The studio's defining feature is its small class sizes—typically 6 to 8 students—which allows Chen and her two associate teachers to give extensive personal feedback. Many adult students describe the atmosphere as "low-pressure but intellectually engaging."

Age range: Ages 13 through adult
Class schedule: Weekdays 5 PM–8 PM only; no weekend classes
Class size: 6–8 students per class
Pricing: $120/month for two classes per week; drop-ins $22
Trial option: $15 introductory class; no long-term contract required
Contact: [email protected]

3. Fluid Moves Dance Center

Best for: Beginners, returning dancers, and anyone seeking an inclusive, low-barrier environment

Address: 3100 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY 11756 (technically just over the Plainedge border; 5-minute drive from central Plainedge)

Fluid Moves Dance Center sits just west of the Plainedge line in Levittown, but it draws heavily from the Plainedge and North Wantagh communities. The studio's mission centers on accessibility: it offers adaptive contemporary classes for dancers with disabilities, maintains a strict no-audition policy for recreational levels, and provides sliding-scale pricing for families who qualify.

The contemporary program here blends commercial and concert styles, making it especially popular with teens and adults who want versatility without the pressure of a pre-professional track. The facility includes two sprung-floor studios and a small lounge area.