If you live in Hoboken and dream of training at world-class ballet institutions, you are uniquely positioned. Just one PATH train stop from Manhattan, Hoboken offers dancers a more affordable home base within easy reach of some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the United States. Whether you are a pre-professional student considering relocation, an adult beginner, or a parent researching options for your child, this guide covers five top-tier Manhattan ballet schools worth the commute.
1. American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Location: 890 Broadway, Manhattan (ABT's headquarters at 55th Street and Broadway)
Do not confuse this with the William J. Gillespie School in Costa Mesa, California. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is the New York home of American Ballet Theatre and represents one of the most selective pre-professional programs in the country.
Affiliated with a major national company, the school follows a comprehensive classical curriculum with strong emphasis on the Vaganova method. Admission is by audition only for its full-time divisions (ages 12–18), though ABT also runs open summer intensives and project-based workshops. If your goal is a company contract, this is where many of ABT's own dancers trained.
Good to know: Housing is not provided, making Hoboken and Jersey City popular living options for out-of-state families.
2. Broadway Dance Center
Location: 322 W 45th Street, Manhattan (Theater District)
Founded in 1984, Broadway Dance Center has built a reputation as one of New York's most welcoming training hubs. While it is best known for commercial and theater dance, its ballet program is robust and particularly strong in beginner through advanced open classes.
Styles range from classical ballet and contemporary ballet to Broadway jazz and tap. The atmosphere is decidedly non-competitive, with drop-in pricing and a diverse student body spanning working professionals, hobbyists, and tourists. If you want rigorous training without the pressure of a conservatory environment, BDC delivers flexibility and quality.
Commute note: From Hoboken, the PATH to 33rd Street puts you within a 10-minute walk of the studio.
3. Peridance Capezio Center
Location: 126 E 13th Street, Manhattan (East Village)
Peridance has anchored downtown Manhattan's dance scene since 1983. Its ballet programming spans open adult classes, a pre-professional training program, and the Peridance Youth Ensemble. The center is particularly respected for its contemporary and modern departments, making it an excellent choice for dancers who want strong classical fundamentals plus exposure to concert dance and choreography.
Faculty members include former dancers from New York City Ballet, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The school also hosts the annual Peridance Momentum showcase, giving students direct performance experience in a professional venue.
4. Steps on Broadway
Location: 2121 Broadway, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Since 1979, Steps on Broadway has been a cornerstone of New York dance training. Its ballet faculty reads like a who's who of former principal dancers from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and international companies. The school offers everything from children's divisions and teen intensives to adult open classes and professional workshops.
Steps is especially strong in Balanchine-influenced training and attracts serious recreational dancers alongside working professionals. Drop-in classes are available daily, and tuition varies by program. If you value historical pedigree and direct access to dancers who performed under Balanchine and Baryshnikov, Steps belongs on your shortlist.
Commute note: Allow extra time from Hoboken; the 1 train from PATH's 33rd Street stop runs directly to the 72nd Street station, two blocks from the studio.
5. Joffrey Ballet School
Location: 434 Ave of the Americas, Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
Founded in 1953 by Robert Joffrey, this institution offers one of the most comprehensive ballet training models in the city. Programs include children's and youth divisions, a full-time pre-professional trainee program, adult open classes, and highly competitive summer intensives.
The Joffrey approach blends classical Vaganova technique with American eclecticism, preparing students for both concert and commercial careers. The school is also notably transparent about its year-round housing partnerships—a useful detail for dancers relocating from Georgia or elsewhere and considering Hoboken as a residence.
Note: Joffrey also runs satellite summer programs in Jersey City. Check their website for current year-round versus seasonal locations.
Making the Move: Why Hoboken Works for Out-of-State Dancers
For dancers relocating from Georgia, the Southeast, or anywhere outside the New York metro area, Manhattan's cost of living can be shocking. Hoboken and Jersey City offer a practical compromise:
- PATH train access puts you
