Whether you are new to ballet or a seasoned dancer, online ballet classes are a great way to gain experience and have fun. We reviewed the five best online ballet classes for different skill levels so that you can get started right away. Plus, there are plenty of free or low-cost options to make ballet accessible.
Whether you’re looking for a new hobby or trying to get serious about dance, we rounded up the best online ballet classes.
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Best Overall: Dancio
Key Specs
- Price: About $30 monthly or $10 per class
- Platform: Online on-demand videos and one-on-one live video lessons
- Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Why We Chose It
Best for those who love ballet, modern, and contemporary dance, Dancio is a great online platform for beginners to advanced dancers. We chose it because of its extensive library of content, as well as its on-demand options.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Mix of ballet, modern, and contemporary
- Option for one-on-one or group classes
- Instructors are elite dancers
Cons
- A la carte classes only available for 48 hours
- One-on-one or group instruction can get pricey
Overview
Combining dance and video, Dancio was founded in 2015 by Caitlin Trainor, a choreographer and dancer. Dancio offers not only ballet, but other types including modern and contemporary dance, too. So if you love practicing ballet, but also are looking for other options, Dancio is the one for you.
Offering an online portal with more than 100 pre-recorded dance classes, you can learn from big-name dancers including Julie Kent, Wendy Whelan, Khalia Campbell, and Laura Halzack. The best part of Dancio, though, is its on-demand classes—the program offers private classes starting at 26 minutes with various instructors. You can opt for a subscription or a one-time rental.
For unlimited streaming of all classes, Dancio charges a subscription fee of around $30 per month. Otherwise, it will cost about $10 to purchase a class a-la-carte, with 48-hour access for the rental.
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Best Budget: The Ballet Coach
Key Specs
- Price: Free to $12 monthly (or $122 annually)
- Platform: On-demand YouTube videos; live video classes
- Experience level: Beginner to intermediate
Why We Chose It
The Ballet Coach offers a huge library of free, live classes on her YouTube channel that are accessible to all.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free, live classes
- Available for all ages and levels
Cons
- Classes only last 25 to 45 minutes
- Advanced levels won’t be challenged enough
Overview
With over 25,000 subscribers, Sarah Du-Feu offers free ballet classes on her YouTube channel, The Ballet Coach. From lessons for tiny tots and beginners to intermediate-level dancers, The Ballet Coach truly has something for everyone.
Most of her courses are taught live via YouTube, but are recorded and posted on her page to view for free, whenever you’d like. The classes are usually around 25 to 45 minutes long and range from how to perform basic steps and stretching to ballet barre fitness and sessions for intermediate/adult dancers.
This is a great option for those who want to dip their toes into the world of ballet without spending a dime on learning the steps and techniques. If you’d like to go further into your practice, Du-Feu offers a program on her website, where you’ll pay around $12 per month (or roughly $122 per year) for access to four different adult live classes per month, as well as regular tutorial videos.
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Best for Basics: MasterClass With Misty Copeland
Key Specs
- Price: $180 annually
- Platform: Master website or app
- Experience level: Beginner to intermediate
Why We Chose It
For those who are looking to learn more about skill, technique, and form, Misty Copeland’s MasterClass is for you. We also love that you can learn new moves from one of the world’s best ballerinas.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Learn technique and form from one of the best ballerinas in the world
- Access to more than 180 MasterClasses if you sign up for a membership
Cons
- Focused more on form, technique, and skill rather than a ballet workout
Overview
Misty Copeland’s MasterClass is a 17-part course that focuses on all things ballet, including owning your power, pliés, tendus, and so much more. The total class length is an hour and 46 minutes, with each lesson challenging you to perfect your form and technique under the instruction of one of the greatest ballerinas in the world.
This MasterClass is a great option for ballet dancers who are either just starting out or are trying to move up into the intermediate territory. All lessons are pre-recorded, so you will not find any live, one-on-one instruction within this online dance platform. Additionally, the course is more of a way to learn the techniques and skills of ballet, rather than offering a true ballet-inspired workout, such as barre or cardio ballet.
Misty Copeland’s course is part of the MasterClass series. A membership costs around $180, which lasts for a year and gives you unlimited access to all MasterClass series until you cancel.
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Best Professional: American Ballet Theatre
Key Specs
- Price: $15 per class
- Platform: Zoom classes
- Experience level: Beginner to advanced
Why We Chose It
Not only are you guaranteed quality instructors in every class, but we also love that you can pay per session, rather than a monthly or yearly fee.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent instructors
- Per-class fee
Cons
- No refunds, returns, or exchanges on registrations
- Individual class fees might get expensive
Overview
The highly esteemed American Ballet Theatre (ABT) offers virtual online classes for adults (ages 16 and over).
While you don’t need to be a ballet pro to take classes from ABT, the company does recommend newbies take the Beginner Ballet classes, so that they can get a basic understanding of ballet vocabulary. The theatre offers three levels of classes, with multiple live streams happening most days during the workweek.
The Beginner Ballet course is 90 minutes long, costs around $15 per class, and is ideal for those who are just getting started in ballet or are trying to relive their past ballerina days. The class focuses on alignment, the foundation of technique, and movement quality.
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet is great for the dancer looking to improve existing skills at home and is offered for $15 for 90 minutes. Designed for those with a solid amount of previous ballet training and knowledge of ballet vocab, this class focuses on coordination, movement quality, and technical strength.
Registration opens 14 days before class and closes one hour prior to its start time. Once you’re all signed up, you’ll receive Zoom information by email 30 minutes before the class.
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Best for Cardio Ballet: The Ballet Spot
Key Specs
- Price: $7-$15 per session
- Platform: Live-streamed online classes; on-demand classes
- Experience level: Beginner to advanced
Why We Chose It
The Ballet Spot offers both on-demand and live classes, as well as virtual private ones, too. These courses are great for the dancer who really loves ballet and only wants to spend their money on this form of dance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A variety of ballet classes available
- Open to all levels
Cons
- On-demand, pay-per-class is only available for 24 hours
Overview
The Ballet Spot offers a wide variety of ballet classes taught by professional instructors, including cardio ballet, total body barre, ballet breathe and flow, ballet sculpt, Broadway ballet, and more.
Lessons with The Ballet Spot are offered through a video-conferencing platform so that the instructor can teach and critique your form along with other members in the class.
Live lessons are around an hour and cost around $14 per session. You can also purchase live stream class packages—five of them are roughly $60, while 10 cost about $110.
The Ballet Spot also features on-demand lessons, which are priced at around $7 each for a 24-hour rental, or you can purchase 14 days for $14.
Final Verdict
Dancio was chosen as the best overall online ballet class. It offers a wide variety of classes hosted by seasoned professionals. We also love the different ways to pay for classes, whether that is by choosing an individual class or signing up for a subscription.
But picking the best online ballet class really depends on your needs and your skill level. For beginners, The Ballet Coach or Misty Copeland’s MasterClass might be your best bet, while intermediate to advanced dancers might find the American Ballet Theatre’s adult courses ideal for learning from the pros. For those looking for more of a workout, The Ballet Spot is a great option.
FAQ
- What Do the Best Online Ballet Classes Offer?The best online ballet classes are available either through livestream, on-demand, or one-on-one instruction, and include anything from classic ballet routines and cardio ballet workouts to instruction on how to improve technique and form.
- What Do the Best Online Ballet Classes Offer?The best online ballet classes are available either through livestream, on-demand, or one-on-one instruction, and include anything from classic ballet routines and cardio ballet workouts to instruction on how to improve technique and form.
- Who Should Take Online Ballet Classes?Whether you’re completely new to ballet or are close to being the next Misty Copeland, anyone and everyone can take ballet classes online, regardless of age or skill level. If you’re looking to lengthen and strengthen your body, rather than focus on raising your heart rate high, ballet might be a good option for you.
- How Much Do Online Ballet Classes Typically Cost?The price of online ballet classes can vary. Some classes are offered free, while others might require a subscription fee to have on-demand access. Memberships range from approximately $15 to $100 per month, with discounts available for longer subscriptions. Most classes offer a free trial or let you download courses for a small fee before committing to a membership.
- What Age Is Too Late to Join Ballet?It is never too late to start ballet. It’s a type of movement that is beneficial for people of all ages. To gain proficiency in ballet, it might take anywhere from two to four years. It can take anywhere from eight to 10 years of consistent practice if you’re training to dance professionally.
- Is Ballet a Good Way to Lose Weight?Ballet dancing (or any type of dancing, for that matter), is a form of cardio exercise, so it can help you burn calories. And not only that, ballet can also help strengthen your core, legs, and arms.
Methodology
We chose the best online ballet classes based on budget, skill, and overall experience. Regardless of which platform you choose from our list, you will be taught by professional instructors who are experienced and can guide you in advancing your ballet skills. We included courses for those who want to try ballet for the first time or wish to become professional dancers.