Adult dance classes in Melbourne
Learn to dance with other enthusiastic adults at our Richmond studio. With classes from Beginner to Advanced, you’ll find a level that suits wherever you’re starting from.
Been thinking about dance classes for a while?
Perhaps you’re done with counting sets and reps, and want a workout that’s less of a chore.
But you’re worried you’ll be “too old and unfit” to keep up. You’ll look silly. Or you just won’t be any good.
Tap classes are the perfect place to start.
Everyone walks into their first adult dance class in Melbourne a bit nervous, no matter their age or past experience.
But most students find that, once you’re focused on your feet and the rhythm, there’s little headspace left to feel self-conscious — and it gets fun fast.
Increase your fitness, coordination and memory alongside dancers aged 18 to 80
Tap dance gets your heart rate up without hammering your joints, and keeps your mind busy too, because there’s always a new technique to figure out.
We focus on teaching styles tailored for adults (no children’s classes are offered), with each step broken down and explained clearly, then practised until it clicks.
You’ll build confidence and improve your movement, coordination, balance and memory, while meeting people you might never have crossed paths with, many of whom are Melbourne locals from Richmond and nearby.
Dance lessons for adults in Melbourne
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Absolute Beginners
You’ve never danced a step in your life.
Start from scratch, step by step, with this six-week intro course. You’ll learn tap foundation steps plus a short routine.
Thursday: 7.30pm
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Beginners
1-2 months of experience.
You’re starting to grasp the fundamentals: flaps, shuffles, cramp rolls, back slaps, maxi fords, buffalos and paradiddles.
Thursday: 6.30pm
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Level 1
6+ months of experience.
You’re getting your head around the basic tap foundations, and starting to add the single time step and the Shim Sham.
Tuesday 7.30pm
Saturday: 1.00pm
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Level 2
1 year of experience.
You know the basics: shuffles, flaps, backslaps, cramp rolls, paradiddles & maxi fords, single time steps and basic breaks
Class time: Coming Soon
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Level 3
2 years of experience.
You’re comfortable with the tap basics, and you’re starting to grasp double and triple time steps and breaks, plus travelling time steps.
Wednesday: 7.30pm
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Level 4
3 years of experience.
You’re comfortable with both tap basics and time steps, and you’re starting to grasp pick-ups and introductory wings.
Monday: 7.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am
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Level 5
4 years of experience.
The tap basics are easy for you now, and you’re really mastering time steps, breaks, pick-ups and wings.
Tuesday: 6.30pm
Saturday: 12.00pm -
Level 6
5 years of experience.
You’re ready for a faster-paced class environment, where you can push yourself with more complex steps and pick-ups and wings.
Monday: 6.30pm
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Intermediate / Advanced
6+ years of experience.
You want a high-energy challenge. You’re great with complex rhythms and combinations, pick-ups and wings, and love learning quickly and improvising.
Wednesday: 6.30pm
Saturday: 10.30am
Class pricing:
1 hour class: $28
10 week class pack: $250 (save $30)
Not sure which level is right for you?
Send a quick email with a few details about your dance experience, and we’ll help match you with the right class.
You can also change levels after you begin if a class ends up being a bit too challenging (or too easy) for where you’re at.
Learn to dance in Melbourne with experienced teacher, Megan
I didn’t grow up dancing. I started with adult beginner dance classes in Melbourne, so I know what it feels like to walk into a studio not knowing what your feet are meant to be doing.
Since then, I’ve taught hundreds of adult dancers at every level, over 30+ years.
I’ve also led classes at leading Victorian arts institutions, choreographed for film, TV and major events, and trained with renowned artists in New York, Los Angeles and online.
My approach is designed for adult brains. Rather than simply copying and repeating footwork, you’ll break down every technique and practice it in isolation, then in context, then apply it in ways that help you progress steadily and with real understanding.
Book your class
Choose the level that best suits you, from beginner dance lessons for adults in Melbourne to intermediate/advanced. Book a casual dance class or a 10-week pack (and save $30).
Turn up and tap
Come to our Richmond dance studio and join a class of enthusiastic adult dancers. Expect a fun and energetic hour, with plenty of space for you to ask questions, make mistakes, laugh, and try again.
Gain new skills and fitness
Sharpen your coordination and memory, build fitness without the gym, make new friends and grow your confidence, as you progressively master steps that once felt impossible.
How it works.
These classes are for you if:
You’ve never danced before, or have only a few months' experience, but can’t stop thinking about it.
You’re coming back to adult dance classes in Melbourne after a break, even a really long one - a current students hadn’t tapped for 50 years when she returned to the studio.
You love the idea of getting fit without it feeling like exercise.
You prefer an adult-only dance space where learning is tailored for grown-up brains.
You want someone looking out for you, past injuries and all, without high pressure tactics that leave you feeling left behind.
They may not be the right fit if:
You’re looking for a class for your child (this is an adults-only studio).
You can’t make it to a weeknight evening or Saturday daytime class (that’s when all the classes are scheduled
You can’t make it to a weeknight evening or Saturday daytime class (that’s when all classes are scheduled).
Where to find us
Our Melbourne dance studio for beginners and experienced dancers is centrally located at:
225 Swan Street, Richmond, Melbourne
By car: Plenty of street parking is available surrounding the studio.
By public transport: Richmond and East Richmond train stations are both within walking distance, and tram routes 70 (Swan Street) and 78 & 79 (Church Street) stop nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The best dance class is the one you’ll keep turning up to! Tap is a good contender, as it’s built around rhythm and timing rather than flexibility or fast choreography, so you don’t need a dance background to start. It’s also excellent cardio that’s gentle on older joints and muscles, offers a thorough workout for the mind, and can be picked up at any age (we have students aged 18 to 80).
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Our Richmond dance classes for adults are held at 225 Swan Street, Richmond, a short walk from Richmond and East Richmond train stations. Classes are for adults only and cover every level, from a six-week intro course for people who’ve never danced before through to experienced dancers.
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Wear comfortable exercise gear, preferably with layers that you can easily remove… you’ll get pretty warm.
You’ll also need to bring your own tap shoes, or you can hire a pair by speaking directly to The Dance Factory reception team (the front desk at our Richmond dance studio). Not all sizes are available, and if you’re planning to hire shoes, you will need to arrive 15 minutes before your class.
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Once our classes start for the year, they just keep going through until early December. We don’t stop for school holidays. The exception to this is our Absolute Beginners adult dance classes in Melbourne, which is a short intro course that runs for six weeks.
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Yes, you can book single dance lessons at our Richmond studio, if that’s what you prefer. The dance lessons do work as a progressive course of learning, though, and we add to the repertoire and routines each week. So you’ll have a better experience if you can attend regularly, say once or twice a week.
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Yes please. Bookings ensure we know who is coming, in case there is a last minute change to the schedule for any reason. If you do happen to forget to book, you can still join in though, just check that the class is running before you turn up,
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Booking a class is simple, head to the book a class page here and the system will take you through the booking process.
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Classes are taught at a pace that works for your body, in a way that builds your fitness, technique and skills gradually and progressively. This gives you space to alter steps if they don’t work for your body.
Ready to make music with your feet?
With dance classes for adults at every level, you can start from zero experience or pick up from where you last stopped dancing — even if that was 50 years ago.
Not sure which dance classes in Richmond are right for you? Send an email and we’ll point you in the right direction.