Top 10 Best International Dance Schools
International dance schools come in all shapes and sizes. Some have centuries of tradition behind them and require auditions that make college applications feel like a walk in the park. Others crank out viral competition routines faster than you can say 5, 6, 7, 8! And each one has its own flavor. Maybe you're into the classical rigor of ballet with all its pointed toes and posture perfection. Or maybe you want to crush contemporary choreography that fuses styles like hip-hop, modern, and jazz into something completely new. There's a school for that, and probably five more.What makes a dance school one of the best? It could be the instructors, many of whom have danced professionally at the highest levels. It could be the alumni network, packed with working dancers who've gone on to snag lead roles, start their own companies, or tour with global superstars. It might be the sheer discipline the school demands, or the innovation it fosters in students. Or maybe it's just the vibe, the sense that you're surrounded by people just as dedicated and obsessed as you are.
Scroll through the list. Vote for the schools you think deserve the spotlight. Share your own experiences if you've trained at one, or cheer on the ones you've always admired from afar. This isn't just about ranking names. It's about recognizing the spaces where dancers grow, evolve, and push the boundaries of what movement can be.
The Royal Ballet School is a professional ballet training institution founded in 1926 in London, England. It is closely affiliated with The Royal Ballet and provides training from pre-professional to advanced levels. The school operates in both White Lodge in Richmond Park and Covent Garden. Absolutely phenomenal teaching. I excelled more than I had ever hoped while studying, attending, and learning here.
It gives great opportunities for young dancers with high potential to succeed and become world-renowned dancers in the future.
The Royal Ballet School is a division of the Royal Ballet Company, based in London. The school provides rigorous classical ballet training, hoping to place graduates in famed ballet companies worldwide.
If you guys weren't truly the best dance company, then why would you be known as one of the top 10? You surely do have a good dance company that I would like to visit sooner or later. Amazing dance school.
Canada's National Ballet School, founded in 1959, is based in Toronto, Ontario. It offers professional dance training along with academic education for students in grades 6 through 12. The institution is known for its affiliation with The National Ballet of Canada. Absolutely exceptional. My daughter is blessed to attend this institution. The buildings are modern and beautiful, and the studios are state of the art. The summer intensive is the audition for full-time acceptance, so it is NOT a "money maker." One only gets in if being considered for full-time. Students come from around the world, and the school sits on judges' panels at top competitions (YAGP, Prix, etc.), so students are also top prize winners from prestigious competitions.
Younger grades have performing opportunities with the National Ballet of Canada in The Nutcracker. The teachers are exceptional, and the academics and social environment are excellent. This is one of the very, very best.
Bolshoi Ballet Academy, officially known as the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, was established in 1773 in Moscow, Russia. It provides rigorous ballet training from elementary to advanced levels. The academy is affiliated with the Bolshoi Theatre and has produced numerous internationally recognized dancers. My grandmother studied at the Bolshoi since she was 12. She became a principal dancer and started touring around the world at 19 years old. She used to be a teacher until she was 60 and then retired.
She helped me get into the Vaganova Ballet Academy, and I got accepted at 11 years old! Best grandma ever!
I hope my English is correct.
The Russian schools and performing companies are the best, but you have omitted the best one, the Kirov (or more properly, the Mariinsky) of St. Petersburg. It is where Baryshnikov, Nureyev, Pavlova, and Nijinsky all originated. Bolshoi in Moscow is next, then The Royal Ballet (London), and probably the New York companies are next or one or two further down.
The École de l'Opéra National de Paris is the oldest dance school in the world. To be accepted into the school is incredibly hard, and it is known to be the school "that crushes the weak." It would be impossible for students to graduate from there without being absolutely mind-blowing dancers. You can recognize them in five seconds if you see them dancing. The Opéra National de Paris is not the 7th best school in the world, it's THE BEST! (followed by the Russians) Come on! Juilliard before the POB? Ugh.
What the hell? Of course Paris Opéra Ballet School is first, there is no doubt about that. It was created by Louis XIV, the founder of ballet. Compared to that, American Ballet School, Royal Ballet, etc., are just a joke.
The Paris Opéra Ballet School is not really open to the media, in contrast to those other schools, and that's why it's not well-known. Just watch a documentary and cultivate yourself.
The Australian Ballet School is, in my opinion, one of the very best dance schools in the world. From the costumes to the long hours that the dancers put in to produce such wonderful performances, it really is quite amazing.
Like nearly all the best ballet schools in the world, the Australian Ballet School is quite hard to get into, as they only accept the best of the best. Overall, I definitely believe that the Australian Ballet School is one of the very best schools to teach ballet in the world.
I study at the Australian Ballet School, and it has been an amazing experience. We have teachers from all over the world, including ex-Mariinsky principals, and a very authentic Australian style.
It is relatively new, with its 50th anniversary this year in 2014, but has already made a name for itself and stands quite close to the best European schools.
The English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin, based at Markova House in South Kensington, London, England.
Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Scottish Ballet, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great Britain.
The teacher works extremely hard to give her pupils the best start in a dance career, and to have the consistency and strict code of practice is rare to see. The moms who embrace this for their children should count it a privilege to be part of something that changes youngsters' lives for the better, giving them a sense of direction and understanding.
ALDC is an amazing dance company with amazing girls. They work so hard and deserve every single award and win they get.
I get it. It must be hard with the mom drama, but hey, dancing is worth it. I love you girls and you're a huge inspiration to me. I hope the hate against you girls stops. You're amazing, beautiful, and talented.
Joffrey Academy of Dance is not only one of the most famous ballet schools because popular people like Chloe from Dance Moms are there. It is also because the teachers at this ballet school have a high-quality dance citizenship and are very good demonstrators as well.
They don't have many performances because they practice well, and when they're in a competition, they sure do place in the top three.
Our family has loved the experience of our daughters attending Joffrey Academy of Dance, Chicago Summer Intensives!
Thank you, Joffrey, for the excellent training and overall positive experience!
Somewhere around August, Juilliard students came to Africa, Botswana, to showcase their talent at Maruapula School. I am a student there. I have been dancing since I was five. I'm 14 now and I've never given up. I'm a contemporary and hip-hop animation dancer, but I'd like to learn more dance styles. They've inspired me to keep dancing despite my knee injuries. Going to Juilliard Academy would be a dream come true. My mission in life is to visit there when I'm 16, hopefully.
The Juilliard School has become a historical benchmark in performing arts. This New York City school produces big-name dancers and performers, including Siena Cherson Sigel and Paul Taylor.
The school features precollege and college divisions in dance genres ranging from modern, tap, jazz, contemporary, and more.
I love American Ballet Theatre. I think this should be near the top. It is definitely one of the best ballet schools, at least in America. I am performing with them and doing a Summer Program.
Personally, I think ABT is one of the best in America because it doesn't prefer just one certain body type. They welcome all different types of bodies.
In New York City, the American Ballet Theatre offers a premier dance technique education program. Known for its Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School's pre-professional programs, this school breeds the best dancers in the world.
The Newcomers
A wonderful school - very professional. Terrific performance experience.
The School of American Ballet is the finest ballet school in the United States. More top dancers, choreographers, and ballet masters have come out of this school than any other in the US.
This school is one of the finest in the world. I do not understand your ranking.
SAB should be #1! They are much better than any other American school!
SAB is way better than ABT and especially Joffrey. Unlike ABT, SAB actually cares about who they accept instead of just money. And Joffrey has gone way downhill.
Definitely the top ballet school in the world. This list is a complete joke. Nearly every famous ballet dancer has come through Vaganova, including Nureyev, Nijinsky, and the fabulous Anna Pavlova. Vaganova IS ballet.
To those looking at this, ignore this fake (American) list. Most American ballerinas would be rejected at Vaganova. PS: Who cares what Americans think anyway?
I agree with the others. I am not sure why this is not even in the top 3. Winning admission is itself a challenge, but the best ballet dancers in the world's best ballet country have gone here.
Boston Ballet teaches ballet students to fit into the new generation of dancing. Students work hard with amazing, talented teachers and have three beautiful studios. The Boston Ballet's company is breathtaking, with hardworking people who inspire and nurture young dancers to reach for their dreams.
If you're searching for a school to encourage, support, and challenge your dancer to become one of the greats, come to Boston Ballet.
Boston Ballet School is one of the best ballet schools in America, in my opinion. They develop and nurture well-rounded, technically sound dancers while fostering a love of dance and a real appreciation of the arts.
BBS also gives their students the opportunity to audition and perform alongside professional dancers in Mikko Nissinen's yearly production of The Nutcracker.
I've so far only been to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet once, for the 2015 two-week dance intensive. By the end of the program, I felt like it became my second home. The counselors were amazing, the staff was excellent, and the teachers were great and supportive.
It was a very nice environment, and they really care about you. There was even a doctor and a physio if you were sick or hurt. I went home with a lot of great new steps and knowledge. Great school and wonderful experience!
It's a great school! I've been here for four years, and I love it!
Another American ballet company, the Kirov Academy of Ballet, is a school based in Washington, D.C. that offers part-time and full-time instruction to children from grades 7-12.
The Academy is distinctive among professional dance schools in that it has its own in-house academic and residence program, fostering the growth of young ballerinas.
My daughter is attending here soon. She is an amazing dancer, and this is an amazing school. It should also be in the top 3.
I am a student here, and 75% of their dancers become principal dancers.
Europe's leading music and dance school, internationally recognized and iconic for its unique and diverse training.
Inspiring school. Everyone is really hardworking, and the teaching and facilities are incredible. It also has a good graduate output into ballet companies. It needs to be higher!
World-class teaching and facilities. Elmhurst Ballet School is the associate school of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
The teachers are absolutely brilliant here!
Ailey should be much further up on the list, considering that many teachers from schools higher on the list also teach at Ailey. An Ailey student gets the wealth of knowledge that those same top schools provide.
This is Broadway. Put it higher, but not higher than Miss Abby Lee Miller's Dance Academy.
Ballet West should be higher on this list and is becoming very well known worldwide with Artistic Director Adam Sklute at the helm. The reality show "Breaking Pointe" has also brought the company to the forefront.
BW has a Pre-Professional Division and Trainee Division that moves students into Ballet West II and then the company. My daughter has trained with them for four years and has seen great progress.
I will be attending the summer program of 2015 and am seriously looking forward to it. They have a great program.
Brent Street is an Australian performing arts school based in Sydney. The school started in 1986 and since then has expanded its range of styles to include ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, musical theater, singing, drama, and acrobatics.
The school now holds modern dance studios, a theater, and a recording studio and rehearsal space for their subsidiary program through the Talent Development High School. With more than 1,000 students, this school is the premier dance studio in Australia.
San Francisco Ballet is actually one of the best companies in the country.
Most people in the know consider SFB #3 behind Bolshoi and Royal. Odd it wasn't mentioned on this list.
I read and learned that the San Francisco Ballet was one of the first ballet companies in America.
One hundred percent of the students of the Académie Princesse Grace have a contract with a world-renowned company when they graduate. The school doesn't participate in competitions except for the Prix de Lausanne, and so far, each student that participated won a prize.
The training is very individual as they have just around 40 students each season between the ages of 13 and 19. The level of the school is increasing year by year, and this is thanks to its very devoted and passionate director, Luca Masala.
The Princess Grace Academy is an amazing ballet school in Monte-Carlo. It has world-renowned teachers and has a great program for ballet dancers.