If you are planning on starting dancing lessons, you are probably wondering what budget you need to start your new passion. However, you should also consider, which dance style you want to learn, would you prefer to find private lessons or classes at a dance studio? Also, are you a complete beginner or are you looking to improve your level in a certain dancing style?
Why take dance classes?
Dancing can be considered an art and a sport, that's why it has so many benefits that go beyond the physical ones. The benefits of dancing can be physical, such as stress reduction, toning your body, enhancing your physical strength and flexibility. Also, dancing is a social and creative activity that can nurture your self-development through confidence, creativity, and even expand your social circle.
Because dancing is such a diverse discipline, the prices, experience, and location can vary enormously from one dancing style to another. Some dancing styles require specific shoes or material than others, some are easier to learn with a partner that is also fully engaged in learning to dance.
Factors that impact the pricing of dancing lessons are whether you take private lessons, or go to a dance studio. Another factor is the dancing style you want to learn and your level. Here we will help you get an overview of the different factors and see how they affect pricing.
Dances classes: private or studio?
The good news is, there are plenty of options available to learn your favourite dancing style! Therefore, there are a variety of prices for diverse dance classes. Because there are so many options, this might be overwhelming, and it might make it difficult to find the right instructor or dance lesson.
It might be better to first establish where you would prefer to take your dancing lessons. Once you know more about what you are expecting from a private class or what adapts best to your needs and aspirations, it will be easier to narrow down your search, and budget for your dancing lessons.
With a private tutor
If you would like to take dancing lessons with a private tutor, prices can start at €5 and go up to €25 or more per hour. This variation takes into account a variety of factors from the level, dance style, and the specific qualifications and experience of each one of the tutors.
Some tutors offer their classes in packages of several classes with better pricing, this can be a very appealing and suited option if you are really looking to do it in the longer term.
In a dancing studio
If you are looking for a more immersive experience through a dancing studio, and you rather have group classes, which some dancing styles require like Tango, Salsa, or other. Prices are going to vary tremendously depending on your city, and the dancing style you are looking for.
One example could be 8 classes of one hour each of hip-hop at a studio in Dublin can cost up to €90.
Another example could be ballroom or Latino dance classes for €65 for an hour class for six weeks.
In addition, you will have to consider the time and expenses you might need to get to the dancing studio, depending on where you live.
Free options
If you are not quite sure yet if you want to commit financially to dancing classes, you can always start by taking a free class trial while you figure out which dancing style you enjoy more.
This option is also very helpful if you want to find the teacher that adapts best to your needs.

Dancing styles and their pricing
The price of dancing styles vary as well, some dancing styles require technical skills or material that also needs to be used a certain way. This makes the prices vary on each of the dancing styles, here are a few examples:
- Classical: this dance style is very technical and requires several years of study and practice, thus most classical dance lessons will present a higher price than other styles.
For example, a classical dance lesson will be between €15 and €25 per hour, depending on the level and experience of your tutor. - Irish Dance: dance is a great tradition in Ireland, and if you don't know how to dance some traditional dances, you can consider starting with this. This type of dance can cost in average €20 per hour, but will vary according to location and the experience of your teacher. Irish dance requires historical and technical knowledge, which makes it a fascinating dance style!
- Caucasian dances: even if you are not near a culture geographically, this does not mean you can not find a tutor and learn their dances. Caucasian dances are just an example among many dance styles, but because they are more specialized, they might cost a little more than the average of €17 per hour in Ireland.
- Other examples of specific dances would be: salsa, bachata, tap dance, swing, rock n roll, tango, samba, cha-cha-cha and many more!
If you don't know where to start, we encourage you to start with the basics of dance, rhythm, coordination, ground yourself for turns, and confidence. Once you feel comfortable with these, you will be able to explore a specific dancing style and ameliorate your techniques and basics.
Higher-level dancing lessons
When you already have a higher level in dancing in general or in a specific dancing style, and you are considering applying to a prestigious dance conservatory in Ireland to pursue a dancing career, the budget will be significant.
This is because, learning to dance at a professional level is a full-time commitment and will be demanding at the physical level.
Institutions like the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance cost around 2,139 euros per academic year, in addition to the tuition fees. Other institutions like the College of Dance ask for an audition fee of €30.00. Once you are accepted, you will require a deposit of €500, which will be deducted from the third terms fees. Full-time student fees are €3,600 per annum, paid €1,200 per term. They ask you to pay the fees in full before the beginning of each of the three terms. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
It is important to be sure about the path and career you want to pursue before engaging in a higher-level dance education.

Dancing with a group brings a lot of joy. Source Unsplash
Dancing solo, with a partner, or groups
Remember that dancing is a very personal experience, but it is often shared with a dancing partner or a group. This not only bring a lot of benefits to your mental health, but it also nurtures your social life. Exchanging with your teacher about your dancing lessons and improvement can be a very rewarding experience.
If you are taking solo lessons about a certain type of dance, you will also find it very rewarding to get to know the history of that particular dance. This allows you to connect with people who are also interested in the same dance and cultures.
When sharing your experience with a dance partner or a group, your happiness is enhanced, the act of expression and sharing during the dance is important.
Considering this, many private tutors also offer group classes, which can be very appealing because it reduces the expenses between several pupils.
Don't wait any longer, there are so many options available to start dancing today!









