4 Best Berlin Dance Studios for Adult Drop-In Classes
Berlin doesn’t just have a huge professional arts scene (my colleagues describe it as a “freaky arts scene”); it also has a huge recreational dance scene. The great thing is they aren't necessarily separated. Whether you’re a professional, an amateur, or anywhere in-between, Berlin has a multitude of adult drop-in classes to help you keep in shape and maintain your training.
I spent a few days exploring the different studios Berlin has to offer, and I'm very impressed with the range of classes and studio amenities I found.
Here are four of the most popular Berlin dance studios, three of which I personally tried out during my time in Berlin.
motion*s Tanzstudio
motion*s has a really good rep among Berlin locals ("great atmosphere," they say). With two locations in the Kreuzberg district, motion*s offers one of the most comprehensive drop-in schedules for adults. They also offer kids programming in a separate stream.
You can choose from over 40 varieties of classes, including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, house, jazz, pole dancing, Kpop, heels, afro dance, Pilates, release technique, and more.
My personal recommendation is their Graham classes. Not many places offer Graham as a drop-in class, namely because Graham is a codified modern dance form that requires years and years of regular training to accurately progress through its levels.
That said, there are Graham-certified teachers out there, and even if you're not seeking to become a professional Graham dancer, Graham is one of the most kick-your-butt dance forms you'll ever experience, in a your-legs-will-come-out-beautiful kind of way. If you get the chance to take a Graham class, do it.
I went to the Moritzplatz location, and the building is quite tricky to find (as many dance studios in Berlin seem to be). It's tucked away in the nook of a larger compound, upstairs.
The Moritzplatz studio itself is quite comfortable, with reception, a small area for stretching (with a dance floor, barre, and foam rollers), and several small studio rooms.
Website: https://www.motionsberlin.de/en/
Profi Status: For professional dancers, motion*s offers a "professional status" card that allows participants to train at lower costs (20% off single classes and class passes and 10% off events). The application costs 10 EUR to process. Two of the following requirements must be met to qualify:
- Completed training in dance or musical theater
- Currently in training for dance or musicals
- Member of the artists’ social security fund
- Registered with the tax office as a self-employed dancer or choreographer
- Active professional activity in the field of dance or musicals
- Digital, meaningful dance/musical portfolio (e.g. website, artist profile, YouTube/Vimeo channel)
The complete application process and more information are available on the motion*s official website at https://www.motionsberlin.de/en/fees/professional-discount/.
It helps to apply early, as German bureaucracy – and operations in general – are infamous for being rather slow. If you're travelling from outside Berlin, apply even before you get there, at least three weeks in advance.
Tanzfabrik Berlin
Tanzfabrik’s vibe I found to be markedly different from motion*s’s. The Kreuzberg location is also on an upstairs floor of an unassuming building in a larger compound — you’ll pass a large "Bear-lin" statue on the way — but Tanzfabrik’s studios are much larger.
Much, much larger. With grey Marley, a lighting grid, and ballet barres, the main studio at the Kreuzberg location is about four times the size of a Moritzplatz motion*s studio.
In total, there are three Tanzfabrik locations around Berlin.
I took ballet and contemporary at the Kreuzberg location, and my feeling is that Tanzfabrik focuses more on somatic release techniques or “functional” dancing. The teachers are highly qualified and, in a way, “serious,” if you get what I mean. Regarding their overall classes, Tanzfabrik is very contemporary heavy.
The change rooms are unisex, and there are showers available.
From what I could gather, Tanzfabrik is a melting pot of dance art, production, arts writing, and residencies. Classes are available in drop-in and "for professionals" versions. There are also opportunities for social events and performance projects. In short, anything and everything could happen at Tanzfabrik.
Website: https://www.tanzfabrik-berlin.de/?locale=en
dock11 / dock 11 Eden
Dock 11 and Dock 11 Eden are two important hubs for professional dancers in Berlin. They also offer drop-in classes at various levels for adults.
Dock 11 (without the "Eden," and also known as "Dock 11 Berlin" on Google Maps) refers to the theatre on Kastanienallee in Rosenthaler Platz. It's a small theatre space for intimate, interdisciplinary performances. There are also studios on site for rehearsals and training, where the available drop-in classes take place.
In partnership with Dock 11, Dock 11 Eden (often known as just "Eden") is a large studio compound on the far north side of the city, in Pankow. They feature five large, high-ceilinged studios for professional development and drop-in classes. Classes include ballet, contemporary, and Gaga, mostly, with a separate stream for children.
Gaga is another specialized genre of dance that only certified instructors can teach. There are limited teachers around the world (available to search on the Gaga website), so it's a real treat when one is nearby.
Dock 11 (both sites) has very strong professional development programming (i.e. for professionals only), so while there is less variety in classes, you can be sure of quality material.
Website: https://dock11-berlin.de/en
Dock 11 Eden is also the site of various professional training festivals and programs, including b12 Festival for Contemporary Dance & Performance Art and SHARE Dance.
Marameo
Marameo is a non-profit dance organization that aims to provide quality contemporary dance training to people of all ages and levels. The mornings are reserved for professionals, afternoons for children, and evenings for adult drop-in classes.
Like Dock 11/Eden, Marameo also features a selection of Gaga classes.
While I haven't personally experienced Marameo studio time, I know from word of mouth that Marameo is a highly-rated destination for professional dancers to keep up their training. My friend Reina said (edited for grammar),
Marameo has a big studio and soft floors, which are nice for jumping or floorwork techniques.
I really enjoyed the ballet class by Yuri Shimaoka. I like her energy and combination of the class a lot.
Marameo has a shower, so we can take one after class. The location is close to Mitte, and you can easily get there.
Note: There are two studios at Marameo, one large, one small. For additional information, please see their official website.
Website: https://www.marameo.de/
Honourable Mention: DANCEWORKS Berlin
DANCEWORKS Berlin is specifically a vocational dance school for professional and pre-professional dancers. It's located in the up-and-coming district of Wedding, Berlin. However, there are still some drop-in classes available through third-party rentals.
I got to visit DANCEWORKS when I signed up for XinYe Tan's Kpop class, who rents the studios for her classes. The school features large, cavernous studios with proper sprung flooring and Marley, tall ceilings, a changing room with showers, and reception. In other words, it was gorgeous. There is definitely more of a ballet/contemporary focus here, though many events and workshops are held in various styles for the students.
So, DANCEWORKS is not the best place to find drop-in classes, but if you're a teacher in need of teaching space, DANCEWORKS might be a good option.
Website: Home | DANCEWORKSberlin
*All photos by Lonely Girl, Lonely World unless otherwise stated.
