HomeMichiganYpsilanti › Joy Dance Company

Joy Dance Company

5 ★★★★★ 16 Google reviews · Ballet school in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Ages classes for ages 2–18 — check the schedule for the right level for your dancer
  • Recitals end-of-year performances and shows — ask about costume and performance fees when you enroll
  • Summer intensive holiday and summer intensive programs — these fill early, so ask about dates and auditions
  • Phone +1 734-294-2840
  • Website & schedule joydancecompany.com — enroll and see the live class schedule

The programs they offer

Ballet programs on the schedule at Joy Dance Company, confirmed in families' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌸 Kids Ballet 10 mentions

“She is so wonderful with the kids, so welcoming, full of a beautiful energy and greatly skilled to teach the little one’s (and probably all ages, but I can only talk about our 2.”

All studios with kids ballet →

🧸 Toddler & Pre-Ballet 2 mentions

“:) My toddler looks forward to dance class every week and is having a blast.”

All studios with toddler & pre-ballet →

☀️ Summer Intensives

All studios with summer intensives →

What families & students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 16 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🩰 strong technique & training 2 mentions

“Miss Sam is super developmentally appropriate, kind, fun, AND has great dance technique.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“She is so wonderful with the kids, so welcoming, full of a beautiful energy and greatly skilled to teach the little one’s (and probably all ages, but I can only talk about our 2.”

🧸 wonderful with young kids 4 mentions

“We've had Miss Sam as a dance teacher for several years, and my daughter loves her!”

💛 nurturing, non-competitive 3 mentions

“Joy Dance Company is the most inclusive, warm, JOYFUL dance company I have ever come across.”

serious pre-professional training 6 mentions

“Joy Dance Company is the most inclusive, warm, JOYFUL dance company I have ever come across.”

💪 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“She instills self esteem, skills and confidence in all of her dancers.”

From the reviews

This studio has the perfect name as Joy is exactly what Miss Sam brings to her dancers every day. My oldest has danced at another studio for several years and this year didn’t feel as though she still fit in. She joined Joy and has been smiling every day and looking forward to dancing again.

★★★★★ — Mystic, Oct 2023

We've had Miss Sam as a dance teacher for several years, and my daughter loves her! Sam is an experienced instructor, and in each class my daughter learns a lot, but also has fun and gets to be silly. The studio has a positive and warm vibe. Highly recommend!

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Oct 2023

My daughter loves this studio and Ms Sam! She’s always pretty shy but opens right up when she walks in the door.

★★★★★ — Ben, Sep 2024

Joy Dance Company is amazing! We found Miss Sam and are so happy about our daughter's future at JDC. As someone who grew up dancing competitively, I am no stranger to studio life. We had tried a few studios in Ann Arbor but none felt as welcoming as JDC. Miss Sam is beyond knowledgable and patient with her students.

★★★★★ — Danielle, Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 16 reviews →

Your first ballet class at Joy Dance Company

Nervous about walking into your first class? Almost everyone is — and a good studio expects beginners, whether your dancer is five or you're returning at fifty. Here's what to know. What to wear: comfortable clothes you can move in, with socks or bare feet; a leotard and tights are nice if you have them, but not required, and pointe shoes are years down the road — never day one. What to expect: class usually starts at the barre with slow, simple movements to warm up, then moves to the center — follow along, copy the teacher, and don't worry about getting it "right" the first time. Arrive early: come 10–15 minutes ahead to change, find a spot, and let the teacher know it's a first class so they can keep an eye out. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Ballet is for every age and every body. If you're returning from an injury or have a health concern, mention it to the teacher before class so they can offer modifications.

Where to find Joy Dance Company

1918 Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti, MI48197

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More ballet studios near Ypsilanti

Inner Action Dance

5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

2622 Washtenaw Ave, Ypsilanti, MI

Kids & teens beautiful recitals & performanceswell-run & communicative

3.0 miles away

Randazzo Dance Studio

4.7 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

4569 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI

Kids & teens Pre-professional welcoming to beginnersnurturing, non-competitivewell-run & communicative

3.7 miles away

The Studio Centre

4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

4625 Platt Ln, Ann Arbor, MI

Adult classes Kids & teens caring, skilled teachersstrong technique & trainingwelcoming to beginners

3.8 miles away

All ballet studios in Ypsilanti, MI →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.