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Lydia Johnson Dance School
4.9 ★★★★★ 26 Google reviews · Ballet school in Maplewood, New Jersey
Plan your first class
- Recitals end-of-year performances and shows — ask about costume and performance fees when you enroll
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule lydiajohnsondanceschool.com — enroll and see the live class schedule
Hours
| Monday | 4–7 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 4–8 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The programs they offer
“Not only do they excel in teaching technique, but they also encourage our children to unleash their creativity through choreography.”
What families & students say
“Our daughter has grown in confidence, expression, and technique all while finding a deep love of dance in a supportive and loving dance school.”
“Our daughter has grown in confidence, expression, and technique all while finding a deep love of dance in a supportive and loving dance school.”
“What truly sets this school apart is the emphasis on empowering our kids to choreograph their own dances, fostering confidence and individuality.”
“This isn’t a traditional ballet school—Lydia and Laura (our main teacher and a beautiful dancer) emphasize that they don’t teach for a recital.”
“The connection with Lydia's professional company only elevates the learning experience, as the children learn from a variety of professional dancers with differing styles.”
“The connection with Lydia's professional company only elevates the learning experience, as the children learn from a variety of professional dancers with differing styles.”
From the reviews
When you send your child to Lydia Johnson Dance, you are giving them something singular: the gift of understanding art from the inside out. From the very youngest of her students, Lydia’s dancers learn how a piece is built, how physical shapes and movement (which they, themselves, choose) are connected together until…
Our young daughter has had a wonderful experience with Lydia Johnson Dance School. The teachers are incredible and the student helpers do an excellent job. We are incredibly fortunate to have a dance studio in Lydia Johnson that focuses on children learning by finding the joy in dance.
Lydia Johnson Dance School is a true gem for young dancers. Not only do they excel in teaching technique, but they also encourage our children to unleash their creativity through choreography. My daughter has been dancing with Lydia for many years and has improved immensely throughout that time.
Lydia Johnson and her teaching company provide the gold standard of training for young dancers because they work with a genuine respect and belief that all students, regardless of skill level, have an inner life worthy of imaginative expressivity.
Your first ballet class at Lydia Johnson Dance School
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.
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