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Welcome to Holy City Dance Center! Feel free to email us at info@holycitydance.com

Discover the Joy of Movement at Holy City Dance Center

Large Multi-Room Dance Studio

  • Dance Classes
  • Dance Lessons
  • Top Dancing Tips for Beginners
  • Dance with Your Heart

Groove to the Music with Dance Classes Near Charleston, SC

Dancing has a wonderful way of taking us to a special place where we can embrace the moment and forget our worries, if only for a few minutes. It's enjoyable, healthy, and a great way to connect with others who share your passions. It can also be magical, like when you hear your favorite song and nail a high-energy dance routine that you've been practicing. But for new and seasoned dancers looking for classes in The Palmetto State, what options are there to consider?

If you're reading this and looking for a dance studio in South Carolina, look no further than Holy City Dance Center. From first-time beginners to experienced dancers with hours of on-stage experience, Holy City Dance has the leadership, facility, and classes to keep you moving to the music all year long.

Service Areas

Dance School Charleston, SC

You'll Be Happy to Call Holy City Dance Center Home

When you choose Holy City Dance, you get much more than a place to practice new dance moves - you get access to an elite dancing experience in a warm, welcoming environment full of feel-good juju purpose-driven instruction. We believe that dance lessons and dancing in general help produce happy people. As such, we do everything in our power to provide a happy, positive studio in which dancers, new and old, can learn and express themselves.

Every member of our leadership team and staff is professional, talented, and, perhaps most importantly, fully committed to safely and lovingly guiding dancers. While we specialize in teaching dance lessons, we also focus on building character and kindness - especially for our younger students. At the end of the day, our goal is to combine the best aspects of hard work and dance to create a fulfilling and fun experience for all.

With a long list of both youth and adult dance lessons near Charleston, SC, Holy City Dance Center offers something for everyone, whether you're looking to join a new performance team or a simple Mommy & Me program. Whether you are two or 102 years old, we want you in class having fun!!

Our class lessons include the following:

  • Ballet
  • Tap
  • Jazz
  • Hip Hop
  • Contemporary
  • Acro-Dance
  • Jumps & Turns
  • Stretch & Strengthen
  • Clogging
  • Musical Theater
  • Adult Dance Classes
  • Award Winning Competition Team
  • Performance Team
  • Recital Performance
  • Much More!

A Glance at Our Facility

Wondering whether or not our dance center is the right fit for you and your family? Located at 1939 Clements Ferry Road in Charleston, SC, we take a lot of pride in our facility and like to think that shows as soon as you walk through our front doors. With 4000 sq. ft. of space, we're able to provide the best everything you or your loved one needs for a high-quality dance education.

Our dance features many amenities that dancers love, including the following:

Dance Room

Three Large Dance Rooms

Each of our dance rooms is fully equipped with unique sub-flooring to help sustain joint health and to ensure our students can train in a safe environment.

Specialty Flooring

Specialty Flooring for Dancers

We incorporate Vinyl Marley flooring in studios one and two to help reduce injury and promote better training. In studio three, we have applied special acoustic flooring made specifically for tap dancers. By providing enhanced flooring for our students, we can better ensure they enjoy a professional, purposeful dancing experience.

Large Lobby

Large Lobby

Need to wait while your little one or spouse finishes dancing classes? Our lobby is spacious and has free high-speed WiFi, so you can surf the web or get work done while you wait.

Student Lounge

Student Lounge

When our students aren't in class, they have their own lounge with lockers where they can change and enjoy each other's company.

Livestreams

Livestreams

Pull up a chair in our lobby and get a peek into our process! Whether you're a student, parent, or spouse, our livestreams are fun and educational to watch.

 Dance Classes Charleston, SC

Holy City Dance Lessons Near Charleston, SC

At Holy City Dance Center, we're proud to offer dancing classes for all ages, from recreational programming for very young students to programs for teens and adults. Thinking we might not have a class for you if you're a beginner? Think again! No matter your experience level, we've got a dance program to help you grow.

A few of our most popular dance programs include the following:

Youth Programs

Our recreational youth programs are a great way for kids to learn about dance while practicing balance, motor skills, discipline, and much more.

 Dance Studio Charleston, SC

Mommy & Me: Ages 2-3

For toddlers who love to dance and move around, we offer a 45-minute Creative Movement class that focuses on basic ballet movements. This class is designed for boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 3 years old and aims to help fine-tune gross motor skills while building a passion for dance at an early age. To ensure that our young dancers stay engaged throughout the year, we integrate music, props, and seasonal themes into our lessons. Moms are welcome to join in on the fun or simply watch their little ones shine.

 Dance Courses Charleston, SC

Pre-K Combo Ages 3-4 (Ballet & Tap and Ballet & Jazz)

If your little one is between the ages of three and four and interested in dance, these hour-long classes are a great way for them to learn about different styles. Props, music, and games are still incorporated, but with added technical elements that will expand their dance knowledge and prepare them for a successful dance career. During each class session, students will focus on both style offerings and should ensure they have the necessary shoes and attire for each.

 Youth Dance School Charleston, SC

Youth Combo 5-7 (Ballet & Tap and Ballet & Jazz)

This package mimics our Pre-K Combo with all of the same features but is tailored to older children between the ages of five and seven.

 Adult Dance School Charleston, SC

Kinderpop Ages 5-7

For children aged five to seven, this 45-minute class offers a fun and lively introduction to hip-hop dance. While training, students will learn the fundamentals and vocabulary of hip-hop in an upbeat environment.

 Child Dance School Charleston, SC

Recreational Programs

These dance classes near Charleston, SC, are best suited for beginner and intermediate students between the ages of eight and eighteen.

 Youth Dance Classes Charleston, SC

For those who wish to delve into the intricacies of tap technique, these classes run for 45 minutes and cover all the fundamental tap moves. As students progress to higher-level classes, they will build on their skills and expand their repertoire. The classes include warm-up exercises, center-floor work, across-the-floor combinations, and complex choreography.

For students dedicated to improving their jazz technique's precision and intensity, these classes are the perfect fit. The classes run for a duration of 45 minutes and cover a range of activities, including a rigorous warm-up with a focus on flexibility training, center-floor work, across-the-floor combinations, and sharp choreography.

Our ballet classes are structured to help students master classical Vaganova techniques through barre exercises, center floor work, across-the-floor combinations, flexibility training, and explanations of ballet terminology. Each class is 1.5 hours long.

These 45-minute classes are designed for students who love to have fun and be the center of attention. They are perfect for lively, cheerful, and enthusiastic learners who want a welcoming and secure environment to express their energy. The classes concentrate on teaching the basics of footwork, body rolls, dynamics, and other essential dance skills.

If you're a student looking to express yourself through contemporary dance, these 45-minute classes are perfect for you. They focus on exploring the connection between emotion and movement, incorporating elements of lyrical dance, floor work, partnering, and improvisation. Through these methods, you'll be able to experience a sense of free movement and develop your own unique contemporary dance style.

These classes focus on building strength and flexibility for dancers while prioritizing injury prevention. Consisting of 45 to 60-minute sessions, taking this class one to two times a week can improve dancers' movement quality, style-specific skills, endurance, and prolong their dance careers.

Other recreational dance programs at Holy City Dance Center include:

  • Musical Theater - Focusing on techniques and dancing styles used in Broadway shows.
  • Dance FUNctions - Learn how to be a well-rounded, successful dancer.
  • Dance Comp & Improv - Learn the foundational skills of dance improv and the building blocks of dance composition.
  • Acro Dance - Learn how to blend the art of acrobatics and floor tumbling with traditional dancing.
  • Inclusive Dance - This class is perfect for dancers who have developmental delays or disabilities.

Adult Programs

If you're looking for a dance studio near Charleston, SC, that offers dance lessons for working adults, look no further than Holy City Dance Center. Our adult dance classes cater to all ages and abilities, from beginners to advanced. We aim to create a free and open environment where adult dancers can express themselves.

It's time to get those jazz hands moving! This 45-minute beginner-intermediate jazz class includes warm-up, strength training, center floor work, across-the-floor combinations, and sharp choreography.

This one-hour ballet class focuses on the power and accuracy of ballet technique. The class includes a well-planned barre warm-up, exercises for stretching and strengthening, center floor work, combinations across the floor, and ballet choreography.

This class is designed for those who are new to line dancing or need to refresh their skills. We will review choreographed steps and dances at a slower pace, covering the basics of line dancing and common dance terms. Each week, we will also learn at least one new dance.

Additional adult dance programs offered by Holy City Dance Center include:

Hip-Hop - This fun class features a structured walkthrough of the high-energy dance techniques known in hip-hop dancing.

Contemporary - Learn how to show emotion through dancing while adopting a free sense of stylization and movement.

Tap - If you're a beginner or intermediate dancer craving a journey that explores the precision and complexity of tap dancing, this class is for you.

 Adult Dance Classes Charleston, SC

Top Dancing Tips for Beginners in South Carolina

At Holy City Dance Center, we welcome students of all ages and experience levels. In fact, many of our students come to us with little-to-no dancing experience. We work closely with these students to help develop their dancing fundamentals and gradually incorporate new techniques and styles. If you know that you want to begin dancing but feel like the learning curve is too high, don't worry. We can help build your skill and confidence step-by-step with beginner dance lessons near Charleston, SC.

To help you along the way and expedite the learning process, keep these easy-to-implement tips in mind.

Find Your Inspiration

Find Your Inspiration

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, the secret to becoming a great dancer is having the desire to excel. Always remember the reasons why you love dancing, as it will motivate you in moments of discouragement or lethargy. Ignite your passion by watching dance performances, chatting with fellow dancers, attending dance events, or simply listening to music that gets you moving.

Always Warm Up

Always Warm Up

Dancing without taking the time to warm up is sort of like baking biscuits without preheating your oven. You might be anxious to jump in and start, but doing so can leave you deflated and unprepared. Dancing with a cold and stiff body can be unpleasant and may lead to muscle injuries. Therefore, it's advisable to warm up and stretch before dancing. Doing so will help you move with greater range and control and also reduce the risk of injuries.

Let Go and Have Fun

Let Go and Have Fun

Always keep in mind that dancing is supposed to be a fun activity, not a burden or a source of anxiety. Dancing should be an outlet for those negative emotions! When you come for lessons at Holy City Dance Center, you can look forward to a fun, inviting atmosphere. No matter how many (or how few) dance moves you know, you can always have a good time learning how to dance with the right instructors and partners. Relax, have fun, and go with the flow. You'll be happy you did.

Get Your Groove On

Get Your Groove On

To improve your dancing skills, it's best to narrow down the specific styles you want to learn and focus on their foundational movements. One thing that all dance styles have in common is the "groove." You may not know it, but you probably groove out naturally to music all the time. Do you bob your head while driving or sway side to side at the club? If so, you've got the groove. Practicing grooves and becoming more comfortable with your body's movements will help you look better while dancing, whether in class, at a performance, or anywhere else.

Mix It Up

Mix It Up

When you first start dancing, it's common to want to dance with the same partner or friend. However, this can become boring over time. To avoid this, try dancing with a variety of people, especially when you're still learning the dance. Each person's interpretation of the music will give you a new perspective on the dance. You may worry about dancing with someone who is more advanced or less skilled than you. However, dancing with different people can help you practice being a good leader or follower. Every dance can be an opportunity to learn and grow. That's why, at Holy City Dance Center, we encourage multiple dance partners in applicable programs.

Learn and Repeat the Basics

Learn and Repeat the Basics

They say that repetition is key when it comes to learning a skill, and that's especially true when dancing. Practicing techniques over and over helps them become ingrained in your muscle memory, allowing you to execute them effortlessly. For instance, Popping exercises can enhance your control and control. House Step routines can improve your footwork and make you more comfortable on the dance floor. Whatever the dance style, start by nailing down and repeating elementary techniques. Before you know it, you'll be executing full routines from muscle memory.

Request Class Information

Dance with Your Heart and Your Feet Will Follow at Holy City Dance Center

 Child Dance Classes Charleston, SC

Whether you're looking for an extracurricular outlet for your child or want to learn how to tap dance in your 40s, our dance studio near Charleston, SC, is the premier choice for quality dance lessons. Our instructors are passionate about bringing your dancing dreams to life and are committed to providing you with an experience like no other. If you're ready to dance with your heart, your feet are sure to follow. All it takes is a little guidance and inspiration. Contact our dance studio today and take the first step toward a true dancing education tomorrow.

Latest News in Charleston, SC

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Cristian stuns former champion Keys in Charleston second round

The RiverDogs’ cuisine team knocks it out of the park

The Charleston RiverDogs’ 2024 season kicks off on April 5 with a three-night homestand against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. (See schedule here.)But most people don’t only head to The Joe for some good baseball — the food’s pretty darn good, too. The food and beverage team at the Charleston RiverDogs likes to push the envelope when it comes to ballpark fare. You can get your peanuts and Cracker Jack elsewhere — at The...

The Charleston RiverDogs’ 2024 season kicks off on April 5 with a three-night homestand against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. (See schedule here.)

But most people don’t only head to The Joe for some good baseball — the food’s pretty darn good, too. The food and beverage team at the Charleston RiverDogs likes to push the envelope when it comes to ballpark fare. You can get your peanuts and Cracker Jack elsewhere — at The Joe, chef Josh Shea and crew want you to enjoy their elevated eats.

“It’s a show with the baseball [game], and it’s a show with the food as well,” Shea said. He said that his staff tinkered with hundreds of menu items before narrowing down their final list this year.

The items are inspired by the ‘Dogs’ recent history and the food scene in Charleston.

“Coming off three championships, we’ve got the Three Ring Burger,” Shea said. Served with “three huge onion rings” and barbecue sauce, the burger speaks for itself. “We’re going big this year,” Shea added.

Shea and the rest of the RiverDogs staff know how to have fun and how to poke a little fun, too. The “second place duck dog” is a nod to the ‘Dogs beating the Down East Wood Ducks two years in a row. The hotdog is topped with coleslaw and smoked pulled duck meat with duck cracklings on top.

Speaking of fun, Shea is particularly excited about a partnership the RiverDogs have with Cheetos. If you’ve ever wanted to get fully covered in Cheeto dust, well, this season’s your chance to live the dream. The Cheetos stand at The Joe will serve Cheeto popcorn and soft pretzels dipped in Cheeto dust. And yes, the stand will “dust” fans with the orange stuff if they so desire. “It’s something fun and interactive — and messy,” Shea said.

Fans looking for a full, fulfilling meal can head to The Joe’s popular ramen stand, which brings back ramen bowls this year in addition to three fried rice bowls. Choose from teriyaki beef, General Tso’s chicken and an orange glaze crispy cauliflower bowl.

Seafood fiends can snack on fried fish sticks and shrimp po boys from “The Snackle Box.” Shea said that the foot-long fish stick brings some “old school flare” to the seafood lineup and the shrimp and grit wrap has all the flavor of the popular dish with the ease and versatility of a wrap. “It’s a new and cool way to get it [out there] and remind people they’re in Charleston.”

The importance of place

Shea said he wants fans to feel like they’re getting a true Charleston experience at a RiverDogs game, whether they’re looking for a meal out or a great cocktail.

“We’re trying to change that atmosphere for the ballpark,” Shea said. “We’re evolving our services and evolving the way we operate to make sure we’re consistent with what the consumer is looking for.”

In that vein, you can get more than a cold Budweiser at The Joe (although you can still certainly get as much cold Bud as you want on dollar beer nights every Thursday). This year the stadium will serve up margaritas and screwdrivers on tap, as well as a RiverDog mule and Charleston Sunrise. The food and drink stands will offer specials on themed nights, too.

“We’re trying to involve our stand with those nights so it feels more all-inclusive,” Shea said.

On Perros Santos nights, which were started in 2019 as a way to pay homage to Charleston’s growing Latinx community, the stadium will serve horchata bites. “It’s like eating a deep fried oreo filled with horchata cream,” Shea said. Fans can also look forward to churro fries (they’re just what they sound like) launching later this season.

“We run everything in house, from the development side of it to what products we’re bringing in. We don’t have a third-party food purveyor,” Shea said. “That makes us a little different and special. We can put our own twists and spins [on the food].”

At the height of the season, Shea said that the food and beverage arm of the stadium can have up to 220 employees. From food runners in the suites to bartenders to cooks in the kitchen, it takes an army of folks to keep things running at The Joe.

Shea said he wants guests to feel like they’re enjoying not just a ball game, but a night out in Charleston. “You can eat out like you’re going to downtown Charleston,” he said. “That’s what we try to do here. We try to pull all the flavor profiles that Charleston has, and we draw a lot of inspiration from that.”

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Charleston hires ex-Louisville coach Chris Mack to take over for new Cardinals coach Pat Kelsey

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — College of Charleston has hired former Louisville coach Chris Mack as its men’s coach after its last coach in Pat Kelsey left to take the Cardinals job last week.Athletic director Matt Roberts said Tuesday that Mack agreed to a five-year contract to take over the program.Mack will receive $1.1 million per...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — College of Charleston has hired former Louisville coach Chris Mack as its men’s coach after its last coach in Pat Kelsey left to take the Cardinals job last week.

Athletic director Matt Roberts said Tuesday that Mack agreed to a five-year contract to take over the program.

Mack will receive $1.1 million per year through the 2028-29 season. He is also eligible for a range of performance bonus, from $150,000 for winning the NCAA Tournament to $5,000 for an NIT appearance.

Should Mack leave his position in the first two seasons, he would owe the school $1.5 million. That figure decreases to $1 million in his third season and $750,000 in his fourth season. He would owe nothing if he departs in his final season.

The school would owe Mack 100% of what remains on the deal should it dismiss him.

Mack also earned a $35,000 signing bonus, earmarked in the contract for moving expenses and temporary lodging.

Mack made the NCAA Tournament nine times in 12 full seasons as coach at Xavier and Louisville. Mack’s time with the Cardinals ended in January 2022 when he was dismissed with the team at 6-8. Mack had been suspended the first six games of the season by Louisville, which said he violated school guidelines in his firing of one-time Cardinals assistant coach Dino Gaudio.

Mack has not coached since then.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be the next men’s basketball head coach at the College of Charleston,” Mack said in a statement. “I’m more motivated than any coach in the country, and Cougar Nation is going to get my absolute best.”

The Cougars went to the past two NCAA Tournaments as Coastal Athletic Association Tournament champions under Kelsey. They fell in the opening round to Final Four bound Alabama, 109-96.

Kelsey, on social media, called it a “great day for the College of Charleston as a new era arrives.” Kelsey said he and Mack are lifelong friends, “and I know the city will absolutely love him. He is a phenomenal basketball coach and a connector.”

Roberts said school leaders wanted someone who was a proven winner who shared the vision of championship basketball. “Chris Mack will undoubtedly continue the high level of success that our students, alumni, donors and community deserve,” he said.

Mack and Louisville were No. 1 for two weeks during the 2019-20 season, finishing 24-7 and 15-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

At Xavier, Mack’s teams reached four Sweet 16s and made an Elite Eight appearance in 2017.

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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

James Island residents struggle with stagnant rainwater and neglected drains

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Drainage has become a major issue on James Island.People living in the Queensborough neighborhood said the ditches on their streets are filled with stagnant rainwater from past storms after March saw increased rains.One neighbor told News 4 that her street’s storm drains haven’...

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Drainage has become a major issue on James Island.

People living in the Queensborough neighborhood said the ditches on their streets are filled with stagnant rainwater from past storms after March saw increased rains.

One neighbor told News 4 that her street’s storm drains haven’t been cleared in almost 10 years.

“Every time it rains, it's fingers crossed," Jennifer Nichole said. "We don't know if we're going to flood if we're not going to flood. God forbid a tropical storm comes."

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Neighbors living off Yorktown Drive on James Island say they must fend for themselves when it comes to storm flooding.

Their ditches are full of stagnant rainwater. Some drains are barely visible anymore and the water is swarming with mosquitoes and algae.

“It's an issue that not only myself, but other neighbors have reported on as well,” Nichole said. “Some of my neighbors have taken to just filling in the ditches, that way it runs straight out of their yard into the road, but then, it still doesn't have anywhere to drain to.”

Nichole says she’s tried reaching out to the Town of James Island for help, but no crews have come to her street yet.

READ MORE: "Where did $1.8 billion go? A S.C. senator says the state treasurer breached public trust."

The mayor said drainage is one of the biggest problems she’s seen since taking office, but explained it’s a complicated process because multiple agencies are involved.

“We have both county and state roads within the town. So, when we get a concern or a complaint, we send it to the appropriate agency, be it the county or the state who then will get out when they can and try to do the work,” said Mayor Brook Lyon.

Waiting for crews during an especially rainy past month has led neighbors to try their solutions.

“We've actually installed our own little drainage system to kind of get the water out,” Nichole said. “It used to work. It does not anymore.”

READ MORE: "SC Superintendent of Education talks accomplishments, goals after first year in office."

Mayor Lyon said the town is working to identify the most flood-prone areas. She said staff are also looking into hiring private contractors so the town can have its own crews.

“We would like to eventually get one of our own trucks to where we could go out and clean pipes ourselves, dig the ditches ourselves,” the mayor said.

She also said the town plans to have a public meeting in the next few months to talk about drainage and hear directly from residents. Mayor Lyon encourages residents to fill out an online form or call Town Hall if they have drainage issues.

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