STEPS Dance School is one of the best dance schools in the metro. Headed by Sofia Zobel-Elizalde,…read moreSTEPS is found on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati (oddly enough, right where all the not-so-kid-friendly places are). STEPS is a good place to learn dance whether you're interested in just a class or two, or if you're quite serious about it and thinking professionally. Students are taught by the teachers directly from the professional ballet companies, and may even get to experience international guest teachers if they drop by. A handful of their top students have gone straight to professional companies, both local and international, and have even represented the country in international ballet competitions. Students will get to experience regular shows, along with summer workshops every year and may even get a chance to tour the country with the school's regular performing arm. It might sound like it's all about ballet, but STEPS also offers other classes like modern and contemporary dance, pilates, and jazz. They also have a dance shop where you can buy quality leotards, tights, and all of your dance needs. Their studio is also beautiful! If you want to train with the best and learn from the best, STEPS is the closest thing to a professional dance company!

I discovered this dance studio when I was walking from my place in Salcedo Village to Power Plant…read moreMall. It was rush hour in busy Kalayaan Avenue. Through a window display I saw some ballet dancers rehearsing. Their delicacy contrasted with the chaos of that friday night around P.Burgos Street and its surrounds. I was so beautiful that I got closer to check if it was a dance school or just some professional group gathering. Now I tell you: it's a dance school called Steps Dance Studio. Among all dance schools I've visited, this one seemed to be the most professional one, I mean, they really care about the beauty of dance instead of just using dance as a tool to lose weigh or something like that (unfortunately that's the approach we usually see, since dance classes are commonly offered inside fitness centers). Steps Dance Studio offers Classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance!), Modern, Jazz, Street Dance, TAP Dance, Pilates and Zumba. They always organize summer workshops, with a final concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Nice, isn't it? If you want to try your Pina Bausch days, then I recommend taking a look at this studio!

Dancing was one of the things in life that gave me the creeps. I'd been dreading it simply because…read moreI didn't know how to dance. So when my then girlfriend -- now wife -- asked me if I danced, I told her that real mean don't dance. For a time, my excuse worked because she never really asked me to join her dance at the parties and events that we attended. But when I proposed to her, she said she will only accept the proposal if I agreed to a couple dance on our wedding. Egad! I didn't have any choice so I relented and consented to learn how to dance. In order to prepare for our wedding dance, we enrolled at Anyone Can Dance beginner's class at Studio 116. At first I struggled to follow the steps, the beat, and rhythm of the Viennese Waltz, Swing, and Boogie. But after twelve sessions I was more confident and I enjoyed our dance classes more. The instructors were helpful and our dance mates were friendly. It's like we're a family there. I was enjoying myself so much that I enrolled both of us in another class. This time we learned Latin dances like Tango, Salsa, Cha Cha, and Bachata. For those who are interested in dancing for fitness, the studio also offers Zumba and Shiba classes from Mondays to Saturdays. Rates are around PHP 550.00 per session for social dancing and fitness classes. But the price can go significantly lower if you pay 8 or 16 sessions in advance. Major credit cards are accepted. Although majority of the students in the studio just want to learn social dancing like us, Studio 116 can help those who want to join competitions and become professional ballroom dancers. Advanced dance classes are offered and representatives from the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing visit the studio twice a year to hold tests and evaluation. Those who will undergo the rigorous training and pass the evaluation will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement from the United Kingdom Alliance.

I used to take piano lessons here! That was several years ago, when the school still occupied most…read moreof the building. And my sister's been going to ballet here even before the building had been renovated and the dimly lit ground floor waiting area had a cake shop. Good times. Now, even though Academy One only has one large dance studio left upstairs, a couple of instrument lesson rooms at the back, and a small waiting area in front, they still provide top notch education. They offer jazz, classical and modern ballet, piano, voice, and guitar lessons. It's affiliated with the Australian Conservatory of Ballet and the London-based Royal Academy of Dance so for sure the ballet classes are excellent. (Only complaint is the schedule can be erratic at times - sometimes ending surprisingly early, other times extending for half an hour.) They have an annual recital in CCP at the end of the summer program to showcase the growing talent not just in the dance students, but also those who learn various instruments. I think it's a good way to get kids used to the performance side of performing arts.

If you interested in learning several styles of dance and if you live in the south, check out…read moreSymmetry Dance Studio. They offer ballet, jazz, hiphop, bellydance, contemporary dance, cheerleading, poledancing, and gymnastics, and remains to be one of the most versatile dance studios. Their directress, Venus Basas, is a former dancer whose credentials include Ballet Philippines, Hotlegs, and Steps on Broadway in New York. The studio is located right across Pergola Mall in BF Homes. The teachers at Symmetry come from notable dance companies, including Airdance, Hotlegs, and the Philippine Ballet Theater. Most of their students enroll in several kinds of dance, making them able to switch styles quickly. They also have a wide range of students, from little girls enrolling in ballet classes to boys wanting to learn hiphop and even some mothers who take up poledancing. They'll give out free trial classes occasionally, so lookout for announcement on their site! :)

My niece wanted to learn ballet. But being three years old, she might just be acting on a whim. I…read moreknow she loves to dance and she even copies ballet dancers that she sees on television, but I'm not sure if she would be patient enough to stay still or listen to an instructor. Even so, we went to Ballet and Arts Centre in Market! Market! to inquire about their ballet lessons. According to their staff, kids less than six years old must first be evaluated before they can be accepted into class. This way, the instructors would know if a child really wants to learn ballet. I appreciated this because sometimes kids just act out on impulses and when actual classes start, they just don't want to attend anymore. In effect, the money that would be spent on ballet uniform, registration fees, and trips to the classes would all go down the drain. As it turned out, my niece didn't even want to go inside the studio, let alone be evaluated. So, I guess we will just go back to Ballet and Arts Centre when she turns seven and by then I hope she can decide if ballet is really her thing. The dance studio is open from 11:00am to 7:00pm, Wednesdays to Sundays.

From the owner: Ballet & Arts Centre was established year 2003 as a school of Dance and Theater Arts for kids and…read moreadults with business address at 3F Playzone side, Market! Market! Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. We have Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Street Dance, Contemporary, Voice Lessons, Belly Dancing, Salsa & Ballroom Dance and Taekwondo

If you're interested in trying indoor cycling out, I highly recommend Electric Studio:…read more1. The place is nice and clean, which for a workout place, is a very important concern 2. Everyone there from the girls at the entrance to the instructors are really friendly and open to answering any questions 3. The songs you ride just make you want to ride harder 4. Their introductory package lets you buy 5 rides for 1500 - that's better than their competition 5. They provide you all the towels you need plus let you rent shoes for free and you don't have to worry about bringing a lock for your locker because those are code protected It's just an overall pleasant experience.

Great class! Teachers are energetic and super motivational! I probably will be very sore tomorrow…read morebut it's all worth it! Eloisa is a wonderful teacher! I also like how they add some choreographed movements to fresh songs. Makes me wanna dance on my bike! Thanks team electric!