If you are after the best tap dance classes Singapore has in 2026, the first thing to know is that tap is a smaller, more specialist scene here than hip-hop or ballet, so the right school depends heavily on whether you are an adult or a child, and whether you want graded exams or just the joy of making noise with your feet. I spent time researching the schools that genuinely teach tap, cross-referencing their syllabuses, who they teach, their locations and how their reputations hold up across reviews.
What came out of it is this list of nine, spread deliberately across adult graded classes, all-ages schools, kids exam academies and one rhythm tap specialist for the jazz lovers. Tap is niche enough that nine is a genuinely strong field, so treat the notes on who each school suits as more important than the ranking order.
This guide is one spoke off my wider hub on the best dance studios in Singapore, so if you are still weighing tap against ballet, jazz or hip-hop, start there. For tap specifically, here are the nine classes in Singapore I would actually recommend to a friend.
Key Takeaways
- 1 There is no single best tap dance class in Singapore. The right one depends on whether you are an adult or a child, whether you want graded exams or pure fun, and whether you prefer bright show tap or loose rhythm tap.
- 2 For adults who want real technique, Dance Arts Singapore and Centre Stage are the two I would shortlist first. Both run graded adult tap from complete beginner upward.
- 3 For kids working toward exams, Stepping Out Studios, All That Jazz, Elevate Dance Academie and Charlotte Marn all grade their tap through the CSTD or ISTD syllabus.
- 4 Expect to pay roughly S$25 to S$40 for a single adult drop-in tap class, with kids term courses costing more. Budget separately for tap shoes, an entry-level pair runs about S$50 to S$130.
- 5 This guide is a spoke off my wider hub on the best dance studios in Singapore. Use it to find the right tap school once you know it is tap you want.
What is tap dance, and which kind do you want?
Tap is the one dance style where you make the music as much as move to it. Steel plates on the toe and heel turn your feet into a percussion instrument, and that single fact, sound as the whole point, is what sets tap apart from every other style on my dance hub. It is also why tap suits musical people so well: a good tapper thinks like a drummer.
The split worth understanding before you book is between Broadway or show tap and rhythm or jazz tap. Show tap is the bright, upright, arms-out Hollywood style you picture from old musicals, visual and presentational. Rhythm tap, sometimes called jazz tap, sits lower and looser and is all about the sound, the groove and improvisation, closer to a musician than a performer. Most kids classes and exam syllabuses teach a show-tap foundation, while an adult who wants that loose, jazzy feel might be happier at a rhythm tap specialist like B Swing Lindy.
The other divide is graded syllabus versus recreational. Schools like Stepping Out, All That Jazz, Elevate and Charlotte Marn put children through CSTD or ISTD examinations, a structured ladder with certificates at each level, which is great for technique and motivation. Dance Arts uses the American Al Gilbert syllabus for adults. Recreational and drop-in classes skip the exams and just teach you to dance. And yes, you will need proper tap shoes for most of these, an entry-level pair runs roughly S$50 to S$130, though a couple of rhythm tap classes let you start in hard-soled shoes.
1. Dance Arts Singapore
Dance Arts Singapore is where I would send most adults who are serious about learning tap properly. Running since 1983, it is one of the oldest dance schools in the country, and crucially it teaches tap to adults through a graded syllabus rather than as a one-off novelty class. It uses the Al Gilbert syllabus, the American method that breaks every step down systematically, so beginners build from simple shuffles up to advanced combinations in a logical order.
What sets it apart is that the adult tap programme runs all the way from Beginners to Advanced, which is rare here where most tap is aimed at children. Classes run Wednesday through Saturday at its City Square Mall studio on Kitchener Road, and you will need your own tap shoes. If you are an adult who wants real technique rather than a fun-but-forgettable taster, this is my first pick.
Website: dancearts.com.sg
Location: 180 Kitchener Road, #08-03, City Square Mall
Google Rating: Well reviewed, established 1983
Best known for: Graded adult tap from beginner to advanced on the Al Gilbert syllabus
2. Stepping Out Studios
Stepping Out Studios has one of the clearest tap identities in Singapore. Tap is treated as a core discipline, not a side dish, and the school spans the full history of the form, from the classic Hollywood style of Fred Astaire through to the more contemporary, percussive energy of Tap Dogs and Stomp. Classes run for all ages, so an adult beginner and a young child can both find a level here.
Teaching is led by CSTD qualified instructors, and students who want to can work toward CSTD syllabus examinations, which gives kids a recognised progression and a reason to keep going. The studio sits in City Square Mall on Kitchener Road, the same building as Dance Arts, which makes that pocket of town a genuine little tap hub. For a school that really cares about tap as a craft for every age, this is a strong shout.
Website: steppingoutstudios.com.sg
Location: 180 Kitchener Road, City Square Mall
Google Rating: Well reviewed, CSTD examination centre
Best known for: All-ages tap from classic Astaire style to contemporary Tap Dogs energy
3. Centre Stage
Centre Stage is the other school I would point adults toward, and it has one feature almost nobody else offers: a dedicated senior tap class alongside its adult and junior streams. Tap is genuinely good for older dancers, it builds rhythm, coordination and balance without the floor work of other styles, and Centre Stage leans into that with classes pitched specifically for seniors as well as working adults.
The training uses the ISTD syllabus as its framework, so musicality, timing and clean sound are drilled properly, with room for improvisation so you develop your own style rather than just copying steps. It runs from a main studio on Woking Road plus an East Coast location at Marine Parade, which makes it one of the more accessible options if you are out east. For graded, structured tap across every adult age group, it is hard to beat.
Website: centre-stage.com
Location: Block 15 Woking Road (plus Marine Parade)
Google Rating: Well reviewed
Best known for: ISTD tap for juniors, adults and a rare dedicated seniors class
4. The Dance Place
The Dance Place earns its spot for breadth and convenience. Sitting in the Forum on Orchard Road, it teaches tap to both kids and adults as part of a wide menu that also covers ballet, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre. If you want to try tap alongside another style, or you have one child who wants tap and another who wants ballet, you can keep everyone under one roof in a central, easy-to-reach spot.
Its adult tap class in particular has a loyal following, with the school regularly sharing clips of the group making progress, which tells you the class is consistent and sociable rather than a here-today-gone-tomorrow slot. They place new students at the right level first, so you will not be dropped into something too advanced. For a flexible, well-located school where tap is one of many options, this is the easy choice.
Website: thedanceplace.net
Location: 583 Orchard Road, #08-02/03 Forum
Google Rating: Well reviewed, strong with families
Best known for: Central Orchard location teaching tap to both kids and adults
5. All That Jazz Dance Academy
All That Jazz Dance Academy is one of the most recognisable performing-arts schools in Singapore, and tap is part of its line-up across multiple branches. If your child is the type who loves a stage, this is a school built around performance and competition, with a steady record of competition wins, so tap here comes with real opportunities to perform rather than just learn in a vacuum.
Classes serve ages two through eighteen and draw on respected syllabuses including the ISTD, so there is a clear graded path for a young tapper who wants to take exams and progress. With studios at Forum on Orchard, Dunearn Village, i12 Katong and a dedicated training centre at Prinsep Street, it is also one of the easier schools to reach wherever you live. For an ambitious young dancer, it is a serious option.
Website: allthatjazz.com.sg
Location: Forum Orchard, Dunearn Village, i12 Katong and Prinsep Street
Google Rating: Well reviewed, strong competition record
Best known for: Exam-graded, performance-focused tap for children and teens across four branches
6. Elevate Dance Academie
Elevate Dance Academie is an award-winning boutique school that takes tap seriously enough to run it through two examination boards, the ISTD and the CSTD. That matters if you want your child on a proper graded path, because it means a clear, internationally recognised structure from the first beginner class onward rather than ad-hoc choreography.
Tap is open to dancers aged five and up, with beginner classes for the youngest, graded levels from around age seven, and vocational training for older students who want to push further. With branches at West Coast Highway and Newton, it covers two convenient corners of the island. For families who want a smaller, attentive school with real exam credentials behind its tap, Elevate is a smart pick.
Website: elevatedance.com.sg
Location: 27 West Coast Highway (plus Newton, Bukit Timah Road)
Google Rating: Well reviewed, award-winning
Best known for: Graded ISTD and CSTD tap for ages five and up in a boutique setting
Recommended reads
7. Charlotte Marn School of Dance
Charlotte Marn School of Dance is the one I would choose for the youngest tappers. Founded in 2016 and tucked inside Excelsior Shopping Centre on Coleman Street, a short walk from City Hall MRT, it starts children remarkably early with a Pre-Tap class designed for toddlers aged three to five before they graduate into Junior Tap and the graded CSTD levels.
Tap sits alongside ballet, jazz, acro and contemporary, and the school is unusually decorated, it is the only one in Singapore to offer the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, with CSTD and RAD on the menu too. There are yearly recitals and competitions for stage time. If you want to start a young child in tap with patient, structured teaching and a clear path to exams, Charlotte Marn is my pick.
Website: charlottemarn.com
Location: Excelsior Shopping Centre, 5 Coleman Street
Google Rating: Well reviewed
Best known for: Early-years tap from age three on the CSTD syllabus, for children up to sixteen
8. Danspirations
Danspirations is a joyful, kid-focused school where tap sits alongside ballet, jazz and modern. The vibe is recreational and warm rather than intense, the sort of place where little ones genuinely look forward to class, and the recurring praise in its reviews is for the teachers and how much the children enjoy themselves.
Families can choose between recreational classes for pure enjoyment and graded classes for those aiming at examinations, so there is room to get serious later if your child catches the bug. It runs from studios on River Valley Road and Telok Blangah Road, and offers a low-cost trial so you can test the fit before committing. For a gentle, happy introduction to tap for young children, Danspirations is a lovely starting point.
Website: danspirationssg.com
Location: 280 River Valley Road (plus Telok Blangah)
Google Rating: Well reviewed
Best known for: Warm, recreational tap and dance for young children, with a graded path if wanted
9. B Swing Lindy
B Swing Lindy is the wildcard on this list, and the one I would send any adult who is drawn to the rhythm side of tap rather than the show side. It specialises in the swing dances of the 1930s and 40s, Lindy Hop, solo jazz, Charleston and rhythm tap, so its tap is the percussive, musical kind that treats your feet as an instrument rather than a Broadway routine to memorise.
Its absolute-beginners rhythm tap series is aimed squarely at adults with no dance background, focused on clean sounds, grooving with any music and improvising like a musician. Classes run at The Studio near Bugis, and refreshingly you do not even need tap shoes to start. If the idea of tap as live, jazzy percussion excites you more than syllabus exams, this is the one to try.
Website: bswinglindy-sg.com
Location: The Studio, 112 Middle Road (near Bugis)
Google Rating: Well reviewed within the swing community
Best known for: Adult rhythm tap rooted in 1930s and 40s swing and jazz
My tap dance class comparison at a glance
| School | Best for | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Arts Singapore | Graded adult tap, beginner to advanced | City Square Mall, Kitchener Road |
| Stepping Out Studios | All-ages tap as a core craft | City Square Mall, Kitchener Road |
| Centre Stage | Adult and senior graded tap | Woking Road and Marine Parade |
| The Dance Place | Central tap for kids and adults | Forum, Orchard Road |
| All That Jazz | Competition and exam tap for kids | Orchard, Katong and more |
| Elevate Dance Academie | Boutique graded tap, age 5 and up | West Coast and Newton |
| Charlotte Marn | Early-years tap from age 3 | Excelsior, Coleman Street |
| Danspirations | Warm recreational tap for young kids | River Valley and Telok Blangah |
| B Swing Lindy | Adult rhythm and jazz tap | The Studio, Bugis |
How much do tap dance classes cost in Singapore?
| Class type | Typical price (S$) |
|---|---|
| Single adult drop-in tap class | S$25 to S$40 |
| Adult tap term (8 to 10 weeks) | S$200 to S$360 |
| Kids term-based tap course (per term) | S$300 to S$600 |
| Graded exam tap class (per term) | S$350 to S$650 |
| Private 1-to-1 tap lesson (per hour) | S$80 to S$150 |
| Tap shoes (entry-level pair) | S$50 to S$130 |
Treat these as 2026 ballpark figures, not quotes. The cheapest way in is a short adult beginner series like B Swing Lindy's four-class rhythm tap block, which lets you test the style with no commitment. Kids graded courses cost more because they build toward CSTD or ISTD exams. Budget separately for tap shoes, the one cost beginners always forget. Most schools offer a trial or first-timer rate, so ask about it before you buy a full term.
What I look for in a tap dance class
- The right kind of tap. Decide whether you want bright show tap or loose rhythm tap first, because a school built around one can be a poor fit if you wanted the other.
- Graded or recreational, matched to you. For a child who thrives on goals, a CSTD or ISTD exam path is motivating. For an adult who just wants to dance, a recreational drop-in is far less pressure.
- Classes pitched at adults, if you are an adult. Most tap in Singapore is aimed at kids, so I check there is a genuine adult or beginner stream rather than being squeezed into a children's class.
- Proper sprung or wooden flooring. Tap is hard on the body and on shoes, and a real dance floor protects your joints and gives a cleaner sound than tapping on tile.
- A trial class. Tap either clicks with you or it does not, so a school that lets you try before committing to a term tells you it is confident in the class.
Tap may be niche here, but it sits inside a healthy arts scene, and bodies like the National Arts Council support dance education and performance across Singapore, which is part of why the teaching standard, especially in the graded syllabus schools, is genuinely high.
How I put this list together
Let me be straight about what this is. I am not a tap dancer, and I am not ranking these schools on my own footwork. What I do is build and study websites for businesses across Singapore, including those in the arts and lifestyle space, so I spend a lot of time looking at how clearly these schools explain their classes, levels and who they teach, and how their reputation holds up across reviews.
So this ranking weighs the kind of tap each school teaches, its syllabus and exam credentials, how well it serves adults versus children, location and review consistency, rather than my personal dancing. It is a 2026 snapshot, and details like schedules, prices and branches can change, so confirm directly with any school before you book. I revisit and update this guide as the scene shifts.
Is tap dance hard to learn?
Tap has a gentle learning curve at the start and a steep one later. The basic shuffle, step and ball-change come quickly, and most people are making recognisable sounds in their first class, which is hugely satisfying. The hard part is speed, clarity and rhythm, getting clean, distinct sounds at pace, which takes practice like any instrument. The good news is that progress is audible, you can literally hear yourself improving, which keeps it motivating. A graded school that builds steps in a logical order, like Dance Arts or Centre Stage, makes that climb a lot smoother.
Do I need special shoes for tap?
For most classes, yes. Tap shoes have metal plates on the toe and heel that create the sound, so ordinary shoes will not work for a syllabus or performance class. An entry-level pair runs roughly S$50 to S$130, and many schools are happy to advise on a first pair before you commit to anything pricier. The exception is some rhythm tap and beginner taster classes, like B Swing Lindy's, which let you start in hard-soled street shoes so you can try the style before investing.
Can adults start tap dance?
Absolutely, and plenty do. While most tap classes in Singapore are aimed at children, schools like Dance Arts Singapore and Centre Stage run graded adult tap from complete beginner upward, and B Swing Lindy's rhythm tap series is designed for adults with no dance background. Tap is actually well suited to adults: it is low-impact compared with many styles, sharpens coordination and rhythm, and you can keep at it for decades. If you have always fancied it, an adult beginner class is the place to start.
What is the difference between tap and other dance styles?
The big difference is that tap is percussive: you are making the music with your feet, not just moving to it, which puts it closer to playing an instrument than any other dance style. Where ballet prizes line and grace and hip-hop prizes groove and attitude, tap prizes sound, timing and rhythm. That is also why it suits musical people so well, and why many tappers come from or move into music. Within tap itself, the main split is between bright, presentational show tap and looser, improvised rhythm tap.
That is my run-down of the best tap dance classes Singapore has in 2026. If you are an adult who wants real graded technique, Dance Arts Singapore and Centre Stage are where I would start. If it is for a child working toward exams, Stepping Out, All That Jazz, Elevate and Charlotte Marn all give a clear path. And if you want loose, jazzy rhythm tap, B Swing Lindy is the specialist worth trying.
Remember tap is a small, specialist scene, so the best class depends entirely on your age and what you want from it. This guide is one spoke of my wider pick of the best dance studios in Singapore, so head there if you want to compare tap against ballet, jazz, hip-hop or contemporary before you commit.
One last note from my side of the fence. I build websites for dance schools and lifestyle businesses across Singapore that turn searches exactly like this one into booked trial classes. If you run a tap or dance school and your site is not pulling its weight, take a look at my web design services or just get a quote and we can talk.
Written by
Terris
Founder & Lead Strategist
Terris is a Singapore-based web designer and digital strategist who has spent 8+ years building websites for local businesses. His Terris Recommends series shares personal picks for the best service providers across Singapore, informed by his experience working with businesses across industries.
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