Dance Manhattan

Jul 2024

Last night I was sitting down and randomly decided that I would try to see where I could take a K-POP dance lesson. For the past year I've exclusively been learning a few choreographies on my own through YouTube videos either in my basement or at some small studio with my friends, with none of us having any real dance experience. I'd scrolled through ILD's website before when I used to look for studios me and my friends could rent out, so I decided to register for a class happening the next day (it was NewJeans Supernatural, could not pass up on the opportunity lol). SIGNING UP: For one class it costs $25 (it's a "pass" that you can use for 30 days from date of purchase) but there are multiple class options that result in less cost per-class. I simply wanted to test the ropes and see if I could fit in this environment or if I could keep up with the pacing of the teaching, so I purchased the single class. Once I was registered for the class (I was originally on a waitlist) I attempted to "confirm" my attendance and sign their COVID Liability Release Waiver (both were in the instructions of the e-mail they sent), neither which ended up working. In the end I didn't need to confirm, and if you really need the COVID form, you can email them on their website and they'll send it to you for you to fill out and send back. I didn't get this e-mail until after my class started, so I will send it to them for my next class if I return. When you show up to the studio, they simply ask for your name and check if you're on the list, then you're good to go. EXPERIENCE: The class was great! There were A LOT of people for this class though which made for a very hot & sweaty environment (the intense choreography didn't help either lol) but personally it was very worth to learn the dance. There is AC, but covering that large an area with that many people is still a difficult task T-T! Our instructor was MJ Choi (founder of ILD & choreographer) and her teaching style was great for my way of learning! Be sure to try to get a spot where you can see your instructor well though, it took me a bit to learn certain moves because I couldn't see what she was doing from the far left/back of the room. I asked a question when I forgot one of the moves and she gladly demonstrated again to me and those around. I also had a quick chat with her after the class (and her adorable dog!) and she was very kind and welcoming! She even has her own tiny clothing rack/shop called "MJ's Closet" where you may find something you're interested in buying. There are also cold water bottles you can buy for $1 either in cash or through Venmo. NEWBIE FRIENDLY?: While this was my very first dance class ever in-person, I would consider my skill level average, meaning I have a basic understanding of certain dance moves from self-taught choreographies I've learned from the past year. If you're completely new to dance, I'd still recommend giving this place a try! If you're into learning a specific K-POP choreography/thinking about registering for a class, I'd recommend watching the choreography of what you're planning to learn first so you understand what difficulty of movements you'll be getting into. More technical dances WILL be more difficult for beginners, so I suggest knowing what you're getting into before deciding on a specific class. Don't be afraid to take the leap though! Whether you learn the whole dance or just one move from a class, it always helps to know where you should start if you don't have experience. Don't be afraid of not being able to follow along or looking like a fool in front of everyone either! From my one lesson here, they do try to make sure you understand the moves and repeat it a few times for you to practice before moving on and eventually putting all the parts together. Nobody shames you for not remembering/knowing how to do a move and it's always easy to just ask if you forget! Overall,

Jan 2024

Came here to try out a dance class for Seventeen's "Seventeenth Heaven" and I honestly didn't expect to enjoy it so much! The class was fast paced and intense but also went by so quickly. Make sure to bring water because you will be sweating a lot! I was sweating buckets by the time class was over. The instructor went through each part slowly by counting beats. Then we practiced the dance moves with slowed down music and then at normal speed. At the end of the class, the song is played from the beginning and you can try to see if you memorized it all. I was a bit in awe at how fast some people memorized the dance moves after seeing it only a few times.

May 2023

The name of the studio says it all. If you love dance, Kpop, Hip Hop, House, even beginner dancing, consider taking lessons here! There is something for all dance levels here. Everyone is encouraging in classes! Great place to come out of your shell if you're shy, but also a great place to let loose and challenge yourself if you're a seasoned dancer! For beginners, look into "Diet Dance," where the instructor takes moves from famous K-pop MVs and simplifies them for a great aerobic class. For more of a challenge, take one of their monthly classes, where they rotate through the hottest trending top Kpop & Hip hop songs. I'm hooked!