Harbour Dance Centre
Over 40 years of drop-in dance classes for adults 16+, 100+ classes weekly
Harbour Dance Centre is Vancouver's adult drop-in dance studio, celebrating over 40 years of building community since 1985.
Photo: Harbour Dance Centre via Google
Before your first class
Classes are beginner-friendly and designed to meet you exactly where you are, whether you're stepping into a studio for the first time or returning after years away.
For Hip Hop: shorts, t-shirt, sweats or baggy trousers/leggings, and clean running shoes (not worn in from the street).
Paid parking lots are available on either side of Granville Street south of Nelson Street, and metered street parking is available after 6 pm; the studio is also well served by transit.
About this studio
Harbour Dance Centre is Vancouver's adult drop-in dance studio, celebrating over 40 years of building community since 1985. Founded by Pamela Quick-Rosa and Danielle Clifford at a location on West Hastings Street across from The Harbour Centre (where the name originated), the studio moved to Granville Street in 1989 and has remained a hub of Vancouver's dance scene. Today it is run by Moe Brody and Sabine Clifford, with Danielle Clifford still teaching full-time.
The studio offers more than 100 different classes a week across a wide range of styles and levels. You can take Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, K-Pop, Tap, Afro Fusion, House, Popping, Locking, Theatre Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Graham Technique, Heels (Keep it Sexy), Jazz Funk, Bollywood, Grooving, Stretch & Strength, and Progressing Ballet Technique. Classes range from absolute beginner to advanced professional, all on a drop-in basis with no commitment required. The studio is open 7 days a week and welcomes students ages 16 and up.
Beyond drop-in classes, Harbour offers Progressive Workshops designed for students to build skills and choreography weekly with the same peers at a slower pace than drop-in classes. Training Groups allow serious dancers to work closely with industry professionals while getting opportunities to perform live. The studio also hosts upcoming auditions for Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Disneyland Paris, and offers September Progressive Workshops for those wanting to try something new.
The five studios available for rental are equipped with professional sound systems, lighting, and pianos. Studio 1 is 45' x 42' with a sprung Marley floor; Studio 2 is 35' x 45' with a sprung hardwood floor ideal for auditions, jazz, hip hop or ballroom; Studio 3 is 14' x 26' with a sprung hardwood floor suited for tap and private sessions; Studio 4 is 41' x 41' with a sprung Marley floor; and Studio 5 is 35' x 75' with a Parkay floor that can be divided by a sound-proof curtain. All rental studios have mirrors, barres, CD players, and iPod/laptop auxiliary cords.
Harbour Dance Centre was founded by women and operates with the mission to create an inclusive, fun community where anyone who craves to move can uplift their dance journey. The studio encourages both adult beginners and seasoned professionals, and supports semi-professional dancers working to make dance a career. Classes are beginner-friendly and taught by some of Vancouver's most respected dance educators and industry professionals.
What to expect
Your first visit
Classes start with a warm-up, then progress through short combinations of steps and moves, finishing with a choreographed combination that changes weekly. You can book classes up to 1 week in advance and drop in as your schedule allows. Latecomers are not admitted if more than 5 minutes late, to protect the warm-up and reduce injury risk.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
Classes are beginner-friendly and designed to meet you exactly where you are, whether you're stepping into a studio for the first time or returning after years away.
What to wear and bring
Before your first class
What to bring
For Hip Hop: shorts, t-shirt, sweats or baggy trousers/leggings, and clean running shoes (not worn in from the street). For Tap: tap shoes are required even for beginners. For Jazz/Theatre Jazz/Contemporary: leggings, shorts, sweatpants or comfortable clothes to move in, and jazz shoes, bare feet or socks. For Ballet: shorts, tank tops, leggings, t-shirt or leotard and tights; soft-soled ballet slippers or cotton socks; hair secured firmly back.
Studio history
Established in 1985 by original partners Pamela Quick-Rosa and Danielle Clifford, Harbour Dance Centre was originally located on West Hastings Street across from The Harbour Centre, where it took the name when taking over Prism Dance. The studio moved to Granville Street in 1989. Leadership has passed to Moe Brody and Sabine Clifford, though Danielle Clifford remains a full-time faculty member. The studio was founded by women and has been recognized in the BC Hall of Fame.
Styles offered
21 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Not yet published on LODance
Harbour Dance Centre hasn’t set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Harbour Dance Centre, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about Harbour Dance Centre
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Harbour Dance Centre teach?
Harbour Dance Centre teaches Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, K-Pop, Tap and 15 more.
Where is Harbour Dance Centre located?
Harbour Dance Centre is located in Vancouver, BC. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Harbour Dance Centre offer private lessons?
Contact Harbour Dance Centre directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Harbour Dance Centre teach kids and adults?
Contact Harbour Dance Centre directly to ask which classes suit your age and experience level.
How do I sign up for classes at Harbour Dance Centre?
Sign up through Harbour Dance Centre's website, or contact the studio directly.
Is there parking at Harbour Dance Centre?
Paid parking lots are available on either side of Granville Street south of Nelson Street, and metered street parking is available after 6 pm; the studio is also well served by transit.
Are you the owner of this studio?
Upcoming opportunities
No upcoming opportunities for this studio in the next 90 days.
If this looks wrong, claim the studio to add events directly.