A Step Above School of Dance is a full-service ballet and contemporary dance studio in Oklahoma City that teaches children starting at age three and serves adult beginners through advanced dancers, with recital performances staged annually.
The studio operates as a traditional instruction-based dance school rather than a drop-in or open-studio model. It emphasizes technique-focused training across ballet, contemporary, and jazz, with separate class tracks for young children, school-age students, and adults. The studio produces an annual recital that includes student performances, giving learners a concrete performance goal beyond weekly classes. Classes are structured by level and age group rather than offered as single mixed-ability sessions.
A Step Above organizes its schedule into age-based and skill-based tiers. Preschool classes (ages 3–5) introduce basic movement and coordination. Elementary-age students (roughly 6–11) take graded ballet and contemporary classes. Teens and adults have separate evening and weekend sections. The studio charges tuition on a per-month basis, typically ranging from $60 to $120 per month for a single weekly class, with multi-class packages offering modest discounts. Full pricing and current session enrollment should be confirmed directly, as tuition often adjusts seasonally and may include recital fees. The annual recital typically occurs in spring and requires an additional participation fee, usually between $30 and $75 depending on costume and performance length.
Oklahoma City has several ballet-focused alternatives. The Oklahoma City Ballet's educational division, Ballet Oklahoma, offers technique training with a professional company affiliation, attracting serious pre-professional students but at a higher cost tier (typically $100–$180 per month per class). For those seeking a mix of styles and social emphasis, Project Dance OKC in nearby areas offers hip-hop, contemporary, and street jazz alongside ballet, appealing more to students interested in modern urban styles. A Step Above sits between these: more affordable and socially oriented than Ballet Oklahoma, but more classical and technique-centered than Project Dance. Choose A Step Above if you want traditional ballet training with a school-recital model; choose Ballet Oklahoma if your child aims toward professional study; choose Project Dance if contemporary and urban styles interest you more.
A Step Above suits families wanting structured, age-appropriate ballet training with a clear progression and annual performance opportunity. Young dancers under five who respond well to disciplined, method-based instruction fit well here. The studio also welcomes adult beginners seeking evening classes without pressure toward competition or high performance goals. The studio does not appear to offer hip-hop, tap, or street jazz, so dancers primarily interested in those styles should look elsewhere. Students seeking intensive pre-professional training may outgrow the studio's offerings and transition to Ballet Oklahoma.
New students should contact the studio to schedule an observation or trial class. A typical first class involves basic warm-up at the barre, center-floor technique work, and simple combinations suited to the level. Instructors assess posture, flexibility, and listening ability without judgment; beginners are not expected to execute advanced movements. Parents of young children typically observe from the side or waiting area. Dress code is usually ballet pink or black tights, a leotard (for children), and ballet slippers; the studio may provide guidance on required attire during enrollment. Classes run 45 minutes for preschool and 60 minutes for older students.
A Step Above operates on a traditional school calendar, running September through May with optional summer intensives. Weekly classes meet multiple times per week during the academic season; confirm current session dates and exact weekly schedule with the studio directly. Street parking is usually available in the surrounding area; the studio is car-dependent. The studio's exact neighborhood should be verified via the studio's website or a direct call, as dance studio locations within Oklahoma City shift occasionally.
A Step Above fills a clear role in Oklahoma City's dance landscape: it prioritizes classical foundation and school-age instruction at an accessible price, making structured ballet training available to families who want it without pre-professional intensity.
