Classes
Community Dance Courses
The OFA Dance program offers an array of non-credit courses that are open to students, Harvard affiliates, and the local community. Courses range across global dance traditions and movement frameworks including Ballet, Bharatanatyam, Conditioning, Contemporary, Feldenkrais, Gaga+, Hip-Hop, Kathak, Soca Fusion, Vogue, and West African, with levels from beginner to advanced. Taught by professional artists and culture bearers, many courses include live music and all are open to drop-ins.
Courses are designed to be inclusive, joyful, and culturally rooted, allowing participants to expand their understanding of dance, and to connect to themselves and each other authentically.
Held at the Harvard Dance Center, 66 Garden St., Cambridge, MA. Registration for full series or drop-in is required online.
Fall 2026 Registration Opens August 19!
Review the Fall 2026 schedule and frequently asked questions below.
Image description: Black and white photo of students all in the same dance move, all smiling joyfully, in a dance class at Harvard Dance Center.
Photo credit: Melissa Blackall/Hutchins Center for African & African American Research
Courses begin September 2, 2026, and run for 10 weeks
Monday
- Ballet II, 5-6:30pm, Studio 1, taught by Dean Vollick, piano accompaniment by Aaron Jensen
- Awareness through Movement,The Feldenkrais Method® TBD, Studio 2, taught by Grisha Coleman
- Latin & Afro-Caribbean, 7:30pm-9pm, Studio 2 taught by Evens Joseph (EJ)
Class Dates
- September 14 -November 30
- No class on September 5 – Labor Day
- No Class on October 12 – Indigenous Peoples Day
- No class on November 9 – TDM residency
Tuesday
- Ballet III, 6-7:30pm, Studio 1, taught by John Lam, piano accompaniment by Wen-Ting Ong (bio coming soon)
- Soca Fusion, 6-7:30pm, Studio 2 (lower level), taught by Ella Wechsler-Matthaei
- Contemporary, 7:30-9pm, Studio 1, taught by Lonnie Stanton
Class Dates
- September 8 -November 17
- No class on November 10 – TDM residency
Wednesday
- Kathak, 6-7:30pm, Studio 2 (lower level), taught by Anjali Nath
- Latin & Afro-Caribbean, 7:30pm-9pm, Studio 2 taught by Evens Joseph (EJ)
Class Dates
- September 2-November 18
- No class on November 4 – OFA programming
- No class on November 11 – TDM residency
Thursday
- Ballet Fundamentals, 6-7:30pm, Studio 1, taught by Lonnie Stanton, piano accompaniment by Aaron Jensen
- Soca Fusion, 6-7:30pm, Studio 2 (lower level), taught by Ella Wechsler-Matthaei
- Vogue, 7:30-9pm, Studio 1, taught by Yolanda Roberson "Yyoyo"
Class Dates
- September 3-November 19
- No class on October 15 – OFA programming
Friday
- Hip-Hop, 5-6:30pm, Studio 1, taught by Chad Shabazz (bio coming soon)
Class Dates
- September 4-November 20
- No class on November 6 – TDM residency
- No class on November 13 – TDM residency
Saturday
- Conditioning: Strength & Stretch, 10:00-11:30am, Studio 1, taught by Nailah Randall-Bellinger
- Contemporary II/III, 11:30am-1pm, Studio 1, taught by Nailah Randall-Bellinger, drums accompaniment by Akili Jamal Haynes
- West African, 1:00-2:30pm, Studio 1, taught by Joh Camara, drums accompaniment by Sory Diabate and Nko F. Small
Class Dates
- September 5-November 21
- No class on November 7 – TDM residency
- No class on November 14 – TDM residency
Anyone age 18 and over (or Harvard student) is welcome to take community classes! Most classes are designed for all levels, and some are geared more specifically to experience level. If you're unsure if a class is right for you, don't hesitate to reach out to dance@fas.harvard.edu or call 617-496-0314 and we'll gladly guide you!
The Spring 2026 Community Classes will run for 10 weeks, starting January 26 and ending April 18. Note that the Awareness through Movement, The Feldenkrais Method® will run for five-weeks only and will begin on February 5.
Note that that there will be no classes held the week of February 9-14 due to an artist residency taking place. There will also be no classes held the week of March 16-21 for Harvard's Spring Recess.
Registration is done through OFA's online registration platform. You can register for a full class series or just sign up for a single drop-in (to make sure you have a guaranteed spot in the class) throughout the semester. You may also just walk in, though note that registration and payment will still need to be done on your own personal device at the door.
Some classes may fill up due to capacity and a waitlist will be enabled. If a spot opens up and you are next on the waitlist, you will be added to the class and notified via email. Note that for classes that fill up, waitlist prioritization will be given to Harvard undergraduate students.
Registration for Spring 2026 is Open!
New to registering? Read the Registration Primer for a step-by-step.
Harvard Undergraduate Students
FREE!
Harvard Graduate Students
- $50 for the full 10-week series ($25 for the Feldenkrais full 5-week series)
- $10 for a single drop-in class
Harvard Community (Alumni, DCE Students, Faculty, Staff, Family Affiliates, and MIT Affiliates)
- $150 for the full 10-week series ($75 for the Feldenkrais full 5-week series)
- $20 for a single drop-in class
$40 for Harvard’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligible employees*
*TAP is accepted for all classes offered through the OFA Dance Program. If you would like to use TAP for your class enrollment, be sure to select the TAP option—either TAP Regular or TAP Long Service—on the “Cart” page during payment. Your TAP eligibility will be verified by our third-party vendor; if you are found to be ineligible, you will be responsible for the full course fee. Please note that you must be TAP-eligible at least through the first day of your class. If you are unsure about your TAP eligibility, please consult your HR representative.
General Public
- $175 for the full 10-week series ($87.50 for the Feldenkrais full 5-week series)
- $25 for a single drop-in class
Classes which have reached their maximum capacity will offer a waitlist. If/when a spot opens up in the class, the next person on the waitlist will be manually added to the class by a Dance Program administrator. Note that Harvard undergraduate students will receive priority.
If you are moved from the waitlist into the full course after classes have started, the full course fee still applies as we are unable to prorate.
Waitlist for Graduate Students & Community Members
If a spot opens up and you are moved from the waitlist to join the class, the class will be added to your “CART” and you will be emailed a notification to pay for the balance due within 24 hours. If payment is not completed within that time, the spot will be offered to the next person on the waitlist.
Waitlist for Undergraduate Students
If a spot opens up and you are moved from the waitlist to join the class, you will be automatically enrolled in the class. If you no longer want/or are able to be in the class, please go to “My Enrollments” and select “drop” to remove yourself from the class. You may also let us know by emailing us at dance@fas.harvard.edu. This will allow us to offer the spot to the next person on the waitlist.
Walk-ins
Due to attendance attrition week to week, it’s possible that a class which has reached its enrollment capacity may still have open spots available on any given day. You are welcome to come as a “walk-in” on the day of the class and the Class Host will let you know if a spot is available. Note that walk-ins will be asked to sign up and pay using their own devices.
- Full refund available within the first week (Mon-Sun, Jan. 26-Feb. 1) for full course registration.
- For Feldenkrais: First week is Feb. 2-Feb. 8
- Half refund available within the second week (Mon-Sun, Feb. 2-Feb. 8) for full course registration.
- For Feldenkrais: Second week is Feb. 9-Feb. 15
- Single drop-ins are non-refundable. A date-switch ("Swap Class") may be made if the date of the original drop-in has not yet passed.
- Drop-ins may not be pro-rated towards full course registration.
- Credits for future classes are not possible.
- Missed Class Policy: The OFA Dance Program will make every effort to provide make-up classes for when a class is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. We are not responsible for issuing reimbursements or providing make-up classes for those missed due to illnesses, substitute teachers, or other events beyond our control. We do not prorate for missed classes.
If after your first class you decide that you would like to switch your enrollment to a different class, just go to “My Enrollments” after logging into ofadap.fas.harvard.edu and click on “Swap Class.” You may not swap classes after the second week. You can also swap to a different single drop-in class by following the same steps and selecting a different date. You may not swap from a class that has already passed.
No, we are unable to offer make-up classes for absences caused by personal factors. We are also not able to offer credits for individual classes missed. You’re welcome to register for another class of a similar nature on a different day of the week as a drop-in or a walk-in.
Please check in
Please check in with the Class Host immediately when you arrive! They will be seated in the Box Office immediately to your left when you walk in the Harvard Dance Center. The Class Host is there to answer questions and help facilitate a smooth experience.
Arrival time
In consideration of your safety and minimizing class disruption, we ask that you arrive on time for all classes. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early to allow for check-in and settling in/warming up. Please do not arrive more than 7 minutes late.
Parking
A parking lot is located next to the Harvard Dance Center (owned by Harvard's Astrophysics Department) and you may pay by the hour by downloading the ZipBy App. There are signs around the parking lot indicating the zone number. There is also a kiosk in the upper parking lot bordering Madison St. that allows you to pay by the hour with a credit card.
Suggested Attire
Please check the class description for suggested attire. Please note that shoes worn outside are not permitted in any of the studios which helps keep the dance floors clear of dirt, wetness, and sidewalk salt.
Face-coverings
Face coverings are optional, according to University policy. The Dance Center has disposable, medical-grade masks available if desired. Just ask the Class Host!
Restrooms & Dressing Rooms
There are two private, all-gender, wheelchair accessible restrooms on the first floor of the Dance Center. Dressing rooms that include lockers and bathroom stalls are on the lower-level second floor. There are no showers in the Harvard Dance Center, however, the Harvard QRAC gym next door has showers for those with a membership.
Lockers and Cubbies
There are cubbies in front of Studio 1 which you may use to store shoes and other belongings while you’re in the class. While we have never had a theft issue before, the OFA Dance Program and Harvard Dance Center assume no responsibility for any possessions or personal belongings left, lost, or missing.
Lockers are available in the lower-level dressing rooms during studio hours, and though you are welcome to bring a personal lock for additional security, locks and overnight storage is not permitted. If a locked locker appears to be abandoned, Staff at the Dance Center are at liberty to break the locks open and items will be moved to Lost and Found.
Valuables
The OFA Dance Program and Harvard Dance Center assume no responsibility for any possessions or personal belongings left in the studios or throughout the respective buildings. Do not leave valuables (wallets, purses, watches, computers, iPads, phones, etc.) unattended. A Lost and Found bin is located just outside Studio 1 at the Dance Center, and items are kept through the duration of the semester within capacity limits. If not claimed, items will be donated at the end of each semester.
Water Bottles & Food
We encourage you to bring your own water bottle(s). There are two water fountains, including a bottle-filler, at the Dance Center. Food and drink other than water are not allowed in the studios or dressing rooms.
Emergency Measures & Ice for Injury
- In the event of an emergency, call Harvard University Police (HUPD): (617) 495-1212.
- Security personnel are present from 6pm-Midnight.
- Blue emergency buttons are installed throughout the Dance Center, in both studios, dressing rooms, and the Green Room. Hitting these buttons will result in a silent alarm to the Harvard University police, indicating the precise location of the incident.
- In case of injury: First Aid supplies and ice packs are available in the Dance Center Office. Additional ice is available in the ice-maker located in Studio 3 (lower level); bags for the ice and an additional First Aid Kit are located below the sink. Ask the Class Host if you need assistance with first aid or ice!
If you have any questions at all about safety or security, please do not hesitate to let us know at dance@fas.harvard.edu or 617-495-8683.
All classes are taught to be inclusive of people with a range of abilities; teaching artists are equipped with adaptive techniques. The Harvard Dance Center is wheelchair and mobility device accessible. If you require elevator access to classes held in Studio 2 (lower level), please contact us or speak with the Class Host for instructions. If you have questions about the accessibility provided or anticipate needing any accommodation to participate, please email dance@fas.harvard.edu or 617-496-0314. We welcome a conversation with you!
For all general questions, contact dance@fas.harvard.edu or call the OFA office at 617-495-8676.