The King Centre

The King Centre offers ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and an acrobatic program. Ballet includes Vaganova and Balanchine technique, tap includes Rhythm Tap and Broadway Tap, jazz includes theater, concert, stylized, contemporary, and lyrical work, modern includes Martha Graham and Cunningham, and hip hop includes street, breaking, popping, and locking.

Programs

• Ballet — Ages 3 – Adult · Vaganova & Balanchine technique
• Tap — Ages 3 – Adult · Rhythm Tap & Broadway Tap
• Jazz — Ages 3 – Adult · Theater, Concert, Stylized, Contemporary & Lyrical
• Modern — Ages 3 – Adult · Martha Graham & Cunningham
• Hip Hop — Ages 3 – Adult · Street, breaking, popping & locking
• Acrobatic Program — Ages 3 – Adult · Color-leveled Red through Black, plus Contortion
• Kinder Program — Ages 18 months through 7
• The American Youth Dance Company — Dancers ages 5 to 18 · Competitive team; members train across ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, and acro.
• Summer Camps — Themed weeks for little movers, half-days of ballet and jazz for growing dancers, tumbling camps, and pre-professional intensives.
• Dance Intensives — Pre-professional training weeks for serious students, ballet variations, conditioning, repertoire, and audition prep.

At a glance

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• General schedule: 2026 / 2027 season schedule; summer camps and intensives run all summer; 2026–2027 season runs September through June.
• Facility hours: Monday through Friday, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

About the provider

The King Centre was established in 1970 and has more than 56 years of teaching history. Nancy King is listed as Founder & Owner. The mission statement is "Training dancers for the stage and for life." The American Youth Dance Company is part of the New Jersey Foundation for Dance and Theatre Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on education and creative expression in dance and theatre, and on spreading community awareness of the performing arts.

Every new student is welcome to a free trial class, no registration fee, no pressure. Class schedules are subject to change based on enrollment. Auditions for the AYDC are typically held during the summer. No prior King Centre experience required for AYDC auditions. Major credit and debit cards online, or check / cash in person. Recurring monthly billing is available.

What families say

“I was once asked by a parent if I thought The King Centre for the Performing Arts was the best performing arts school in New Jersey for a child. At first I paused and thought to myself, why would you possibly go anywhere else? This school has so much to offer: history, experience and opportunities.” — Kimberly Kimble Kojac, Alumna · Student since 1970

“There is something incredibly special about watching your child fall in love with the same dance studio that helped shape your own childhood. As a former student, I have so many wonderful memories of growing up here, and now I have the privilege of watching my daughter create memories of her own.” — Jamie Perez, Alumna · Current company parent

Last updated October 19, 2026.