About
Shirley McPhail School of Dance offers classes such as Twinkle Tots, Combo, CJBT (Creative Jazz, Ballet, Tap), BTJ I & II (Ballet, Tap, Jazz), as well as individual classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, drill prep, hip hop, and contemporary. The program also offers adult dance classes in tap (beginning through advanced), ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and ballroom, along with Cotillion Austin-Style, which includes basic etiquette, communication skills, and social dance education with partner dance. Seasonal options include Summer Classes, Intensives & Drop-ins, Summer Camps, and a Beat the Heat Adult Dance Workshop.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: 2026–2027 enrollment has registration open with classes starting 9/8; Summer Classes, Intensives & Drop-ins run in a 7-week session starting 6/6; the Beat the Heat Adult Dance Workshop is a three-day workshop from 8/4–8/6; summer office hours are Monday–Thursday 10am–6pm, Friday 10am–2pm, and Saturday 9am–4pm, with Sunday closed
Shirley McPhail School of Dance states that it has been providing quality dance education to children and adults in Austin since 1970, with a mission to nurture dancers of all ages in the joy of dance through a quality dance education. Twinkle Tots is a creative movement class for 2–3 year olds that introduces ballet basics, mat, singing, games, and more, is not a mommy and me class, and Twinkle Tots do not perform in the recital. Combo classes combine ballet, tap, and tumbling, are designed for new, young students, and are offered to first, second, and third year dance students, and once dancers are 3 years old and potty trained they can join Combo classes. CJBT is for dancers with three years of Combo class experience and continues ballet and tap while introducing jazz, while BTJ I & II is for dancers in their fourth and fifth year of dance and is meant to be taken over a two-year time span. Lyrical students must be enrolled in a weekly ballet class in addition to the lyrical class, and contemporary dancers must be enrolled in a ballet class in addition to the contemporary class. Adult classes are offered for beginning through advanced levels in tap, plus ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and ballroom, and the youngest adult mentioned is 18 and the oldest is 94. Right across the hallway from the studio is The Dancer’s Den boutique, described as a beautiful boutique that is fully stocked with all required shoes and dance wear.
Parent and adult dancers describe the studio as having welcoming and kind staff, a friendly atmosphere, and a variety of classes for all levels of dancers, including a robust adult tap program, and they mention that administrative staff are professional and friendly and that there is a variety of skilled teachers with different styles of classes and choreography. One parent notes that Twinkle Tots is for kids aged 2–3 and shares that their child was nervous about a first organized activity without a parent present but was given a warm welcome and soon was having fun in class. Several parents mention that their children look forward to class each week, that there are lots of choices of classes, and that they are grateful for the environment at the studio. Adult tap students describe gaining confidence, enjoying creatively stimulating mind-body coordination, and finding the atmosphere supportive and friendly at all skill levels. Multiple parents and caregivers mention feeling thankful for the studio, describe it as a “dance home,” and comment that the dance recital was organized and professional, with a high level of talent on stage.
Last updated July 25, 2026.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: 2026–2027 enrollment has registration open with classes starting 9/8; Summer Classes, Intensives & Drop-ins run in a 7-week session starting 6/6; the Beat the Heat Adult Dance Workshop is a three-day workshop from 8/4–8/6; summer office hours are Monday–Thursday 10am–6pm, Friday 10am–2pm, and Saturday 9am–4pm, with Sunday closed
Shirley McPhail School of Dance states that it has been providing quality dance education to children and adults in Austin since 1970, with a mission to nurture dancers of all ages in the joy of dance through a quality dance education. Twinkle Tots is a creative movement class for 2–3 year olds that introduces ballet basics, mat, singing, games, and more, is not a mommy and me class, and Twinkle Tots do not perform in the recital. Combo classes combine ballet, tap, and tumbling, are designed for new, young students, and are offered to first, second, and third year dance students, and once dancers are 3 years old and potty trained they can join Combo classes. CJBT is for dancers with three years of Combo class experience and continues ballet and tap while introducing jazz, while BTJ I & II is for dancers in their fourth and fifth year of dance and is meant to be taken over a two-year time span. Lyrical students must be enrolled in a weekly ballet class in addition to the lyrical class, and contemporary dancers must be enrolled in a ballet class in addition to the contemporary class. Adult classes are offered for beginning through advanced levels in tap, plus ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and ballroom, and the youngest adult mentioned is 18 and the oldest is 94. Right across the hallway from the studio is The Dancer’s Den boutique, described as a beautiful boutique that is fully stocked with all required shoes and dance wear.
Parent and adult dancers describe the studio as having welcoming and kind staff, a friendly atmosphere, and a variety of classes for all levels of dancers, including a robust adult tap program, and they mention that administrative staff are professional and friendly and that there is a variety of skilled teachers with different styles of classes and choreography. One parent notes that Twinkle Tots is for kids aged 2–3 and shares that their child was nervous about a first organized activity without a parent present but was given a warm welcome and soon was having fun in class. Several parents mention that their children look forward to class each week, that there are lots of choices of classes, and that they are grateful for the environment at the studio. Adult tap students describe gaining confidence, enjoying creatively stimulating mind-body coordination, and finding the atmosphere supportive and friendly at all skill levels. Multiple parents and caregivers mention feeling thankful for the studio, describe it as a “dance home,” and comment that the dance recital was organized and professional, with a high level of talent on stage.
Last updated July 25, 2026.
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