While Pittsburgh has many available resources when it comes to dance, they are not always easy to find! Maybe you are new to the area, or maybe, like me, you are returning to Pittsburgh and find the dance scene much different than it was before. Either way, it can be difficult to know where to look.

It has recently come to my attention that it can be difficult to find dance classes for adults in Pittsburgh. So here a list of organizations and dance studios that offer classes for the inexperienced to experienced dance enthusiast. Enjoy!

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Pittsburgh Ballet Theater has open classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced ballet dancers. They also have hip hop, pilates and kickboxing classes for the fitness-minded!

Local conservatory Point Park University offers community classes in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip hop and tap. If you want to brush up on your technique in private, they also offer one-on-one lessons in dance.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh  also offers adult dance classes. Their current offerings include ballet, hip hop tap and Israeli dancing. You do not have to be a member to attend classes and can buy a 5-class punch card for $50. They are rumored to be starting a modern dance class in January of 2012. Stay tuned for more information about this as the New Year approaches.

For the ballroom dancer, Arthur Murray has been around for years and remains a popular studio for social dance classes. There are multiple studios in the area, so put “Arthur Murray Pittsburgh” in your preferred search engine to figure out which best suits your needs. Swing City holds swing-dancing lessons and jams at the Wightman School.

If you’re looking for ethnic dance classes or another option for contemporary dance and/or hip hop, Zafira Studios has belly dancing classes, flamenco, brazilian samba and other forms of dance as part of its November schedule.

While Dance Alloy‘s classes have been reduced since the recent merger, there is still an adult modern dance class, hip hop, salsa/meringue and a danz/yoga class.

Also hosted at the Alloy’s venue are workshops arranged through the Strayhorn. Right now, Gwen Ritchie Hunter is holding a Wednesday morning master-class series.

STAYCEE PEARL dance project is in residence at the Strayhorn Theater and periodically holds workshops.

Bodiography offers adult classes through Club One in a variety of styles including ballet and jazz as well as adult classes through their Center for Movement.

Besides hosting its dance ensemble, the August Wilson Center holds African, modern, hip hop and salsa classes Downtown on Saturdays.

kNOT Dance hosts Patvan yoga and dance classes that incorporate the use of hammocks and aerial silks.

Attack Theatre also historically held community classes. While these don’t happen frequently, they are quite fun when they occur. Put yourself on the mailing list or e-mail AT directly to receive e-mails about open classes.

Last but not least, Pillow Project is hosting a 5-day intensive in early January and often holds community classes in a jazz-modern-improvisational-structural style. E-mail Artistic Director Pearlann Porter at pearlannporter@pillowproject.orgfor more information.