CHILDREN'S IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CLASSES  - PLEASE NOTE: Spring semester will resume January 13 and end on April 27 with year-end showcase. THE FIRST WEEK (JANUARY 13 - 18) IS A SPECIAL FREE TRY-IT-OUT WEEK!
Global Education Center offers a variety of music and dance classes through our program Roots, Rhythm & Rhyme that represent the diverse cultures and traditions from around the world. Through movement, storytelling and music, children from the ages of 3 - teens learn a new art form, the making of community, and the commonalities of all. ROOTS, RHYTHM & RHYME is made possible with project support from Tennessee Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, and The Nissan Foundation.

Below is a list of our online class offerings to which you can have access if you prefer virtual programming. In-person class schedule is below this list.   FEES:  $150/family for a year of online classes; $75/semester for one in-person class per week; $125/semester for 2 classes per week; $175/semester for unlimited classes (must register for each class though)

NEW CLASS ALERT - Latin Dance for Students aged 11 and up at our Global South location, taught by Global's dynamic dance director, Alejandro Rivera
The West Nashville Fencing Club is offering children's classes at Global West on Mondays and Fridays at 4:00 and 5:00 pm. For information and to register your child, reach out at [email protected]

Virtual and pre-recorded classes

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In-person Classes for Spring (January 13 - April 26, 2025)
Showcase - April 27
No classes over Spring Break (March 9 - 15) and no classes April 19

Monday - 6:00 – 7:00 pm - Zumba (adults/teens) - Lesley - Global West (April 13 and 20 - dates vary monthly)
Monday - 5:00 - 5:45 pm - Latin Dance (12+) - Alejandro - Global South
Monday - 6:00 – 6:45 pm - Mexican Folkloric - AnaLi - Global South

Tuesday - 4:30 – 5:00 pm - Global Movement Fun (4-6 years) - Jeimy - Global West
Tuesday - 5:05 – 5:35 pm - World Percussion 1 - Charlie - Global West
Tuesday - 6:00 – 6:45 pm - Capoeira for Kids - Spidey - Global West
 Tuesday - 8:00 – 9:30 pm - Capoeira (adults/teens) - Spidey or Alex - Global West

Wednesday - 6:00 - 6:45 pm - Hip Hop - Summer - Global West

Thursday - 5:00 – 5:45 pm - World Percussion 2 - Charlie - Global West

Thursday - 6:00 – 6:45 pm - Breakin - Spidey - Global West
Thursday - 8:00 – 9:30 pm - Capoeira (adults/teens) - Medicina - Global West

Saturday - 1:30 – 2:15 pm - Karate - Shelby - Global West
Saturday - 2:30 – 4:00 pm - Capoeira (adults/teens) - Spidey - Global West

GLOBAL SOUTH - 2195 Nolensville Pike
GLOBAL WEST - 4822 Charlotte Avenue
LATIN DANCE -Ages 11+ -Mondays-5:00-5:45 pm @ Global South
This class is a fun intro to Latin dance and to the art of social dancing but with a dynamic Latin beat. Over the years, these intro classes for youth have led to student performing groups, and we hope to build that again this year.
Instructor:  Alejandro

CAPOEIRA - Ages 6+ - Tuesdays- 6:00 - 6:45 pm @ Global West
CAPOEIRA -  Ages 12+ - Tuesdays/Thursdays  - 8:00 pm or Saturdays - 2:30pm @ Global West
This class is an intro to Capoeira, a martial art form from Afro Brazilian traditions that combines music, song, dance, acrobatics and martial arts. Capoeira is known for its quick and complex maneuvers across a wide variety of kicks, spins and dance techniques.
Instructor: Spidey, EmeEme, Alex, or Medicina
GLOBAL MOVEMENT FUN - CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Tuesday - 4:30 - 5:00 PM @ Global West - Ages 4 - 6

Global Movement Fun is an active class that explores movement with our youngest dancers through dance, games, props, and Spanish language. Students spin, jump and leap their way through class while learning the ABC’s of movement – fun class that greets each dancer with imagination and enthusiasm.
​Instructor: Jeimy Vitor Gilbert
KARATE
Saturdays - 1:30 - 2:15 pm @ Global West Ages 6+
Karate is more than just punching and kicking; it is an ancient Japanese art form and in this class it will allow students to learn the basics of karate all while having fun.  Students will learn coordination and balance, as well as concentration, self discipline and respectful behavior. 
Instructor: Shelby Hughes
 BREAKIN'
Thursdays - 6:00 - 6:45 PM @ Global West - Ages 6+
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Breakin' is a fun American dance form that has its roots in African and Afro Latin traditions such as Capoeira. If your child likes to spin, flip, top rock and freeze, then this is the class! Let Spidey teach your child the basics of Breakin'!

​Instructor: Spidey

MEXICAN DANCE (AZTEC & FOLKLORIC)
Mondays - 6:00 - 6:45 pm @ Global South - Ages 8+
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Both Indigenous and folkloric dances are an integral part of Mexican history. This class helps to teach some of the rich traditions from both the pre-Hispanic Indigenous cultures and the contemporary. Students will learn dances and rhythms from different regions of Mexico.

​Instructor:  AnaLi Ramirez
WORLD PERCUSSION  I
Tuesdays - 5:05 - 5:35 PM @ Global West - Ages 6+
WORLD PERCUSSION II
Thursdays - 5:00 - 5:45 PM @ Global West - Preteens/Teens/Adults

Join this fun class that teaches drum beats and rhythms from around the world with emphasis on African and Afro Latin traditions.

Instructor: Charlie Gilbert
HIP HOP
Wednesdays - 6:00 - 6:45 pm @ Global West - Ages 7+

This class will surely make your children smile as they learn some old school dance moves to popular tunes from both their generation and yours!

Instructor:  Summer Shack (Sterling is on family leave) When he returns, we will offer hip hop twice weekly.
register and pay here
Global Education Center has many artists in residence that offer children's classes that are housed at our Global West facility. Find more information about these wonderful partnering organizations and the classes that they offer below. 
Four Indian dancers in performance attire posing during a Southern Indian dance.
Dancers from Kala Nivedanam performing during Global Education Center's Birthday Bash.
Bharatanatyam with KALA NIVEDANAM
Dance classes are offered in the Kalakshetra style of Bharatanatyam, a classical dance style native to southern India, for all levels from beginning through advanced and for all ages from 5 years through adult. All classes are taught personally by Monica Cooley. Class sizes do not exceed ten students with individual attention given to each dancer. Classes are offered six days a week. Classes are offered  to students of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and levels. Instruction follows a traditional curriculum beginning with a solid foundation in basic technique and culminating – for serious students – in an arangetram, or professional debut. Through these activities, each class works to spread awareness, understanding and respect for the classical art traditions of India. For more information and to register, please click here to email Monica Cooley.
CHINESE TRADITIONAL DANCE FOR KIDS – SATURDAYS
Teacher Shaolu Xu McLaren.  teaches more than just Chinese dance. She uses the creative movements and choreography as a pathway to promote the diversity of Chinese culture to the Nashville community. Shaolu Xu McLaren was trained in the performing arts and performed in the People Liberation Army Art Troop for several years. After leaving the Troop, she became a dance teacher at a distinguished cultural center in Hebei Province, China. Since 2004 she has lived in Nashville, TN, where she teaches Chinese children traditional Chinese dance at the Golbal Educational Center. For more information and to register, please click here to email Shaolu.
INDIAN MUSIC AND VOCALS
In this class each individual will receive professional quality instruction in Carnatic vocal music from the experienced and highly skilled Dr. Sankaran Mahadevan. Students of all ages learn the traditional vocal stylings and be provided with individualized attention best suited to their needs. Group classes are offered at various levels from Beginning to Advanced. To register, please click here to email Mahadevan.
PINK DIAMONDS CHILDREN'S HIP HOP Mondays and THURSDAYS @ 6:00 PM at Global West - Classes will resume in the fall
$5 for one class, $25 for the month (depending on how many Thursdays are in a month)

What starts as a song that gets the kids moving ends in high energy class that teaches the fundamentals of hip hop and the discipline, creative movement and social skills of dance. This children's class, led by dancer Dana "Dai" Crowell, is an upbeat, fun experience that your children and teens will thank you for. For more information or to register, please click here to email Dana.