The Best Places to Learn Something New in Los Angeles

For 40 years, 3rd Street Dance has offered classes covering ballet, salsa, tango, hip-hop, and swing. Sign up individually, as a couple, or as a group to attend one of their ongoing classes or a bootcamp. Classes are small, allowing the teachers to personalize the instruction. There are even wedding prep packages for those wanting to add to their special day. Whether you've got the moves or have two left feet, there's no reason to hold back. After a few lessons, you'll be dancing like a star in no time.

Learn to catch a wave in less than two hours with Aqua Surf, which offers private lessons and group classes at locations from Malibu to the South Bay. Surfboard and wetsuit are provided, so all you have to do is show up in a swimsuit for your class. There are also Summer Surf Camps for children and teens ages 5-17. Without a doubt, this is the classic SoCal “endless summer” experience!

In 2017, legendary DJ crew Beat Junkies founded their eponymous school in Glendale. The Beat Junkie Institute of Sound teaches everything from basic DJ skills to Ableton with DJ Babu and J.Rocc. Traditional Turntablism classes range from Intro DJing (Beginner) to Foundation (Intermediate) to the advanced Structure 8-month program.

Specialty Courses include the 8-week Intro to Controllerism with DJ Dynamix - learn the basics of music theory, hardware, software and scratching; along with understanding hot cues, tempos and more. Students must be 18+ to enroll. Pioneer DDJ FLX6 are provided for all students, who must provide their own laptop with Serato installed.

Awaken your inner chef by taking a cooking class at EATZ, which moved to the Downtown LA Arts District in January 2023. Three-hour classes are offered every week, featuring tasty themes such as "A Mexican Fiesta," "A Flight to India" and "One Night in Bangkok."

Priced at $125, classes are limited in size to allow for personalized, hands-on lessons in a dinner party setting. You'll make a multi-course meal paired with wine or cocktails - no supplies or experience necessary. EATZ also offers in-person and virtual private parties if you want to take your cooking experience to the next level.

The Getty Center and Getty Villa offer ample opportunities for kids and teens to get creative with their families. For high school students, both facilities offer programs that will spark their imagination while preparing them for future education and/or career goals. Offerings include the free Light Catcher Family Workshop at the Getty Center - create your own light catcher inspired by the Getty’s stained glass collection and discover how to make art using light and color with artist Stephanie Godoy.

Hosted by the Getty Villa every other Wednesday, Seeing Through Drawing invites guests to experience ancient art and Mediterranean gardens through drawing. No prior drawing experience is necessary—just bring a willingness to let go and explore with a pencil and paper in hand.

Tap into your funny bone and get better at thinking on your feet with The Groundlings. Whether you aspire to be a working comedian or you’re just curious about improv, there's no better place to take an improv class than The Groundlings School. After all, Saturday Night Live has cast some of its most famous stars - including Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Cheri Oteri - from The Groundlings. Other famous alums include Lisa Kudrow, Conan O'Brien and the late Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman).

Classes are offered in-person and online for those with improv experience; as well as professionals in other industries who are just seeking to add to their presentation skills. How can you improve yourself through improv? Well, let's start with the first rule of improv: "Yes, and..."

Ever been told you have a great voice? Cringe when you hear your voicemail greeting? Both are great reasons to enroll in a class at Kalmenson & Kalmenson, where you can learn to hear your voice in all its range and glory. Voice Over Classes explore how you sound and teach you to convey emotions just in changing your tone and pitch. This is a perfect way to become a better public speaker. If you've secretly wanted to explore a career in V.O. work, Kalmenson & Kalmenson is regarded as one of the best in the industry.

Located in Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center offers "Everything Equestrian" and is well-known for their horse shows, riding lessons and trail rides. The L.A. Equestrian Center is home to riding academies that host training programs for all levels, from beginners to Western Riding, English Riding, Dressage and Jumping for the more advanced rider.

The Silverlake Conservatory of Music is a non-profit organization dedicated to music education. They offer private classes for any instrument and singing style at reasonable prices. The organization also grants scholarships for lessons and instruments for children in need. You can join a series of ensemble groups and in the summer the conservatory hosts a two-week intensive music camp. Though geared towards music education for kids, they host groups and lessons for adults as well. You're never too old for music!

No need to run away with the circus when you can experience the circus at the Santa Monica Trapeze School! Located on the historic Santa Monica Pier, you can learn to fly and swing while overlooking the ocean. Their open-air facility offers classes in static and flying trapeze, along with silks and trampoline. The school welcomes everyone ages 6 and up, regardless of fitness level. In just one of their two-hour classes, they'll teach you to swing, flip and even catch. Conquer your fear of heights and learn to fly! You'll be amazed at how fun these classes are, and you’re getting in a good workout as well.

Located in Carson, the Porsche Experience Center (PEC) is a 53-acre venue with a four-mile driver development track, state-of-the-art driving simulators, a retail store with exclusive PEC branded merchandise, and fine dining at Restaurant 917. Inside the 50,000 square-foot building, which is also the home of Porsche Motorsport North America, guests can get an insider’s look at historic Porsche race cars and the workshop team.

Drivers can put the latest Porsches through their paces with numerous driving modules. Academy is the ultimate PEC experience - whether you're a newbie or an advanced driver fine-tuning your skills, over the course of four sessions you will learn like the professionals with a dedicated Porsche Drive Coach.