About Our School
About
Co-founded in 1944 by the late Mary Day and Lisa Gardiner, The Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) is recognized nationally and internationally for its classical training and dedication to excellence in dance and dance education. Artistic Director Julie Kent oversees all aspects and the full integration of the Company and the School to provide the highest level of dance training to students.
The school trains more than 900 students each year at its Northwest Campus studios on Wisconsin Avenue and an additional 350 students at its Southeast Campus housed at The Town Hall Education, Arts and Recreation Center (THEARC) also known as TWSB SE. The Joseph C. Coleman Studios at Cathedral Commons serves as an additional NW campus.
Learn more about the school locations
The Washington School of Ballet curriculum includes pre-ballet, boys’ classes, and a leveled program for children through young adulthood, many of whom wish to pursue dance as a career. The school also offers a Professional Training Division, overseen by Xiomara Reyes, that brings together especially talented students from around the world for intensive training under The Washington School of Ballet’s renowned faculty. Both the NW and SE campuses share a syllabus to ensure the same excellence in training at each location and both campuses also offer open adult classes.
Learn more about school programs
School Leadership
School Leadership
Artistic Director
Julie Kent became the Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet in July 2016. She is the longest-serving ballerina in American Ballet Theatre’s 83-year history. She began her dance training with …
General Manager, The Washington School of Ballet
kdrake@washingtonballet.orgKatie Sopoci Drake is a seasoned administrator and educator with nearly 2 decades of experience in the arts spanning non-profit arts administration, teaching in higher education, and performance. As the …
Professional Training Division Head
xreyes@washingtonballet.orgXiomara Reyes, Head of the Professional Training Division at TWSB, performed as a soloist and principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre for 14 years before retiring from the stage in …
Upper Division Head
kwindom@washingtonballet.orgKristina Windom trained with Mary Day, Robert Steele, Julio de Bittencourt, Patricia Berrend, and Suzanne Erlon at The Washington School of Ballet. At a very young age, she was invited …
Pre-Ballet & Lower Division Head
pbjerknes@washingtonballet.orgPamela Booth Bjerknes, a former member of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), brings extensive teaching, directing, and performing experience to The Washington School of Ballet. Performing classical and contemporary ballets throughout …
School Principal SE Campus
thurt@washingtonballet.orgTammy Hurt, a native Washingtonian, started her dance training at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and later became a member of the Capitol Ballet Company under the direction of Doris …
School Administration
School Administration
General Manager, The Washington School of Ballet
kdrake@washingtonballet.orgKatie Sopoci Drake is a seasoned administrator and educator with nearly 2 decades of experience in the arts spanning non-profit arts administration, teaching in higher education, and performance. As the …
School Principal SE Campus
thurt@washingtonballet.orgTammy Hurt, a native Washingtonian, started her dance training at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and later became a member of the Capitol Ballet Company under the direction of Doris …
Professional Training Division Head
xreyes@washingtonballet.orgXiomara Reyes, Head of the Professional Training Division at TWSB, performed as a soloist and principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre for 14 years before retiring from the stage in …
Upper Division Head
kwindom@washingtonballet.orgKristina Windom trained with Mary Day, Robert Steele, Julio de Bittencourt, Patricia Berrend, and Suzanne Erlon at The Washington School of Ballet. At a very young age, she was invited …
Pre-Ballet & Lower Division Head
pbjerknes@washingtonballet.orgPamela Booth Bjerknes, a former member of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), brings extensive teaching, directing, and performing experience to The Washington School of Ballet. Performing classical and contemporary ballets throughout …
Nutcracker Coordinator
dglover@washingtonballet.orgEntering her 18th season with The Washington Ballet, Ms. Glover has transitioned from the leadership position of Director of Operations for The Washington School of Ballet to Summer Intensive Manager …
Artistic Administrator
mwilliamson@washingtonballet.orgMargaret Giragosian Williamson received her early training at The Washington Ballet, the Maryland Youth Ballet, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. During this time, she was also privileged to spend …
NW School Manager
aschools@washingtonballet.orgAlex Schools is a native of the Washington, DC area, where she received her ballet training under Pamela and Michael Bjerknes at American Dance Institute and Patricia Berrend at Berrend …
SE Campus School Manager
kdeshields@washingtonballet.orgKayla DeShields is a native of Woodbridge, VA where she grew up studying liturgical dance in her church beginning at age four and holding positions of leadership within the dance …
Adult Program Artistic Operations Manager
mhisaka@washingtonballet.orgWith a life commitment to diversity and excellence in concert dance, Miya has been a Producing Executive/Artistic Director, teacher, choreographer, arts and diversity advocate, and urban planner. Since l984, faculty at WSB, under …
Operations Manager
kparmer@washingtonballet.orgOriginally from Long Island, Kim Parmer has been immersed in the DC-area dance scene since moving here in 2010. Most recently, Ms. Parmer served as the director of Maryland School …
Alumni
Co-founded by legendary ballet pioneers, Mary Day and Lisa Gardiner, The Washington School of Ballet has produced many notable alumni including: Virginia Johnson, Kevin McKenzie, Amanda McKerrow, Shirley MacLaine, Georgia Engel, and Chelsea Clinton.
The Washington School of Ballet students have gone on to dance professionally with The Washington Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dutch National Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miami City Ballet and numerous other companies all over the US and the world.
Join our TWSB Alumni Group on Facebook to connect with former classmates and to receive special invitations and promotions.
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