Where We Are

Discover your balance and confidence – whether you are an absolute beginner or a returning dancer, The Washington Ballet offers dance classes designed especially for you. Our classes are designed to promote good technique, strength, and flexibility in a welcoming and non-competitive environment. Learn about our Adult Program Faculty.

View Adult Class Schedule
Download the NW FALL Adult Class Schedule

(The Fall Schedule goes into effect on September 3, 2019)

NW Locations

All NW classes are held either at The Joseph C. Coleman Studios (Cathedral Commons) located at 3308 Wisconsin Ave, NW (above GIANT Food) or at the Main Building located at 3515 Wisconsin Ave, NW. It is important to check the schedule for class locations. Both locations are near the Cleveland Park and Tenleytown stops on the Metro Red Line, and several buses serve our locations. For more information about getting to the school, please visit wmata.com.

SE Location

TWSB SE classes are held in our spacious studios at The Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) 1901 Mississippi Ave, SE Washington, DC 20020. THEARC is located near the Southern Ave stop on the Metro Green Line and on several bus routes. For more information about public transportation options for getting to the school, please visit wmata.com.

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The Joseph C. Coleman Studios

3308 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA

TWB Main Building

3515 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA

The Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC)

1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington D.C., DC 20020, USA

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NW Information and Policies

NW Information and Policies

The Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) offers open adult classes on a drop-in basis throughout the year. Students may join classes at any time – no audition or pre-registration is necessary. Classes are designed for novice students to seasoned dancers. We encourage students who are unsure about their level to attend a Beginner Ballet 1 class. After class, discuss appropriate levels and classes with the instructor.

View Adult Class Schedule

Regular Rates:

  • $20 Single Class
  • $95 5-Class Card
  • $180 10-Class Card
  • $340 20-Class Card

Senior Rates for ages 65+:

  • $13 Single Class
  • $65 5-Class Card
  • $130 10-Class Card
  • $260 20-Class Card

Purchase Classes

Teen-Friendly Classes

All participants in The Washington Ballet’s adult program classes must be at least 16 year of age. Persons younger than 16 years of age may participate with faculty permission or if they are currently enrolled in The Washington School of Ballet at level 4 or above. The adult program offers a limited number of “teen-friendly classes.” For these classes, participants must be at least 12 years of age or currently enrolled in The Washington School of Ballet at level 3 or above.

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SE Information and Policies

SE Information and Policies

TWSB SE offers open adult classes on a drop-in basis throughout the year, and students may join classes at any time – no audition or pre-registration is necessary. Classes are designed for novice students to seasoned dancers. We encourage students who are unsure about their level to attend a Beginner Ballet 1 class. After class, discuss appropriate levels and classes with the instructor.

View Adult Class Schedule

Regular Rates:

  • $14 – single class
  • $120 – 12 class card

Ward 7/8 Resident, THEARC Employee, and TWSB SE Parent Rate (with a valid ID):

  • $7 single class
  • $70 – 12 class card

Please note: Class cards are NON-REFUNDABLE. All sales are final.

TWSB SE classes are held in our spacious studios at The Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) 1901 Mississippi Ave, SE Washington, DC 20020. THEARC is located near the Southern Ave stop on the Metro Green Line and on several bus routes. For more information about public transportation options for getting to the school, please visit wmata.com.

Entering THEARC Building

All students and parents are encouraged to sign-up for a free THEARC membership card. Using your THEARC card expedites the building check-in process and increases safety to verify all guests in the building. The card also allows you discounts to events and other programs in the building and local community. Upon arrival, you will scan your ID card at the Welcome Desk on the main floor AND at TWSB SE front desk. You must also sign out at both desks when leaving. If you lose your card a replacement can be printed at the Welcome Desk on the first floor.

About our faculty

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What to Expect

General Policies

The Washington Ballet is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items. Clothing and other personal Items left in the dressing room are at the risk of the participant. Valuable items should remain with the participant at all times.

Participants are encouraged to arrive approximately 10-15 minutes prior to class. To prevent injury resulting from inadequate warm up, students may be asked to observe class if they are more than 15 minutes late. Out of respect for the pianists, teachers, and participants, students are asked not to enter class while the music is playing but should await a pause in the music before entering and checking in with the instructor.

Refund Policy
No refunds will be made for classes or special events such as workshops. In exceptional circumstances, class credits may be offered on a case by case basis at the discretion of The Washington Ballet staff.

Inclusion Policy
The Washington Ballet is committed to an inclusive environment and does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation or preference, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Inclement Weather Policy
In the case of inclement weather, please check The Washington School of Ballet online portal for operating status. All updates regarding weather will also be shared by calling our main number 202.362.3606. Due to scheduling conflicts, we are often unable to offer additional classes for those that have been cancelled.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Classes may be purchased individually or packages to save money. Class rates vary based on location. Please view the Information and Policies sections to see class rates for our NW and SE locations.

No. All classes can be taken on a walk-in basis at any time. There is no need to sign up in advance. Pre-registration may be required for special programming such as workshops, series classes, master classes, and others.

You may purchase classes in person at the front desk. Credit cards and checks are accepted forms of payment. The NW Campus no longer accepts cash.

Classes may also be purchased online.

If this is your first class and you don’t yet have a login, the system will prompt you to create one.

TWSB SE does not offer online purchases for Adult Program classes at this time.

You do not need to reserve a class in advance. Give your name to our front desk receptionist once you arrive at the studio to sign you into your desired class.

There is no required dress code within the Adult Program.

Female students may wear leotards and tights with or without a skirt or any type of active wear. Male students should wear fitted clothing that will allow for a full range of movement. Students are encouraged to wear form fitting clothing to allow teachers to see proper alignment. All students should wear ballet flats which are available at the Main Building (3515 Wisconsin Ave, NW) reception desk for purchase.

Although you have some prior knowledge, you may want to reintroduce your muscles slowly. We would suggest that you attend a beginner class. You can talk with the instructor after class for class placement recommendations.

You must be 16 years or older to take any open adult classes at The Washington School of Ballet. If you are younger than 16 years old, you will need faculty approval before signing up for the class or be currently enrolled at TWSB level 4 or above. There are a limited number of “Teen-Friendly” classes on the schedule. These classes allow students 12 and above or TWSB level 3 and above to attend class.

You must be 65 years of age to qualify for the senior rate. You need to present your ID at the front desk for verification.

No, we do not have a performance component attached to our Adult Program. However, we have special events and workshops where performances may be included.

We do have showers, but we do not have locker rooms. There are spaces in our changing rooms where you can store some of your items. You should bring your valuable items with you to class. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Unfortunately, we do not provide towels for the showers.

Adult classes are held on both the SE and NW campuses. Please carefully check the schedule for specific class locations.

There is two hour parking available on Wisconsin Ave, NW depending on the time of day. Please check the signs for the most up to date restrictions.

Garage parking is available below The Joseph C. Coleman Studios. Parking entrances are off of Macomb and Newark Street NW. The garage offers complementary parking to our students and guests for up to two hours. Your ticket needs to be validated at our front desk before leaving our studio.

THEARC has free parking and the entrance is best accessed by the 19th Street and Mississippi Avenue gate. THEARC is home to 10 non-profit organizations and sometimes the lot is full. Street parking is available.

Pointe classes are not offered on an ongoing basis at this time, but students who have previously been on pointe may attend class on pointe either at the barre, center, or both. Wearing pointe shoes in class is at the discretion of the faculty and students may be asked to return to ballet shoes.

Our adult class faculty have years of experience and will make adaptations to the class work for students either more advanced or behind the level. This helps as students transition from level to level. All classes begin with a warm up and progress to larger or more complex movement sequences.

Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late will not be permitted to take class.

Yes, we offer specialized summer programming for adult students. Check the Special Programming section of the website each spring for details and information.

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Special Programming

Each season, the adult program offers focused classes to challenge you and enhance your technique. Consider a workshop or a series class to dive into your dance training more this year! Workshops run one to eight weeks and require enrollment in the full session. Series classes run from four to eight weeks and can be taken on a drop-in basis or save money by enrolling in the full session.

Workshops

Brand New to Ballet Workshop

Photo by Kelsey Arrington

Have you always wanted to learn ballet? Join us for this four-week session to learn fundamental aspects of ballet including proper placement and alignment. This workshop taught by Shu-Chen Cuff is for the absolute beginner, but is also perfect for current ballet students with limited experience who would like to continue working on the nuances of basic ballet technique. Enrollment in full session required.

4-week session on Sundays
January 12– February 2, 2020 | 10:00AM-11:15AM
Taught by Shu-Chen Cuff
Location | Joseph C. Coleman Studios, 3308 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Cost | $85
Enrollment in full session required.

Enroll Now!

Variations from Giselle Workshop

Company dancer, Katherine Barkman, as Giselle. Photo by G-Nie Arambulo

Join us for this workshop with TWB Company dancer, Katherine Barkman, who will share her vast knowledge of variations from the Romantic ballet, Giselle. Each class will include a 45-minute technique class followed by 45 minutes to work on the variation. Classes will move at an Advanced Beginner pace.

This workshop is designed to be taken in ballet slippers. If you are interested in taking the class en pointe, please speak with the instructor at the start of the first class. For the safety of our adult students, the use of pointe shoes is at the instructor’s discretion.

Fridays, January 24 and January 31, 2020 | 7:00-8:30PM
Taught by Katherine Barkman
Location | Joseph C. Coleman Studios, 3308 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Cost | $45
Enrollment in full session required.

Enroll

Adult program workshops provide focused attention for students in a particular level, style, or area of technique. Instructors will build upon classwork from one lesson to the next to advance students’ understanding and execution of the material. For this reason, enrollment in the full session is required for all workshops. Workshops vary in length but are typically held in one to eight-week sessions.

Series Classes

 

Pointe Class Series

Photo by Kourtney Ginn

Our new pointe class series, with Amanda Melrose-Smith, is perfect for adults at an advanced beginner/intermediate level of ballet with some experience dancing en pointe. This pointe class will guide students through exercises to continue and progress their pointe work. The majority of each class will be spent at the barre before moving to center work for the last 15-30 minutes of class. Any level student is welcome to take this class. Those without or minimal pointe experience are welcome to join this class in ballet flat shoes to work on strengthening the feet and ankles.

If pointe shoes are to be worn, they must be fully sewn with ribbons and elastic prior to the start of class. For the safety of our adult students, the use of pointe shoes is at the instructor’s discretion.

Saturdays, January 25-February 15, 2020 | 2:00-3:15PM
Taught by Amanda Melrose-Smith
Location | Joseph C. Coleman Studios, 3308 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Cost | $75 for full session or $20 per class
Students may enroll for the full session at a discounted rate or drop in at $20 per class.

Enroll Now!

Adult program Series Classes provide additional options from the ongoing weekly class schedule and present students with the opportunity to try a new style, faculty member, or class time on a short-term basis. Classes are treated as an open class in that students may drop-in at the regular rate or participate in the full session at a discounted rate. Series classes are typically held in four to ten-week sessions.

 

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Photos

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