Adult Program
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 NW Winter/Spring Open Class Schedule
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.
3308 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA
3515 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA
1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington D.C., DC 20020, USA
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 Download NW Winter/Spring Open 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
READY? SET? POINTE!
Workshop: Navigating Pointe Shoes as an Adult Dancer
This workshop, presented by physical therapists Dr. Miriam Graham and Patrick Wenning of Restore Motion, is part lecture, part movement study. More than an exercise class, the workshop will teach students about their individual anatomy so they can work with their body type for greater success when wearing or considering pointe shoes. The first half of the workshop will focus on strength training for the feet and ankles; the second half will focus on anatomy, the musculoskeletal system, and hone in on risk factors and areas to consider when working in or considering pointe shoes as an adult dancer.
This workshop will not include pointe shoe wearing. If students own pointe shoes, they are welcome to bring their shoes should they wish to ask questions regarding the shoes. All students who have an interest in learning more about the mechanics of pointe shoes and foot/ankle strengthening are welcome to attend.
Friday, January 17, 7:00PM-9:00PM
Location | Joseph C. Coleman Studios, 3308 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Cost | $45
Variations from Giselle Workshop
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.
Laying the Foundation Workshop:
Building Technique from the Ground Up
Need more time to process information about your technique? Taught by TWB Company dancer Jessy Dick, this workshop is perfect for dancers looking to dedicate time to various components of their technique. Each week will focus on specific elements of ballet technique, learning new exercises, and providing time to ‘zoom in’ on one area of your dancing to create a stronger foundation for classical ballet. Classes will begin with strengthening exercises followed by a technique class.
This workshop will focus on technical components such as:
- Foot & Ankle Alignment and Strengthening
- Core Stability
- Basic Arm Positions and Coordination of Port de Bras
- Functional Turnout
- Musicality and Artistry (Breath of Movement)
Classes are expected to move at a Beginner 2/Advanced Beginner pace. Any level student is welcome to register and attend this workshop.
Sundays, March 1–March 29 | 11:30AM-1:00PM
Location | Joseph C. Coleman Studios, 3308 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Cost | $110
Enrollment in full session required.
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
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.
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.
