Adult Program

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

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.

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

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.

Dance with us Digitally!

We are pleased to offer new, live-streamed class options for our Adult Program students! Learn more here.

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

Flamenco Fridays Workshop

Immerse yourself in Spanish culture through this three-week flamenco workshop with Edwin Aparicio. Learn the basic rhythms, percussive footwork, palmas (handclapping), and intricate arm and upper body movements of flamenco while connecting to the music.

No previous flamenco experience is required to attend this workshop. Students are encouraged to wear character or flamenco shoes.

Dates: Fridays, March 20 – April 3
Times: 7:00PM – 8:15PM
Location: Joseph C. Coleman Studios
Cost: $60

Enrollment in full session required

Enroll Now

Company Connection Workshop:
Swan Lake with Nardia Boodoo

Company Connection Workshops are a unique opportunity to learn movement styles and choreography inspired by the professional company’s repertoire.

Company dancer, Nardia Boodoo, will share excerpts of movement from Julie Kent and Victor Barbee’s staging and choreography from Act II of Swan Lake. Swan Lake, the doomed love story of Prince Siegfried and a swan princess, is full of magic, intrigue, melancholy, and suspense that will enter The Washington Ballet’s repertoire this spring.

The workshop will include a classical ballet warm-up class, followed by learning movement phrases from Swan Lake, and a brief Q&A session.

The workshop is expected to move at an Advanced Beginner pace.

Date: Sunday, March 29, 1:00PM-3:00PM
Location | Joseph C. Coleman Studios
Cost: $30

Enroll Now

Pre-registration is required. Same-day registration will not be accepted due to space limitations. All purchases are non-refundable, non-transferable.

The Washington Ballet performs Swan Lake at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts April 9-19.

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

Learning the Classics Series

Love Classical ballet? Interested in learning variations? This series is perfect for you! Each week will explore a variation from a favorite Classical ballet. Every class will begin with a 45-minute ballet barre warm-up followed by 45-minutes to begin to learn portions of a variation, including time to consider the character and the context of the ballet.

The schedule and ballets to be included in the series are:

• Friday, April 17: Paquita
• Friday, April 24: Le Corsaire
• Friday, May 1: Don Quixote

Classes are expected to move at an Advanced Beginner/Intermediate pace.

Taught by Irina Wunder
Dates: Fridays, April 17-May 1, 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Joseph C. Coleman Studios
Cost: $65 for full series or $25 per single class

Space is limited. Advanced registration for full series and single classes is required.

Enroll Now

Master Class Series

Take class with TWSB’s leading artists and faculty this spring! This four-class series provides the opportunity to learn from key faculty from the highest levels of the School as well as individuals who work and perform with the professional Company. Each master class will include a 1.5-hour ballet technique class, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the instructor. All classes will be taught at the Advanced Beginner level.

Monday, April 13, 7:00-8:45PM
Damien Johnson, TWSB SE Campus Faculty

Saturday, April 18, 2:00-3:45PM
Xiomara Reyes, Professional Training Division Head

Saturday, April 25, 2:00-3:45PM
Ayano Kimura, Company Dancer

Saturday, May 9, 2:00-3:45PM
Rinat Imaev, Senior Faculty and Company Teacher

Enroll Now

Purchase all five classes for $110 or purchase classes individually for $30 per class.

All classes held at Cathedral Commons, 3308 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

Pre-registration is required. Same-day registration will not be accepted due to space limitations. All purchases are non-refundable, non-transferable.

Photos by xmbphotography and Fabrizio Ferri

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.