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Meet the people developing talent and broadening horizons, one child a time.
The Dance Institute of Washington was founded by the late Fabian Barnes in 1987. Barnes founded the organization with the mission of improving the lives of underserved children in Washington, DC through the arts. In 1996, he retired from his highly acclaimed career as a professional dancer, to devote himself to this mission.
Today, DIW is the leading minority-led dance equity organization in the DMV, supporting students from underserved communities and securing top DC arts foundation funding. DIW performs multiple times annually at the Kennedy Center and THEARC as well as at multiple venues and festivals around the region and country. DIW offers a holistic set of extra-curricular key services to support their students including physical therapy, nutritional seminars, and career development training, along with arranging college tours for prospective students.
After Fabian’s tragic passing in 2016, Kahina Haynes was chosen as the Executive Director of the Dance Institute of Washington. Haynes, a former dancer, alumna of Princeton and Oxford Universities, founder of two independent dance companies, and a veteran of both the World Bank and the United Nations, served as School Director starting in 2013 before taking on the role as Executive Director in 2016. Under Haynes guidance, DIW continues propelling its mission into the future with visionary leadership and enthusiasm. Since DIW’s inception, many students have gone on to professional careers with prestigious dance companies and continued studies at top ballet conservatories and universities.
DIW increases the inclusive and diverse representation at every level of the professional ballet and dance industries in Washington, DC. Through that exemplary effort, DIW impacts racial and economic equity in dance nationally and globally.
For over 35 years, we’ve been a force for change in the arts. Explore the milestones, from our founding in 1987 to major awards and student triumphs, that define our journey.
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Our unique DIW DNA is a living expression of our founding philosophy and our commitment to holistic excellence. We believe that dance is a vehicle for personal and societal change, which is why every program and class is guided by our core values. From technical excellence to creative innovation, these principles ensure we are developing well-rounded artists who are also confident and compassionate leaders.
We don’t just train dancers; we cultivate leaders. Our curriculum builds deep technical skill alongside the life skills needed to succeed in any field.
We believe talent is universal. Our unique model provides world-class training regardless of ability to pay. 80% of students receive full or partial scholarships.
A safe space in a nurturing facility that is equipped the highest quality of resources to ensure that their environment fosters their growth and advancement in dance training.