Dance Institute of Washington is organized into divisions that guarantee a progressive learning experience as students develop through our program.
Training at the Dance Institute of Washington begins in the Early Division. This division has 3 levels: First Position I, II, and III. Early Division is an intentionally creative realm that is age appropriate. The overall objective is to engage in and enjoy dance, while building a basic foundation of movement. This division focuses on imaginative play, coordination, energy words, spatial awareness, directionality, balance, and motor skills.
Note: All young dancers must be potty-trained in order to participate in our Early Division.
The Lower Division consists of 4 levels: Tendu I, II, III, and IV. In this division, we introduce clear dance genres and have higher expectations of students so that we can effectively teach these genres. At this stage, our instructors begin to give specific support to the students so that they execute movements correctly and minimize the risk of injury long-term.
Successful completion of the Lower Division means that a student has a serious approach to their training, proper class etiquette, and a firm grasp on basic technique in dance.
Upon entry to our Middle Division, students begin cultivating their personal development. Middle Division consists of 3 levels: Relevé I, II, and III. They are introduced to Ballet Theory and expand their genre training to include African, Hip Hop, Repertoire, and more.
Our male students in this division transition into classes with our male faculty that explicitly focus on the male physiology as it relates to dance. Our female students are introduced to pre-pointe and beginner pointe classes. In order to complete the middle division, female students must pass and complete beginner pointe training; it is a prerequisite.
Our Upper Division caters to High Schoolers, ages 14-18. They are separated into 2 levels: Upper Division I and Upper Division II. This division is focused on preparing our students for their exit from High School and their entrance into a career. Whether they hope to matriculate in higher education, join a professional dance company, and/or get an agent, our Upper Division curriculum prepares them for it.
Upon graduation from the Dance Institute of Washington, our students will be smart dancers that prioritize long-term health and wellness. Our graduates will also have a mastery of technique that embodies an iconic performance quality – captivating everyone who watches them dance.
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