Programs & classes
Dance training for ages 3 and up, from a first class to the professional stage.
From first class to company-ready
DIW trains dancers across ballet, modern, hip hop, and African dance. Classes run from beginner through pre-professional.
Pre-Professional School
Our Pre-Professional School combines rigorous classical ballet training with academic support and leadership development across four divisions.
Youth Dance
A fast-paced program in classical ballet, hip hop, modern, and African dance for students ages 10-14.
Find your rhythm. Find your community.
Whether you are stepping into a studio for the first time or returning to dance after years away, DIW offers classes and programming built for adult movers.
Adult Classes
From classical ballet to contemporary and beyond, our adult classes are led by professional instructors in a welcoming, judgment-free environment.
Community on 14th
Dance training, seminars, workshops, and networking that facilitate creative careers in dance and the arts for D.C. talent.
Space, support, and structure for D.C. creators
DIW provides subsidized studio access, institutional support, and professional infrastructure for independent artists and dance companies building their creative practice in Washington, D.C.
Companies in Residence
Subsidized studio residencies for independent artists and dance companies seeking dedicated space to create, rehearse, and grow.
DIW Incubator
Free studio residencies for local D.C. artists who need space to create, rehearse, and prepare for their next opportunity.
Bring DIW to your school or organization
Our Positive Directions Through Dance (PDTD) initiative brings certified teaching artists and structured curriculum to schools, after-school programs, hospitals, community centers, and the spaces where people of all ages gather.
School & Community Programs
Programs are scaled to fit your timeline and budget, with a sliding scale based on group size and setting.
Field Trips
Organize an immersive visit to our 14th Street facility. Students and community groups can watch rehearsals, take a class, tour our studios, and meet DIW dancers.
“The Boys in Ballet Program has transcended my son’s sense of purpose in dance. I cannot thank the Dance Institute of Washington enough for opening up his mind’s eye to true possibility.”Myrna A. Newman, DIW Parent
Ready to start?
Whether you are enrolling a young dancer, joining an adult class, or applying for a residency, we are here to help you take the next step.
Programs & Classes
From First Class to the Professional Stage
Holistic dance training for all ages and skill levels. Whether you are a young dancer building a foundation, an adult discovering movement, or an artist developing your practice, DIW has a place for you.
46K+
Students served
since 1987
1,000+
Students served in
2025
$92K+
Scholarships & stipends in 2025
100%
Of programming is
subsidized
100%
Of graduates complete
high school
Youth & Students
FROM FIRST CLASS TO COMPANY-READY
DIW trains dancers across ballet, modern, hip hop, and African dance. Every student enters at their level and trains to the same standard: technical precision, artistic range, and the discipline to sustain both. Classes run from beginner through pre-professional.
Flagship Program
Pre-Professional School
Find the right program for your dancer. DIW offers a progressive learning experience designed to meet every dancer at their current level and guide them toward their goals. Our Pre-Professional School combines rigorous classical ballet training with academic support and leadership development across five progressive levels.
Ages 9+
Youth Dance
A progressive path for accelerated growth.
A fast-paced program blending classical ballet and hip hop fundamentals to maximize technique and artistry for dancers ages 9 and older. Designed for students who want intensive training outside the pre-professional track.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Pricing & Scholarships
Improving lifelong outcomes for D.C. youth and communities.
We believe world-class dance training should be available to all. Our unique model combines world-class dance experiences with comprehensive subsidized services. 80% of our students are on full or partial scholarship.
Holistic Support
DIW Vitamins
Holistic support for the mind, body, and future.
DIW’s “Vitamins” are a suite of holistic services that nourish our students’ full potential, combining rigorous technique with life-altering support. Our model is built around four pillars, Power Hour™, FullOUT™, Energy Barre™, and Positive Pathways™ to ensure every student has the tools and resilience to thrive on and off the stage
“The Boys in Ballet Program has transcended my son’s sense of purpose in dance. I cannot thank the Dance Institute of Washington enough for opening up his mind’s eye to true possibility.”
-Myrna A. Newman, DIW Parent
Adults
Find Your Rhythm. Find Your Community.
Whether you are stepping into a studio for the first time or returning to dance after years away, DIW offers classes and programming built for adult movers at every level.
Drop-In & Series
Adult Classes
Ignite your passion for movement.
Discover a mix of free and paid offerings designed for every age and skill level. From classical ballet to contemporary and beyond, our adult classes are led by professional instructors in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. No prior experience needed.
Training · Seminars · Networking
Community on 14th
Cultivating arts careers for D.C.
Dance training, seminars, workshops, and networking that facilitate creative careers in dance and the arts for D.C. talent. Open to everyone, no audition required. Three pillars of engagement: adult class series, professional development workshops, and community networking.
Artists
Space, Support, and Structure for D.C. Creators
DIW provides subsidized studio access, institutional support, and professional infrastructure for independent artists and dance companies building their creative practice in Washington, D.C.
Residencies
Companies in Residence
A creative home for artists and companies.
Subsidized studio residencies for independent artists and dance companies seeking dedicated space to create, rehearse, and grow. Three tiers available: project residencies (4 to 8 weeks), season-long company residencies, and flexible studio residencies for creative entrepreneurs.
Free Residencies
DIW Incubator
Making space for creators from all walks of life.
Free studio residencies for local D.C. artists who need space to create, rehearse, and prepare for their next opportunity. Application-based, no cost to the artist. Two to three residencies awarded each year, with the option to culminate in a public performance at the Fabian Barnes Black Box Theater.
Ready to Start?
Whether you are enrolling a young dancer, joining an adult class, or applying for a residency, we are here to help you take the next step.