Dance/Theater school that isn’t only ballet

[Anonymous]

I’m looking for a great dance or theater school that isn’t only focused on ballet. My elementary age daughter seems to have some natural abilities in dance, rhythm and music (as I’ve been told by her teachers), but doesn’t enjoy the push to be a professional ballerina at age eight.

Are there any good quality dance schools that also offer other styles of dance? Maybe contemporary style at this age? We still want excellent instruction.

She’s also very interested in singing and acting if there are any musical theater type classes around.

We’re in NW near Washington Ballet. Not interested in taking her to competitions.

[Anonymous]

CityDance in Friendship Heights has lots of classes, as well as varying levels of “seriousness” (conservatory versus weekly classes etc).

[Anonymous]

Is she currently in classes at Washington Ballet? The truth is that most dance schools will have a broader based curriculum than WSB, which is explicitly a pre-professional school for ballet.

I don't think you are going to find everything you want in one place, though. I'd check out Salsa with Silvia (not just salsa), and Joy of Motion (not sure if they still have a location in Friendship Heights?). For theater and voice you will need to find camps, classes, and coaches separately.

[Anonymous]

For a recreational experience in dance and theater, I suggest you check out Imagination Stage.

[Anonymous]

Rock Creek Dance Academy - they have Jazz, Yap, Lyrical and more

[Anonymous]

Theater Imagination Stage.
Dance Bethesda Conservatory of Dance.

These are the best options in town.

[Anonymous]

Op here: Thank you to all. Great suggestions for me to look into!

[Anonymous]

Theatre lab and Levine have broadway classes and performances. C-unit has great non competition instruction. Get her into community theatre as well.

[Anonymous]

C-unit is trashy. Bad training, bad choreography, skimpy costumes. They must like seeing children wear so little. Gross. No thank you.

[Anonymous]

Ballet is the basis for all other dance. A good foundation in ballet will help her in other types of dance and general stage movement for theatre.

[Anonymous]

NP. In a kind of similar situation moving to NW DC. DD has been in a small, ballet focused school but wants to do other forms of dance. Is City Dance at Friendship Heights any good for a strong, elementary age ballet dancer who doesn’t want to focus on ballet? I know it’s different to the conservatory. Or would Ovations Studios or even C Unit be better? Any others in the area? Bethesda conservatory might be ok but not sure on traffic. Closer is good.

She just wants to dance for fun and doesn’t want to be a ballerina and that is totally ok with me. But she does have genuine love and talent for dance so we are still looking for good teachers in case she wants to take a more serious route in the future.

[Anonymous]

City dance is okay. They play favorites so if your child is in the top 2% they will thrive. Otherwise, they will be ignored.

C-unit is a disgusting competition school. Overworked, under dressed, and lacking technique it is a dead end money pit.

Ovations is overall fine for the recreational dancer. A little snobby but so is the neighborhood. It's fine. Probably the 2nd on the list if options.

Bethesda Conservatory is as good as it gets. Friendly and non-competitive. They are technically focused and extremely well respected in the industry as a whole not just the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the detailed reply! I just looked at C Unit’s instagram and it is clear how you described it! Not for us- thanks for the heads up!

I’ll look more into Bethesda Conservatory now. I appreciate all the info!

[Anonymous]

Depending on where in NW DC, Ovations could be much closer in traffic than DT Bethesda. I have known a couple of dancers who have really enjoyed the program and team there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on where in NW DC, Ovations could be much closer in traffic than DT Bethesda. I have known a couple of dancers who have really enjoyed the program and team there.

Yep. It's fine. Just fine. Nothing special about it, bland, and run as an investment vehicle for the absent ownership. Ethical, poor industry and technical knowledge. It's fine.