Ballet school for 3yo that does an end of year show

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations for a ballet school in bethesda/nw dc area for 3yo ? I've heard of ballet petite but I wanted one that does a stage performance at the end of year ! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We really like BTI Dance, but I don't think they do an end of the year show. I would be wary of anyone who does at that age, as it seems a bit toddler and tiara for my taste.

[Anonymous]

Op here - Trust me I don't want toddler and tiara - but where I grew up there were lots of reputable ballet schools that included the youngest dancers in their end of year production. I think every little girl should have the experience of dressing up in a tutu for a special performance with all their family there to support them and give them flowers - and of course I want this memory as a mom !

[Anonymous]

Maryland Youth Ballet starts with 5 yo, in studio end of year presentation to parents. Only the one class for with one classes parents attend. This is how they do 5 yo, 6 yo, 7 yo. At age 8, students start performing on stage with whole school for the end of year performance. At ~age 10 or 11, students can participate in Nutcracker and Spring recital (Caroline Goes to Circus this year).

At YMCA Bethesda, 4 yo also did an in class end of semester presentation with on the one class of students.

I doubt you'll find anywhere that does a staged performance with 3 yos participating with older dancers.

[Anonymous]

Corrine Phelps Robertson is off Old Georgetown Rd. My daughter danced several years there.

[Anonymous]

Dance Institute of Washington is in NWDC, and they do a spring performance which includes their littlest dance students up to the pre-professionals. It's a wide variety of styles - dance, african, modern, etc

[Anonymous]

PLEASE stay away from Dance Institute of Washington. -- I am more familiar with NoVa so can not help much regarding the Bethesda area -- although I thought Ballet Petite at least had an open class day for grandparents?

In Alexandria -- Tiny Dancers/Chris Collins/ Perfect Pointe in Arlington all have recitals that are not at all "toddlers and tiaras"

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Reviving an old thread here: what's wrong with Dance Institute of Washington?

[Anonymous]

Avoid Adagio Ballet in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Check out Joy of Motion

[Anonymous]

Adagio Ballet in Arlington does beautiful recitals at the end of the year for 4-5.5 and up...younger students do in-class presentation but are encouraged to go to recital as audience - I brought my daughters (3.5, a student there and 7, who doesn't dance) and they were really into it. The one we went to was only 1.5 hr and was built like a story so it was interesting to follow. True, I would have loved to see my 3 yo on stage already but after seeing it there is no way she could do what the 4 yolds were doing...i'll wait )

[Anonymous]

I think that their recital is a waste of money. We did it for the two last year and it is good for older kids who can prepare a dance attending at least twice a week, the rest seem to learn the dance a class before ( at least that is what it looks like!) it should also be considered a part of the very expensive tuition, but it's not, you have to pay $80 for the event, and you don't get to keep the costume.
We will no longer do it with Adagio.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised to hear that some people think 80 is a lot for a recital. usually you pay about that much for participating, on top of that costume fees, tickets, video, pictures...out of my 4 girls 3 dance, and 2 of them do 2 classes a week, it adds up! in Nevada where we moved from it was not unusual for us to pay over $1000. i was astonished at Adagio it's a single fee per family of 80, no tickets, costume is borrowd, dvd and picture included. I'll take it! i can't speak for the quality of the performance yet but the price is unmatched at least in my experience. i guess i understand though, if you only have 1 girl for the first time in ballet that you'd want the costume...

[Anonymous]

How much were the classes though? We are with The Washington Ballet school, and we pay $2000 just for lessons, but the quality of training is unmatched to Adagio (that we took for a few sessions), and it was very disappointing. They can not provide a strong training for kids older than 5. Their classes are the most expensive for the level of program they provide, and seem very loose on techinque. Unless you know nothing about ballet you will see that is geared towards "dancing princesses".