myb parent here. 7 yr old/2nd grade has 1 hr a week. next year she will jump up to two 1.5 hr classes a week.

no we haven't checked out other studios, I need somewhere really close to home otherwise childcare arrangements can't work.

To the PP--this is the schedule I was given, two 1 1/2 ballet classes and one 1 1/2 modern. Plus the option for additional classes on weekends. It did seem like a lot to me esp. for a 2nd grader, are maryland youth and washington youth ballet really different?

Kirov Academy's preparatory classes are twice a week, one hour classes. Their next level, pre-academy, is 3 times a week 90 minute classes.

I am Familiar with Fabian Barnes through my work and he was well respected as a dancer and an educator. But their website doesn't have a lot of information on their instructors. I know it's more convenient to you, but have you toured other studios as well?

So three 90 minute classes/week for a beginning seven year old?

Are you sure you are not looking st the schedule for 9-10 year olds?

7 years old

How old?

Does anyone have a daughter in the Dance Institute of Washington program and can you advise how you feel about it? I see a lot about Washington Ballet and Kirov, but Dance Institute is the most convenient for us. However, I know nothing about ballet and was kind of surprised to learn that students might have to go three times a week for over an hour (I was expecting twice). I also know that their Director recently passed away so I'm wondering if any of the teachers/dancers are leaving.

Sorry to sound so clueless but I never danced so I have no understanding of why there need to be so many classes at a young age. I already put DD in year of JOMD and casual summer dance camp and she has been asking for over a year for something more serious and challenging. Is this just the way things are? You pay a ton of money and have to run to lessons 2/3 times a we