ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

NW Dance Project has earned a well-deserved international reputation for cultivating and nurturing young dancers. Our Youth Dance Program offers exceptional year-round training for dancers ages 4 to 18. Dancers will experience the joy of dance taught by Portland’s finest teachers in the city’s safest and best-equipped professional dance studios.

Our innovative program offers a variety of learning opportunities for dancers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. NW Dance Project’s philosophy focuses on technique, movement, strengthening and conditioning, versatility, and creativity to support a balanced dance training education. Our programs provide an in-depth approach to training that takes into consideration each individual dancer’s needs and progression. We love creative expression, imagination, engagement, and offer comprehensive instruction in a supportive, inclusive, and encouraging environment.

YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Creative Movement | Age 4 + 5
Junior Track (Primary Ballet to Level 4) | Age 6 to 16
PRO TRACK | Age 14 to 18
Young Creatives Company | by audition only + must be enrolled in PRO TRACK to participate

YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAM DETAILS

JUNIOR TRACK | Age 6 to 16
Primary Ballet + LEVEL 1-4

PRIMARY BALLET | Age 6 + 7
1 Ballet
LEVEL 1 | Age 7 to 9
1 Ballet + 1 Contemporary + 1 Jazz
LEVEL 2
2 Ballet + 1 Contemporary + 1 Jazz
LEVEL 3
3 Ballet + 1 Pre-pointe + 1 Contemporary + 1 Broadway Jazz + 1 Strength & Stretch
LEVEL 4
3 Ballet + 1 Pointe + 1 Contemporary + 1 Broadway Jazz + 1 Strength & Stretch

Our JUNIOR TRACK Program preps our younger students with a well rounded and encompassing instruction in a supportive environment that will take them to the next level. As students advance through our JUNIOR TRACK Program, our curriculum balances physical development with emotional and intellectual growth. Students will train in ballet and contemporary classes that focus on technique, movement, versatility and creativity at a cost effective tuition rate.

PRO TRACK | Age 14 to 18

LEVEL 5+
3 Ballet + 1 Pointe + 2 Contemporary + 1 Strength & Stretch

Our PRO TRACK Program provides a comprehensive study of the techniques, discipline, and styles of dance that support a professional career. Dancers in our PRO TRACK Program will participate in an extensive schedule of classes, which increase in rigor of training to provide suitable preparation for entry into leading companies, conservatories, and colleges today.

PRO TRACK students are eligible and encouraged to audition for our advanced performance company, YOUNG CREATIVES COMPANY.

YOUNG CREATIVES COMPANY

Our Young Creatives Company focuses on nurturing the next generation of artists. Dancers will work with leading artists in the field to immerse themselves into the creative choreographic process, repertoire and gain performance experience. Today's dancers are asked to improvise, reinvent steps, change musicality, and make their own artistic choices. Technique alone is not enough - dancers must also be creators. Student must attend all rehearsals to be considered for performances and other opportunities.

Dancers are required to audition to be considered for our Young Creatives Company. Dancers enrolled or planning to enroll in our Pro Track Program are eligible and encouraged to audition.

Young Creatives Audition
SEP 26 / 2026
12:15 to 1:30PM / Audition
1:30 to 2:00PM / Conversation with Artistic Director Sarah Slipper

PERFORMANCES
In Good Company (DEC 11 + 12 / 2026)
Student Holiday Showcase (DEC 12 + 13 / 2026)
Student Artist Showcase (MAY 30 / 2027)
+ special performing opportunities and events

INDIVIDUAL CLASS STYLES

We highly recommend students enroll in the full JUNIOR TRACK/PRO TRACK Program to maximize their training experience however, students may also choose to train in individual styles.

Annual registration is required for participation - no drop-ins allowed.
Payment plan available.

PRIMARY BALLET – AGE 6 to 7
Primary Ballet classes introduce our young dancers to age-appropriate, beginning ballet exercises in an energetic, creative, and nurturing weekly class structure. Students gain fine motor dexterity through activities that encompass storytelling and creating.

Pre-Requisites: No formal evaluation is necessary; placement is determined by age.

BALLET 1 - Age 7 to 9

Ballet 1 classes introduce our youngest dancers to age-appropriate, beginning ballet exercises in an energetic, creative, and nurturing weekly class structure. Students gain fine motor dexterity through activities that encompass story-telling and creating. Pairs well with Contemporary and Jazz.

Pre-Requisites: No formal evaluation is necessary; placement is determined by age.

BALLET 2
Ballet 2 classes continue to build students’ vocabulary of basic ballet steps and port de bras, while incorporating creative movement ideas in every class. Ballet class protocol and traditions are more formally introduced in this level. Pairs well with Contemporary and Jazz.

BALLET 3
Ballet 3 builds a strong technical and artistic foundation by focusing on alignment, placement, balance, flexibility, musicality, and strength through age-appropriate progressions. Students work carefully to build the fundamentals of alignment and the muscular development needed to execute more complicated movement vocabulary. An emphasis is place on pre-pointe work. Pairs well with Contemporary and Jazz.

BALLET 4
Ballet 4 provides a comprehensive program designed for students who seek to build artistic acuity and technical endurance while preparing for college dance programs and careers in dance. Ballet 4 students learn and perform classical repertory in addition to ballet technique and pointe classes. Pairs well with Contemporary and Jazz.

PRO TRACK BALLET
Ballet 5 provides a comprehensive program designed for students who seek to build artistic acuity and technical endurance while preparing for college dance programs and careers in dance. Ballet 5 students learn and perform classical repertory in addition to ballet technique and pointe classes. Pairs well with Contemporary and Young Creatives Company.

*CONTEMPORARY (Level 1 to PRO TRACK) – AGE 7 to 18
Our contemporary dance classes are designed to improve technique, flexibility, stamina, and artistry. These classes fuse contemporary dance styles with jazz, ballet, and world dance influences. It emphasizes and develops proper body alignment, strength and flexibility, rhythmic and musical phrasing, self-expression, and artistry.
Ballet or Jazz is highly recommended in addition to contemporary to provide balanced training and maximize the potential growth and development of students.

JAZZ (Level 1 to 4)
Our Jazz classes combine technique and choreography starting with a warm-up focusing on isolations, jazz technique, and stretching before going across the floor and working in the center. Class will end with learning a jazz choreography or a broadway inspired dance that encourages story-telling and characterization. Emphasis is placed on athleticism, exaggeration, and high energy combinations.
Pairs well with Ballet and Contemporary.

Throughout the year, our aspiring young dance artists will have 2 performance opportunities Winter Showcase in DEC + Student Artist Showcase in JUN.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT

Creative Movement classes introduce our youngest dancers (ages 4+5) to beginning ballet and jazz moves combined with creative movement activities and dance activities. Class enhances balance, coordination, strength, mind-body activities for children, and flexibility.

Creative Movement classes are held over 4 terms. We highly recommend students aim to take the full school-year of Fall, Winter, and Spring terms in full to maximize their learning experience culminating in the their first on-stage experience in the STUDENT ARTIST SHOWCASE at the end of spring term.

TERM DATES:
Summer 2026 (7 weeks) | JUN 28 to AUG 9 / 2026
Fall | SEP 18 to NOV 22 / 2026
Winter | JAN 8 to MAR 14 / 2027
Spring | APR 2 to JUN 6 / 2027

Summer 2027 | DATES TBD

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Performing is an important part of dance education and we to provide opportunities for students to gain confidence and share their artistry with an audience through the joy of performance!

*Student Holiday Showcase | DEC 12 + 13 / 2026
NW Dance Project Creative Center - all classes except for Creative Movement

Student Artist Showcase | MAY 30 / 2027
Location TBD - all classes

- Fall, Winter, and Summer Session Creative Movement: In-class showings at the end of these terms, no production fee
- Spring Session Creative Movement will pay a production fee for the Student Artist Showcase

Each class or program will pay a production fee that helps towards production costs such as costumes, accessories, production materials, theater rentals, and additional rehearsal time. Production fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and are due at time of registration.

Please note families will need to purchase tickets to performances.

REGISTRATION + TUITION

ANNUAL PROGRAM REGISTRATION
SEP 14 2026 - JUN 6 2027

All students participating in JUNIOR TRACK (Primary Ballet + Level 1-4), and PRO TRACK classes are enrolling for the entire school year (SEP 14 / 2026 to JUN / 2026). Tuition can either be paid in full at the time of registration or via a payment plan of 9 total payments.

PAYMENT PLAN
- An initial deposit + a $50 payment plan fee due at the time of registration
- 8 monthly payments charged monthly SEP - APR

Limited financial aid is available for low income families. BIPOC families highly encouraged to apply. Email info@nwdanceproject.org for details about application process. Deadline to apply is AUG 15, 2026.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT REGISTRATION

Our Creative Movement classes are held over four sessions (fall, winter, spring, and summer). These session classes must be paid in full each term at the time of registration and do not have a payment plan option.

PLACEMENT

Great consideration is taken in our class placement process. Students move up through our curriculum according to physical ability, age, maturity, and work ethic. Students should expect to complete a minimum of a year in each level before advancing. Placement and advancement are at the discretion of the teacher and the Education + Outreach Coordinator.

SUMMER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Our Summer Dance Intensives + Classes can be used to place students who would like to join our Annual Youth Professional Training Program.

FREE DANCE DAY - AUG 29 / 2026
Both new and returning students may attend free ballet and contemporary classes in order to be evaluated and placed in the appropriate level. Pre-Registration Required.

TRIAL CLASSES
Students may try a class within our youth program to be evaluated and placed in the appropriate level. Please call or email to schedule a trial class.

PRIVATE CLASSES

NW Dance Project also offers private lessons in Ballet, Contemporary, and Conditioning. Private lessons are a way for students to supplement their dance training, receive personalized attention, and address individual needs and goals.

For more information about rates and availability, please email hidden; JavaScript is required or call 503.421.7434.