Youth Dance

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 youth 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.

2024-25 YOUTH PROGRAM

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

PRO TRACK PROGRAM

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 - Weekly Classes
3 Ballet + 1 Pointe + 2 Contemporary + 1 Strength & Stretch

JUNIOR TRACK | Level 1 - 3

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.

JUNIOR TRACK LEVEL 3 - Weekly Classes
3 Ballet + 2 Pre-pointe + 1 Contemporary + 1 Broadway Jazz + 1 Strength & Stretch

JUNIOR TRACK LEVEL 2 - Weekly Classes
2 Ballet + 1 Contemporary

JUNIOR TRACK LEVEL 1A + 1B - Weekly Classes
1 Ballet + 1 Contemporary

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
Saturday, SEP 14 | 2:00 to 3:15PM

Pre-registration is required. Register HERE.

PERFORMANCES
In Good Company (DEC 13 + 14)
Winter Showcase (DEC 14 + 15)
Student Artist Showcase (JUN 8)
+ special performing opportunities and events

INDIVIDUAL CLASS STYLES

Students may also choose to train in individual styles.

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

BALLET (Level 1 to Pro Track) - AGE 7 to 18
Ballet starts with introducing dancers to basic ballet steps. We then train our dancers to develop strong technical and artistic foundations by focusing on alignment, placement, balance, flexibility, musicality, and strength through age-appropriate progressions.

BROADWAY JAZZ (Level 3) - AGE 10 to 13
Broadway Jazz combines technique and choreography to the music of Broadway Musicals and award winning movies. Class starts 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 broadway inspired dance that encourages story-telling and characterization. Emphasis is placed on athleticism, exaggeration, and high energy combinations.

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, and self-expression.

Throughout the year, our aspiring young dance artists will have performance opportunities concluding with our annual year-end Student Artist Showcase in June.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT + PRIMARY BALLET

Creative Movement + Primary Ballet classes are held over three separate sessions (fall, winter, and spring).

Fall Session | SEP 9 to NOV 24 / 2024

Winter Session | JAN 6 to MAR 23 / 2025

Spring Session | MAR 31 to JUN 8 / 2025

CREATIVE MOVEMENT – AGE 4 to 5
Creative Movement classes introduce our youngest dancers 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.

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.

REGISTRATION

ANNUAL ENROLLMENT | SEP 2024 - JUN 2025

All students participating in Level 1 through Pro Track classes and programs are enrolling for the entire school year (SEP 9 / 2024 to JUN 8 / 2025) and are obligated to pay the full year's tuition fees, regardless of payment option:

Option 1: Pay in full at the time of registration.

Option 2: Pay a deposit at the time of registration + 8 monthly payments charged automatically SEP through APR.
Subject to $50 payment plan fee at time of registration

Performances + Fees:
Performing is an important part of dance education and we want all of our students to gain confidence through the joy of performance!

Classes and programs based on annual enrollment will have two opportunities to perform throughout the year. Our Winter Showcase takes place at our very own Creative Center and our annual Student Artist Showcase takes place at Lincoln Performance Hall. Each class or program will include a performance fee to ensure participation in BOTH showcases as well as help toward cost of costumes, costume rentals, accessories, production materials, and additional rehearsal time (if necessary).

Please note that these shows are both ticketed events and families will need to purchase tickets in addition to this fee.

Performance fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and are due at time of registration.

Limited financial aid is available for low income families. Email for details about application process. Deadline to apply is AUG 30, 2024.

SESSION ENROLLMENT | FALL + WINTER + SPRING

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

Performances + Fees:
Classes based on session enrollment, will have in-class showings at the end of fall + winter sessions. There are no fees associated with these showings.

Students that enroll in our spring session (MAR 31 - JUN 8), will have the opportunity to perform in our annual Student Artist Showcase at Lincoln Performance Hall and will pay a performance fee to ensure participation as well as help toward the cost of costumes, costume rentals, accessories, production materials, and additional rehearsal time (if necessary).

Please note that the Student Artist Showcase is a ticketed event and families will need to purchase tickets in addition to the performance fee.

Performance fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and are due at time of registration.

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.

SUMMER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Our Summer Dance Intensives + Classes can be used to place students who would like to join our 2024/25 Youth Program.

PLACEMENT PRIVATE
We can schedule a private placement class for new students with a NW Dance Project Faculty member to be evaluated and placed in the appropriate level. Inquire for availability and rates.

Learn more about placement options by emailing or calling 503.421.7434.

PRIVATE CLASSES

NW Dance Project also offers private and semi-private (2 or 3 students) lessons in Ballet, Contemporary, and Conditioning. Private lessons are a great 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 or call 503.421.7434.