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 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 | Age 14 to 18 - by audition only + must be enrolled in PRO TRACK to participate

YOUTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

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

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

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. Pre-registration is required. Register HERE.

Young Creatives Audition
SEP / 2025 - Date and Time TBD

PERFORMANCES
In Good Company (DEC 12 + 13)
Winter Showcase (DEC 13 + 14)
Student Artist Showcase (JUN 7 / 2026)
+ 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.

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 2 to 4) - AGE 10 to 16
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 2 performance opportunities Winter Showcase in DEC + Student Artist Showcase in JUN.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT

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.

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 (5 weeks) | JUL 13 to AUG 10 / 2025
Fall (10 weeks) | SEP 15 to NOV 23 / 2025
Winter (10 weeks) | JAN 5 to MAR 15 / 2026
Spring (10 weeks) | MAR 30 to JUN 7 / 2026

REGISTRATION + TUITION

ANNUAL PROGRAM REGISTRATION
SEP 2025 - JUN 2026

All students participating in JUNIOR TRACK (Primary Ballet + Level 1-4), and PRO TRACK classes are enrolling for the entire school year (SEP 15 / 2025 to JUN 7 / 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

PRODUCTION FEE + PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Performing is an important part of dance education and we want all of our students to gain confidence through the joy of performance!

Performances:
Winter Showcase (DEC) - NW Dance Project Creative Center
Student Artist Showcase (JUN) - TBA

Each class or program will pay a production fee (due at the time of registration) that helps towards production costs such as of costumes, accessories, production materials, theatre rentals, and additional rehearsal time .

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

Production 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, 2025.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT ENROLLMENT
FALL + WINTER + SPRING + SUMMER

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

PRODUCTION FEES + PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Fall, Winter, and Summer Session Creative Movement Class sessions will have in-class showings at the end of the term and there are no fees associated with these showings.

Our Spring Session Creative Movement classes will pay a production fee (due at the time of registration) that helps towards production costs such as of costumes, accessories, production materials, theatre rentals, and additional rehearsal time.

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

Production 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 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 - UPCOMING FREE DANCE DAY SAT AUG 2 / 2025
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 Register Here!

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 or call 503.421.7434.