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 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 | Primary Ballet + Level 1 - 4

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 4 - Weekly Classes
3 Ballet + 1 Pointe + 1 Contemporary + 1 Broadway Jazz + 1 Strength & Stretch

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

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

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

PRIMARY BALLET - Weekly Class
1 Ballet

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

Students may also choose to train in individual styles.

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

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 3 + 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 performance opportunities concluding with our annual year-end Student Artist Showcase in June.

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 three separate 10-week terms:
Fall Session | SEP 15 to NOV 23 / 2025
Winter Session | JAN 5 to MAR 15 / 2026
Spring Session | MAR 30 to JUN 7 / 2026

REGISTRATION

ANNUAL ENROLLMENT | SEP 2025 - JUN 2026

All students participating in Primary Ballet, Junior Track (Level 1-4), and Pro Track classes are enrolling for the entire school year (SEP 15 / 2025 to JUN 7 / 2026) 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, 2025.

SESSION ENROLLMENT | FALL + WINTER + SPRING

Our 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 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.