Youth Dance Ensemble Program

Youth Dance Ensemble Program

Helen Hayes, Program Director
hhayes@joyofmotion.org

Since 1976, Joy of Motion Dance Center has served as a leader in dance education in the greater Washington, D.C. area. The Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE) is JOMDC’s elite program for the developing young dancer, consisting of a 9th through 12th grade dance ensemble and preparatory levels for 1st through 8th grades.

This pre-collegiate program, with core classes in ballet, jazz, and modern, provides an experience that inspires excellence in dance, education, and life. The guided curriculum for the program is based upon the National Dance Education Organization standards for learning and teaching dance in the arts. In addition to core classes, the YDE program incorporates supplemental study in additional dance forms, dance history, improvisation, and composition, as well as artist residencies and numerous performance opportunities to create a unique, rewarding, and enriching learning experience. The Ensemble has performed at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Dance Place, Publick Playhouse, The Lincoln Theater, The Arts Club of Washington, THEARC, the J-CC of Greater Washington, and at special events and festivals such as Dance Bethesda, Imagination Bethesda, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival, among others.

Admission is by audition only. If accepted, dancers will be placed in the appropriate level. The tuition fee for each preparatory level and the YDE company is listed with the schedule. Tuition includes fees for 35 weeks of rehearsals, company tee shirt, and costumes. Payment plans and scholarships may be available for those who qualify.

Grades 1-8 Schedule:

YDE Preparatory Level 1 (Tuition and Fees: $1085)
Mondays 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Friendship Heights
Fridays 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Bethesda

YDE Preparatory Level 2 (Tuition and Fees: $1600)
Mondays 4:15 – 5:00 p.m., Ballet Barre at JOMDC Bethesda
Mondays 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Modern at JOMDC Bethesda
Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Bethesda

YDE Preparatory Level 3 (Tuition and Fees: $1775)
Mondays 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Friendship Heights
Fridays 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Bethesda
Fridays 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Modern at JOMDC Bethesda
Saturdays 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Jazz at JOMDC Bethesda

YDE Preparatory Level 4 (Tuition and Fees: $1900)
Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Bethesda
Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Modern and Repertory at JOMDC Friendship Heights
Thursdays 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Modern and Repertory at JOMDC Bethesda
Fridays 6:30 – 7:45 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Bethesda
Saturdays 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., Jazz at JOMDC Bethesda

Grades 9-12 Schedule:

Youth Dance Ensemble Company (Tuition and Fees: $4125)
Mondays 3:45 – 5:30 p.m., Modern and Repertory at JOMDC Friendship Heights
Tuesdays 3:45 – 5:00 p.m., Ballet at JOMDC Bethesda
Tuesdays 5:15 – 7:00 p.m., Master Class/Project Block at JOMDC Bethesda
Thursdays 3:45 – 5:30 p.m., Modern at JOMDC Bethesda
Thursdays 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Jazz at JOMDC Bethesda
Fridays 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Modern at JOMDC Bethesda
Fridays 5:15 – 6:30 p.m., Modern at JOMDC Bethesda
Saturdays 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., Ballet and Pointe at JOMDC Bethesda