Premier Dance Academy in Northern Virginia
The Youth Program
1st through 12th Grade
Why DAV
Whether your student is a lifelong dancer who started as a toddler or a newcomer eager to explore a fresh passion, there is a welcoming space for them at DAV. Our levels align with academic grade levels, ensuring students train alongside their peers in a supportive environment.
Curated for recreational students in grades 1 through 12, our Youth Program features weekly classes designed for flexibility. This structure empowers families to customize their own dance schedule and commitment level, creating a tailored experience that matches every dancer’s unique interests.
Our Levels & Styles
Level 6 through Teen
(6th through 12th Grade)
How dancers move up a level:
Advancement is based on the age/grade level of your dancer by September 30th of that School Year, and how your dancer is doing in class, not a formal test. Dancers do not move up a level during Summer Sessions; DAV has a studio-wide policy that the level a dancer is in during the School Year is the same level they will be in for the following Summer Session (for example, if your child is in 1st Grade in September 2026, they will be in our Level 1 for the 26/27 School Year and Summer 2027). Level placements are sent out via email every spring before the next School Year launches, so parents have all the information needed to register!
Our Studios
Dance is a physical, hands-on activity, and we think you should be able to see exactly where your child will spend their class time before you ever walk in the door.
Both of our locations are designed with young dancers in mind, with sprung Marley floors, bright and welcoming classrooms, and viewing options for family members who are not in the room.
Meet Your Teachers
Your child's teacher matters, especially for a first class. Meet Our Team
Get to know the instructor who will be leading your dancer's class before your trial class, so you and your dancer feel confident walking in on day one.
Contact us to reserve an intro class!
For more additional information contact us info@danceacademyva.com
Level 1 Ballet is designed for 1st grade dancers building on early ballet foundations. Dancers will refine technique through beginner barre, center, and across-the-floor exercises, with a focus on alignment, musicality, and classroom discipline.
Dancers will:
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Strengthen beginner ballet technique and terminology
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Develop posture, alignment, and body awareness
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Build coordination, balance, and grace
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Increase focus, discipline, and classroom etiquette
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Level 2 Ballet is designed for 2nd grade dancers continuing their classical ballet training. Dancers will refine technique through barre, center, and across-the-floor exercises with greater emphasis on terminology, alignment, and musicality.
Dancers will:
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Refine beginner ballet technique and terminology
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Develop posture, alignment, and body awareness
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Build coordination, strength, and grace
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Practice center and across-the-floor combinations
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Level 1/2 Contemporary Style Classes are designed for 1st and 2nd grade dancers who are ready to build confidence, technique, and performance skills in a supportive, high-energy environment. Whether enrolled in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, or Lyrical, dancers will strengthen age-appropriate technique while developing musicality, coordination, creativity, and stage presence.
Dancers will:
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Build foundational technique in their chosen dance style
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Develop rhythm, musicality, coordination, and body awareness
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Explore age-appropriate choreography, performance quality, and creative expression
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Strengthen confidence, classroom focus, and dance etiquette
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In Hip-Hop, learn grooves, stylized movement, and introductory freestyle
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In Jazz, develop fundamentals including isolations, kicks, turns, and dynamic movement
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In Musical Theatre, explore character development, storytelling, and Broadway-style performance
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In Tap, build rhythm and timing through foundational steps and clean sound production
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In Lyrical, combine ballet and jazz technique to develop fluid movement, emotional expression, and musical interpretation
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Level 3-5 Ballet, Jazz, & Contemporary
3rd through 5th Grade
These classes are curated for our 3rd through 5th grade dancers as they begin to deepen their artistry, technical precision, and stage presence. Whether your student chooses Ballet, Jazz, or Contemporary, they will enhance their physical strength and musicality while mastering dance foundations in an uplifting and supportive studio atmosphere.
Dancers will:
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Advance their technical vocabulary and execution within their selected discipline
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Improve core strength, flexibility, and refined body mechanics
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Cultivate creative expression, musical interpretation, and performance skills
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Master center-floor sequences, complex traveling combinations, and new choreography
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In Ballet, focus on classical alignment, turnout, and posture through disciplined barre and center work
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In Jazz, develop dynamic movement through more advanced isolations, leaps, kicks, and turns
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In Contemporary, investigate fluid motion, floor transitions, and emotive storytelling through weight shift
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Level 3-5 Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, & Tap
3rd through 5th Grade
These classes are curated for 3rd through 5th grade dancers as they begin to deepen their technical precision, rhythmic complexity, and stage presence. Whether your student chooses Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, or Tap, they will enhance their physical coordination and stylistic versatility while mastering dance foundations in an uplifting studio atmosphere.
Dancers will:
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Advance their technical vocabulary and execution within their selected discipline
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Improve core strength, refined body mechanics, and physical control
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Cultivate creative expression, performance quality, and individual confidence
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Master complex traveling combinations, new choreography, and classroom focus
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In Hip-Hop, investigate fluid grooves, stylized movement, and introductory freestyle exploration
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In Musical Theatre, explore character development, emotive storytelling, and Broadway-style performance
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In Tap, build rhythm and timing through intermediate steps and clean sound production
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Level 6 through Teen
6th through 12th Grade
Ballet is designed for dancers ready to take their classical training to the next level. Dancers will work through more advanced barre and center exercises with strong emphasis on artistry, musicality, and performance quality.
Dancers will:
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Refine intermediate-to-advanced ballet technique and terminology
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Strengthen alignment, turnout, and extension
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Build coordination, strength, and stamina
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Practice complex center and across-the-floor combinations
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Jazz classes are designed for dancers ready to bring power, polish, personality, and precision to their movement. These classes challenge dancers to refine jazz fundamentals while progressing through increasingly advanced technique, dynamic choreography, and expressive performance. Teen Advanced Jazz is by invitation only and is intended for dedicated dancers who have demonstrated strong technical ability, focus, and commitment to their training.
Dancers will:
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Refine jazz technique including isolations, kicks, turns, leaps, and dynamic movement quality
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Build strength, flexibility, stamina, power, and control
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Progress through increasingly challenging across-the-floor combinations, center work, and choreography
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Develop artistry, musicality, confidence, performance quality, and stage presence
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In Teen Advanced Jazz (by invitation only), master intricate choreography, advanced turns, leaps, directional changes, and complex technical combinations while meeting high expectations for focus and consistent attendance
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Contemporary invites dancers to deepen their expressive movement training while continuing to build a strong technical foundation. Dancers will explore contemporary technique through floorwork, weight shifts, fluid transitions, and emotionally driven choreography that encourages artistry and personal expression.
Dancers will:
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Strengthen contemporary technique through floorwork, weight shifts, and fluid transitions
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Develop strength, control, flexibility, and movement quality
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Explore emotional expression, musicality, and storytelling through dance
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Build artistry, creativity, and performance confidence
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Hip-Hop classes are high-energy, upbeat classes designed for dancers ready to build clean technique, dynamic style, and confidence. Dancers will refine hip-hop fundamentals while exploring age-appropriate choreography, grooves, and freestyle in a fun and inclusive environment.
Dancers will:
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Refine hip-hop technique, grooves, and movement quality
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Build rhythm, musicality, coordination, and body control
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Explore stylized choreography and freestyle
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Develop confidence, energy, and stage presence
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Musical Theatre classes invite dancers into the exciting world of Broadway-style performance. Dancers will combine dance, acting, and storytelling while performing choreography inspired by popular musicals. These classes emphasize artistry, expression, and building confidence on stage.
Dancers will:
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Strengthen musical theatre dance technique and performance skills
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Explore character development, expression, and storytelling
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Build coordination, musicality, and stage presence
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Develop confidence, artistry, and performance quality
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Tap classes are designed for dancers ready to refine their rhythm, technique, and musicality. Dancers will build clean sound production and timing while progressing through intermediate-to-advanced tap vocabulary, combinations, and stylized choreography in a supportive and challenging environment.
Dancers will:
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Refine tap technique through time steps, intricate footwork, and advanced combinations
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Develop rhythm, musicality, timing, and sound quality
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Build coordination, precision, and clean execution
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Explore stylized choreography and improvisation
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Perform in the Spring Recital
Specialty Classes
Acro classes are designed for dancers who want to build strength, flexibility, balance, and acrobatic skills in a safe and supportive environment. Whether enrolled in Beginner Acro or Intermediate Acro (by invitation only), dancers will develop proper technique, body awareness, and control while progressing through age-appropriate acrobatic skills. Acro is an excellent complement to any dance training.
Dancers will:
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Build strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and body awareness
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Develop proper technique, alignment, conditioning, and spatial awareness with an emphasis on safety
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Increase control and confidence as they progress through acrobatic skills
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In Beginner Acro, learn foundational skills including rolls, cartwheels, handstands, and beginner partner balances
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In Intermediate Acro (by invitation only), refine foundational skills while progressing toward bridges, kick-overs, walkovers, advanced partner balances, and other intermediate tricks
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These classes do not participate in the Spring Recital
Pre-Pointe & Pointe training is curated for committed ballet students as they navigate the transition into or advancement through pointe work. These specialized sessions prioritize classical alignment, physical conditioning, and technical precision to ensure a safe and successful experience en pointe. Placement is by invitation only.
Dancers will:
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Cultivate essential strength in the feet, ankles, and core stabilizers
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Advance their technical precision, postural alignment, and body mechanics
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Master proper mechanical principles through targeted conditioning and preparatory exercises
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Investigate safe execution of advanced skills with a dedicated focus on injury prevention
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In Pre-Pointe, available beginning in 3rd grade, dancers establish a technical foundation for future study through intensive foot strengthening and conditioning
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In Pointe 1, initiate introductory work at the barre, emphasizing correct placement and individual confidence
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In Pointe 2, investigate more complex barre and center sequences while refining artistry, balance, and physical control
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These classes do not participate in the Spring Recital
Turns & Leaps: This technique class is designed for 6th-12th grade dancers looking to sharpen their skills in turns, jumps, and leaps. With a focus on strength, control, and proper execution, dancers will break down key elements of turning and leaping technique. This class is a great supplement to any jazz, ballet, or contemporary training.
Dancers will:
• Practice and learn how to execute a variety of turns
• Train jumps and leaps with proper alignment and power
• Build strength, control, and coordination
• Focus on clean execution and safe technique
• Apply skills in across-the-floor combinations and short phrases
• This class does NOT participate in recital
Recital & Performance
Here is how recitals/performances work at DAV:
All Youth level classes (except acro, pre-pointe, pointe, and turns & leaps classes) perform at our annual Spring Recital! It is a milestone worth looking forward to, and one your dancer will be ready for by springtime. See this year's recital info here!
Your Trial Class
The best way to know if a class is the right fit is to come try it, at any level.
Your $19 trial class fee reserves your spot in the class of your choice.
What to wear? If your child already has a leotard and tights, feel free to wear them. Otherwise, don’t stress—simple leggings and a comfortable t-shirt work perfectly for their first day. We even have a selection of shoes available at the studio to borrow during the trial.
Need to reschedule? Life happens, especially with littles. If illness, weather, or a scheduling conflict means you have to miss your trial, we will rebook you at no additional charge. Just let us know before class starts and we will find your next best fit within 14 days.
First class jitters? Totally normal. If your dancer's first trial does not go as planned, we are happy to offer a second trial at no charge so they can try again when they are ready.