Southwest Washington Dance Center

SWDC classes run from September through Mid-June. Registrations for new students will be accepted during the year, until March. Class size is limited to space available in the studio and level placement is at the discretion of the instructor. Dancers may take a placement class. For new students, their first class is FREE.

Get ready to dance into summer fun with Southwest Washington Dance Center's exciting summer dance camps! Join us for two action-packed weeks of dance, choreography, and themed adventures like "Fun in the Sun" and "The Nutcracker."

Our All Abilities Dance Class involves children and adults with special needs in an extracurricular activity while improving motor skills, confidence, and socialization. We focus on movement between the two halves of the body, expressing emotions and gaining muscle control through music and various dance styles. Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in.

Adults are always welcome to attend class at SWDC. We offer Adult Modern, Ballet and Tap. These classes are a great way to exercise, socialize and have fun! These classes are also a great way for an older teen to begin dance.

Stretching and Toning classes are a great outlet for health and well-being. A combination of strength training, yoga and dance, dancers are able to push themselves at their own pace and level.

Acro Dance and Tumbling combine class elements of dance and acrobatics. It is a popular dance style in amateur competitive dance as well as in professional dance theater, such as Cirque du Soleil. This style develops physical strength and flexibility. Tumbling classes are offered to dancers in age groupings. Children age 5 may begin tumbling. At age 9 children move into the Pre-Acro discipline. Acro dancers are placed in levels based on proficiency of skills.

“Creative dance combines the mastery of movement with the artistry of expression. It is this combination, rather than a separation of the two, that makes creative dance so powerful.” -Anne Green Gilbert, Creative Dance for all Ages. Concepts and movement skills together lay a foundation for academic learning. Creative Movement is an exploration of dance, body movement, music and more. In addition to opening new worlds of creativity and self-expression, creative dance has the power to enhance intellectual, social, emotional and physical learning. Parent/Toddler classes are for ages 2-3. A parent or guardian stays in class with the child. Our Creative Movement classes are grouped by age, with children ages 4-6.

Rhythmic Gymnastics combines elements of dance and gymnastics. Dance elements are adapted from classical ballet, modern and jazz dance. In addition to floor work and tumbling, a dancer may also utilize apparatuses such as a hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon or rope. Admittance into Rhythmic Gymnastics is based on previous gymnastic experience and recommendation from the instructor.

Hip Hop is high energy, combining both old school and new school techniques. This style is expressive and energetic. Hip Hop classes are broken into age groups. We offer Hip Hop beginning at age 6.

Lyrical is a style of dance in which the performer expresses deep personal emotions through a connection to both the music and lyrics of a song. Lyrical dance utilizes ballet, modern and jazz techniques but is less a less structured style. Dancers who wish to take Lyrical, must have some dance experience.

Combining technique and rhythm, tap dance is classic form of dance. Tap dance is an energetic, and fun - this style of dance lets your feet make the music. Beginning tap is available for the 7 year old dancer. Again, advancement based on proficiency of skills.

Jazz dance is rooted in technique but it an ever evolving dance form. This style is upbeat and energetic combining traditional jazz music to modern day pop. Jazz dance is available to dancers as young as 7 with our Pre-Jazz class. Advancement is based on proficiency in technique.

From beginning to advanced partnering, we help dancers develop the strength and technique to partner in various styles of dance. Traditionally, dancers are classically training in Ballet partnering, but are exposed to modern and contemporary partnering styles.

Contemporary Ballet is a modern twist to traditional technique. This style utilizes the strength and discipline of traditional styles of dance but combines movement with various rhythms and patterns. This style of dance is often done while en pointe. Contemporary Ballet is for ballet dancers in level 4 up.

Men's Ballet is a great way to condition, increase flexibility and maintain agility. At SWDC we are proud to offer FREE classes to our male ballet dancers. Teen boys and men are welcome to take the men’s ballet class. No experience is required.

Often said to be abstract, modern dance is limitless in its various forms. This discipline of dance developed beyond the restraints and formality of traditional ballet technique. Modern dance is available for dancers who have some basic movement skills from other dance disciplines. Advancement is based on proficiency in skills.

Ballet is noted to be the most structured and disciplined of all dance forms. It is the basic foundation for almost every form of dance. Intermediate/advanced dancers will be evaluated by staff to dance en pointe. Pointe dancers will take technique classes in addition to their weekly ballet classes. Formal ballet instruction begins at age 6 or 7 with Pre-Ballet. Class levels are then numbered 1 through 8 and advancement is based on competency of skills.

Summer Dance Camps for ages 3-12 are offered for one week in July and one week in August. Registration for Dance Camp is through Chehalis Parks.