The Dance Institute of Washington

This review is for the Monday night intermediate modern class. It used to have an awesome teacher and was challenging and fun, with a great group of regulars. The old teacher was able to modify the combinations for a variety of skill levels to do versions of the same thing. That person left and was replaced by someone new who is very inexperienced and clearly had not planned out her class at all. We literally stood there while she scrolled through her iphone to pick songs and made up the combination to teach. It is now VERY beginner level. This studio might be fine for kids, but teaching adults is clearly not their priority.

LOVE Eric’s Zumba classes Monday-​Wednesday. It’s a fun, high-​impact class and he is constantly changing his songs and choreography so you’re never bored.
Drop in rates are $ 7 a class as of 04/​2015, buy an 8 pass class for $ 50. Just go for the 8 class pass, you won’t regret it.
However… I am giving 4 stars (and almost gave 3) because of this facilities constant absence of hand soap. They NEVER HAVE HAND SOAP. For a dance institute that hosts hundreds of athletes (dancers) of all ages carrying lots of sweat and microbes, soap should be a necessity. I complained about this once and it the issue was addressed– with a small bottle of Softsoap that likely ran out hours later.
DIW if you’re reading this: please invest in some soap! Your (and my) immune system will thank you.

I’ve been coming here for 2 years. The adult ballet teacher is the only reason I continue to come back– she takes her role as a teacher and mentor seriously but also encourages you to enjoy the class and have fun with it.
However, I think the institute is only mediocre. It’s often dirty, both studios and bathrooms. The walls aren’t soundproof so you can hear the other classes’ music which is distracting. The front desk staff leave much to be desired in terms of friendliness and professionalism. They recently transitioned to an online sign-​up system which is more efficient but the transition meant they did not completely honor previously purchased passes.
Overall, it’s a good place to have in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. They do good work with youth which makes me want to continue to support it. Definitely worth a few tries if you haven’t been here before despite the issues…

I am not surprised there aren’t current reviews — I attended a class that was way below expectations. This is not the right place for adult dance training/​classes, maybe Zumba though. There are a couple of good places across the metropolitan area that are serious. Save your money.

The level of unprofessionalism within this organization is unheard of. Which is so sad becuase it it such an amazing space and very close to the metro. I would never recommend this studio to anyone. The cost the rent is way over priced, the teachers are amature my ten year old daughter could teach a better class.
Although the community programs and zumba are the only saving grace.

Make sure you keep all receipts for payments they continue to bill me year after year got the same amount that was paid on time

GREAT NEWS–
BTI’s former ballet teacher, Anya Talbot, has been offered two classes at the Dance Institute of Washington if she can get enough students. Now if you’ve taken class with Anya before, I know that’s enough said, but if you’re like christina k. and really want to learn Ballet in DC, she’s your girl!
As someone who decided in September to take class for the first time as an adult and doesn’t own a car, I initially enrolled in the studio closest to my apartment and after leaving it frustrated I found BTI, where Anya taught me in one class more than I had learned in seven «intro to ballet» and «ballet beginner» classes at the first studio.
Anya trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy until she was 15, then danced with the Miami City Ballet Company. The first thing she said to me when I told her about my commitment to becoming good at ballet was that it was never too late to learn, and I left every class of hers feeling closer to that goal. Anya will challenge you while encouraging you to have fun, and she always managed to make my experience feel personalized by taking the time to correct me and provide feedback.
Why am I writing this post, you ask? I was crushed when BTI closed and I’d like to keep learning under Anya’s instruction. If you’d like to give her class a try, e-​mail her at
and let her know you’d be interested in attending her ballet class at the Dance Institute of Washington, which will probably be offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

I bought a trubates 6-​class pass recently b/​c I wanted to take the ballet class. I took one last week and was NOT impressed. I’m somebody who believes that my instructor should be GREAT b/​c it shows me, very tangibly and visually, what to strive for. If I’m supposed to mimic you and I am not impressed with your skills, that is not at all good. You can’t tell me how to be great, you have to show me.
We did some barre work and then put together a short routine. While it was quite chill and all levels are welcome, it wasn’t what I was looking for. I’m looking for rigor. I’m looking for someone to point out all my flaws, make me stronger, and improve my form so that I can be a better aerialist. I want great lines, stronger muscles, and to become a better performer. I don’t see that at all happening with that ballet class.
If you’re looking for something easy and chill, then this is probably a fine ballet class. I might be interested in taking the hip hop class or something else, but I’d rather sell off my pass.
All that being said, would anyone like to buy my pass from me? Seriously. $ 40 for 6 classes or best offer.

Great upbeat class!

Would not recommend working with this dance studio to rent space. The management has been extremely difficult to work with, and has repeatedly overbooked space that was reserved weeks in advance.
Otherwise the space is fine.

I attended my first dance class last night. I have no dance experience so I was a little nervous. My friend and I had actually shown up for an intermediate modern dance class when we really belong in a beginners and at first the staff recommended against joining in on this one. But after a few minutes they said we could join in because there were so few people there that night and the instructor would be able to give us individualized attention.
So we joined in. It was so much fun. One wall of the studio is a huge window that faces 14^th Street, so that was a little intimidating because I certainly don’t want people on the street watching me, but I quickly forgot about that because I was too busy concentrating and trying to keep up. The instructor was really patient with us but certainly kept it challenging. The prices for the class are reasonable and the classes are in the evening so its convenient for after work. It’s also close to the metro. I can’t wait to go back!