
Welcome to Dance Theatre Northwest’s Adult Dance Programs – your gateway to a rich, diverse, and inclusive range of dance opportunities! Our comprehensive offerings cater to adults of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced dancers. Explore a variety of styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Yoga, all available in one dynamic program. We also provide a unique opportunity for adults to participate in studio productions and performances, truly embedding them into the core of our dance community. Join us and discover the joy and enrichment of dance at any stage of life in an inclusive and welcoming environment!
If you need more information or clarification on which class is the right fit, don’t hesitate to contact us at Info@DTNW.org, 253-565-5149, or Text Us. We’re here to help guide you on your dance journey!
A Better Floor for Your Joints
Dance Theatre Northwest is proud to offer classes on a professionally installed sprung dance floor, a feature that makes a real difference for adult dancers. A sprung floor is a raised floor system built with shock-absorbing materials beneath the surface. Instead of dancing directly on a hard slab, your body is supported by a floor that gently absorbs impact. This reduces stress on joints, knees, hips, ankles, and the lower back while still providing the stability dancers need for proper technique.
For adults, this matters. Whether you are returning to dance after many years, cross-training, managing old injuries, or simply wanting to move well for the long term, a sprung floor helps protect your body. It allows you to jump, turn, balance, and strengthen safely while being noticeably more forgiving than hard surfaces.
Our floors are cushioned yet responsive, making them ideal not only for ballet, but also for tap, jazz, and dance-based fitness classes. It is one of the many ways we intentionally create a studio environment where adult dancers can train seriously, comfortably, and sustainably.
CLASSICAL BALLET
Explore classical ballet at any age with Dance Theatre Northwest! Our adult ballet classes offer a flexible progression path for both beginners and advanced dancers. Start with the basics of positions and posture, and advance at your own pace through a curriculum that ranges from essential barre exercises to intricate center work. We provide a clear, structured path for those aiming for higher levels, like Pointe & Variations. If you’re looking for a fun way to stay fit, our classes also offer a joyful environment to enjoy ballet as a delightful form of exercise. Choose your path and experience the benefits of ballet in a community that values inclusivity, fun, fitness, and personal expression.
New to Dance or Returning After a Break?
We offer Private Introductory Lessons for new students who want a confidence boost before joining a class! These one-on-one sessions help with technique, class placement, and goal setting. Click here for more information.
Ballet – Absolute Beginners
- Wednesday 10:15-11:30
- Wednesday 6:30-7:40
Supportive classes for adults of all ages to discover ballet for the first time, building confidence, strength, and joy from the very beginning.
Experience the joy of ballet in a class created especially for absolute beginners! These classes provide a welcoming and supportive space where adults of all ages can feel comfortable exploring ballet for the very first time—or returning after many years away.
Students learn the essentials of classical ballet through simple barre and center work, focusing on posture, alignment, and vocabulary while building strength, balance, and flexibility. The emphasis is on steady progress and personal growth, not perfection.
No one is ever “too old” to start ballet. Nervous adults are especially welcome—you’ll find encouragement, community, and joy in every class.
Class size is limited to maintain a personalized and comfortable experience. Preregistering each week is required to secure your spot and receive the focused attention you deserve. You can click HERE to register for the classes each week.

Ballet – Beginning
- Thursday 6:10-7:20
A welcoming next step that refines posture, alignment, and basic technique while helping dancers grow steadily at their own pace.
This class is the natural next step after Absolute Beginner Ballet, designed for adults ready to deepen their skills while continuing to build confidence. Students work on correct posture, classical positions of the feet, arms, and head, and begin tackling slightly more intricate exercise progressions that strengthen alignment, control, and balance.
The supportive environment allows dancers to refine their fundamentals at their own pace while gaining a stronger foundation for future growth. It’s ideal for those with some ballet or dance experience—or anyone who feels ready to move beyond the very first steps.
Ballet – Advanced Beginners
- Saturday 1:10-2:20
A bridge between beginner and intermediate, strengthening technique and precision while preparing dancers to move confidently toward the next level.
This level bridges beginner fundamentals and the challenges of intermediate ballet, giving dancers the tools and confidence to progress further. Classes focus on expanding ballet vocabulary, refining technique, and learning more complex combinations while continuing to build strength, flexibility, and precision.
Though structured to prepare dancers for intermediate study, this class also welcomes those who find fulfillment at this level and wish to continue practicing without pressure to advance. It nurtures both technical growth and artistic enjoyment, making it an ideal place to either solidify skills or prepare for the next stage of training.
Participants should have at least one year of ballet experience at the beginner level to ensure they can benefit fully from the advanced beginner curriculum.

Ballet – Intermediate
- Tuesday 7:20-8:40
- Wednesday 5:30-6:50
- Saturday 10:30am -11:50
Structured intermediate classes that expand ballet vocabulary, technique, and artistry while building strength, focus, and confidence.
Our Intermediate Ballet classes are designed for dancers who are ready to move beyond foundational training and embrace more complex technique. Following the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, students refine posture, alignment, and turnout while developing musicality, stamina, and artistry. Classwork includes barre and center exercises that challenge dancers to connect steps fluidly, master balances and turns, and strengthen jumps with precision and control.
The Tuesday class is ideal for adult dancers, offering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere at a slightly more relaxed pace than our other Intermediate classes. It’s perfect for those advancing their skills or returning to ballet after time away, striking a balance between challenge and encouragement.
The Wednesday and Saturday classes are mixed groups of teens and adults, with more teens than adults participating. These classes move at a faster pace, creating an energetic and engaging environment for dancers looking to push their technique further while sharing the studio with a younger group.
No matter which class you choose, Intermediate Ballet nurtures technical mastery, confidence, and artistry, helping each dancer continue progressing on their ballet journey.

POINTE & VARIATIONS
At DTNW, pointe training is a progression—not a race. Our adult pointe program offers a supportive pathway from Pre-Pointe Foundations through Beginning Pointe, Advanced Beginner Pointe, and Advanced/Intermediate Pointe & Variations. Whether pointe is a new goal or a return to previous training, dancers progress at an individual pace with thoughtful instruction and safety guiding every step. And it is never too late to begin.
We have dancers who began their pointe journey in their 50s, as well as dancers in their 60s and beyond who continue to train en pointe. Age alone does not determine whether pointe can become part of your ballet training. What matters is having the ballet foundation and physical readiness to approach it successfully.
Most dancers should expect to have at least two years of regular ballet technique training before considering pointe, although every dancer’s background and development are different. Our instructors look at the whole dancer when determining readiness and placement.
The progression begins with Pre-Pointe Foundations, followed by Beginning Pointe, Advanced Beginner Pointe, and ultimately Pointe & Variations – Advanced/Intermediate. Each level introduces the skills needed for the next, moving from preparation and introductory barre work toward center work, traveling combinations, and classical variations.
Some dancers move through this progression more quickly because of previous experience, while others benefit from additional time at a particular level. There is no required timeline. Our goal is to help every adult dancer enjoy pointe training that is challenging, rewarding, and sustainable.
Pre-Pointe Foundations does not require instructor approval. Beginning Pointe and all higher pointe levels require instructor approval before registration.

Pre-Pointe Foundations
- Tuesday 5:00-6:00
Pre-Pointe Foundations, taught by Artistic Director Melanie Kirk-Stauffer, prepares dancers for the demands of pointe through focused conditioning, strengthening, and foundational exercises that develop proper pointe technique.
Dancers work on foot and ankle strength, turnout support, core stability, placement, articulation through the feet, and the mechanics of rising correctly. Barre exercises and individual coaching help students develop the physical and technical habits instructors look for when assessing pointe readiness.
This class is intended for teen and adult dancers who already have an established ballet foundation and are interested in working toward pointe. Most dancers need at least two years of regular ballet technique training before considering pointe, although individual readiness varies.
Instructor approval is not required to attend Pre-Pointe Foundations. Dancers who are ready to advance may receive instructor approval to move into Beginning Pointe.
Students are required to bring an exercise band to class.

Pointe – Beginner
- Monday 5:50-6:50
An introductory pointe class for adults ready to begin pointe work, focusing on strength, placement, balance, and proper technique through carefully structured exercises. Instructor approval is required.
Beginning Pointe is for dancers who are ready to put on pointe shoes and learn the fundamentals of pointe technique.
Class incorporates basic strengthening and conditioning exercises before moving into carefully structured pointe work. Much of the training takes place facing the barre, allowing dancers to concentrate on placement, articulation through the feet, controlled rises and lowers, weight transfer, balance, and proper technique in their pointe shoes.
As dancers become more secure, exercises gradually progress while maintaining an emphasis on clean execution and good habits from the very beginning.
Instructor approval is required before attending Beginning Pointe. Approval may be earned through Pre-Pointe Foundations or, for dancers with previous pointe experience, through evaluation in a DTNW ballet technique class.
Students are required to bring an exercise band to class. A tennis ball or similar massage ball for foot rolling is optional.

Pointe – Advanced/Beginner
- Wednesday 7:00-8:00
Advanced Beginner Pointe is where dancers begin taking the technique developed at the barre and carrying it more confidently into the center.
Advanced Beginner Pointe is designed for dancers who have developed a solid understanding of basic pointe technique and are ready to take the next step in their training.
Classes continue to strengthen and refine pointe work at the barre while introducing a greater amount of center work. Dancers focus on balance, weight transfer, coordination, control, clean transitions, and maintaining proper placement and alignment without the support of the barre.
As strength and confidence develop, exercises become progressively more challenging, helping dancers move with greater stability, precision, and independence en pointe. The goal is to build secure technique while preparing students for the increased demands of intermediate pointe work.
This class serves as an important bridge between Beginning Pointe and more advanced pointe training, giving dancers the time and repetition needed to become comfortable and confident working both at the barre and in the center.
Instructor approval is required before attending Advanced Beginner Pointe. Students should consult with their ballet instructor to determine when they are ready to move into this level.
Pointe & Variations – Advanced/Intermediate
- Saturday 12:00-1:00
Advanced/Intermediate Pointe is for experienced dancers ready to deepen their pointe technique through challenging barre and center work, complex combinations, and classical variations. Emphasis is placed on strength, control, musicality, and artistry, with partnering introduced when appropriate.
Pointe & Variations – Advanced/Intermediate is designed for experienced pointe dancers who are already comfortable working both at the barre and independently in the center.
Classes explore longer and more complex combinations, traveling work, turns, transitions, musicality, and increasingly sophisticated pointe vocabulary. Classical variations allow dancers to put those skills into practice while developing stamina, artistry, stage presence, and an understanding of repertoire.
Partnering and introductory Pas de Deux work may also be incorporated when appropriate.
Instructor approval is required. Dancers entering this level should have established center experience en pointe and a strong understanding of ballet technique and vocabulary.

TAP DANCE
Tap – Beginning
- Monday 6:10-7:10
A fun beginner tap class for teens and adults that builds coordination, timing, and musicality while introducing the fundamentals of Broadway and rhythm tap.
Discover the fun and joy of tap dance in our Beginner Tap class, designed for adults and teens! This class focuses on Broadway-style and rhythm tap, introducing you to the foundational steps and rhythms of this energetic dance form. Learn a new vocabulary of tap moves, including brush, flap, hop, shuffle, stamp, stomp, and basic turns, all in a supportive and encouraging environment. Whether you’re brand new to tap or looking to revisit the basics, this class will help you develop coordination, timing, and musicality while having a blast.
No prior tap experience is required. This class is open to all adults and teens eager to explore the basics of tap dance.
Tap – Intermediate
- Friday 5:20-6:20
An energetic intermediate tap class for teens and adults that refines technique, rhythm, and style while expanding tap vocabulary through dynamic exercises and choreography.
Step into the rhythm and excitement of our Intermediate Tap class for adults and teens! This class focuses on Broadway-style and rhythm tap dance, blending classic time steps, breaks, and intricate footwork with expressive combinations and routines. Designed for dancers who already have some tap experience, this class will help expand your tap dance vocabulary while refining timing, coordination, and musicality. Whether you want to perfect your technique or bring more personality and style to your performance, this class offers the perfect opportunity to build skills and confidence in a fun, supportive environment.
With a mix of dynamic exercises and choreography, students will work on mastering rhythm, precision, and expression. You’ll leave each class with a deeper understanding of tap and an appreciation for its lively, energetic style!
This class is open to intermediate dancers who have prior tap experience and are ready to expand their skills and repertoire.

JAZZ
Jazz
- Tuesday 6:10-7:10
- Friday 6:30-7:30
Lively jazz classes for all levels that build technique, expression, and versatility through classic and contemporary jazz styles.
Discover the energy and versatility of jazz dance in our Jazz classes for teens and adults, welcoming dancers of all levels—from beginners to those with more experience. Set to popular music from both the past and present, the classes focuses on building the technical and expressive abilities essential for concert jazz and musical theater. With an emphasis on line, phrasing, coordination, and injury prevention, you’ll explore the foundational postures and movements of American Jazz Dance, while also learning a variety of lyrical and Latin jazz styles.
Class sessions include warm-ups, stretching, floor work, technique, and across-the-floor combinations, ensuring a well-rounded experience. Whether you’re new to jazz or seeking to expand your skills, this class offers something for everyone!

HEALTH & FITNESS CLASSES
Stretch and Tone
- Wednesday 9:00am-10:00
A gentle, beginner-friendly class that tones muscles, relieves stress, and improves flexibility—perfect for all fitness levels.
Take time for yourself in our Stretch & Tone class—a calming, low-impact workout designed to leave you feeling strong, flexible, and refreshed. Through gentle stretching and toning exercises, you’ll improve muscle strength, increase your range of motion, and support better posture and balance, all while reducing stress.
This class is ideal for anyone, no matter your fitness level or experience. Whether you’re looking to ease tight muscles, build a healthier routine, or simply enjoy an hour of mindful movement, Stretch & Tone provides a welcoming environment where you can work at your own pace.
Come ready to relax, recharge, and discover how good your body can feel.
Gentle Yoga
- Sundays 9:00am (please check the online schedule as this class is not offered every week)
A calming yoga class that builds strength, flexibility, and balance while helping you relax and recharge—welcoming all levels.
Find strength, balance, and peace in our Gentle Yoga class. Through mindful movement and breath, you’ll flow through yoga poses that stretch and strengthen the body while calming the mind. Each class is designed to leave you feeling centered, relaxed, and re-energized.
Perfect for beginners and experienced yogis alike, this class offers modifications for every pose so you can work at your own pace. Whether you’re looking to increase flexibility, build stability, or simply carve out a quiet space in your week, Gentle Yoga provides a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

Photo – Our adult classes have the opportunity to participate in recitals and performances. Here, the adult beginner and intermediate ballet classes are performing in the ENCORE II recital, 2025

Photo – The adult ballet classes performing in the 2024 Nutcracker

Photo – The adult Tap class performing in the 2024 Nutcracker