Welcome to Vashon Center for Dance!
Vashon Center for Dance (VCD) is honored to have served the Vashon Community for more than 2 decades. Whether students are pursuing a career in dance, or study dance because they love it, all students are provided the same excellence in training in a supportive, challenging, and nurturing environment. Confidence, dedication, self-motivation and creative thinking are qualities and skills we seek to instill our students – qualities that will serve them well in all aspects of their lives. Our two spacious studios are in the historic Oddfellows Hall, which we refer to as the “Blue Heron Education Center”.
Education Programs
Spring Term COVID Safety Protocols
Beginning in Spring Term, which starts on April 17th, we will no longer require proof of vaccination for students of any age.Masks are required for instructors and students over the age of 2. Parents of children who require special health considerations should contact Registrar, Joy Ghigleri, at 206-259-3005 so that adjustments can be made to individual class policies. We will continue to practice the following COVID protocols:
- All staff and instructors are fully vaccinated.
- Windows are open during class for increased ventilation.
- High contact surfaces are wiped down frequently.
- Students, staff and instructors must stay home if they have had exposure to someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID, or if they or someone in their household are experiencing any COVID symptoms (including fever, congestion/runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, cough, shortness of breath, chills, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, vomiting, or any other symptom identified by the CDC as identified with COVID).
- We will communicate quickly and openly to parents in the event of any suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID. In the event of a confirmed positive case, we will contact local health officials and follow their guidance on next steps.
Note for student performers: In order to participate in a dance or musical theatre production on the Kay White Hall stage, all students must show proof of vaccination, OR test negative for COVID on the first day of loading into the theater AND again on the day of the first performance. To facilitate this process, we will set up a testing station in which VCA staff will witness the testing and results of a parent/guardian administered rapid test. Parents/Guardians will need to purchase their own tests and bring them to the testing station with their student. We recommend BinaxNOW kits, available through Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Amazon. We will reach out with more information for students involved prior to their production dates.
*We will continue to monitor the local and overall COVID case numbers and will require all students and instructors to wear masks if cases increase significantly. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate the shifting Covid landscape.
Scholarships available!
The deadline to register for Winter Term dance classes is January 7th. The deadline to apply for winter dance scholarships is December 13th.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have financial aid available to make dance classes accessible to any student interested.
Please click the link below or contact BHEC Registrar for more information:
joy@vashoncenterforthearts.org
For more VCD Performances Click Here
For info, registration, and questions please contact us at 206-259-3005
Master Class with Amanda Morgan
Master Class with Amanda Morgan
Level 5-7
Saturday, Aug 13 | 10am-12pm
$40 Member | $45 General
Location: Upstairs Studio
We are excited to welcome back Amanda Morgan of Pacific Northwest Ballet in August! Miss Amanda heads "The Seattle Project", with the aim of eliminating barriers in the community, and was nominated one of Dance Magazine's 25 to Watch in 2021. Miss Amanda's classes are uplifting and inspiring, and full of engaging material: a wonderful experience for advanced-level dancers.
Find out more »Intermediate Modern and Choreography
Intermediate Modern and Choreography
Mondays, 4:00-5:30 pm
Session 1: July 11-July 25, $70 Member | $80 General
Session 2: Aug 1-Aug 22, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (7 classes): $150 Member | $160 General
Instructor: Vanesa Wylie
Location: Downstairs Studio
Miss Vanesa teaches students the movements that are the foundation for classical modern dance and helps students develop their creative voice. Contractions, spirals, basic floor work, and the concepts of Modern dance (space, time and force) are the building blocks of Modern dance and are taught in a manner that is encouraging and fun.
Find out more »Ballet V-VII – Mondays
Ballet V-VII
Mondays, 4:00-5:30 pm
Session 1: July 11-July 25, $70 Member | $80 General
Session 2: Aug 1-Aug 22, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (7 classes): $150 Member | $160 General
Instructor: VCD Instructors
Location: Upstairs Studio
Students at this level are trained in intermediate to advanced pointe work, partnering, controlled adage, adept petit allegro, as well as advanced combinations, turns, and jumps.
Find out more »Advanced Modern
Advanced Modern
Mondays, 5:30-7 pm
Session 1: July 11-July 25, $70 Member | $80 General
Session 2: Aug 1-Aug 22, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (7 classes): $150 Member | $160 General
Instructor: Vanesa Wiley
Location: Upstairs Studio
Modern dance is important training for all dancers. Miss Vanesa’s experience teaching and choreographing this style of dance is extensive, and her classes are fun and energetic. At this level, Graham, Cunningham, Limon and other modern disciplines are covered.
Find out more »Advanced Jazz
Advanced Jazz
Mondays, 7:00-8:15 pm
Session 1: July 11-July 25, $60 Member | $70 General
Session 2: Aug 1-Aug 22, $80 Member | $90 General
Full Summer Session (7 classes): $120 Member | $140 General
Location: Upstairs Studio
Miss Vanesa gives a fabulous class for advanced dancers in our treasured American dance genre that includes a warm-up, stretching, across the floor combinations and fun choreography that builds every week.
Find out more »Ballet III
Ballet III
Ages: 8-11
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 pm
Session 1: July 5-July 26, $100 Member | $110 General
Session 2: Aug 2-Aug 23, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (8 classes): $180 Member | $200 General
Instructor: VCD Instructors
Location: Upstairs Studio
Barre is followed by center work where steps are strung together in combinations. Technique and terminology are infused with fun ballet history, and students will practice dancing together as a group.
Find out more »Ballet IV
Ballet IV
Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm
Session 1: July 5-July 26, $100 Member | $110 General
Session 2: Aug 2-Aug 23, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (8 classes): $180 Member | $200 General
Instructor: VCD Instructors
Location: Upstairs Studio
Ballet IV combines elements of pre-pointe and beginning pointe work, as well as intermediate combinations, stretches, turns, and jumps.
Find out more »Swing Dance Summer Series
Swing Dance Summer Series
Teens and Adults
Tuesdays, August 16- September 6 | 7:00-8:30 pm
Tuition: $165 General | $150 Member
Instructor: Jo Hoffberg
Location: Kay White Hall Atrium
In this series, we will dance our way through time, becoming comfortable with two iconic dance styles from the 1920s to the 1940s: Charleston and Swing. These two energetic dances have both solo and partner components. We will learn how to dance comfortably to uptempo music so that you can hit the floor with confidence. Classes will be progressive and each week we'll add to the challenges and to the fun!
Some additional notes about class:
- As dance is a language, and it's important to learn how to both speak and listen. For that reason, everyone will lead and everyone will follow at some point during the series.
- All are welcome! Partners are not required, and we will rotate partners during class. As COVID-19 is still a concern, if you and a partner wish to remain together, we respect and support it.
- Dress comfortably, and be prepared to move a lot and get your steps in for the day - and maybe for the next day too!
For questions or help with registrations, please contact our registrar at joy@vashoncenterforthearts.org or (206) 259-3005.
Find out more »Authentic Jazz with Jo Hoffberg
Authentic Jazz with Jo Hoffberg
Ages 11+
Wednesdays, Aug 17-24| 2:15-3:45 pm
Tuition: $50 General | $45 Member
Instructor: Jo Hoffberg
Location: Upstairs Studio
Jazz dance to jazz music! Authentic Jazz is also referred to as “vernacular jazz” and includes the Cakewalk, Charleston, Black Bottom, and Lindy Hop. Yes, Jazz existed before the Bob Fosse and Jack Cole. It was all-the-rage in 1920’s Harlem, and is an important part of American dance history.
The class will cover: The history and culture of jazz, classic jazz routines, and improvisation.
Previous dance experience required.
Find out more »Advanced Contemporary
Advanced Contemporary
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 pm
Session 1: July 6-July 27, $100 Member | $110 General
Session 2: Aug 3-Aug 24, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (8 classes): $180 Member | $200 General
Instructor: Madeline Morser
Location: Upstairs Studio
Advanced Contemporary includes a full body warm up with combos standing, upside-down, and on the ground followed by phrase work and some feel-good across the floor progressions. Let’s have a blast with our favorite music while taking apart and getting into the nitty-gritty details of timing, floor-work, inversions, and a powerful grounded center. We will also begin building a group piece in class. This is an advanced class open to level V dancers and above.
Find out more »Advanced Lyrical
Advanced Lyrical
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm
Session 1: July 6-July 27, $100 Member | $110 General
Session 2: Aug 3-Aug 24, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (8 classes): $180 Member | $200 General
Instructor: Madeline Morser
Location: Upstairs Studio
Hone your fluidity, expression, and grace in Advanced Lyrical! Lyrical dance is most often defined as a combination of ballet and jazz techniques, with emphasis on graceful, fluid motions that often mirror the lyrics or theme of the music. Class will start with a center warm up including both standing exercises and daily workshops for jumps, turns, and falls to be used in phrase-work. We will use the second half of class for traveling progressions as well as longer phrases/group dances. This class is an advanced level open to level V dancers and above.
Find out more »Ballet V-VII – Thursdays
Ballet V-VII - Thursdays
Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 am
Session 1: July 7-July 28, $100 Member | $110 General
Session 2: Aug 4-Aug 25, $100 Member | $110 General
Full Summer Session (8 classes): $180 Member | $200 General
Instructor: VCD Instructors
Location: Upstairs Studio
Students at this level are trained in intermediate to advanced pointe work, partnering, controlled adage, adept petit allegro, as well as advanced combinations, turns, and jumps.
Find out more »