Class Offerings

AT ASHD, WE AIM TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

No prior dance experience is required - see below for a list of our current class offerings. We accept new students of any age or gender, whether you are interested in competing, performing, or just dancing for fun. Now enrolling ages 4 and up!

2024-2025
Fall Semester: September 8 - December 19
Spring Semester: January 5 - April 28
Summer Semester: May 1 - August 28 (no class during the month of July)

LOCATION

Dance Academy of Virginia
2402 Mt. Vernon Ave
Alexandria VA 22301

Street parking is readily available in the surrounding neighborhood. Two parking lots are located on the other side of Mt Vernon Ave, off of Oxford Ave - one in Pat Miller Neighborhood Square and one behind the bank.
Metro: The studio is located about halfway between the Potomac Yard and Braddock Road stations, on the Yellow/Blue lines.
Bus: DASH bus 33, Metrobus 10A/B
There is a bike rack on the sidewalk in front of the studio and a Capital Bikeshare stand about a block away at the intersection of Mt Vernon Ave and E Del Ray Ave.

Eight children, about ages 4 through 6, dressed for dance class stand in front of a barre in a dance studio.

PRIMARY

A fun, creative movement-based class where students learn the very basic Highland dance positions, movements, and dances alongside essential dance skills like balance, coordination, and rhythm, all while making new friends and learning about another culture. Suitable for new and returning dancers!

Sundays at 2:45 - 3:30 PM | $250 | ages 4-6

BEGINNER

In this introduction to Highland dancing, students learn basic positions, movements, and dances, including the Highland Fling and the Sword Dance. There is a focus on teaching proper foundational technique while maintaining a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Suitable for new and returning dancers!

Sundays at 4:30 - 5:30 PM | $275 | ages 7-12

Four adult Highland dancers do the Highland Fling during class. They are in a dance studio and have one arm raised above their head and one foot brought to the back of the leg.

ADULT PRE-PREMIER

This class for teenage and adult returning beginner, novice and intermediate dancers, both competitive and recreational. Dancers in this class already have a basic understanding of the main Highland and National dance and are looking to improve their technique and learn more advanced steps. Not suitable for new dancers.

Thursdays at 7:30 - 8:30 PM | $275 | ages 13+

Six adult Highland dancers stand a the barre in a dance studio.

ADULT PREMIER

Suitable for competitive, retired, and recreational Premier dancers, in this class we work towards maintaining high-quality technique by learning annual Championship and Premiership steps, as well as other less common steps and dances, and modern choreography.

Sundays at 5:30 - 7:00 PM | $300 | ages 13+

PRIVATES

Private lessons are a fantastic opportunity to get personalized classes and individual attention. This is a good option for students who would like some one-on-one feedback and take their dancing abilities to the next level. Contact us for availability and pricing. Only available for current ASHD students.

THEORY

Behind Highland Dancing are the textbooks released by world governing bodies. Studying these textbooks help dancers gain a more thorough knowledge of steps. In these casual study sessions, we help students of all ages prepare for BATD dance exams held annually at ASHD in June, as well as professional teaching certification.

TECHNIQUE

Dancers meet on Zoom to work on perfecting their technical foundations and integrating that technique into full-length dances, particularly the six main Highland and National dances. No new dances or steps will be taught in this class. Please note that in order to take this class, dancers must be co-enrolled in Adult Pre-Premier or Adult Premier.

Tuesdays at 6:30-7:30pm | $150 | 13+