On-Site Classes

Fort Wayne Dance Collective offers year-round classes and workshops at our studios, located at 437 E. Berry St., Ste. 203. Classes do progress over time, so students will benefit from attending classes on a weekly basis.

Year-round classes are divided into three semesters:

• The Winter/Spring semester lasts 21 weeks (January – June), and ends with an annual June Family Concert featuring students.
• The Summer semester lasts 7 weeks (June/July – August).
• The Fall semester lasts 14 weeks (August/September – December).

The cost for each class is determined by how long it runs:
Classes 45-60 minutes are $80 for 7 weeks, or $13 per drop-in.
Classes 75-90 minutes are $85 for 7 weeks, or $13 per drop-in.
No refunds for classes that have already been attended.

Intro to Dance – Ages 3-5 and Ages 5-8
These classes are an introduction to basic movement and dance techniques for young children, taught in a fun and welcoming environment with musical exercises and games.

Ballet – Youth and Teens/Adults
This classical dance form demands grace and precision, employing formalized steps and gestures set in intricate, flowing patterns to create expression through movement. Students may also explore advanced ballet footwork by learning to dance in a pointe shoe.

Modern/Contemporary – Youth and Teens/Adults
This is a dance form that rejects traditionally accepted or sanctioned forms of movement, and emphasizes individual experimentation and sensibility.

Jazz – Youth and Teens/Adults
This is a fun and fast-paced dance style that is matched to the rhythms and techniques of jazz music, developed in the early part of the 20th century. Jazz dance is most commonly found in musical theatre today.

Lyrical – Youth
This genre combines elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Lyrical movement is bold and expressive, inspired by the emotions behind the lyrics portrayed in music.

Tap – Youth and Teens/Adults
Tap dance is performed wearing shoes fitted with metal taps, and is characterized by rhythmical tapping of the toes and heels. Popularized in the early 20th century along with jazz dance, tap dance is also occasionally found in musical theatre productions.

Hip Hop – Youth and Teens/Adults
Hip hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop music or that have evolved as part of hip hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles, primarily “breaking,” which was created in the 1970’s and made popular by dance crews in the United States.

Pineapple Dance Project – Ages 12-18
The Pineapple Dance Project is a performance-based contemporary youth group that encourages teamwork and empowers students to push the boundaries of dance while taking artistic risks. Pineapple 1 is an open class. Pineapple 2 is by invitation only. Directed by Ashley Benninghoff.

Wellness & Dance for Diverse Abilities – Teens/Adults
Wellness classes are designed to improve physical and mental health by focusing on balance, coordination, relaxation, mindfulness, and refining motor skills. Additionally, students with varying disabilities can explore dance through movement that is accessible to them.

Belly Dance – Teens/Adults
This is an ancient dance form that originated in the Middle East, and is defined by hip undulations and flowing movement of the limbs. Belly dance is a great way to tone the body and build lower-body endurance.

Taiko & Fue – Teens/Adults
Taiko is a Japanese drumming art. Students learn rhythms with sticks using choreographed arm movements and/or while dancing from drum to drum. Students may also learn the basics of Fue (a Japanese bamboo flute), and build up their skills by practicing traditional and contemporary Japanese pieces. Fue is often performed in conjunction with Taiko drumming.

Dance Fitness – Teens/Adults
Dance fitness classes are designed to build stamina and improve physical health with consistent movement inspired by hip hop, pilates, and other contemporary dance forms. Available classes may include GROOV3, Zumba, and Barre Fit.