Conservatory

Pre-Professional Program (Ages 13+)

CityDance Conservatory’s Pre-Professional Program offers intensive training for dancers ages 13-18, preparing them for college dance programs, apprenticeships, and professional careers. Admission is by audition, either via an in-class evaluation or group audition. Upon acceptance into the program, students are placed in either the Classical Track or Contemporary Track. 

Classical Track – (offered at North Bethesda & Falls Church)

• Vaganova-based ballet and pointe classes
• Individual variations coaching
• Classical ensemble rehearsals
• Pas de Deux
• Boys’/Men’s classes
• Character, conditioning, contemporary and jazz

Contemporary Track – (offered at North Bethesda only)

• Modern and contemporary technique classes
• Jazz, tap, and hip-hop training
• Vaganova-based ballet classes
• Individual solo coaching
• Original and re-staged contemporary ensemble rehearsals
• Improvisation, choreography/composition, partnering workshops

Interested in CityDance Conservatory? Inquire today 

or Join us at our next Open House & Audition, Saturday August 23rd at CityDance at Falls Church – Learn More and Register!

Performance Opportunities

Conservatory training includes year-round performance opportunities, including our own presentations as well as through partnerships across our region and nationally. Classical Track students perform variations and ensemble works, re-staged by our faculty, as well as original contemporary works. Contemporary Track students perform works from professional dance companies, set on them by current company artists, and new commissions by guest artists and our Choreographer-in-Residence, Robert J. Priore. All students also have opportunities to choreograph and present their own work under faculty mentorship in an annual Student Choreography Concert.

2025 – 2026 Performances include:

• National Dance Day (Kennedy Center)
• Student Choreography Concerts (Strathmore)
• Nutcracker (Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre)
• Conservatory Winter Concert (Strathmore)
• Conservatory Annual Concert (Harman Hall)
• Summer Intensive Showcases (Strathmore)

Competitions

Conservatory students may be invited to participate in select competitions such as  Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA). Participation is by invitation and is at the discretion of the artistic team.While competitions offer valuable performance experiences, they are considered an additional component, not a replacement, for core program elements.

Guest Artists and Master Classes

Weekly Master Classes: All pre-professional students attend a Saturday Master Class featuring a roster of world-class artists from our region and beyond.
Guest Artists-in-Residence: Throughout the year, guest artists and faculty are in residence to teach, coach, and set works on the students.

Student Support Services:

CityDance provides tailored college and career support for rising and graduating seniors. Services include:

• Application Assistance: Help with college applications, summer intensives, apprenticeships, and professional opportunities.
• Senior Solo Coaching: 10 hours of solo creation or classical variation re-staging with filming and coaching.
• Résumé & Photo Support: Professional photoshoots and résumé creation for auditions.
• Internships: Seniors are offered internships in marketing, concert management and production, administration, and costuming to gain real-world professional experience, as well as high school credits.