The Warwick Dance Collective
The Warwick Dance Collective was established in 2017, under the direction of Melissa Padham-Maass. As the resident company of the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts, The Warwick Dance Collective (WDC) is dedicated to promoting the arts and enriching the culture of the Hudson Valley by bringing top-quality, noncompetitive, professional and pre-professional dance to the region. We provide ongoing class and work opportunities for local professional dancers, and serve as a central hub for established and emerging New York City–based artists to create and share their work. Our professional company members act as mentors to local students, and through our full-length productions, festivals, and residency programs, we aim to provide educational experiences and performance opportunities as well as to make quality dance more accessible for audiences throughout the region.
The Warwick Dance Collective has four divisions, the professional company, the senior company (ages 14-18) the studio company (ages 12-15) and the junior company (ages 9 -13). The students in the Warwick Dance Collective follow a rigorous training program and have additional performance opportunities throughout the year, as well as the option to compete in select dance competitions.
Warwick Dance Collective Class Requirements
Pre- Company
Ages 8-11
Typically 1+ Years of training
Four Class Minimum
2 Ballet Classes
2 Additional Classes
Junior Company
Ages 9-13
Typically 2+ Years of training
Five Class Minimum
2-3 Ballet Classes
2-3 Additional Classes
Studio Company
Ages 12-15
Typically 4+ Years of training
Six Class Minimum
3-4 Ballet Classes
2-3 Additional Classes
Senior Company
Ages 14-18
Typically 6+ Years of training
Seven Class Minimum
3-4 Ballet Classes
3-4 Additional Classes
All dancers interested in dancing on pointe or currently dancing on pointe must be enrolled in three ballet technique classes per week. Company dancers at all levels are encouraged to take as many lessons as possible.