The Kennedy Center Contemporary Dance Series offers advanced dance students interested in a performance career the unique opportunity to learn from a variety of nationally and internationally recognized contemporary dance companies and artists performing this season at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to attend ballet open rehearsals, complimentary and discounted tickets to various ballet performances, and participate in additional workshops or masterclasses for a discounted fee.

Admission to the series is by audition only, chosen by a panel of prestigious Washington, DC area contemporary dance artists. Any dancers entering grades 9 through 12 are eligible to apply and audition. Students accepted who chose to take part in the program are expected to commit to the required schedule. Please coordinate and communicate with your regular instructors to make sure that, if accepted, you are able to attend. Auditions will be held at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

The focus of this program is master classes led by teachers from dance companies performing at the Kennedy Center each season. These classes are typically taught by company members or company teaching artists; instructors are determined by each company. Accepted students are required to attend at least 5 master classes. Ballet open rehearsals are optional for dancers plus one guest by RSVP. Limited spots in the additional Adult Master Classes are assigned through a request process with first-come-first-serve priority given for specific classes.

2025-2026 Master Class Schedule:

• BODYTRAFFIC: Mon, Oct 27, 2025 — 4–5:30PM
• Trisha Brown Dance Company: Mon, Dec 1, 2025 — 4–5:30PM
• Martha Graham Dance Company: Mon, Mar 30, 2026 — 4–5:30PM
• Doug Varone and Dancers: Tue, Apr 22, 2026 — 4–5:30PM
• A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham: Tue, May 20, 2026 — 4–5:30PM

Program Fees:

Tuition: $175

Audition Date and Location

Sunday, October 12, 2025 – 10:00AM-12:00PM

The Kennedy Center
2700 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20566

Check in will be outside Studio F in the REACH. Please enter through the REACH Welcome Pavilion.

Audition will consist of a contemporary class. Students will sign-up for a specific time slot in the application. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your assigned audition time dressed for the audition. Only auditioning students are allowed in the studio. Students will be notified of results as soon as possible following the audition.

Audition Fee: $25, payable by cash or check on site. We are unable to collect payment via credit card.

Eligibility:

Students should be prepared to show proof of grade level at the audition. Contemporary Dance Series is open to all dance students who:

• Are entering grades 9-12
• Have had a minimum of 4 years of dance training

Kennedy Center Dance Education is committed to working with students and families to make high-level dance education affordable for all, regardless of their financial situation. If the cost of the program is prohibitive to you, please contact Kaitlyn Tureaud at [email protected]. We will be glad to work with you on an individual basis.

The Vice President of Education is generously endowed by the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.

Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Genesis Inspiration Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;

Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..

The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.