Founder and Artistic Director Fabian Barnes established the Dance Institute of Washington in 1987 after a 15-year career as a soloist with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. His goal was to provide the youth of Washington, DC--especially at-risk and underserved youth--the same opportunity to develop talent, confidence and discipline that DTH gave him. Since then, DIW has grown to be one of DC’s largest African American arts organizations and a cultural resource to the larger community.
DIW began as a summer intensive dance program for DC’s underserved youth. By 1993, it had expanded to a year-round pre-professional school with education outreach initiatives throughout the city. Now DIW offers a full year of studio classes, outreach programs, and public performances by its students, Youth Repertory Ensemble, and professional company, Washington Reflections.
In 2006, DIW moved into its state-of-the-art dance center in the heart of the recently revitalized Columbia Heights neighborhood. From its new location on 14th Street, NW, the organization serves a diverse community and has expanded its services to meet the needs of its neighbors. DIW provides an outlet for young people’s energy and creativity after school and in the summer when they need structure and challenging activities to prevent learning loss, risky behaviors and obesity. Above all, DIW makes quality performing arts education available to young people who might not otherwise have access to it. To quote Oprah Winfrey, “DIW has helped hundreds of boys and girls discover their strengths, their grace, their spirit, and has given them wings to fly.”
ABOUT OUR SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
DIW students have performed on prestigious stages, including Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, the historic Lincoln Theatre, Carter Barron Amphitheatre, and the Kennedy Center. Notably, they have participated in national competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix and have received honors. In addition, students have performed in the Laurel Fund for the Performing Arts’ annual Capital Talents showcase at the Lincoln Theatre and in the Youth Dance Festival at Dance Place. Every year, the students give a spring concert and perform in DIW’s Kwanzaa celebration in December.
DIW is proud that many of its students continue their education and training at universities and colleges such as University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, Marymount Manhattan, SUNY Purchase, Harvard, and Temple University. Also, several students have gone on to professional careers at companies such as the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre - Ailey II, Ballet San Jose, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and The Lion King Las Vegas Company, among others.