Barclay-Shelton Dance Center

Welcome to Barclay-Shelton Dance Center, a true icon of dance education located in the heart of Edmonds, Washington. With a remarkable legacy spanning over 95 years, this esteemed institution has been a beacon for dancers of all ages, fostering a deep love for movement, discipline, and artistic expression. Founded in 1929 during the height of the Great Depression, Barclay-Shelton Dance Center has continually adapted and thrived, offering a diverse range of dance genres while upholding timeless values and traditions.

More than just a place to learn steps, Barclay-Shelton Dance Center is a community where dancers are encouraged to grow, not just in their technique, but as confident and responsible individuals. The studio prides itself on providing excellent instructors and a supportive environment that allows students to explore multiple genres of dance and participate in numerous performance opportunities. From the youngest beginners taking their first steps to seasoned dancers perfecting their craft, Barclay-Shelton Dance Center offers a comprehensive and enriching experience, ensuring that every student receives a well-rounded dance education that prepares them for both the stage and life beyond it. The commitment to preserving its rich history while embracing contemporary styles makes it a unique and invaluable asset to the performing arts scene in Edmonds and throughout Washington.

Barclay-Shelton Dance Center is conveniently located at 413 Bell St, Edmonds, WA 98020, USA. Its prime location in downtown Edmonds makes it highly accessible for families residing within the city and across the wider Washington region, including neighboring communities such as Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, and Kingston via the ferry. Situated on Bell Street, the studio is part of a vibrant local area, typically offering convenient access and often street parking or nearby public parking options, easing drop-off and pick-up routines for parents and students.

The studio's central placement in Edmonds ensures that it is a convenient and integral part of the local community, allowing students to seamlessly integrate dance classes into their daily schedules. This accessibility means that aspiring dancers from various parts of Washington can easily access the high-quality instruction and diverse programs offered by Barclay-Shelton Dance Center, making it a popular choice for dance education in the Puget Sound area.

Barclay-Shelton Dance Center offers a comprehensive and diverse array of dance programs and services, catering to a wide range of ages and skill levels. Their curriculum is designed to provide thorough instruction across multiple genres, ensuring a well-rounded dance education:

• Ballet & Pointe: The ballet program emphasizes traditional movement with a contemporary approach, focusing on classical steps, healthy body alignment, and artistic execution. Pointe technique is offered to dancers twelve years and older, based on individual readiness, with ballet classes available for 2nd grade through high school.
• Jazz: Based on techniques pioneered by Gus Giordano, Luigi, and Bob Fosse, the jazz program focuses on proper alignment, long lines, turns, jumps, and fast-paced choreography varying from pop to musical theater styles. Jazz classes are available for 2nd grade through adult.
• Tap: The tap program begins with basic techniques and rhythm development, progressing to syncopated rhythms and advanced steps, with a strong focus on style and performance. While Broadway-based, it incorporates a wide variety of music styles, available for 2nd grade through adult.
• Modern: This eclectic mix of movement is inspired by historic techniques (like Graham and Limon) and contemporary artists, covering concepts such as contract-release, fall & recovery, floor work, and understanding space/time/force/body.
• Lyrical: Built on a strong ballet foundation, lyrical incorporates contemporary movement and concepts from jazz and modern technique. Choreography emphasizes storytelling and emotional expression through movement, available for 6th grade through high school with previous ballet experience.
• Pop Styles: High-energy classes starting with warm-ups, isolation work, and personal style development. Choreography combines elements of jazz-funk, house, popping, locking, and hip hop to age-appropriate music, available for 3rd grade through high school.
• Combo & Splits Classes (Ages 3.5 through Kindergarten): These classes include creative ballet, basic tap skills, and simple tumbling movements and stretches on mats. They lay a foundation for intensive dance training by teaching musical rhythms and exploring dance movement through choreography. Split classes offer young dancers a sampling of dance disciplines, teaching basic ballet, jazz, and tap technique.
• Performance Opportunities: Students have the opportunity to perform multiple times, including a large recital weekend in June (the annual Summer Revue at Edmonds Center for the Arts) and additional performances throughout the year.
• Dance Theatrics: A resident performing troupe offering more intense instruction and performance opportunities for serious and talented dancers, building a foundation in all dance styles.

Barclay-Shelton Dance Center is celebrated for a multitude of features and highlights that contribute to its long-standing success and its prominent role in the Washington dance community. These attributes create a unique and highly valued experience for its students and their families:

• Deep-Rooted Legacy and Experience: With over 95 years of history, Barclay-Shelton Dance Center stands as one of the longest-running and most experienced dance institutions in the region. This extensive legacy, originating from successful vaudeville performers George and Florence Barclay, speaks volumes about its enduring quality and adaptability.
• Exceptional Instructors: A consistent highlight from reviews points to "excellent instructors" who are praised for their knowledge, individual attention, and ability to help students grow across multiple genres. The current director, Leanne Shelton, brings decades of experience, ensuring a well-rounded dance education.
• Diverse Genre Offerings: The school provides opportunities to grow in a wide array of dance genres, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, and pointe, ensuring a comprehensive dance education suitable for various interests and aspirations.
• Multiple Performance Opportunities: A key feature mentioned by satisfied customers is the chance to perform "multiple times over the recital weekend in June" (Summer Revue at Edmonds Center for the Arts). This provides invaluable stage experience and a rewarding culmination of their efforts.
• Focus on Professional Quality Performances: Recitals and other performances are described as "professional quality stage performances," indicating a high standard of production and presentation that benefits student experience and audience enjoyment.
• Nurturing and Supportive Environment: While aiming for excellence, the studio maintains an atmosphere where students feel supported and encouraged, helping them "learn" and grow, which is crucial for artistic development.
• Community Involvement: The Dance Center actively participates in community events, with students performing at various local functions, including supporting programs like the Edmonds Center for the Arts' Dementia-Inclusive Series. This engagement highlights their commitment beyond just dance instruction.
• Continuity and Tradition: The conscious decision to preserve the "Barclay" name and honor its traditions underscores a commitment to the timeless values and teaching methods passed down through generations, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience.

For more information on class schedules, registration, or to speak with a staff member at Barclay-Shelton Dance Center, please use the following contact information:

Address: 413 Bell St, Edmonds, WA 98020, USA

Phone: (425) 776-8111

Mobile Phone: +1 425-776-8111

For locals in the Washington region, particularly those in Edmonds and surrounding communities, Barclay-Shelton Dance Center is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended choice for dance education. Its unparalleled legacy of over 95 years signifies not just longevity, but a deep-seated commitment to quality and community that few other studios can match. Parents seeking a dance home for their children will find a place where excellent instructors foster growth across numerous dance genres, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching artistic journey.

The consistent opportunities for professional-quality performances, including the expansive Summer Revue at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, provide invaluable stage experience that builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Beyond the technical skills, the supportive environment and focus on individual attention cultivate a love for dance that often lasts a lifetime. For Washington families looking for a dance studio that blends rich history with comprehensive, high-quality instruction and a strong community presence, Barclay-Shelton Dance Center in Edmonds stands as a premier destination, truly making it an integral and cherished local resource.

Barclay-Shelton Dance Center

413 Bell St, Edmonds, WA 98020, USA