Testimonials
“I took my very first ballet class at GWDC when I was 12 years old and immediately knew I was in the right place. I fell in love with the studio and ballet immediately and, with the help of amazingly kind and supportive teachers, I was able to catch up to dancers my own age incredibly quickly. Despite my later start to dance, I’ve been able to do and learn so much here- from joining FBV and going on pointe after less than two years of ballet, to getting to choreograph, to being NHSDA co-president, to performing as Sugar Plum Fairy in the nutcracker (all things my little self would never have believed I’d ever get to do!!) And the opportunity I’ve had to assist dance classes, learn from GWDC’s incredible pedagogy program, and eventually teach my own classes has been so invaluable in helping me realize I want to pursue a career in education. Everyone who dances and teaches at GWDC is genuinely so kind, supportive, and talented! I’m so thankful for all the friendships, strength, grace, and wisdom I’ve gained from dancing here. This studio is a really special place that didn’t just teach me dance technique: it forever made me an artist, a learner, a teacher, and a lover of dance. I can’t wait to take everything I’ve learned here out into the world with me, and I want to say a million thank yous to all of GWDC for dancing with me and lifting me up along the way!”
“Although I have only been at GWDC and a member of FBV for two and a half years, I am eternally grateful for all of the help I have received in my dance journey. After I joined this studio, I realized how much it means to have people around you who truly want you to succeed, and are always rooting for you. This is in terms of the amazing teachers I’ve had, who always strived to help me improve, and also the amazing dancers I’ve met, whom I would consider to be some of my closest friends. My overall dance technique has exponentially improved in this short amount of time, and my confidence as a dancer and a person has also dramatically increased. With the support and aid of the amazing faculty, I have been able to make my dreams of continuing dance through college a reality. I have been able to get into one of the top college dance programs in the country, which is an achievement I wasn’t sure was even a possibility for me. I have loved every second of my time at GWDC, and am definitely nervous to leave, but also very excited to visit and take class every time I come back home. Thank you to everyone at this studio for making it such a welcoming and uplifting place to dance and have fun. I truly wish I had found this studio earlier, so I could have spent more time with all the amazing people who have helped me more than they know in just two and a half years.”
“I’ve have been with GWDC for the past ten years and FBV for the last six years and have had such an amazing experience growing both as a dancer and a person. Through the studio and the company I have received many opportunities to practice teamwork, leadership, and self-discovery. I have had the opportunity to work as a dance teacher and assistant for the past four years as well as serve as a co president to GWDC’s chapter of the Dance National Honor Society. The training at GWDC has proven top quality as I have always felt prepared when dancing outside the studio and while working professionally. I have spent two summers dancing in New York City and Boston. I have also dance with the Kennedy Center’s Contemporary Dance Series. Additionally, I have performed with Motion X Dance Company as a student guest artist for the past two seasons. Dancing with GWDC and FBV has built my confidence when working with other artists and choreographers. The studio has given me a family that I will always be grateful for and am so heartbroken to leave, although I know I will always have them to lean on!”
“I have to tell you that the Nutcracker performance tonight was one of the best I’ve seen in any venue. The humor, the quality, everything was so amazing! This is not just coming from a teacher, this is coming from someone who has seen tons of Nutcracker performances. I can’t tell you enough how this made my first night of winter break special. When I saw [the dancers] come out, I wanted to stand up and shout. Really.”
“If you’re looking for an inclusive, welcoming, healthy, positive ballet school that is offering in-person (with strict safety protocol) and online classes, I cannot recommend Greater Washington Dance Center enough. Aaron has flourished at this studio. The director, Gretchen, regards each dancer as one of her own and it shows. You feel as if you are entrusting your child to the most supportive and uplifting family member who only wants your child to grow and develop in the best possible way along his/her/their own trajectory. She has high expectations and clear rules, but the most loving heart and warmest appreciation for each dancer. And that mindset trickles down from the top to each instructor at GWDC. Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, adaptive dance, musical theater, boys offerings (and scholarship program), adult classes… there are so many ways to dive into dance in a HEALTHY environment♡”
“Studying ballet with Gretchen for almost ten years was an invaluable part of my development as a dancer and artist. Her knowledge and expertise go beyond the classroom and pedagogy; she is a true leader with a clear overall vision for the development of individual dancers, for the productions she directs, and the organizations she oversees.”
Northern Virginia is so fortunate to have as brilliant a dance gem as Gretchen Vogelzang! Gretchen is truly one of the most skilled dance educators in the nation. She is also very well connected. As President of Regional Dance America, she has her finger on the pulse of the North American dance world.
We have been so fortunate to have Gretchen as a ballet instructor and coach for our daughter. Gretchen is incredibly gifted; she knows how to bring out the best in dancers. Her technical training is superb but she also teaches them how to find the fire within and how to take care of their bodies so they can continue to train at high intensity. Our daughter has benefitted greatly from Gretchen’s training and from her association with the Southeast Regional Ballet Association and Regional Dance America.
After spending summers at the School of American Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, our daughter developed painful seisimoiditis in her left foot. Gretchen worked with her patiently throughout her recovery, even coming to our house to teach her exercises to strengthen her feet. She is truly concerned about the whole dancer and believes in keeping them healthy in body, mind and spirit. Gretchen also understands completely that school and family must come first so she is very rational in her approach to the amount of time dancers must spend at the studio.
We wish Gretchen tremendous success with her new studio and company and know that the dancers fortunate enough to be associated with her have a bright future ahead of them.
My oldest daughter attends three dance classes per week at GWDC and she has learned more in a few sessions than she had in a year in a previous school. The instructors are top notch. This school is impressive for a newer school – it is incredibly organized, they offer a lot of guest dance instructors, varied fitness classes, and more music and performance art options are added all the time. Also – it’s for both children and adults. This school is on a whole different level than some of the other local schools, but at the same time the philosophy of the owner is for kids to have fun. Highly recommend!
”Gretchen was able to give me excellent training while allowing my love of dance to grow and mature. She made sure I received opportunities in her company and others as well. Without her training and guidance, I would not be the professional dancer I am today.”
“We have been part of the GWDC community since our daughter was in preschool, and cannot be more impressed with the quality of the dance instruction, but also the flexibility of this studio. It is truly a family atmosphere that encourages the dancers in a healthy manner. The annual Nutcracker is a highlight for our daughter (8yrs old) who has performed in the show for the past 4 shows.”
“The instruction I received from Gretchen enabled me to realize my full potential as a dancer. She implements a teaching philosophy that inspired me to embrace both the strengths and limitations of my technique. Because her training encompasses not only dance instruction, but also physical and mental health, I consider Gretchen’s teaching style as an enriched form of traditional dance education.”
My daughter has loved every class she’s taken her. I love the growth I’m seeing in her dance skills and I’m thankful for the time and effort the teachers give to her and the other students!