DALA’s Community Programs are at the heart of our mission: to make high-quality dance education accessible to every member of our community. We believe that dance is for everyone, regardless of age, ability, experience, or financial circumstances. Through innovative programming, scholarships, and inclusive opportunities, we proudly serve families throughout Los Alamos, White Rock, and Northern New Mexico. Together, these programs reflect DALA’s commitment to using dance as a catalyst for personal growth, inclusion, and community connection. By creating meaningful opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to learn, perform, and belong, DALA is building a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant Northern New Mexico one dancer at a time. As our community evolves, we remain committed to expanding these programs to meet emerging needs.
Adaptive Dance is one of DALA’s signature outreach initiatives, providing dancers with disabilities the opportunity to participate in high-quality dance education in a welcoming, professionally taught, and appropriately paced environment. Students develop technical skills, musicality, coordination, self-expression, and confidence while building meaningful connections with their peers. Our instructors are certified and attend continuing education classes regularly. With three progressive class levels (ages 4-7, ages 8-12+, ages 13+) and multiple annual performance opportunities alongside other DALA students, the program fosters true inclusion within our dance community. This program is currently supported through funding from United Way of Northern New Mexico.
DALA’s Adult Dance Program proves that it’s never too early, or too late, to discover a love of dance. Welcoming everyone from first-time dancers to former professionals returning to the studio, our program combines high-quality technical training with a fun, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere. With multiple levels in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Flamenco, Scottish Highland, Hip Hop, and more, adult dancers are challenged to build strength, artistry, coordination, and confidence while enjoying the camaraderie of dancing together. Throughout the season, students have numerous opportunities to perform, celebrate their achievements, and continue growing as artists, demonstrating that dance is both a lifelong discipline and a lifelong joy.
Our recognized Boys Ballet Program removes barriers to participation by providing tuition-free ballet classes exclusively for boys. From Pre-Ballet through advanced Ballet Levels 1–5, as well as Variations and Pas de Deux, this unique program creates an encouraging environment where boys can develop confidence, athleticism, artistry, and technical excellence while building lasting friendships. By offering these classes free of charge, DALA is helping broaden participation in an art form where boys are traditionally underrepresented.
DALA is committed to ensuring that financial circumstances are never a barrier to participating in dance. Through our Scholarship Program, families experiencing financial hardship may apply for full or partial tuition assistance by contacting the Scholarship Committee. Scholarships are awarded each school year. They are awarded confidentially based on demonstrated need, helping ensure that every dancer has the opportunity to experience the artistic, educational, and personal benefits of dance, regardless of their financial situation.
Recognizing the diverse educational needs of our region, DALA also offers Homeschool Dance Classes during the school day. These affordable classes provide homeschool families with enriching opportunities for physical activity, creative exploration, and arts education, supporting healthy development while complementing a variety of homeschool curricula.
Tuition
Each student enrolled in a Homeschool class will owe a $5 Tuition Fee (per student per class) paid prior to each class. This fee covers the tuition of the class.
Registration
You may register for the whole semester or simply for the dates that work for your schedule.
There must be a minimum of 5 dancers enrolled in order to run each of the Homeschool classes.
Dress Code
Dancers should wear comfortable moving clothing. Long hair should be pulled out of the face. No necklaces, bracelets, watches, anklets, rings, dangle earrings allowed. Proper shoes for the genre are recommended but not required. Dancers may dance in bare feet if they do not have the proper shoes. DALA also has some shoes available for free to borrow (sizes not guaranteed).
Jazz – jazz shoes
Tap – tap shoes
Tumbling – bare feet
Hip Hop – clean tennis shoes
Musical Theatre – jazz shoes
What to bring
Dancers should bring a water bottle and a positive attitude!
Student etiquette
● Arrive on time
● Be respectful of students, teachers, mentors, board members, and guests
● No gum chewing allowed
● It is not the place of a student to correct another dancer in class.
Parent etiquette
● Be respectful of students, teachers, mentors, board members, and guests
● No videos during class
● Communicate openly with studio instructors and director about any information that would be helpful to your student
● Positively support your student at home
● Bring issues and concerns directly to the DALA Director or DALA Board
Class content and schedule
Classes are 30 minutes long and will include a warm up, across the floor, and short combinations. Each week will cover a rotating genre of dance.
1st Semester
August 10 – Jazz
August 17 – Jazz
August 24 – Jazz
August 31 – Jazz
September 14 – Hip Hop
September 21 – Hip Hop
September 28 – Hip Hop
October 5 – Hip Hop
October 12 – Tumbling
October 19 – Tumbling
October 26 – Tumbling
November 2 – Tumbling
November 9 – Musical Theatre
November 16 – Musical Theatre
November 23 – Musical Theatre
2nd Semester
January 4 – Hip Hop
January 11 – Hip Hop
January 18 – Hip Hop
January 25 – Hip Hop
February 1 – Jazz
February 8 – Jazz
February 15 – Jazz
February 22 – Jazz
March 1 – Tumbling
March 8 – Tumbling
March 15 – Tumbling
March 29 – Tumbling
April 5 – Musical Theatre
April 12 – Musical Theatre
April 19 – Musical Theatre
May 3 – Musical Theatre
May 10 – Tap
May 17 – Tap