Dance - Seattle Academy
Source: http://www.seattleacademy.org/arts/dance
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Dance - Seattle Academy
The Hub
Dance
The SAAS dance program invites students to actively engage with multiple dance styles. Rich exposure to contemporary, hip hop, and jazz styles fosters creativity, collaboration, and individuality, while encouraging students to take ownership of their artistic and educational growth. Through dance, students develop performance, leadership, and critical and aesthetic thinking skills that extend far beyond the studio.
At Seattle Academy, all Middle and Upper School students study dance as part of their arts curriculum, and it is also a graduation requirement.
Whether students are discovering dance for the first time or building toward college-level performance, the SAAS Dance Program helps them move with purpose, create with intention, and perform with courage.
Middle School
Upper School
All Middle School students participate in a beginning-level dance course in 6th and 7th grades as part of the general arts curriculum. These trimester classes are inclusive, energetic, and designed for all experience levels. They meet during the regular school day, require no outside commitment, and culminate in a performance for the entire school at our End-of-Trimester Showcases.
For students who are more experienced or who want to deepen their technique and performance skills, they may participate in the Middle School company,
SAAS Dance Project
. This group meets twice a week after school throughout the year and performs several times annually.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE
In the Upper School, students can participate in dance at five levels. Students begin with a foundational dance class as part of the general arts curriculum, culminating in a performance at our End-of-Trimester Showcase.
Students who are highly interested or more experienced may audition for placement in one of four program levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, or Advanced. These classes build progressively, offering skill development, dance analysis, and choreographic opportunities with professional guest artists from across Seattle. Beginning-level classes perform at End-of-Trimester Showcases, while the Intermediate through Advanced groups also perform throughout the year at school events, festivals, competitions, and at a year-end Dance Concert.
In addition, Seattle Academy offers a
competitive Dance Team
that performs and competes through the Washington
Washington Interscholatic Activites Assocation
(WIAA).
Upper School Curriculum Guide
MEET THE Performing Arts FACULTY
ALUMNI PROFILE
Milan Fillipi '21 danced in the Seattle Academy dance program from 8th through 12th grade. Milan is currently attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles as a Dance and Economics major. He has performed in work choreographed by Laurie Sefton, and with Radix Dance Crew who opened for Aminé at Fallapalooza Music Festival. One of his highlight performances was at the 2022 Pepsi SuperBowl LVI Halftime Show.
Calendar RSS Feeds
Apr
23
2026
Dance
Middle School Dance Project
3
:
15
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Middle School Dance Project
Apr
24
2026
Dance
Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
3
:
00
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
Apr
27
2026
Dance
Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
3
:
00
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
Apr
28
2026
Dance
Middle School Dance Project
3
:
15
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Middle School Dance Project
Apr
29
2026
Dance
Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
3
:
00
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
Demanding Technical Training
The SAAS dance program includes demanding technical training, choreographic and creative opportunities, and regular performance experiences.
CLASSES
Classes provide the framework within which students embark on and reinforce the artistic discipline habits of dance.
Artistic Expression
Rehearsals lay the groundwork for students to experience artistic expression and the personal and group investment vital to create a successful piece.
Choreography
Creating and learning choreography allows students the opportunity to practice authenticity and responsibility. Each dancer in the ensemble is vital to the success of the entire group.
Performance Opportunities
Performance provides endless opportunities for students to learn to respond quickly and make adjustments in the moment, an invaluable skill throughout life.
View the full Seattle Academy 2024 All-Grades Dance Showcase Here
ALUMNI PROFILE
Jamara Putney '21 began dancing in the SAAS Dance Program in 6th grade in the Middle School Dance Project. She danced throughout high school and eventually joined Advanced Dance. Her first ever film was created at SAAS and she is now applying those skills in college and beyond. She is currently a Psychology major and Film minor at Howard University in Washington DC.
ALUMNI PROFILE
Evelyn Williamson '21 started dancing at Seattle Academy in 6th grade in the Middle School Dance Project. She continued in the Dance Program throughout middle school and high school and served as the Advanced Dance Captain in her Senior year at SAAS. Evelyn attends Oberlin College in Ohio where she studies Psychology and Sociology. She is currently serving as Director of Oberlin’s Hip Hop dance club, CHOREO.
ALUMNI PROFILE
Anna Kendall '21 was a dancer in the Seattle Academy dance program from 8th grade through 12th grade and began her dance experience in the Middle School Dance Project at SAAS. She is currently attending Tufts University in Massachusetts where she is studying Bio-Psychology and Chemistry. She also dances in Tufts' hip-hop choreography team, Spirit of the Creative.
ALUMNI PROFILE
Elena Kosh '17 started in the dance program in the 6th grade and continued dancing through her senior year. As a member of Advanced Dance, she performed in multiple shows, festivals, and competitions, and she choreographed a piece for the Spring Dance Concert her senior year. Known for her keen eye for composition and artistic curiosity, Elena danced at Barnard College and loved it!
The Hub
Dance
The SAAS dance program invites students to actively engage with multiple dance styles. Rich exposure to contemporary, hip hop, and jazz styles fosters creativity, collaboration, and individuality, while encouraging students to take ownership of their artistic and educational growth. Through dance, students develop performance, leadership, and critical and aesthetic thinking skills that extend far beyond the studio.
At Seattle Academy, all Middle and Upper School students study dance as part of their arts curriculum, and it is also a graduation requirement.
Whether students are discovering dance for the first time or building toward college-level performance, the SAAS Dance Program helps them move with purpose, create with intention, and perform with courage.
Middle School
Upper School
All Middle School students participate in a beginning-level dance course in 6th and 7th grades as part of the general arts curriculum. These trimester classes are inclusive, energetic, and designed for all experience levels. They meet during the regular school day, require no outside commitment, and culminate in a performance for the entire school at our End-of-Trimester Showcases.
For students who are more experienced or who want to deepen their technique and performance skills, they may participate in the Middle School company,
SAAS Dance Project
. This group meets twice a week after school throughout the year and performs several times annually.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE
In the Upper School, students can participate in dance at five levels. Students begin with a foundational dance class as part of the general arts curriculum, culminating in a performance at our End-of-Trimester Showcase.
Students who are highly interested or more experienced may audition for placement in one of four program levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, or Advanced. These classes build progressively, offering skill development, dance analysis, and choreographic opportunities with professional guest artists from across Seattle. Beginning-level classes perform at End-of-Trimester Showcases, while the Intermediate through Advanced groups also perform throughout the year at school events, festivals, competitions, and at a year-end Dance Concert.
In addition, Seattle Academy offers a
competitive Dance Team
that performs and competes through the Washington
Washington Interscholatic Activites Assocation
(WIAA).
Upper School Curriculum Guide
MEET THE Performing Arts FACULTY
ALUMNI PROFILE
Milan Fillipi '21 danced in the Seattle Academy dance program from 8th through 12th grade. Milan is currently attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles as a Dance and Economics major. He has performed in work choreographed by Laurie Sefton, and with Radix Dance Crew who opened for Aminé at Fallapalooza Music Festival. One of his highlight performances was at the 2022 Pepsi SuperBowl LVI Halftime Show.
Calendar RSS Feeds
Apr
23
2026
Dance
Middle School Dance Project
3
:
15
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Middle School Dance Project
Apr
24
2026
Dance
Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
3
:
00
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
Apr
27
2026
Dance
Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
3
:
00
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
Apr
28
2026
Dance
Middle School Dance Project
3
:
15
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Middle School Dance Project
Apr
29
2026
Dance
Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
3
:
00
PM
-
5
:
30
PM
Read More
about Dance Program & Competitive Dance Team
Demanding Technical Training
The SAAS dance program includes demanding technical training, choreographic and creative opportunities, and regular performance experiences.
CLASSES
Classes provide the framework within which students embark on and reinforce the artistic discipline habits of dance.
Artistic Expression
Rehearsals lay the groundwork for students to experience artistic expression and the personal and group investment vital to create a successful piece.
Choreography
Creating and learning choreography allows students the opportunity to practice authenticity and responsibility. Each dancer in the ensemble is vital to the success of the entire group.
Performance Opportunities
Performance provides endless opportunities for students to learn to respond quickly and make adjustments in the moment, an invaluable skill throughout life.
View the full Seattle Academy 2024 All-Grades Dance Showcase Here
ALUMNI PROFILE
Jamara Putney '21 began dancing in the SAAS Dance Program in 6th grade in the Middle School Dance Project. She danced throughout high school and eventually joined Advanced Dance. Her first ever film was created at SAAS and she is now applying those skills in college and beyond. She is currently a Psychology major and Film minor at Howard University in Washington DC.
ALUMNI PROFILE
Evelyn Williamson '21 started dancing at Seattle Academy in 6th grade in the Middle School Dance Project. She continued in the Dance Program throughout middle school and high school and served as the Advanced Dance Captain in her Senior year at SAAS. Evelyn attends Oberlin College in Ohio where she studies Psychology and Sociology. She is currently serving as Director of Oberlin’s Hip Hop dance club, CHOREO.
ALUMNI PROFILE
Anna Kendall '21 was a dancer in the Seattle Academy dance program from 8th grade through 12th grade and began her dance experience in the Middle School Dance Project at SAAS. She is currently attending Tufts University in Massachusetts where she is studying Bio-Psychology and Chemistry. She also dances in Tufts' hip-hop choreography team, Spirit of the Creative.
ALUMNI PROFILE
Elena Kosh '17 started in the dance program in the 6th grade and continued dancing through her senior year. As a member of Advanced Dance, she performed in multiple shows, festivals, and competitions, and she choreographed a piece for the Spring Dance Concert her senior year. Known for her keen eye for composition and artistic curiosity, Elena danced at Barnard College and loved it!