Warwick Dance Collective

The Warwick Dance Collective (WDC), founded in 2017 under the direction of Melissa Padham-Maass, is the resident dance company of the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts. As a nonprofit organization, WDC is dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of the Hudson Valley by bringing high-quality, noncompetitive professional and pre-professional dance to the region.

WDC serves as a hub for both local and New York City-based artists, providing ongoing class and work opportunities for professional dancers while fostering mentorship and artistic growth. Through full-length productions, festivals, and residency programs, WDC offers educational experiences and performance opportunities that make exceptional dance more accessible to audiences.

The company features four divisions:

  • Professional Company – Showcasing seasoned dancers in high-caliber performances

  • Senior Company (Ages 14-18) – Advanced students refining their technique and artistry

  • Studio Company (Ages 12-15) – Dedicated dancers building strong technical foundations

  • Junior Company (Ages 9-13) – Young performers developing their passion for dance

Learn more about the Warwick Dance Company requirements

Dance Company Class Schedule

Students in WDC follow a rigorous training program and have the opportunity to perform in two full-length productions annually, as well as various additional performances throughout the year. Select dancers may also participate in competitions, further expanding their stage experience.

Committed to excellence in dance education and performance, the Warwick Dance Collective continues to inspire, mentor, and cultivate the next generation of artists while enhancing the artistic vibrancy of the community.

Warwick Dance Collective
Warwick Dance Collective

Support the Warwick Dance Collective!

Producing these breathtaking performances requires a dedicated community. While we are grateful for our incredible volunteers and student participation fees, ticket sales alone do not cover the full cost of production. From lighting, costumes, and set design to guest artists, venue rentals, and more, bringing high-quality performances to life is only possible with your support.

The Warwick Dance Collective (WDC) and Warwick Broadway Collective (WBC) operate under the same nonprofit, uniting dance and musical theater to provide high-quality performances and professional training for the community.

Your contribution helps:

  • Fund performances at Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center and other venues

  • Keep tuition and participation fees affordable

  • Support world-class professional faculty and guest artists

  • Expand Warwick’s reputation as a destination for premier artistic programming

By donating, you’re not just supporting the arts—you’re investing in the cultural future of Warwick and ensuring ongoing performance opportunities for our local artists and students.

Make an Impact: Sponsorship Opportunities

Culture & Values

Warwick Center for the Performing Arts is a community for artists of all ages to flourish.

    • We hold ourselves to high artistic and educational standards.

    • We work together to build amazing things.

    • We offer constructive criticism with grace and kindness when it furthers the goal of excellence.

    • We constantly strive for growth in the areas where we want to excel.

    • We each take personal responsibility for our own improvement.

    • We recognize that failure and burnout can be a part of the growth process and we support each other when this happens.

    • We celebrate growth in ourselves and others without jealousy.

    • We encourage one another at every opportunity prioritizing effort based encouragement over skills based encouragement.

    • We believe collaboration comes before competition.

    • We nourish the mental and physical health of our fellow artists.

    • We do not tolerate gossip, belittling others, or body shaming.

    • We believe that the arts belong to everyone.

    • We invite members of our community to participate in events regularly.

    • We do not tolerate discrimination.

    • We base our curriculum on art-centered developmentally age-appropriate goals.

    • We encourage creative thinking and teach creative problem solving.

    • We provide a home for artists with ongoing professional development and peer support.

    • We share time, energy, and resources with one another to create new works of art.

    • We prioritize creating supportive and creative classes that allow children to be children.

    • Our choreography, music, and costumes are age-appropriate to ensure a positive and nurturing dance experience.

    • We foster an environment that encourages artistic expression and exploration while respecting the developmental needs of each child.