At CHAW, kids build confidence, creativity and community. Sign up for classes to experience the magic of CHAW today!

Youth Arts Program

Overview

The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) Youth Arts Program is a dynamic curriculum of classes, performance, and exhibition opportunities emphasizing arts as a way of life for a lifetime. Students in the Youth Arts Program (YAP) develop a unique artistic voice as they explore and create dance and art in community with their peers.

Program Dates

Spring Semester: 1/8/2024–6/6/2024

Final Showcase: Saturday, June 8, 2023

No classes on:

January 15, 2024, February 19, 2024, April 15-19, 2024, and May 27, 2024

Class Pricing

Pricing is per semester and is prorated for holidays.

Mondays: $500

Tuesdays: $545

Wednesdays: $545

Thursdays: $545

CHAW never turns a child away for inability to pay. Sliding scale registration and payment plans are available for all registrants. Please contact Brian Washington at brian@chaw.org for more information. Request forms may be picked up at the front desk or online.

Studios

Each studio teaching artist tailors lessons and projects to student age and skill level. Returning students build on previous concepts and knowledge. All classes teach and reinforce arts fundamentals while nurturing personal artistic growth through foundational skills building, creative exploration, critique demonstration and performance history, independent projects and community building

Village Time

When a student enters CHAW for the after school arts program, they are welcomed into a community of artful thinking, creativity, and collaboration.  When not in class, students are invited to participate in village activities ranging from games to homework help to drop-in art projects. Village time offers an opportunity for students to engage with peers who are not in their classes at school, allowing for new connections, friendships, and perspectives to be formed in a safe and nurturing environment where every voice matters and every child is celebrated for his or her unique creative contributions.

COVID Safety

If you haven’t been in our building in the past year you’ll notice some updates when you walk in the door. Hand sanitizers are located in each room and entrance. Social distancing is observed where possible. Frequent hand washing is encouraged. Masks are optional in the building at this time and cleaning and disinfecting are done on a regular basis. Learn more about our COVID-19 resources here. 

Van Service

CHAW van service is operating to various local schools in and around Capitol Hill. Sign up is available on the following page. $100 for each sign up day for the semester. For example: Monday and Tuesdays for Fall semester will total $200. 


Teen Arts Classes

Cool and Unusual Art

Teaching Artist – Elise Richardson

01/26/2024 – 03/29/2024

Fridays, 4:30-6:00pm

Tuition – $225.00

Students will transform everyday objects into unique and interesting pieces of art. They will use various methods including painting, mixed medium, 3D collages and more to create art pieces in a way they’ve never imagined. Students will learn to redefine what “art” means to them and put their personal perspective into each piece they create. *No class on February 16.

Traditional Cartooning

Teaching Artist – Blas Goncalves-Borrega

01/10/2024 – 02/07/2024

Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm

Tuition – $170.00

Each student will create one continuous comic, featuring themself as the star of the story. During the first 45 minutes of each class, the instructor will teach a drawing skill; during the second 45 minutes, students will work on their individual comics. This class is designed for students 12-17 years old. All materials are provided.

Applied Dance

Ballet Foundations: Pre-K-1st Grade

Teaching Artist – Rachael Coad

01/22/2024 – 03/18/2024

Mondays, 3:45-4:40pm

Tuition – $260.00

CHAW dance classes are designed to grow with your child and give dancers an opportunity to learn and build on foundational skills. All students perform in demonstrations or recitals held in conjunction with CHAW-wide performance festivals at the end of each session. Class instruction includes dance technique, steps, and sequences that develop strength, stamina, and focus.

*No class on February 19.

Ballet Foundations: 2nd-5th Grade


Teaching Artist – Rachael Coad

01/22/2024 – 03/18/2024

Mondays, 4:50-5:45pm

Tuition – $260.00

CHAW dance classes are designed to grow with your child and give dancers an opportunity to learn and build on foundational skills. All students perform in demonstrations or recitals held in conjunction with CHAW-wide performance festivals at the end of each session. Class instruction includes dance technique, steps, and sequences that develop strength, stamina, and focus.

*No class on February 19.


Kid’s Hip-Hop (ages 8-12)

Teaching Artist – Brynn Bodair

01/23/2024 – 03/12/2024

Tuesdays, 5:30-6:20pm

Tuition – $180.00

This class provides a creative and expressive environment for students to learn and practice the fundamentals of hip hop dance. Each week, students will learn and practice hip hop movement vocabulary. The movement will culminate in a variety of combinations, changing throughout the class session. This class will help students develop confidence, coordination, self-esteem, body awareness, and individuality. All experience levels and bodies are welcome as modifications and adjustments will be offered as necessary.


Music

Violin Ensemble Book 2+

Teaching Artist – Irene Chow

01/06/2024 – 03/16/2024

Saturdays, 4:00-4:50pm

Tuition – $270.00

Book 2 + violin ensemble

This Book 2+ violin ensemble is for more experienced violin students in Suzuki book 2 and up. We will focus on ensemble and performance skills, sight-reading, music vocabulary, and more!

*No class on January 13 and February 17.


Music Mind Games

Teaching Artist – Irene Chow

01/06/2024 – 03/19/2024

Saturdays, 3:00-3:50pm

Tuition – $270.00

Music Mind Games is a multi-sensory, game-based method of teaching music literacy to children. Games are a fun, motivating way to learn music notation, rhythm, sight-singing, and many other musicianship skills. This class is suitable for students of any instrument or no instrument at all.

*No class on January 13 and February 17.

Suzuki Baby Music

Teaching Artist – Irene Chow

Saturdays, 8:30-9:15am – 01/06/2024 – 03/19/2024 (9 weeks)

Tuition – $270.00

Tuesdays, 10:00-10:45am – 01/09/2024 – 03/12/2024 (10 weeks)

Tuition – $300.00

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was an internationally renowned music educator who believed in the unlimited potential of children. Led by a certified Suzuki Early Childhood Education teacher , children and their caregivers will interact with each other and with music through rhythm, melody, movement, and musical instruments. “Where love is deep, much can be accomplished.” – Dr. Shinichi Suzuki

*No class on Saturday, January 13 and Saturday, February 17.

Pre-Piano

Teaching Artist – Cora Lee Khambatta

01/19/2024 – 02/28/2024 

Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00pm

Tuition – $170.00

Students will learn rhythm, singing, finger dexterity, music reading skills, and piano techniques through fun, age-appropriate activities. In addition to piano, students will be introduced to several other musical instruments. By the eighth lesson, students will have a positive comfort level approaching the piano, and potentially be able to play a song on the piano. This class is recommended for students 4-6 years old.