Welcome to Metropolitan School of the Arts!

MSA is a non-profit performing arts organization offering classes, experiences, and performances in dance, music, and theater for students of all ages for extracurricular, pre-professional, and daytime training opportunities.

MSA serves people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, providing opportunities for creative expression, education and audience awareness in all of these art forms.

Originally founded in 2000 as Metropolitan Fine Arts Center by Melissa Dobbs, MSA transitioned to non-profit status in 2013. MSA now serves more than 700 students and produces over 75 performances each year. MSA is located in Alexandria, Va. and is equipped with 8 state of the art dance studios, 4 music studios, and a black box theater.

We achieve excellence in arts and academic education through a unique approach to teaching and learning. Our methodology encourages a nurturing, supportive and inspiring culture where students build the confidence to work towards their highest potential. Students are free to take risks, make changes and learn from their experiences while doing so. We strive to be a world-class center for cultivating excellence in the arts through professional training, top-notch faculty, and by educating our community on the significant impacts of the arts.

Metropolitan School of the Arts is a performing arts community on a mission to change the world by inspiring and supporting students, faculty and staff to reach their fullest potential as artists, innovators, and generous citizens.

After-School Youth Programs:

Metropolitan School of the Arts offers recreational, non-competitive, and pre-professional performing arts training programs to include classes and lessons in dance, theater and music for students of all ages after school. Students may study multiple genres of dance including: ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, tap, and more in a supportive and creative environment focused on high quality training and numerous performance opportunities. Theater opportunities include acting, improv, musical theater, and coaching workshops. Music students can study drums, guitar, piano, violin, voice, and more with highly qualified instructors.

Homeschool Program:

Metropolitan Homeschool Program (MHP) offers three hours of performing arts classes for home-educated children ages 7-18. Guided by industry professionals, students are given the opportunity to explore their creativity through rotating classes of dance, music and theater. The program runs Tuesdays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm September through May and includes a spring showcase for friends and families.

Adult Dance and Fitness Program:

Metropolitan School of the Arts offers a hybrid of in-person and virtual adult dance and fitness options for all levels taught by highly qualified, certified instructors. Our weekly fitness class schedule includes barre, conditioning, pilates, and yoga. Quarterly session and drop-in dance options include ballet, dance cardio, jazz and tap.

Pre-Professional Companies:

Metropolitan School of the Arts provides an opportunity for focused, dedicated, and advanced students to grow and experience the demands of working in a professional setting. The company experience is offered in addition to a student’s weekly training schedule and provides the opportunity to achieve their highest technical and artistic potential. The companies further MSA’s mission by working at a professional standard to create and perform works that inspire and motivate excellence. Company placement is by audition only. MSA’s resident companies include: Metropolitan Youth Ballet (MYB), Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble (MYTE), dynaMYTE, iMpulse Jazz Company, MetroImprov and Metropolitan Musical Theater Company (MMTC).