Brandywine Center for Dance

Brandywine Center for Dance is a professional dance studio at 3652 Silverside Road in Wilmington, Delaware, serving students across Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and South Jersey. The studio offers structured training in ballet, tap, jazz & Broadway, hip-hop, contemporary & lyrical dance, and acting & vocal performance classes. Programs are organized by age group and skill level, from pre-ballet for toddlers aged 2–6 through advanced teen and adult classes.

Bonnie Castagna, the studio's director and owner, has spent four decades studying, teaching, choreographing, and performing around the world. She trained in New York City at the Broadway Dance Center and Steps, with Finis Jhung of the Joffrey and Harkness Ballet companies, and with Pennsylvania Ballet Company artists Paul Wagner and Tricia Connors. She completed post-graduate studies with Betty Jones, the world-renowned Julliard instructor, and danced professionally with several ballet companies, performing roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Coppelia. Since her teaching career began in 1978, many of her students have pursued performing arts careers. She was also director and choreographer for Casablanca's Show Biz Kids. The studio employs a multifaceted staff of professional teachers who are specialists in their fields, including Ms. Monnare, a competition dance choreographer; Ms. Jazzie, a professional film and live performance dancer and choreographer; and Ms. Andrea, a professional competition winner and teacher for tap and jazz.

The studio's philosophy prioritizes age-appropriate classes in a positive, esteem-building environment. Classes are kept to proper size so that children receive individual attention and support. Each class focuses on discipline, coordination, technique, and confidence-building. Instructors emphasize technique and develop choreography that displays the skills learned in class.

Brandywine Center for Dance offers annual recitals, full-length winter ballets, parent visitation days, and seasonal workshops. Students can participate in competitive dance opportunities and a range of performance venues throughout the year. The studio also runs a Performing Arts Day Camp (July 13–17, 2026) and a Dance & Acting Summer Camp (August 17–21, 2026). Additional programs include musical theatre training and acting classes for children. Walk-in registration is available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, or by appointment.

You'll work with experienced instructors in age-appropriate, properly-sized classes focused on technique, discipline, and confidence. A typical class includes warm-up, technique training, across-the-floor movement, choreography, and performance development depending on your level and style.

The studio is led by Bonnie Castagna, a director, performer, and choreographer with four decades of experience and training at Broadway Dance Center, Steps, and with artists from the Joffrey Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet. The teaching staff includes Ms. Monnare (competition dance choreographer), Ms. Jazzie (professional film and live performance dancer and choreographer), and Ms. Andrea (professional competition winner and tap and jazz teacher).

The studio welcomes beginners of all ages with placement-based classes so new students can be placed in the correct level based on age and ability; no prior experience is required.