A wall of a child’s dance years
Pin & Plié started in a small Cihangir studio in 2016 with eight children and a corkboard. The corkboard is now a whole wall — and the idea has not changed: small classes, real stages, no pressure.
How we began
After ten years dancing and teaching with children’s companies across Istanbul, Defne Aydın wanted a studio where a four-year-old and a fifteen-year-old could both feel like the stage was theirs. Not a competition machine — a place where courage is built one small step at a time, and where every recital photo, sewn-on ribbon and taped programme goes up on the wall.
Eleven years later we run creative movement, ballet, hip-hop and stage-performance prep for ages 4 to 16. Groups stay at six to eight dancers so nobody hides at the back. In the 2025 season 217 dancers took to the wall, and 41 of them stepped onto a real stage for the first time.
People who know every child by name
Defne Aydın
Founder & Artistic DirectorVaganova-trained, 14 years teaching. Teaches the senior ballet groups and choreographs the Spring Recital. Believes warm-ups should make children laugh.
Selin Kaya
Hip-Hop LeadFormer battle crew choreographer, 9 years coaching teens. Runs the crew routines and the Street Showcase; her signature move is a very slow, very dramatic freeze.
Mert Demir
Stage & Performance CoachMusical-theatre background, 7 years at the academy. Leads audition prep and the Season Finale, and quietly fixes every nervous dancer’s breathing before they go on.
From first message to first bow
Five steps, no surprises. This is exactly what happens after you send an enrollment request.
1 · You reach out — day one
Send the enrollment form or message us. We reply within one working day with two or three trial-class slots that fit your dancer’s age and days.
2 · Trial class — that week
Your child joins a real class for 350 TL. No costume needed, loaner shoes if required. You watch, they dance, everyone meets the teacher.
3 · We agree a board — within a few days
Together we choose the style, group and days. You get a written class board and the monthly fee, with no registration charge.
4 · Term dancing — every week
Small-group classes with a parent-watch week each term. We share short progress notes twice a season so you know what your dancer is working on.
5 · The recital — end of season
Costume fitting, dress rehearsal, and then a real stage with lights. Photos go up on the wall. First plié to first bow.
Notes pinned to the wall
“Our daughter joined creative movement at four, terrified of the room. By the Little Steps class she walked on holding a ribbon like she owned the place. The only downside was parking on show night.”
Elif & Kaan Y. — Creative Movement, June 2025
“Selin turned my very shy eleven-year-old into someone who asked to be in the front row of the Street Showcase. The crew routine was genuinely good, not just cute.”
Deniz A. — Hip-Hop, March 2025
“The stage-prep group got my son ready for a conservatory audition. Mert’s breathing tricks worked — he was calm walking on. Costume fitting ran a little late but the result was worth it.”
Ayşe & Murat T. — Stage Prep, January 2026
Cancellation & refunds
Plans change and children change their minds — here is exactly how it works, per month and per recital.
| When you tell us | Monthly classes | Recital costume |
|---|---|---|
| Before the next month starts | Full stop, no charge | Full refund if unmade |
| Within the first week of a month | 50% of that month refunded | 50% if fitting has begun |
| After the first week of a month | Month is not refunded | Costume is yours to keep |
Illness & force majeure. If your dancer is ill or a class is cancelled for weather or studio reasons, the class is moved or credited — never lost. Just let us know within 48 hours.
Frequently asked
How long is a class?
Creative movement (ages 4–5) runs 45 minutes. Ballet, hip-hop and stage-prep classes run 60 minutes, and senior stage-prep blocks can extend to 75 minutes near a recital.
Does my child need a costume to start?
No. The trial class needs only comfortable clothes, and we have loaner shoes. Costumes only come in for recitals, and they’re billed separately at 1.180 TL per season.
My child is very shy — is that a problem?
Not at all. Most of our dancers start shy. Small groups of six to eight, no-pressure recitals and a parent-watch week each term mean children build courage at their own pace.
Can we switch styles mid-season?
Yes, subject to space in the new group. Many dancers try ballet and hip-hop before settling. Just message us and we’ll adjust the class board from the next month.
Do you have a waiting list?
Sometimes. Because we keep groups small, popular age slots fill up. The typical wait is one to two weeks; we’ll always tell you honestly when a spot will open.
How do you handle safety?
All teachers are safeguarding-trained with first aid on site. Parents sign in for watch weeks, and we keep up-to-date medical and contact notes for every dancer.