Academy of Dance

For families in Wooster, Ohio, and the surrounding communities, finding a dance studio that combines passionate instruction with a supportive and affordable environment is key to fostering a love for the arts. Academy of Dance, under the experienced leadership of Tamala Taylor, has established itself as a cornerstone of dance education in the region. This local studio is celebrated for its commitment to providing high-quality training across a diverse range of dance styles, all within a nurturing setting where every student is encouraged to thrive. If you're looking to introduce your child to the joy of dance, or help them advance their skills, Academy of Dance offers an exceptional experience right here in our Ohio community.

Academy of Dance, often referred to as TTAD, stands out for its personalized approach to dance education. The studio prides itself on maintaining smaller class sizes, ensuring that each student receives ample individual attention and constructive feedback from their dedicated instructors. This focus on quality over quantity, combined with a wide array of class options, means that dancers of all ages and skill levels can find a program that suits their needs and aspirations. The strong support system, evident in the glowing testimonials from satisfied parents, speaks volumes about the positive and family-like atmosphere cultivated by Tamala Taylor and her team. This makes Academy of Dance a truly suitable and highly recommended choice for local families across Ohio seeking a reputable and caring dance institution.

Academy of Dance is conveniently located at 3040 Lincoln Way E, Wooster, OH 44691, USA. This accessible address places the studio within easy reach for families residing in Wooster and neighboring communities throughout Wayne County and Northeast Ohio. Lincoln Way E is a primary thoroughfare in Wooster, ensuring straightforward navigation and convenient access to the studio. The location typically offers ample parking, which is a significant advantage for parents during drop-off and pick-up times, making the overall experience seamless and stress-free. Being situated in Wooster means it’s a central point for many local communities, providing a practical option for those seeking quality dance instruction without extensive travel. The ease of access further underscores Academy of Dance's commitment to serving a wide range of local Ohio families and making dance education readily available.

• Ballet Classes (Ages 3+): Offering classical, lyrical, and Cecchetti styles, including pointe work. Emphasizes basic steps, motor skills, muscular anatomy, and building upon previous years of training. Placement for pointe work is at the teacher's discretion, often requiring a minimum of three ballet classes per week.
• Tap Dance Classes (Ages 3+): An exciting class where students use their feet to create rhythm. Focuses on rudiments, motor skills, tricks, turns, and theatrical tap work.
• Acrobatics (Age 3+): Concentrates on strengthening and flexibility training to learn tumbling skills and tricks, with progressions taught to prioritize safety.
• Contemporary Dance Classes: (Teacher's permission and ballet co-requisite required) Incorporates elements of Modern Dance, Ballet, and Contemporary movements, focusing on floor work, improvisation, and core strengthening.
• Jazz Dance Classes: (Teacher's permission and ballet co-requisite required) Students learn stylized movements, leaps, turns, footwork, isolations, and floor work, drawing from styles like Luigi, Fosse, and Giordano.
• Hip Hop Classes (Ages 3+): A fun mix of exercises, street dancing, and strengthening for all ages, encouraging creativity and incorporating acrobatic moves, jumps, turns, and tricks based on skill level.
• Baton/Twirling (Age 3+): Students learn a variety of tricks in the style of dance twirl, with potential to combine jazz and/or acrobatic skills.
• Small Class Sizes: A key benefit highlighted by parents, ensuring personalized attention and effective instruction for each student.
• Variety of Class Options: Provides many choices to suit different interests, ages, and skill levels, allowing students to explore various dance forms.
• Annual Recitals: All students from ages 3-18 participate in an annual celebratory showcase of their hard work, typically held at Wooster High School Auditorium, providing valuable performance experience.
• Summer Programs: Offers special sessions like "Mini Movers," "Dance Exploration," and "Workshop Wednesdays," providing flexible and engaging opportunities during the summer months.

• Experienced Leadership with Tamala Taylor: The studio is led by Tamala Taylor, an owner, instructor, and choreographer with an intense passion for dance. She has over 40 years of membership with Ohio Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America, and 31 years with Cecchetti Council of America, holding executive board positions and preparing students for CCA ballet exams. Her extensive experience ensures high-quality instruction and a well-respected curriculum.
• "Amazing Teachers": Customers consistently rave about the quality of instruction, describing the teachers as "Amazing." This indicates a staff that is not only skilled in dance but also effective at teaching and inspiring students.
• Nurturing and Supportive Environment: The studio is praised for providing "lots of support," suggesting a positive and encouraging atmosphere where students feel comfortable learning and growing. This contributes to a strong "studio family" feeling.
• Reasonable Cost: A significant highlight for many families is the "very reasonable cost" of classes, making quality dance education accessible to a wider range of families in the Ohio region.
• Long-Term Student Retention: The fact that a daughter is in her "3rd year of dance" and parents "highly recommend TTAD!" speaks volumes about the positive and consistent experience the studio provides, leading to loyal students and families.
• Structured Progression: Classes are designed to build upon previous years of training, ensuring a logical and effective progression of skills from beginner levels to more advanced techniques.
• Certified Instructors: Staff members like Maddie Gumber are certified members of both The Cecchetti Council of Ohio and Ohio Dance Masters, ensuring adherence to recognized dance standards.
• Community Involvement: Instructors like Maddie Gumber and Abby Shaw are involved in local arts councils and choreograph for other organizations, demonstrating their commitment to the broader performing arts community in Ohio.

Address: 3040 Lincoln Way E, Wooster, OH 44691, USA

Phone: (330) 262-5978

For families in Wooster, Ohio, and surrounding communities seeking exceptional dance education, Academy of Dance stands out as an incredibly suitable and highly recommended local choice. Its convenient location on Lincoln Way E makes it easily accessible, minimizing travel time for busy parents and ensuring that quality dance instruction is within reach for many across the Ohio region.

What truly sets Academy of Dance apart and makes it ideal for locals is the combined expertise and nurturing approach led by Tamala Taylor. The consistent praise for "amazing teachers," "smaller class sizes," and "lots of support" underscores a learning environment that prioritizes individual student growth and well-being. This is a place where children can not only learn precise techniques in ballet, tap, hip hop, or acrobatics but also develop confidence, discipline, and a lifelong passion for dance.

Furthermore, the "very reasonable cost" makes high-quality dance education accessible to a broader segment of the community, ensuring that financial constraints don't hinder a child's artistic development. The enthusiasm of long-term students and their families, as evidenced by their continued enrollment and strong recommendations, speaks volumes about the positive and enriching experience provided. Academy of Dance is more than just a studio; it's a supportive community hub that contributes significantly to the cultural fabric of Wooster and is an invaluable resource for local Ohio families looking to introduce their children to the wonderful world of dance.

Academy of Dance

3040 Lincoln Way E, Wooster, OH 44691, USA