Asheville Performing Arts Academy

For families across North Carolina, especially those in the vibrant Asheville area, searching for a place where artistic dreams take center stage, the Asheville Performing Arts Academy (APAA) is a true hub of creativity and professional development. This esteemed institution is dedicated to nurturing young talent in dance, acting, and music, providing a comprehensive conservatory-style education that equips students with the skills, confidence, and passion to excel both on and off the stage. Whether your child is just beginning their artistic journey or aspiring to a professional career in the performing arts, APAA offers a supportive and challenging environment to help them shine.

The Asheville Performing Arts Academy operates with a clear mission: to facilitate a lifelong appreciation and advocacy of the arts by providing a loving community where students discover the tools needed to navigate life on and off the stage. They foster a love and appreciation for the arts through strong student-teacher relationships, encouraging and helping each individual excel at their dreams. APAA offers high-quality instruction and educational experiences, deeply committed to both the art of teaching and the teaching of the arts. Their goal is to build art and awareness in the community, providing a home for families to pursue their creative aspirations.

The positive impact of APAA on its students and the broader community is frequently highlighted in glowing testimonials. One delighted audience member shared a recent experience: "Thank you so much for hosting the Asheville beer choir for a Saint Paddy‘s Day extravaganza. How fabulous to have your Irish dancers pair with the choir. What great dancers and what a beautiful evening! It is clear that they have great instruction. And, thank you for leading us in an Irish dance as well. It’s always wonderful when the audience can participate. The entire evening felt celebratory and joyful." This showcases the Academy's ability to create memorable, engaging performances that involve the community. A parent further emphasized the dedication of the team: "What I’ve come to love and admire the most in this team, is how they put so much heart into everything they do. They really want to elevate the kids experience in theater, challenging them with things like their summer intensive programs and JTF competitions. They are very good at casting, directing and creating the shows, and bringing out hidden talents in all the cast! As a parent in the audience, it’s an absolute delight to see the students perform such outstanding shows—and sometimes in a very short amount of time!" These heartfelt reviews underscore the Academy's commitment to excellence, nurturing talent, and providing an enriching experience for both students and audiences.

The Asheville Performing Arts Academy is conveniently located at 55 Shiloh Rd Unit 4, Asheville, NC 28803, USA. This accessible address places it within easy reach for families throughout Asheville and its surrounding communities in Western North Carolina. Shiloh Road is a well-established area, ensuring straightforward navigation, whether you're coming from downtown Asheville, South Asheville, or neighboring towns. The studio is part of a complex that provides convenient parking options, making drop-offs and pick-ups hassle-free for parents.

Being situated in Asheville, a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene and strong community focus, APAA is ideally positioned to contribute to and benefit from this rich cultural environment. The ease of access helps foster a consistent and growing community of aspiring young artists, making it simple for students to attend regular classes, rehearsals, and workshops. The welcoming atmosphere of the surrounding area complements the Academy's own nurturing and inspiring environment, creating a comfortable and engaging space for artistic development.

Asheville Performing Arts Academy offers a comprehensive range of programs and services designed to provide high-quality training across the core disciplines of musical theater and performing arts. Their offerings cater to various age groups and skill levels.

• The Company Program (Grades 6-12): A conservatory-style program offering weekly classes in Dance, Acting, and Music. This program prepares students for higher-level performance and potentially professional careers.
• Weekly Dance Classes: Focus on integrating movement and musicality, reinforcing proper Jazz and Ballet techniques, and introducing students to various styles of American musical theatre vernacular and contemporary dance forms.
• Weekly Acting Classes: Introduce, teach, and reinforce realism skills and techniques. Students apply learned techniques in monologues, scene study, script reading, interpretation, and performance work. They also develop audition binders.
• Weekly Music Classes: Students focus on music for season shows, working on proper singing techniques, diction, and performance.
• Mainstage Company Productions: Students in The Company Program participate in fully produced musicals and cabarets, with rehearsals incorporated into their weekly schedule, culminating in public performances.
• The Prep Program (Grades 1-8): Designed to introduce younger students to the performing arts.
• Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) Participation: Company students attend the nationally recognized Junior Theatre Festival, performing 15-minute excerpts from Broadway Junior shows for adjudication by musical theater experts. This includes workshops and networking opportunities with Broadway professionals.
• Summer Intensive Programs: Challenging programs designed to elevate students' experience in theater.
• Technical Theatre Experience: Opportunities for students to be well-rounded by participating in behind-the-scenes elements like sets, costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management.
• Master Classes: Various master classes focusing on topics like auditioning, improv, and specialized dance forms.
• Community Outreach Performances: Opportunities for Company students to perform in local schools, nursing homes, and festivals, sharing the joy of live theater with the community.

Asheville Performing Arts Academy distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that make it a standout institution in the North Carolina performing arts scene:

• Professional-Level Instruction: The Academy is praised for its "great instruction" and the professional expertise of its team, who "put so much heart into everything they do." They are dedicated to challenging students and bringing out hidden talents.
• Holistic Artistic Development: APAA provides a well-rounded education spanning dance, acting, and music, preparing students for all facets of musical theater and beyond.
• Nationally Recognized Programs: The Company Program has won numerous awards in Ensemble Work, Choreography, and Acting, showcasing its high standards and national recognition.
• Strong Performance Opportunities: Students regularly perform in "outstanding shows" produced by the Academy, including full-length musicals and cabarets. The annual participation in the Junior Theatre Festival is a significant highlight, offering invaluable adjudication and workshop experience.
• Community Engagement: The Academy actively engages with the local community through performances and collaborations, such as hosting the Asheville Beer Choir and Irish dance performances, fostering a joyful and celebratory atmosphere.
• Nurturing and Supportive Environment: Parents laud the team's dedication to "elevate the kids' experience in theater" and their ability to foster a loving community where students feel challenged yet supported.
• Focus on Real-World Skills: From professional-style rehearsals to technical theater experience and audition preparation, APAA equips students with practical skills for navigating the performing arts world.
• Alumni Success: The Academy boasts alumni who are now studying and working across the country as professional artists and arts administrators, a testament to the quality of their training.

For more information, class schedules, or to enroll your child, you can contact the Asheville Performing Arts Academy using the following details:

Address: 55 Shiloh Rd Unit 4, Asheville, NC 28803, USA

Phone: (828) 253-4000

Mobile Phone: +1 828-253-4000

Website: theapaa.com (based on Google Search result)

For locals in North Carolina, particularly those in the Asheville area, the Asheville Performing Arts Academy offers an unparalleled opportunity for young artists to cultivate their talents in a professional yet deeply nurturing environment. It's an ideal choice for families seeking comprehensive training in dance, acting, and music, with a strong emphasis on practical performance experience and holistic development. The Academy's commitment to challenging students with programs like JTF and bringing out "hidden talents" ensures that every child receives personalized attention and grows exponentially. From the joyful community performances to the rigorous conservatory training, APAA stands as a beacon of artistic excellence in Western North Carolina. If you're looking for a place where passion for the performing arts is ignited, honed, and celebrated, the Asheville Performing Arts Academy is undoubtedly the destination for your family.

Asheville Performing Arts Academy

55 Shiloh Rd Unit 4, Asheville, NC 28803, USA