TAYLOR ACADEMY OF DANCE Introduce
For families and individuals in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and the surrounding communities, Taylor Academy of Dance stands as a beacon of exceptional dance education. This esteemed non-competition dance studio, led by the highly regarded Jill Taylor, has been shaping talented dancers and fostering a deep love for the art form for over a decade. It's a place where aspiring artists, from preschoolers to adults, can find a nurturing yet professional environment to hone their skills across a diverse range of dance styles.
Taylor Academy of Dance is celebrated not only for its world-class instruction but also for its remarkable full-length productions, particularly their annual rendition of The Nutcracker. Audiences rave about the quality, noting that it's "just as good as the big show in Raleigh" but at a much more accessible price point. This commitment to delivering high-caliber performances, combined with a genuine dedication to each student's unique abilities, truly sets this studio apart.
More than just a place to learn steps, Taylor Academy of Dance cultivates a profound sense of "family" among its dancers. It's a "home away from home" where character development, discipline, and mutual respect are as important as technical proficiency. Whether your child dreams of dancing professionally or you're simply looking for a fun and engaging way to embrace movement, Taylor Academy of Dance offers an unparalleled experience right here in our North Carolina community.
Taylor Academy of Dance is strategically located for convenient access for residents of Wake Forest and the broader North Carolina Triangle area. You can find the studio at 839 Wake Forest Business Park Suite D, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA. This location is easily identifiable and accessible, situated just behind the McDonald's off of Durham Road, a well-known artery in Wake Forest. The business park setting offers ample parking, which is a significant convenience for parents dropping off and picking up students, as well as for attendees of performances or special events.
The studio's proximity to major roadways further enhances its accessibility. For those traveling from Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Rolesville, Henderson, or other nearby towns, reaching the academy is straightforward. Detailed directions are often provided, guiding visitors from US 1 North or Falls of Neuse Road directly to the Wake Forest Business Park. This central and easy-to-navigate location ensures that the joy of dance education and the magic of performances like The Nutcracker are within easy reach for a wide range of North Carolina families, minimizing travel stress and maximizing time spent on enjoying the dance experience.
Taylor Academy of Dance offers a comprehensive and diverse range of services, catering to dancers of all ages, skill levels, and aspirations. Their mission is not only to create technically proficient dancers but also to shape character through the discipline of dance, fostering respect, responsibility, hard work, and more. Here's a look at their key offerings:
- Diverse Dance Class Offerings: The academy provides instruction in a wide array of dance techniques, including ballet, pointe, variations, partnering, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, acro, musical theatre, and pre-ballet. They offer combo classes for younger students (e.g., Ballet, Tap, and Hip Hop combinations) to allow exploration of different foundational styles.
- Classes for All Ages and Levels: Taylor Academy of Dance welcomes students from as young as 2.5 years old to adults, accommodating everyone from beginners studying for the sheer joy of dance to those aspiring to professional careers. They structure classes to teach to each dancer's unique abilities and strengths.
- Full-Length Dance Productions: A significant highlight is their commitment to providing numerous performance opportunities beyond recitals. They are renowned for their traditional, full-length productions of The Nutcracker each year, as well as other beloved story ballets like The Wizard of Oz, Phantom, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella.
- Jill M. Taylor Dance Company (Non-Profit 501c3): This associated non-profit company is responsible for the annual Nutcracker production. Notably, dancers do not need to be enrolled at Taylor Academy of Dance to audition and perform with the Jill M. Taylor Dance Company, opening opportunities to all talented dancers in the area, including those from Wake Forest, Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Rolesville, and Henderson.
- Technique and Artistry Focus: The curriculum emphasizes the importance of proper dance technique in every class, serving as the foundation for improvement and artistic development. Students are guided to learn the artistry of dance through performance, allowing their inner divas to shine on stage.
- Community Service Dance Showcases: Dancers at the academy have opportunities to perform in community service dance showcases for local businesses and youth or elderly organizations, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and sharing the joy of dance with a broader audience.
- Preparation for Advanced Programs: The rigorous and professional instruction provided by Jill Taylor has successfully prepared students for prestigious programs, with one review highlighting acceptance into the Joffrey Ballet summer dance program for four consecutive years.
Taylor Academy of Dance is distinguished by several key features and highlights that make it a truly special place for dance education in North Carolina. These elements consistently receive high praise from students and their families.
- World-Class Instruction from Jill Taylor: The founder, Jill Taylor, is consistently lauded as an exceptional and dedicated teacher. Patrons describe her as having prepared dancers "in all dance techniques" and note her ability to teach to "each dancer's unique abilities and strengths." Her professional yet nurturing approach is a cornerstone of the studio's success.
- High-Quality, Accessible Nutcracker Performances: The annual full-length Nutcracker production is a standout highlight. It's often compared favorably to "the big show in Raleigh," with attendees noting its professional quality but at a significantly more affordable price, making world-class ballet accessible to more local families. The option for non-enrolled dancers to audition for the Nutcracker further expands its community reach.
- "Home Away From Home" Family Atmosphere: The studio cultivates a strong sense of community, described as a "sense of family." Dancers feel at home, supported, and encouraged, fostering a positive environment where egos are checked at the door, and genuine connections are formed both on and off the dance floor.
- Comprehensive Technical Training: The academy emphasizes proper technique and provides thorough training in a wide range of dance styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip hop. This broad foundation equips dancers for diverse pathways, from recreational enjoyment to pre-professional programs.
- Proven Track Record of Student Success: The fact that students have been accepted into prestigious programs like the Joffrey Ballet summer dance program for multiple years speaks volumes about the quality of instruction and preparation offered at Taylor Academy of Dance.
- Engaging Spring Productions: Beyond The Nutcracker, the studio puts on "top-notch" spring productions, including popular titles like Oz, Phantom, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella. These productions provide additional valuable performance experience and delight audiences.
- Community Engagement Opportunities: The involvement of dancers in community service showcases for local businesses and organizations highlights the studio's commitment to civic responsibility and allows students to share their art with a wider audience, extending beyond formal performances.
For more information, class schedules, or to inquire about performances, please reach out to Taylor Academy of Dance using the contact details below:
Address: 839 Wake Forest Business Park Suite D, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
Phone: (919) 556-2332
Taylor Academy of Dance is an exceptionally suitable and valuable resource for locals in North Carolina, particularly within the Wake Forest and surrounding Triangle communities. One of its most compelling attributes for local families is the consistent delivery of high-quality, professional dance education and performances right in their backyard. The ability to attend a "full-length Nutcracker" that is "just as good as the big show in Raleigh" but at an unbeatable price point is a huge draw, allowing more families to experience the magic of classical ballet without significant travel or expense. This commitment to accessibility for such high-caliber art truly enriches the local cultural scene.
Furthermore, the studio's nurturing environment, characterized as a "home away from home" with a strong "sense of family," is ideal for fostering a positive and supportive experience for young dancers. Parents can be confident that their children are not only receiving "world class instruction" in various techniques like ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip hop, but are also being guided by an instructor like Jill Taylor who teaches to "each dancer's unique abilities and strengths" and helps shape their character. This holistic approach to dance education is deeply appealing to local families looking for more than just technical training.
The numerous performance opportunities, including the beloved spring productions and community service showcases, provide invaluable experiences for students and bring vibrant artistic events to the local area. For any North Carolina resident seeking a professional, caring, and community-minded dance studio, Taylor Academy of Dance truly stands out as a top choice.
TAYLOR ACADEMY OF DANCE Photos
TAYLOR ACADEMY OF DANCE Location
TAYLOR ACADEMY OF DANCE
839 Wake Forest Business Park Suite D, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
TAYLOR ACADEMY OF DANCE Reviews
I attended their performance of the nutcracker in 2024! I’ve always loved the nutcracker. I have only been to the big show once and have not been able to afford to go ever since then since it was a Christmas gift years ago. I first heard about it at the daycare I work at that one of our pre-k students would be performing. I kinda forgot about it. Then I saw a billboard on us-1 driving home one night. I bought my ticket the next day. Their performance was just as good as the big show in Raleigh. For the price they charge you can’t beat that. Everyone was so nice at the stands. I love my new Nutcrackers I bought. I can’t wait to attend every year. One day I will attend the big show again but I will always support local. If you haven’t attended I would highly encourage everyone to attend because whoever is in charge is doing just as good as the one in raleigh!
Jan 12, 2025 · Megan ButlerWe have been dancing with Jill Taylor for 12 years since we started dance at age 3. She came highly recommended from our preschool teacher whose daughter was dancing there and had a wonderful experience with Jill. We immediately knew we were blessed to have found this small but professionally run studio.Jill is the only teacher our daughter has ever had - and she has prepared my daughter in all dance techniques (ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop) so well that our daughter has been accepted in Joffrey Ballet summer dance program four years now- since age 11.In addition to the world class instruction- the studio offers the dancers a place to call home away from home. There is sense of family here at TAD. Oh and Check your ego at the door - it won’t be allowed in- but bring your inner diva to the stage and let it shine!!Jill teaches to each dancers unique abilities and strengths. It’s been so much fun to watch several generations of dancers grow and mature here- on and off the dance floor!We love the full length Nutcracker and the spring productions lol Oz, Phantom, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and more! and we even got to perform in some community service dance showcases for local business and youth or elderly organizations in the area. Jill’s productions are top notch and the kids really love being part of them.We absolutely love it here!!
Aug 23, 2022 · Beth BarkovichWe had a very negative experience at this dance school. The owner was not kind to my 7 year-old from the moment she walked in the door and for no reason that I could see. She wasn't misbehaving. In fact, she hadn't even had time to misbehave if she were that kind of kid! When I calmly approached her and asked her to help me make this a more positive experience, she responded angrily and even had another (volunteer) on the phone to weirdly double team me or something. It was bizarre. She was so nice before we signed up but, as soon as you pay, you get an email telling you that you're not to contact anyone but the volunteer president of the parent guild if you have questions. If you try to contact the owner (who was also the dance teacher) with any questions, she forwards the email to the volunteer who then writes a scathing response letting you know that you're breaking the rules and you have no business talking to the teacher directly. I have 3 kids who have danced at half a dozen other places over 12 years and 2 states and all of them have been wonderful, never a single issue. I also overheard the parent guild president in the lobby going on about how the auditions are rigged. That was not our concern but I found it interesting to hear since the owner had gone on and on about how fair they were (even thought I'd never even accused her of being unfair).
Nov 18, 2019 · LeslieMs. Jill is a wonderful dance teacher and the environment at Taylor Academy of Dance is one that I have been striving to find. Ms. Jill promotes a wonderful environment at the dance studio where all students--from all ranges of ability--are able to grow and learn without feeling judged by their peers. I have danced at a few studios before and have never felt as much individualized attention or commitment to helping students compared to what Ms. Jill exemplifies. She reciprocates a dancer's love of learning and verve and always pushes for you to do your best. If you are in search of a dance studio in the area, I strongly recommend Taylor Academy of Dance
Jun 14, 2017 · Katie LiuAbsolutely amazing I have danced there for nearly 7 years and I love the teacher and all of the students!
Jun 10, 2021 · Ella Lassetter
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