About2025-08-25T15:30:10-05:00

About Us

Our mission is to equip the next generation of performers with the skills, mindset and confidence to thrive on any stage!

Saskia Harmon - Director

kyle chowning

President & Owner

Welcome

Thanks for stopping by! My wife, Kristy, and I founded ROOTS Academy in 2012 with a simple idea—create a place where students of all ages can learn and grow in a safe, creative, and inspiring environment. Today, we are a vibrant community of over 1,400 growth-minded creatives pursuing our passions in music, dance, and theatre.

At ROOTS, everything we do is guided by The ROOTS Way, built on three core values:
✅ Mindset Matters – Growth begins with the right mindset.
✅ Excellence Matters – We strive for our best in everything we do.
✅ People Matter – Every student, family, and instructor is valued.

If you’re wondering whether ROOTS Academy is the right fit for you, we invite you to come in and experience it for yourself. We offer free trial music lessons and dance classes, so you can explore and find what inspires you.

I hope to see you in the studio soon!

-Kyle

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email info@rootsacademy.com or call/text us at (615) 804-1177.

what we offer

  • Music Lessons available for ages 5 to adult in piano, guitar, voice, drums, violin, cello, ukulele, bass and more – in studio or your home.

  • OnStage Program including bands, courses and ensemble groups for beginner to advanced level musicians.

  • Dance Classes available for ages 18 months through 18 years and include styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and more.

  • Competitive Dance Program is designed for dedicated dancers looking to take their skills to the next level. This program focuses on advanced technique, performance excellence, and participation in competitions.

  • Musical Theatre program unites dance, voice, and acting training for aspiring performers of all skill levels

  • Recitals are offered throughout the year, including the annual Dance recital, the semi-annual OnStage Band Show and the quarterly RMA Fests, providing students with opportunities to perform for live audiences and celebrate their progress.

  • Summer Camps are available in music, dance, musical theatre, and preschool programs in a fun, creative environment.

our promise

We are so confident that you’ll love your experience at ROOTS that we guarantee your satisfaction for the first 30 days (4 classes or lessons), or your money back.

THE ROOTS WAY

Our mission is to equip the next generation of performers with the skills, mindset and confidence to thrive on any stage. Our vision is to be the trusted studio throughout Middle Tennessee for premier training in music, dance athletics, and performing arts.

mindset
matters

(How we Think)

We believe a healthy mindset affects how we show up in and outside the studio.

excellence
matters

(What we Do)

We believe excellence comes when defining & preparing for success is matched with discipline & passion.

people
matter

(How we Act)

We believe a healthy mindset affects how we show up in and outside the studio.

Meet our teamGraphic

Meet the dedicated team who guide ROOTS Academy’s mission to inspire, serve, and develop artists through music, dance and theatre education.

Meet our team

Meet the dedicated team who guide ROOTS Academy’s mission to inspire, serve, and develop artists through music, dance and theatre education.

Leadership Team

Dance team

Music team

Marketing team

Operations team

Our History

August 2012
Kyle & Kristy Chowning purchased the business, thanks to the generosity of our investors, Warren & Evelyn Hall.
January 2013
Name was changed from School of Worship to ROOTS Academy Launched ROOTS Dance
June 2013
Launched our first season of Summer music & dance camps
February 2015
Launched a new location in Thompson Station (closed in January 2016)
August 2016
Due to our growth, we leased a building just a quarter mile from our original location and opened Studio B, adding a second dance studio to our space.
July 2017
The owners purchased and began renovations on 320 Southgate Court in Brentwood, TN—the new, permanent home for ROOTS Academy. This 11,000-square-foot building enabled us to expand to three dance studios, 13 music studios, and add much-needed office space for our growing administrative team.
October 2017
ROOTS Dance took the stage for our first dance competition.
October 2017
We moved out of our original location at 216 Seaboard and our second location (Studio B) into one completely renovated studio space at 320 Southgate Court.
May 2019
Acquired the 5,500-square-foot building next to our current location, expanding our total capacity to 16,500 square feet. This expansion includes five dance studios, 13 music studios, and a dedicated band studio.
November 2019
We opened The Annex, adding 2,700 square feet of sprung-floor dance studio space and a 600-square-foot band studio for our growing Band program. The Annex features two lobby areas with comfortable seating, The Homework Table for students to work between classes, and, of course, screaming fast Wi-Fi.
March 2020
The global pandemic hit, and due to local stay-at-home orders, we pivoted to offer our entire music and dance programs virtually.
May 2020
The show must go on! With lessons and classes hosted virtually since the March shutdown, the ROOTS team pivoted once more to create and stream our first (and hopefully last) virtual music and dance recitals. Not even a pandemic could keep us from getting “on stage.”
June 2020
After being closed to the public since March 14th due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we re-opened the studio to the public.
January 2022
For the first time in ROOTS history, we passed 1,000 actively enrolled students in our music and dance programs.
July 2022
ROOTS Dance Academy made its mark at its first-ever Dance Nationals Competition, earning recognition for its achievements by winning multiple National Championships.
August 2022
ROOTS Celebrates 10 Years
January 2024
Launched ROOTS at Home, providing music lessons at home for customers living in Franklin & Brentwood
February 2024
Initiated a feasibility study to construct a building between our existing buildings, uniting them into one large ROOTS facility.
August 2024
Launched the Musical Theatre program with Matilda Jr. as our first performance (Nov 2024)

cool springs / brentwood

ROOTS campus

Located in the heart of Cool Springs, the ROOTS Academy Campus spans 18,400 square feet across three facilities: the Main Building, the Annex, and Studio M.

Our Brentwood, TN campus includes 15 music lesson studios, 7 dance studios with professional sprung floors, and a fully equipped band studio. Parents can enjoy four welcoming lobby areas with comfortable workspaces and seating, designed for both relaxation and productivity. The campus also offers 95 parking spaces and filtered water stations for added convenience.

The Proof

11 Years on the Podium.

Voted a top performing arts studio in Williamson County every year since 2015 — music, dance, and musical theatre.

  • 2026 Sizzle Awards Winner
  • Best of Parenting 2025 Winner
  • 5.0
    164 Google reviews
  • 98%
    recommend
    on Facebook

testimonials

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some of our families have to say about their ROOTS experience.

5 Over 175 Reviews
Review from Google
Prateek Gupta
We couldn’t ask for a better music teacher than Justus Mitchell. For over a year now, he has made guitar and vocal lessons something Vihaan genuinely looks forward to.

He has a great balance of being friendly and respectful while also knowing exactly how to challenge Vihaan to keep him engaged and growing. The progress in both skill and confidence has been incredible.

Highly recommend — he truly knows how to spark and sustain a love for music. 🎸✨
Review from Google
Hamid Rab
The recital was very disappointing. Parents were not allowed to take pictures or videos, seemingly so that the organizers could sell the photos and videos later.

We spent the entire afternoon at the event just to watch our child perform for about three minutes. There was no food available, and once you left the venue, you were not allowed to come back in.

To make matters worse, the venue was extremely cold. Many people complained about the temperature, but no one seemed to care or do anything about it.

Overall, it was a very poor experience and not enjoyable for families attending to support their children.
Review from Google
Sonali Samantaray
Mr. Chris Ramirez has a unique ability to connect with students of all personalities and learning styles. He breaks down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand, keeps lessons fun and engaging, and always celebrates progress—big or small.
My child has gained confidence, leaning technique, and a real love for music thanks to his guidance. We’re grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him to any family looking for a great drum instructor.
Review from Google
Megan Moody
We love Roots Music!! Chris is amazing with our son on drums. He really brings out his personality and makes him excited about learning! Stephanie teaches voice for our daughter. She is building foundations of voice and performing!
Review from Google
Bob Lauer
Ali has been coming to Roots for over 3 years and all of her instructors have been amazing. Dave Mohr as her guitar mentor and Liv Ash for voice mentoring have been great as Ali has made tremendous strides. Thank you to all and would highly recommend Roots and Dave and Liv!
Bob and Lisa L
Review from Google
holly pagliara
We lover Roots! All of our mentors have been fabulous! So kind and encouraging!
Review from Google
Sonali Samantaray
Mr. Chris Ramirez has a unique ability to connect with students of all personalities and learning styles at Roots. He breaks down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand, keeps lessons fun and engaging, and always celebrates progress—big or small.
My child has gained confidence, leaning technique, and a real love for music thanks to his guidance. We’re grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him/ Roots Academy to any family looking for a great drum instructor.
Review from Google
Brittany Box
Roots is an amazing place. Everyone is kind and encouraging. My son loves his dance, musical theatre and music classes. He’s been taking for about two years now and they are helping him succeed as a child actor.
The recitals are so inspiring. The level of talent is impressive and preparation and care that goes into putting on these productions is amazing. They work hard to make the kids feel special!
Review from Google
Kalpana Kolanji
Katie wonderful mentor. She teaches to toddler children excellent
Review from Google
Mike Thomas
Dave Mohr has been a great guitar mentor for my son. Highly recommend Roots Music Academy and Dave!
Review from Google
Heather Pereyra
Highly recommend Roots! We’ve had an amazing experience over the past five years. My daughter has grown so much musically and truly loves her teacher, Miss Marilyn. She is incredibly thoughtful and always helps her choose music that matches her interests, which keeps lessons fun and motivating. Most importantly, my daughter has gained so much confidence performing on stage. We are so grateful for Miss Marilyn and the positive, encouraging environment Roots provides
Review from Google
Nicholas Adinolfi
We have been so happy with ROOTS and Miss Zoe! She is always kind and encouraging and has done a wonderful job teaching our daughter. My wife and I are always surprised to see how much progress she has made. Thank you!
Review from Google
Neha Pradhan (Neha)
Aarya loves Ms Anabelle. We have been part of Roots singing and Dance for more than 3 years now and we love this place. All the mentors are amazing but special shoutout to our very beloved Ms anabelle for making Aarya follow thtough on her dreams❤️❤️
Review from Google
Y T
Ms. Nat Burns has been such a wonderful ballet teacher for my daughter. She is patient, supportive, and truly cares about her students. We’ve seen so much growth and confidence. Thank you!
Review from Google
Abigail Markham
I've had a great few months singing with Mrs. Stefani!! She has made me feel hope that I can achieve my goals and dreams of being a performer! So much so, because with her help I accomplished getting into the school musical "Into the Woods"!! And I've had a great year and a half with Mrs. Emma. She has helped my dancing skills a lot! So much so, that I got into the Dance 2 class at my school!!
Review from Google
Meghan Nash
Roots Dance Academy has been my daughter’s second home for almost 8 years now. Kyle and Kristy have made such an amazing space for dancers to grow and shine. There are so many mentors that are so special to us (Saskia, Jess, Kathleen, Erin, Chimera, etc and of course our daughter’s special mentor/cheerleader-Kelsey!! I am so grateful for all of these mentors for believing in my girl and bringing out the best in her!
Review from Google
B L
We have two kids in their second year at ROOTS, both growing in skill, confidence and joy in their crafts in this supportive, excellent environment staffed with truly brilliant and caring mentors. Convinced Miss Jen is secretly a super hero or an angel or a combination of both.
Review from Google
Brian Blas
Roots is truly a special place. Liv Ash is my son’s piano teacher, and we couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. Her patience during her lessons, as well as her ability to connect with my son and make music “make sense” to him is beyond phenomenal. He always leaves his time with her excited to share with us what he has learned and played.
Review from Google
Rebecca Wagner
Can't say enough about Roots Academy!
The mentors are fantastic! They are talented and passionate about their craft and come prepared to work with the kids.
The administrative staff is so organized and the communication is excellent. I love that they keep us informed with quick concise emails. They are also so easy to work with and accommodating (injuries, illness, rescheduling etc).
The facilities are so clean!
Review from Google
Cristina Becerra
Super encantada con todos ustedes ! Y la atención y dedicación que tienen con mi baby!! Ha tenido más confianza y entusiasmo por ir a sus clases de guitarra y violín! Gracias a todos !!
Review from Google
Mike Sterling
Justus is an outstanding mentor who is not only a gifted musician but a gifted instructor as well. I recently retired and decided to study piano, a scary move on my part since I haven’t played the piano since 8th grade. Justus is kind and encouraging. He’s exceptional at figuring out bits I have forgotten and tailoring my lessons and practice sessions to fit my learning style. Never have I felt so inspired to be creative musically! Thank you, Justus!
Review from Google
Mary Jones
We love Roots! Mr Dave and Ms Allison are great teachers. Both my boys enjoy their weekly lessons.
Review from Google
Jay D
ROOTS Academy has been a very special place to our family for the past year and a half. Not only are the mentors bringing their amazing talents and skills to the classroom, but their love and passion for teaching their craft is so apparent. My kids are always excited for their weekly lessons, and come out inspired and looking forward to the next one. Marta, Matt, Rachel, and Justus we think you're all amazing and we are so very grateful for YOU!!!
Review from Google
Dewayne Strobel
Zhaa Zhaa loves her classes and especially Her teacher Ashley Seagraves.
Review from Google
Kate Kennedy
We love Roots! Great communication and we love Cassidy! Her commitment to growing our young singer is greatly appreciated.
Review from Google
Keith and Blaine Marschner
Meg Dearmin at roots is the BEST! She’s so kind, patient and an all around amazing dance teacher! We are so lucky to have had her the past two years! 💗
Review from Google
Jim E
The teachers are great and very passionate. The kids really enjoy it and have greatly improved. The kids always love performing at the RMA fests!
Review from Google
avery clark
Stephanie is so amazing and fun!! She is so wise in the musical world. She’s able to work you through any issue or goal you want to reach. Highly recommend Stephanie for voice lessons.
Review from Google
Sumalatha Dommeti
Nice place to learn different types of activities dance, Piano, guitar, singing etc.
Good atmosphere.
Review from Google
Sean Ballance
Iliana is a fantastic mentor. Our daughter Cora is so excited for her piano lesson every Saturday!

News & Updates

  • Join us on Halloween for Fall Fest & Trunk-or-Treat!Graphic

    Join us on Halloween for Fall Fest & Trunk-or-Treat!

    On November 22–23, 2024, the RMA Fest Fall Showcase took center stage at The Roy E. Barberi Theatre, spotlighting nearly 150 talented music students and OnStage Bands. Over the course of five unforgettable shows, these young artists delivered performances filled with passion, skill, and creativity.

    read more
  • Dad and Dancer Hip Hop ClassGraphic

    Dad and Dancer Hip Hop Class

    Dads and Dancer Hip Hop Class Our Company dancers brought their dads into the studio for one of the most fun traditions of the year: Dads + Dancers Hip [...]

    read more
  • 2026–2027 Dance Registration Is Now OpenGraphic

    2026–2027 Dance Registration Is Now Open

    There’s a place right here for you. Registration for our 2026–2027 season is officially open, and we can’t wait to welcome new and returning students into another year of [...]

    read more
  • Thank You for an Incredible Recital WeekendGraphic

    Thank You for an Incredible Recital Weekend

    What a weekend. Our 2026 Dance Recital was a celebration of hard work, growth, and the joy of performing. From our youngest dancers stepping on stage for the first [...]

    read more
more updates

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose which instrument is right for me?2023-02-27T21:12:39-06:00

We know making that first step in choosing your instrument is a tough one. Don’t let that stop you! We are committed to helping your student find the right fit. If you’re unhappy with your mentor or instrument, you can simply let us know and we’ll try a different option. We offer a one-time free trial lesson for all new students to try out your instrument of choice to ensure it’s a good fit. We’re committed to partnering with you to find the absolute best fit instrument and mentor!

How do I choose which music mentor is right for me?2025-01-15T16:47:44-06:00

Every lesson and class is led by instructors that we purposely call “mentors.” We take the responsibility of training the next generation seriously. Each of our mentors is not only thoroughly background checked, trained, and empowered to develop the student’s gifts and talents, but also to build trusted and reliable connections. We believe that if the students trust the environment and mentor, they will thrive and grow faster. You can meet our Music Mentors here!

Can I change my instrument or my mentor?2023-02-27T21:17:13-06:00

Absolutely. Making an instrument or mentor change is easy. Simply contact our office at (615) 804-1177 or music@rootsacademy.com and let them know what you’d like to do. They’ll be happy to talk you through your options.

If I miss a music lesson, can I make it up?2024-01-11T15:51:14-06:00

Absolutely! As long as we hear from you at least 24 hours before your scheduled lesson, you will receive a once-monthly make-up for your missed lessons.

Make-ups are not permitted for no-shows or multiple missed lessons per month.

How do I stop my music lessons?2025-04-07T09:32:49-05:00

We offer hassle-free withdrawals and/or temporary lesson holds. The only requirement is to submit your request to withdraw at least 15 days prior to the next billing cycle. Withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing using this form. Withdrawals will be processed within three business days.

How do I know which class is right for me?2025-06-03T18:43:01-05:00

The first step to determining the appropriate class for your dancer is to find the appropriate age division.

  • Toddler (ages 1.5 – 3)
  • Preschool (ages 3-4)
  • Petite (5)
  • Peewee (6)
  • Mini (ages 7-8)
  • Junior (ages 9-11)
  • Teen (ages 12-14)
  • Senior (ages 15-18)

All dancers must be the proper age by August 15th for their group.

Once you know which group is best, you can view the classes available. We have two types of classes – open and placement. Open classes require no dance experience. Placement classes are more advanced for dancers with previous experience. For placement classes, the ROOTS dance staff would love to set up an evaluation in a class with your dancer.

What if the class I want to enroll in is full and waitlisted?2023-10-19T15:55:35-05:00

If the class you’re interested in is already full, please sign up for the waitlist. This ensures you’ll be alerted if a spot opens up. If a space becomes available, we’ll reach out to confirm your interest. Only once a spot is secured for you will you be charged for tuition.

How do I claim the 30-day money back guarantee?2025-01-07T13:57:22-06:00

The money-back guarantee is based on the following requirements:

  • The student is required to attend four consecutive weeks of lessons/classes
  • Parent/student must notify the front office regarding their dissatisfaction by the third week, giving us an opportunity to improve your learning experience.
  • Refunds will be paid by check and delivered within 10-14 business days.
Is participation in the dance recital required?2023-02-27T21:05:40-06:00

Recital participation is not required, however, it is strongly recommended. We expect that all ROOTS dancers are performing in the Recital unless we hear otherwise. If you are unable to perform, please email us as soon as possible at dance@rootsacademy.com

Can I put my music lessons on hold for the summer, sports, etc.?2025-01-07T13:54:38-06:00

Absolutely! We offer a temporary hold for music lessons that allows students to keep their mentor, lesson day/time, and current tuition rate for a discounted rate each month. You can read up more on Lesson Holds here.

JOIN THE FUN!

Follow us on Social Media

Learning the choreography → bringing it all together.

There’s something pretty special about watching all the hours of rehearsal start to click.

Want to get your child involved in Musical Theatre at ROOTS? Our Enrichment program is a great place to start. Head to the link in our bio to learn more today.

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Sep 25

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Learning the choreography → bringing it all together. There’s something pretty special about watching all the hours of rehearsal start to click. Want to get your child involved in Musical Theatre at ROOTS? Our Enrichment program is a great place to start. Head to the link in our bio to learn more today.

Turns out is IS all sunshine and rainbows around here ✨

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Sep 24

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Turns out is IS all sunshine and rainbows around here ✨

Frozen Jr. auditions are tomorrow! ❄️

A little preparation can go a long way in helping you walk in feeling confident and ready. From knowing your material to getting a good night’s rest, here are 5 tips to keep in mind before audition day.

Trust the work you’ve put in, have fun with it, and give it your all. We’ll see you tomorrow!
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#rootsacademy #frozenjr #performingarts #franklintn #musicaltheater

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Aug 28

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Frozen Jr. auditions are tomorrow! ❄️ A little preparation can go a long way in helping you walk in feeling confident and ready. From knowing your material to getting a good night’s rest, here are 5 tips to keep in mind before audition day. Trust the work you’ve put in, have fun with it, and give it your all. We’ll see you tomorrow! . . . #rootsacademy #frozenjr #performingarts #franklintn #musicaltheater

Free Trial Week is HERE! 👏

If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, this is your week. Come take a free dance or theatre class, try a music lesson, meet our mentors, and get a feel for what it’s like to learn and grow at ROOTS.

Free trials are happening through August 29. Sign up at the link in our bio!
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#rootsacademy #freetrialclass #freemusiclesson #freedanceclass #freemusicaltheaterclass

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Aug 25

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Free Trial Week is HERE! 👏 If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, this is your week. Come take a free dance or theatre class, try a music lesson, meet our mentors, and get a feel for what it’s like to learn and grow at ROOTS. Free trials are happening through August 29. Sign up at the link in our bio! . . . #rootsacademy #freetrialclass #freemusiclesson #freedanceclass #freemusicaltheaterclass

Ok we backkkkk 😎

The halls are decorated, the studios are ready, and ROOTS is officially set to welcome everyone back for a new season.

Thanks to @nash__pop for the fun ballon’s & @spellitoutconashville for the yard signs!

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Aug 17

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Ok we backkkkk 😎 The halls are decorated, the studios are ready, and ROOTS is officially set to welcome everyone back for a new season. Thanks to @nash__pop for the fun ballon’s & @spellitoutconashville for the yard signs!

The countdown is on. 💛

We are almost a week away from our halls being full again. We can’t wait to welcome back familiar faces, meet new ones, and watch another season of friendships grow.

See you soon. ✨

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Aug 6

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The countdown is on. 💛 We are almost a week away from our halls being full again. We can’t wait to welcome back familiar faces, meet new ones, and watch another season of friendships grow. See you soon. ✨

What a magical morning. 💗✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Preschool Open House! We loved meeting so many new families, seeing familiar faces, and sharing what makes our preschool program such a special place to grow.

If your little one had fun, we’d love to keep the adventure going. Registration for our upcoming preschool season is open now for ages 18 months to 4 years.

We can’t wait to see you back at ROOTS! 💗

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#rootsacademy #roots #rootsfamily #preschool

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Jul 24

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What a magical morning. 💗✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Preschool Open House! We loved meeting so many new families, seeing familiar faces, and sharing what makes our preschool program such a special place to grow. If your little one had fun, we’d love to keep the adventure going. Registration for our upcoming preschool season is open now for ages 18 months to 4 years. We can’t wait to see you back at ROOTS! 💗 . . . #rootsacademy #roots #rootsfamily #preschool

CONTACT INFO

ROOTS ACADEMY

320 Southgate Court
Brentwood, TN 37027

MUSIC
music@rootsacademy.com

DANCE
dance@rootsacademy.com

GENERAL
info@rootsacademy.com

PHONE & SMS
(615) 804-1177

Music offers in-studio and online music lessons on piano, voice, guitar, drums, violin, ukulele, songwriting, music production, and more! Band, ensemble and group classes are also available.

Dance offers a wide array of preschool, recreational, and competitive dance classes for ages 18 months to 18 years. Classes are available Monday through Saturday in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, acro, and more.

Musical Theatre combines acting, singing, and dancing into one story-filled show. Classes, camps and productions are available for ages 7-18 years.

Quick Links

Contact

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