Business Details
Professional Dance Training for All Skill Levels
Stone Oak Dance Academy has been dedicated to teaching excellence through dance since its founding. Our mission is to provide professional-level dance training in a nurturing environment for students aged 2 and up, fostering personal growth and technical mastery. With a faculty of experienced instructors, including certified specialists in Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique, we offer comprehensive training in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and more. Our curriculum emphasizes discipline, creativity, and teamwork, preparing students for success both on and off the stage. Through structured syllabi and performance opportunities, we help dancers develop physical skills, artistic expression, and self-confidence.Our competition teams and summer camps provide additional avenues for dedicated students to excel. With over 20 years of combined leadership experience, our directors bring expertise from prestigious institutions like Broadway Dance Center and NYU/CAP 21. We maintain rigorous safety standards and prioritize individualized attention to ensure proper technique development. Our facility in San Antonio, Texas, serves as a hub for dance education in the community. By balancing technical precision with artistic freedom, we cultivate well-rounded performers and lifelong learners.
Services
Ballet
Jazz
Hip Hop
Contemporary
Acrobatics
Tap
Leaps & Turns
Dance Team Skills
Creative Movement
Competition Teams
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of combined teaching experience from Broadway and international faculty
- Our certified instructors specialize in Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique
- We provide structured syllabi with clear technical progression for all dance styles
- Our competition teams have earned national recognition and awards
- We maintain small class sizes for personalized attention and safety
Associations and certifications
- Acrobatic Arts
- Progressing Ballet Technique
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistic expression through structured training. Students learn proper alignment, barre exercises, and center work while building strength and flexibility. Certified instructors use progressive syllabi to ensure mastery of classical techniques and prepare dancers for pointe work when ready.
Hip Hop
This high-energy class teaches contemporary hip hop styles including breaking, popping, and locking. Instructors emphasize musicality, personal style development, and safe execution of dynamic movements. Classes encourage creative expression while maintaining technical foundation in rhythm and coordination.
Acrobatic Arts
Certified instructors guide students through progressive acrobatic skills from basic rolls to advanced aerials. The curriculum focuses on safe strength development, proper technique for handstands, cartwheels, and limbers, with specialized tracks for recreational and competitive acro dancers.
Competition Teams
Our award-winning competition program offers specialized training in choreography, stage presence, and technical excellence. Dancers receive advanced instruction in multiple styles while developing teamwork and performance skills through regional and national competition experiences.
Creative Movement
Designed for ages 2-5, this introductory program combines ballet basics with tumbling elements. Certified instructors use playful exercises to develop motor skills, rhythm, and foundational dance techniques while fostering a love for movement and music.
People
Kelsea Bucher
Director
With 20+ years teaching experience, Kelsea Bucher founded Stone Oak Dance Academy after directing studios in New York and Texas. A former performer with major dance companies, she brings expertise from Broadway Dance Center and NYU/CAP 21 to our programs.
Neenah Cruz
Instructor
Neenah Cruz teaches jazz and hip hop with 19 years of teaching experience. A world silver medalist and award-winning choreographer, she specializes in creating disciplined yet inspiring environments for competitive dancers at regional and national levels.
Reisa DiNatale
Instructor
Reisa DiNatale, a Texas State University BFA graduate, teaches contemporary and choreography. With experience in professional dance companies and college-level choreography, she brings contemporary performance expertise and adjudicated competition experience to our faculty.
Emily Mendoza
Instructor
Emily Mendoza instructs jazz and dance team skills. A former professional cheerleader and competition dancer, she combines technical training with performance experience from San Antonio Ballet and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in her teaching approach.
Francesca Napiltonia
Instructor
Francesca Napiltonia teaches ballet and pointe classes with 18 years of rigorous training. Certified in Vaganova method and Progressing Ballet Technique, she brings international competition experience and summer intensive training from major ballet academies to her instruction.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance classes?
We offer classes for children starting at age 2 through adults. Our structured levels accommodate beginners through advanced dancers with appropriate placement for each skill level.
Do you offer competitive dance opportunities?
Yes, our award-winning competition teams provide advanced training for dedicated dancers aged 5+. Teams compete in various styles and have earned national recognition at major events.
What dance styles are available at your academy?
We offer ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tap, acrobatics, and dance team skills. Each style has progressive levels from beginner to advanced with specialized instruction.
Are your instructors certified in their dance specialties?
All lead instructors hold certifications in their specialties including Acrobatic Arts, Progressing Ballet Technique, and Vaganova method. Faculty members have professional performance and teaching experience.
How do you determine class placement for new students?
We evaluate new students based on age and experience during placement sessions. Our structured syllabi ensure proper level assignment with opportunities for advancement as skills develop.
Do you offer summer dance programs?
Yes, our summer camps provide intensive training opportunities for dancers of all levels. Programs focus on skill development, choreography, and performance preparation in a fun, immersive environment.
Reviews (6)
Amanda Joyner
Jun 16, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Quality
My daughter has been dancing at SODA for two years. We love how much she has grown as a dancer and made new friends. It really feels like a family.
My daughter has been dancing at SODA for two years. We love how much she has grown as a dancer and made new friends. It really feels like a family.
Claudia Pohlke
Oct 09, 2020
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My daughter has been at the studio for 5 years and she continues to grow by leaps and bounds every year. She has fun and is very happy with the friendships she has developed in her classes.
Stacey Kingdon
Aug 01, 2019
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This is my daughter's 4th year at S.O.D.A. and she absolutely loves it. She has grown so much as a dancer. The staff is professional and the environment is friendly. My daughter has improved on technique and stage presence. My daughter would go to dance every day if she could because she loves S.O.D.A. so much.
Bianca Pizana
Jul 28, 2019
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Not Happy
I thought my girls would continue dancing here for a few more years but we are so unhappy of favoritism. I totally get it volunteering parents deserve to be appreciated, but a gift card or basket. When recital emails say no saving seats and general admission absolutely no exceptions then it should be across the board. My husband and family arrived 2 hours early to see our girls dance and where pushed back. Long story short volunteer moms where given first pick at seats and allowed to save for there family.
I thought my girls would continue dancing here for a few more years but we are so unhappy of favoritism. I totally get it volunteering parents deserve to be appreciated, but a gift card or basket. When recital emails say no saving seats and general admission absolutely no exceptions then it should be across the board. My husband and family arrived 2 hours early to see our girls dance and where pushed back. Long story short volunteer moms where given first pick at seats and allowed to save for there family.
Mandy Kutz Boogaard
Feb 23, 2018
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Stone Oak Dance Academy is the place to go for high quality dance instruction in a positive atmosphere. Kelsea and all of the instructors take the time to get to know each dancer individually. My 2 daughters have seen tremendous growth in dance, confidence and so many other areas in our 2 years at SODA.
Sara Kp Fifadara
Jan 16, 2018
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We love the teachers/staff at SODA, and the poise, technique, discipline and fun they teach the students! We looked and tried so many studios after moving here and leaving a wonderful dance school in Georgia! We're so pleased that we finally found our dance home! We look forward to growing and dancing for years to come with SODA!
