Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance Academy in Lincoln, NE
Hart Dance Academy was founded in 1986 by Tracey Gabelman-Hart, a dedicated student of renowned mentor Karen McWilliams. For nearly four decades, we have specialized in cultivating a deep love for dance while emphasizing technical excellence within a supportive community. Our mission remains unchanged: to provide a nurturing environment where dancers of all ages and skill levels develop artistically, build meaningful relationships, and achieve personal growth. Under the current leadership of Tracey's daughter, Aly Hart Summerson, we continue serving Lincoln families with flexible programming that accommodates both recreational dancers balancing busy schedules and serious students committing to extensive weekly training. With four spacious studios operating up to seven days weekly, our diverse schedule ensures accessibility for every aspiring dancer.Our faculty comprises experienced instructors who bring specialized expertise across multiple dance disciplines, creating a dynamic learning atmosphere. We maintain rigorous technical standards while fostering joy and creativity through structured curricula that include ballet foundations, contemporary expression, and performance opportunities. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our multi-generational student base and the enduring relationships we cultivate within our dance community. The studio's culture prioritizes safety, artistic development, and personal expression, ensuring every student finds their unique path in dance. As we celebrate 40 years of service, we remain dedicated to advancing dance education through innovative programming and community engagement.
Services
Ballet
Jazz
Hip-Hop
Contemporary
Dance Camps
Pointe Training
Acro Dance
Modern Techniques
Tap
Creative Movement
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of proven excellence in dance education
- Our faculty includes experienced instructors with diverse specializations
- We provide flexible scheduling across four spacious studios
- Our curriculum balances technical rigor with creative expression
- We maintain a supportive community fostering personal growth through dance
What people say
So much JOY
Passionate about dance
Positive and welcoming atmosphere
Well equipped staff
Meaningful relationships
Services
Ballet Technique
Our ballet program develops technical proficiency through structured training in barre exercises, center work, and performance techniques. Students progress through levels from beginner to advanced, with specialized classes for pointe preparation and performance-focused variations. The curriculum emphasizes proper alignment, turnout, and artistic expression while maintaining a safe learning environment.
Contemporary Dance
This program combines lyrical and modern techniques with improvisation and self-choreography. Classes focus on emotional expression, performance quality, and technical versatility. Students must enroll in ballet to maintain foundational strength while exploring contemporary movement principles, including floor work and dynamic phrasing in a supportive creative space.
Dance Camps
Week-long summer camps integrate dance training with arts education, nutrition lessons, and themed performances. Participants engage in multiple dance styles, craft projects, and collaborative performances while developing technical skills. Each session concludes with a family showcase featuring student-created choreography and handmade costumes.
Hip-Hop Instruction
Contemporary hip-hop classes teach current street styles through warm-up drills, isolations, and choreography. The curriculum balances technical development with creative expression, focusing on rhythm, musicality, and performance energy. Students learn age-appropriate choreography while developing strength and coordination in a high-energy environment.
Creative Movement
Designed for young children, this 30-minute class introduces basic motor skills through music and imaginative play. Students develop balance, coordination, and spatial awareness while exploring ballet positions and simple tap rhythms. The playful curriculum encourages self-expression through movement while preparing students for structured dance education.
People
Tracey Gabelman-Hart
Founder
Founder of Hart Dance Academy with 40 years of experience, Tracey established the school's foundational philosophy emphasizing technical excellence and artistic growth through dance education.
Aly Hart Summerson
Director
Current director continuing the family legacy, Aly leads the academy with 20+ years of dance instruction experience, maintaining rigorous technical standards while expanding program offerings.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We teach ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, tap, modern techniques, and creative movement classes for all skill levels.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! We offer recitals, dance camps with showcases, and special performance classes like Repertory and Ballet Variations.
What are your class age requirements?
We accept students starting at age 3 through adult classes, with specialized programs for different developmental stages.
Do you have competitive dance teams?
Our Repertory program provides competitive opportunities for serious dancers with regular technique training and performance commitments.
What should students wear?
Specific dress codes vary by class but generally require fitted dancewear, appropriate footwear, and secure hairstyles for safety and proper technique development.
How do I register for classes?
Visit our online portal to view current session offerings and complete registration with our user-friendly digital system.
Reviews (3)
Linnea Welsh
Sep 21, 2020
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Positive:Quality
I've danced there for years and it's truly an extraordinary environment to learn in; the teachers are extremely kind; all in all the best dance studio in Lincoln NE.
I've danced there for years and it's truly an extraordinary environment to learn in; the teachers are extremely kind; all in all the best dance studio in Lincoln NE.
Melissa M.
Nov 27, 2019
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I really love everybody at this studio. They do an amazing job and are very conscientious about cost to boot!
Tori Hill
Oct 21, 2019
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I went to the dance studio for many years and loved the teachers and staff. The only reason I left was because classes seemed to be too repetitive. And I just ended up relearning everything every year and not getting to new stuff. But I would reccomend this dance studio to everyone, especially young children who have never taken classes before.
