Miller Street Dance Academy

Business Details

32 Years

experience

Premier Dance Education in Charlotte & Fort Mill

Founded in 1994, Miller Street Dance Academy has dedicated itself to providing quality, tasteful dance instruction in a positive environment. Our mission extends beyond dance technique to cultivate well-rounded individuals who excel academically and contribute meaningfully to community service. With two locations in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Fort Mill, South Carolina, we offer diverse, age-appropriate instruction across multiple dance genres. Our experienced instructors emphasize life skills such as respect, teamwork, and artistic integrity. Over 2,400 students have benefited from our programs since our expansion to nearly 10,000 square feet in 2018.

We maintain strong partnerships with local daycares and schools to bring dance education directly to communities. Our award-winning instruction includes carefully curated costumes, music, and choreography tailored to each age group. Annual recitals showcase student achievements at premier venues in both locations. The academys leadership team combines decades of industry experience with a commitment to nurturing future generations of dancers. This legacy of excellence continues under founder Michelle Soutiers vision for accessible, high-quality dance education.

Services

Ballet Instruction Hip Hop Classes Tap Dance Training Jazz Technique Lyrical Dance Musical Theater Summer Dance Camps Competitive Teams Community Outreach In-School Programs

Details

Year established: 1994

Highlights and features

28 years of proven excellence in dance education since 1994
Offers 10+ dance styles including acro, lyrical, and musical theater
Emphasizes life skills development alongside technical training
Maintains 5,000+ sq ft facility in Charlotte and 4-studio Fort Mill location
Partners with local daycares for convenient in-school programming

What people say

Exceptional instructors Positive environment Professional recitals Community involvement Skilled teachers

Website

Update Listing

Services

Ballet Instruction

Our ballet program develops proper technique through structured lessons in pointe work, barre exercises, and center combinations. Students learn classical repertoire while building strength, flexibility, and grace. Classes are available for all levels from beginner to advanced dancers.

Hip Hop Classes

Contemporary hip hop instruction focuses on rhythm, isolations, and freestyle movement. Classes incorporate current trends while emphasizing musicality and self-expression. Instructors bring professional performance experience to each session, ensuring authentic technique development for ages 5 and up.

Summer Dance Camps

Themed summer camps combine dance training with creative activities for children aged 3-8. Daily schedules include multiple dance styles, crafts, and games. Camps run weekly throughout June and July at both locations with flexible drop-off and pickup times for working parents.

Competitive Teams

Audition-based competition teams offer advanced training in multiple genres. Dancers participate in regional competitions, receiving personalized coaching and choreography. The program emphasizes teamwork, stage presence, and technical precision while maintaining focus on academic achievement.

In-School Programs

Partnering with local daycares, we deliver age-appropriate dance instruction directly at childcare facilities. Programs include combo classes of ballet and tap with flexible scheduling options. Students participate in annual recitals at professional theaters alongside studio students.

People

Michelle Soutier

Founder & Director

Michelle established the academy in 1994 with 21 students. She has overseen its growth to two locations serving over 2,400 students annually. Her vision combines technical excellence with character development through dance education.

Gina Smith

Providence Director

Gina manages the Charlotte location's operations and curriculum development. With 15+ years at MSDA, she ensures consistent teaching standards across all programs while maintaining community partnerships with local schools and organizations.

Shae Tuttle

Office Manager

Shae coordinates administrative operations at the Fort Mill location. She manages student registrations, parent communications, and event logistics while supporting the academy's community service initiatives and financial operations.

Jessica OKeefe

Baxter Director

Jessica leads the Fort Mill studio's daily operations and performance programs. She develops local competition teams and oversees instructor training to maintain MSDA's teaching standards across both locations since joining in 2009.

Christine Underwood

Accounting Manager

Christine handles financial operations for both locations. She manages tuition processing, budget planning, and payment assistance programs while ensuring financial transparency and accountability across the organization's growing operations.

Questions

What dance styles do you offer?

We teach ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater, acro, and pointe. Class descriptions detail specific combinations for each age group.

Do you have programs for young children?

Yes! We offer toddler classes starting at age 3 with combo classes that include ballet and tap instruction in fun, engaging formats.

Where are your studio locations?

We have two locations: 11115 Golf Links Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277 and 967 Market St, Fort Mill, SC 29708.

What are your class fees?

Monthly tuition starts at $85 with registration ($60), recital ($65), and costume fees ($125.97) charged separately for participating students.

Do you offer competitive dance teams?

Yes, we have audition-based competition teams in multiple genres. Teams participate in regional competitions with professional choreography and coaching.

Are payment plans available?

We offer flexible payment options including monthly installments. Contact our office managers for specific arrangements and financial assistance programs.

Reviews (6)

Write a Review

Lily Micheal

May 01, 2021 Report

Teachers need to me more kind. Stop choosing favorites. Overall rather than that its a great place.They are just so bias. You can only be good if you are a favorite.

Rachel Amodio

Jan 05, 2021 Report

My daughter has been doing the tap / ballet combo for three years at Miller Street in Baxter. She just started acro. She loves it and is always excited to go to class. The teachers and staff have been AMAZING! It is high energy and hands on. Communication is great. Choreography, costumes and music have always been beautiful. I highly recommend Miller Street.

Janice Indupalli

Dec 02, 2020 Report

Positive:Communication,Professionalism
We have absolutely loved MSDA-Baxter! My daughter has been going since she was 5. Shes 10 now!
Shae has been wonderful to work with if we needed any additional information and each of my daughters dance instructors have been very sweet and professional. We love MSDA!

Michelle Elston

Nov 13, 2020 Report

MSDA has been our dancer's home for over 6 years now. she has danced since age 2, but it has been at this studio where she has truly flourished and we feel like it is a family here. The staff and teachers are so amazing and with all of the pandemic stuff going on it has been quite impressive how they were able to keep our kids dancing. We Love MSDA and plan on staying until she graduates high school. It has been a fantastic experience over all. So grateful to Miss Michelle and everyone at both studios!

Stacey Underwood

Sep 16, 2020 Report

My 5 yr old daughter has been attending for 2 years and LOVES her dance classes! The teachers have all been so wonderful and she looks forward to seeing them each week. We attend classes at Providence and Baxter and both are equally as great! All of the teachers have been so encouraging, welcoming and provide such a warm and positive place for my daughter. She takes 5 classes in total and would love to take more, if only we had more time. The communication is regular and very thorough which really helps this busy mama. This is a great place for little ones to feel encouraged and grow in a community

Kelly Kashmer

Jul 28, 2020 Report

After having both my girls at Miller Street for years, I have finally hit my breaking point. This past year, we had an incident where one of the teachers forced my daughter into a split. She was crying and very upset. We received a call from the teacher with an apology. When covid hit, they started virtual classes and charged us for the classes. I understood the attempt to try to keep dancers however, they didn't provide parents with an option to opt out during a very difficult time. We decided it was not working for us and asked for a refund for the class and to not be charged further. In addition