Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Premier Destination for Dance Excellence in Oak Creek
Young Dance Academy has been cultivating dance excellence since 1983, providing comprehensive training for students aged 2 through adult. Our facility in Oak Creek, WI, offers specialized instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and specialty classes for dancers with special needs. With four fully equipped studios and a team of professionally trained instructors, we emphasize technical mastery, artistic expression, and character development.Our annual recitals showcase student achievements while our Technique Intensive Program challenges competitive dancers through disciplined training in multiple styles. The academy maintains strong community ties through outreach initiatives and has produced alumni who excel in professional dance careers nationwide.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Hip-Hop
Lyrical
Musical Theater
Pointe
Jumps & Turns
Specialty Classes
Competitive Dance
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- Our instructors include professional dancers with decades of industry experience
- We offer specialized programs for dancers with special needs through our Super Kids initiative
- Technique Intensive Program provides advanced training for competitive dancers
- Alumni have achieved success in Broadway productions and international dance companies
- State-of-the-art facility with four dedicated dance studios and safe wood flooring
What people say
Lifelong appreciation for dance
Patient and energetic instructors
Positive role models
Amazing progress in one year
Best recitals in town
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops foundational technique through structured training in classical positions, barre work, and center combinations. Students progress through recognized levels while learning proper body alignment and musicality. The curriculum emphasizes grace, precision, and artistic expression for both recreational and competitive dancers.
Tap
Tap classes focus on developing clear, articulate sounds while building coordination and rhythmic awareness. Students learn various styles from Broadway tap to improvisational jazz tap, with opportunities to perform in annual recitals and compete in regional competitions through our Technique Intensive Program.
Hip-Hop
Contemporary hip-hop instruction covers street dance styles including breaking, popping, and locking. Classes emphasize musicality, isolation techniques, and freestyle expression while maintaining technical discipline. Students perform choreographed routines in year-end recitals and community showcases.
Competitive Dance
The Technique Intensive Program offers advanced training for dedicated dancers through auditions. Members receive specialized coaching in multiple styles while developing performance skills and stage presence. The program emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and technical excellence at regional and national competitions.
Specialty Classes
Our Super Kids program provides dance instruction for children with special needs through a tailored curriculum. Occupational therapist-led classes focus on motor skills development and creative expression in a supportive environment. The program includes adaptive equipment and individualized instruction to accommodate various abilities.
People
Sandra Young
Owner and Director
Founder of Young Dance Academy since 1983, Sandra brings decades of professional dance experience. Trained in Buffalo and Toronto, she has choreographed award-winning routines and worked with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Her leadership emphasizes technical excellence and artistic growth.
Rich Ashworth
Instructor
BFA graduate from University at Buffalo with MFA from UWM, Rich brings extensive performance experience from Royal Caribbean and Chicago Tap Theatre. He teaches hip-hop foundations and social dance cultures with professional industry insights.
Jenna Engen
Instructor
Former Young Dance student with 15+ years teaching experience. After touring with The Young Americans, she returned to direct competitive programs and choreograph award-winning routines for regional and national competitions.
Daniela Maarraoui
Instructor
Professional ballet dancer with Joffrey Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet Company. Trained at Houston Ballet and HARID Conservatory, she teaches classical technique to competitive dancers while sharing professional performance insights from international stages.
Lisa Price
Instructor
31-year veteran instructor with extensive competitive dance experience. Choreographed award-winning routines for regional and national competitions, including viral Make-A-Wish video production. Specializes in jazz and musical theater styles.
Questions
What age requirements exist for dance classes?
We accept students aged 2 through adult with appropriate class placements for different skill levels and developmental stages.
What dance styles do you offer?
We provide instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, pointe, jumps & turns, and specialty classes for special needs dancers.
Can students try classes before registering?
Yes, dancers may attend a trial class for $20 before committing to full registration.
What are your dress code requirements?
Specific attire guidelines apply for each dance style, emphasizing proper technique and professional appearance during training sessions.
Do you offer competitive dance opportunities?
Our Technique Intensive Program provides competitive training through annual auditions with regional and national competition participation.
Are there performance opportunities?
We host annual May recitals and December showcases featuring all enrolled students in professionally produced theater performances.
Reviews (7)
Amber Ponticelli
Dec 13, 2021
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
My 4 year old gets so excited to come. Lead by bigger kids and great teachers!
My 4 year old gets so excited to come. Lead by bigger kids and great teachers!
J.-F. S.
Sep 16, 2020
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Very impressed so far. The instruction seems to have a high level of detail, which is very important in dance. My daughter absolutely loves it and is excited to go back to each class which she's attended. When we signed her up for a class that was a little too high, the instructor was very supportive and discreetly told me.she should be9ved down a class. Even though my daughter was a little behind the rest of the class that day (which usually frustrates her), she still had a great experience.
Brian Juneau
May 08, 2020
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Can't say enough good things about Sandy, Jenna, and the rest of the staff at Young Dance Academy! We've been a YDA family member for nearly 7 years and have watched our daughter, once a small child simply enrolled to be involved in an activity, transform into a beautifully talented and skilled performer on stage. This program offers so much more than you can imagine. The curriculum and education may start with a few dance steps, but that's not where it stops. Know that your child will absolutely walk the rest of their lives down a brightened path paved by the experiences, structure, attributes
Stacie T.
Jun 26, 2018
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My daughter started dancing at Young this year after I moved her from a different local dance studio. I had not been happy with the other studio and decided to try Young. I wish I had made the switch much sooner!! Young is professional, their teachers are very nice and they know how to work with kids of all ages. I was incredibly impressed with the quality of dances and choreography at the end of the year recitals!! My daughter had fun while being pushed to grow her skills. I highly recommend Young for any dancer that is looking to learn dance at a studio that is well run and takes their work seriously
Kimberly Folts-Zartner
Dec 03, 2017
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My daughter has danced with Young Dance Academy for three years and absolutely loves it. The teachers are professional, fun and positive role models. My daughter is a competitive gymnast and takes dancing here, because it supplements her floor and beam routines and because she says, it's fun and frees her mind! Nothing but wonderful, things to say about Young Dance.
Adriana Serwa
Nov 19, 2017
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My 5 year-old daughter loves taking dance classes at Young Dance! We've been taking her since she was 3. The studio is well-run by Sandy and her staff. I have always liked how the older girls help in the younger girls' classes. The shows are phenomenal and the skills my daughter is learning at a young age are great to see. The teachers she's had have all have high expectations, but the environment is very nurturing and caring.
Sarah Borden
Oct 17, 2017
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My daughter has been dancing at Young Dance Academy for the past three years. We have had nothing but positive experiences with the studio. The classes are taught by experienced dancers, including the owner Sandy. The cost is very competitive, and the recitals in June are simply amazing! I would highly recommend this studio!
