Business Details
43 Years
experience
Forest Dance Academy: Excellence in Dance Since 1983
Forest Dance Academy has been dedicated to cultivating excellence in dance education since 1983. Our mission is to train the whole dancer, fostering technical mastery, artistic expression, and personal growth. With a faculty of nationally acclaimed instructors, we offer programs for recreational, advanced/pre-professional, and adult dancers, including specialized tracks for Theatre Arts and dancers with special needs. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our 40-year legacy of producing award-winning performers and nurturing a family-oriented community. Through structured curricula and performance opportunities, we emphasize discipline, creativity, and community engagement.Our alumni have achieved success in prestigious venues like Radio City Rockettes and Ailey II, while others carry the values of confidence and integrity into diverse careers. We maintain core family values while evolving with contemporary dance trends. Class placement is tailored to age, experience, and faculty evaluations to ensure optimal development. Our Lynchburg, Virginia, studio serves as a hub for dance education, blending tradition with innovation. We pride ourselves on creating a supportive environment where students thrive artistically and personally. This philosophy has solidified our reputation as a nationally recognized institution.
Services
Ballet Classes
Hip Hop Dance
Acro Training
Theatre Arts
Adult Dance
Special Needs Programs
Performance Company
Summer Intensives
Private Lessons
Competition Prep
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of proven excellence in dance education
- Our faculty includes nationally certified instructors with professional industry experience
- We provide specialized programs for dancers with special needs
- Our alumni have performed with prestigious companies like Radio City Rockettes
- We combine technical training with character development in a family-oriented environment
Associations and certifications
- Cecchetti Council of America
- Dance Masters of America
- Dance Educators of America
- Acrobatic Arts
- British Association of Teachers of Dancing
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistic expression through Cecchetti and classical training methods. Students progress through structured levels with certified instructors, learning proper alignment, musicality, and performance quality. Classes prepare dancers for pointe work and advanced repertoire while emphasizing injury prevention and proper technique development.
Hip Hop Dance
Contemporary hip hop instruction focuses on rhythm, isolations, and freestyle expression in a positive environment. Classes incorporate current trends while building foundational skills like coordination and musicality. Age-appropriate choreography helps students develop performance confidence and personal style through various hip hop subgenres.
Acro Training
Acrobatic arts curriculum combines flexibility, strength, and balance with dance technique. Certified instructors teach safe progressions from basic cartwheels to advanced aerials, emphasizing proper conditioning and body awareness. Classes integrate acro skills with dance movement for seamless performance application in jazz, hip hop, and contemporary styles.
Performance Company
Audition-based performance company offers elite training and competition opportunities. Members receive intensive instruction in multiple genres, convention experiences, and performance opportunities at community events. The program develops technical versatility, stage presence, and teamwork through rigorous rehearsals and professional-level productions.
Special Needs Programs
Inclusive dance classes accommodate various abilities with specialized instruction and sensory-friendly environments. Certified instructors modify techniques to individual needs while maintaining technical standards. The program fosters social skills, motor development, and self-expression through dance, with performance opportunities available for all participants.
People
Michelle Thomas
Artistic Director & Owner
Certified Cecchetti instructor with 20+ years directing FDA, training award-winning students, and developing nationally recognized programs. Holds multiple teaching certifications and choreography awards.
Shelagh Connolly
Studio Manager
British dance educator with international training experience, former studio owner, and B.A.T.D. leader. Brings global perspective to technique instruction and program development.
Heatherly Ahern
Faculty Member
22-year ballet veteran with university scholarship experience, former Acapriccio Dance Company member, and international competition director with expertise in multiple dance genres.
Natalie Hamilton
Faculty Member
BFA graduate from University of the Arts with performance experience in NYC and competition judging credentials, specializing in contemporary and musical theater styles.
Jordan Hayes
Faculty Member
FDA alumna with professional LA training experience, former Liberty Flamettes member, and award-winning performer now sharing industry insights with local students.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We offer programs for dancers aged 2-18+ with specialized tracks for mini dancers (2-9), classic dancers (9-18+), and adult classes.
Do you offer special needs accommodations?
Yes, we provide adaptive dance classes for all ages with specialized instruction and sensory-friendly environments.
How are class placements determined?
Placements consider age, experience level, and ongoing faculty evaluations to ensure appropriate technical development.
What performance opportunities exist?
Students participate in annual showcases, community events, and competition seasons through our Performance Company program.
Are there audition requirements?
Performance Company requires auditions evaluating technical ability, performance quality, and commitment potential.
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer ballet, hip hop, acro, contemporary, jazz, tap, modern, musical theatre, and speciality classes.
