Business Details
26 Years
experience
Premier Dance Education in Detroit Lakes
Center Stage Dance Academy has been dedicated to dance education since 2000, providing a supportive environment where students develop technical skill, artistic expression, and personal confidence. Our curriculum caters to dancers of all levels, from beginners to advanced competitors, through structured classes in ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, and contemporary styles. With experienced instructors who maintain industry relevance through ongoing training, we emphasize teamwork, discipline, and creative growth.Our competition teams offer regional and national performance opportunities, while annual recitals showcase student progress. Owner Ronita Hackel, a multi-disciplined choreographer with decades of experience, leads a team committed to fostering a positive 'dance family' culture that values individuality and mutual respect.
Services
Ballet Classes
Jazz Classes
Tap Classes
Acro Classes
Hip Hop Classes
Contemporary Classes
Competition Teams
Recital Preparation
Dance Camps
Choreography Services
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer experienced instructors trained in multiple dance styles
- Our competition teams provide regional and national performance opportunities
- Structured curriculum develops technical proficiency and artistic expression
- Annual recitals showcase student progress and achievements
- Positive 'dance family' culture emphasizes teamwork and mutual respect
Services
Dance Classes
We offer comprehensive dance instruction for ages 3 through 18, covering ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, and contemporary styles. Classes are structured by age and skill level, with 30-90 minute sessions designed to develop technical proficiency while maintaining a fun, engaging environment that nurtures artistic expression and personal confidence.
Competition Teams
Our competition teams provide advanced training and performance opportunities at regional and national events. Divided by age (5-18 years), these teams emphasize teamwork, discipline, and technical excellence. Members receive specialized choreography instruction and participate in local performances while building lifelong skills through structured dance education and collaborative experiences.
Recital Programs
Annual recital programs showcase student achievements through professionally produced performances. The December Holiday Recital highlights younger dancers, while the Spring Recital features all students. These events provide valuable stage experience, demonstrating progress in technical skill, choreography interpretation, and performance confidence while celebrating the accomplishments of our dance community.
Choreography Services
Professional choreography services are available for dance teams, musical productions, and special projects. Our instructors create customized routines that emphasize musicality, spatial awareness, and emotional expression. With expertise in multiple dance styles, we develop age-appropriate choreography that challenges students while maintaining artistic integrity and technical precision.
Dance Camps
Seasonal dance camps provide intensive training opportunities in various styles. These programs focus on skill development, choreography creation, and performance preparation. Participants receive concentrated instruction from experienced faculty while engaging in team-building activities that strengthen technical abilities and foster appreciation for diverse dance disciplines through structured, goal-oriented programming.
People
Ronita Hackel
Owner/Instructor
Founder of Center Stage Dance Academy since 2000, Ronita Hackel brings expertise in ballet, jazz, tap, acro, and contemporary styles. She maintains industry relevance through regular teacher training while cultivating a positive learning environment that emphasizes technical growth and artistic expression.
Greta Fritz
Instructor/Choreographer
Greta Fritz teaches and choreographs competition teams since 2017. A former competitive dancer, she specializes in ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop while bringing energetic enthusiasm to classes. Her experience includes music video choreography and developing engaging performance routines.
Michelle Hanson
Dance Instructor
Michelle Hanson contributes 15 years of teaching experience, specializing in jazz, lyrical, and acro styles. As both former student and director, she combines technical expertise with a passion for youth development, focusing on skill-building and creative expression.
Rylee Moore
Instructor/Choreographer
Rylee Moore, a Center Stage alumna, teaches competition program while pursuing psychology studies. Trained in multiple dance styles, she brings contemporary expertise and performance experience from her role on the award-winning University of St. Thomas dance team.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet, jazz, tap, acro, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, and pointe classes for ages 3 through 18.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! We host annual December Holiday and Spring Recitals, plus competition teams participate in regional and national events.
What are class schedules like?
Classes run Monday-Thursday with age-specific times ranging from 4:00-10:00 PM, including 30-90 minute sessions.
Do you offer competitive programs?
Yes, we have four competition teams (ages 5-18) focusing on advanced training, choreography, and performance excellence.
What is your tuition structure?
Monthly tuition ranges from $30-$50/month based on class duration, with family caps and annual registration/recital fees.