Business Details
33 Years
experience
Welcome to Academy of Dance Arts - Nurturing Young Dancers in Allen, TX
Academy of Dance Arts has been dedicated to nurturing young dancers and fostering artistic excellence for over three decades. Founded by Kathy Willsey and Megan Buckland, our studio combines professional expertise with a passion for dance education. Our certified instructors bring extensive experience in various dance disciplines, creating a supportive environment where students develop technical skills, creativity, and confidence. We offer comprehensive training programs for children aged 3 through adults, with specialized classes in ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary styles. Our competition team has earned national recognition and helped students secure over $500,000 in college scholarships.The Dallas Repertoire Ballet, our pre-professional company, provides performance opportunities in full-length productions like The Nutcracker. With state-of-the-art facilities featuring four dance studios and wood-sprung Marley floors, we maintain the highest standards in dance education. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our structured curriculum, clear placement guidelines, and emphasis on proper technique. We believe dance education builds discipline, teamwork, and personal growth while cultivating a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Our alumni success stories and community engagement initiatives demonstrate our lasting impact on students' lives.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Pointe
Lyrical/Contemporary
Hip Hop
Acro
Flexibility Training
Competition Team
Specialized Classes
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- Certified instructors with 25+ years of dance education experience
- Award-winning competition team with 30+ years of national recognition
- Over $500,000 in college scholarships earned by alumni
- State-of-the-art 13,000 sq ft facility with professional dance floors
- Clear placement guidelines ensuring proper skill level progression
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistic expression through structured training. Students learn proper body alignment, turnout, and classical terminology while building strength and flexibility. Classes follow progressive levels from beginner to advanced, with performance opportunities in annual productions and company engagements.
Tap
Tap classes focus on developing rhythm, coordination, and musicality through percussive footwork. Our curriculum builds from basic steps to complex combinations, emphasizing clear sounds and syncopation. Students progress through skill-based levels while learning various tap styles from Broadway to contemporary forms.
Jazz
Jazz instruction combines technical training with performance skills, covering styles from traditional to contemporary. Classes emphasize isolations, turns, and dynamic movement quality. Students learn choreography from Broadway, commercial, and competition styles while developing versatility and stage presence.
Pointe
Pointe training requires instructor approval to ensure proper strength and technique. Our program develops ankle stability and foot articulation through progressive exercises. Classes focus on proper alignment, balance, and graceful movement while maintaining safety standards for young dancers.
Competition Team
Our award-winning competition team offers intensive training in multiple dance styles. Members participate in 2-5 annual competitions, receiving choreography instruction and performance coaching. The program emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and technical excellence while preparing dancers for professional opportunities.
People
Kathy Willsey
Co-Owner & Executive Director
With 40+ years of dance education experience, Kathy Willsey co-founded Academy of Dance Arts and serves as Executive Director for Dallas Repertoire Ballet. Her leadership has shaped the studio's educational philosophy and artistic standards.
Megan Buckland
Co-Owner & Artistic Director
Megan Buckland, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, brings 25+ years of dance expertise to her roles as Co-Owner and Artistic Director. She oversees curriculum development and directs the Dallas Repertoire Ballet company.
Tracey Hawes
Office Manager
Tracey Hawes manages studio operations while specializing in costume design. With extensive dance education experience, she provides enrollment guidance and administrative support to students and families.
Audrey Mitts
Assistant Director
Professional ballerina Audrey Mitts serves as Assistant Director and Prime Team Director. Her expertise spans all dance disciplines, combining performance experience with technical instruction for advanced students.
Shannon Watters
Premier Team Director
Shannon Watters directs advanced training programs with an MFA from Jackson University. As former faculty at Collin College, she brings academic rigor to her instruction while mentoring competition team members.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance classes?
We offer classes for children starting at age 3 through adults. Our programs include specific levels for different age ranges with clear placement guidelines.
Do you offer competitive dance opportunities?
Yes, our award-winning competition team has earned national titles for over 30 years. Members attend 2-5 competitions annually with audition requirements.
What dance styles are available at your studio?
We teach ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, hip hop, pointe, and specialized classes like acro and flexibility training for dancers.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
Yes, our Dallas Repertoire Ballet company performs full-length productions like The Nutcracker. Class recitals and special events also showcase student progress.
What qualifications do your instructors have?
All instructors are certified professionals with extensive teaching and performance experience. Many have advanced degrees and professional dance backgrounds.
What facilities do you have available?
Our 13,000 sq ft studio features four oversized dance spaces with wood-sprung Marley floors, multiple dressing rooms, and a large lobby area.
Reviews (6)
Kristen Schonberg
Jun 21, 2021
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ADA offers amazing and varied training, outstanding instructors, and a nurturing environment where dancers are encouraged and celebrated as individuals. My two daughters found a special home
at ADA for over 15 years. They will never forget the friendships, life lessons and joy they found there. The arts will forever be a special part of all of our lives because of ADAs positive influence. ADA gives dancers the opportunity to train in classical ballet and perform in a beautiful Nutcracker production each year, as well the chance to perform in other dance genres with their competitive dance teams
at ADA for over 15 years. They will never forget the friendships, life lessons and joy they found there. The arts will forever be a special part of all of our lives because of ADAs positive influence. ADA gives dancers the opportunity to train in classical ballet and perform in a beautiful Nutcracker production each year, as well the chance to perform in other dance genres with their competitive dance teams
Helen Stephens
Jun 18, 2021
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We LOVE academy of dance arts! Being new to Texas many years ago, we visited many studios before joining ADA. Training and choreography was top notch, dances and costumes were always age appropriate, award winning competition teams are available for multiple age groups, and the annual nutcracker ballet was a family tradition! We were happy to have found a dance home for our 2 daughters for 11 years until they graduated high school. Thank you ADA for many wonderful years of performances!
Liz Farris
Apr 23, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
Studio puts emphasis on technique. Students consistently move on into collegiate and professional dance. Have loved our experience with Academy of Dance Arts!!!
Studio puts emphasis on technique. Students consistently move on into collegiate and professional dance. Have loved our experience with Academy of Dance Arts!!!
Scott Taylor
Jan 01, 2020
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My daughter has danced at ADA for 12 years. We have loved the studio and all of her teachers throughout the whole time. She is now preparing to go to college to study dance and ADA was instrumental in preparing her for a dance future. It is a great group of parents and an even better group of young dancers.
Kiyomi Mercadante Ramirez
Nov 11, 2019
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Academy of Dance Arts is an excellent studio in North Dallas. They provide quality dance training from day one to create a whole bodied, intelligent, technically correct, and charismatic dancer ready for a professional career in dance and/or college submissions with dance scholarships to help your child become the leader and success you wish for their life. If your child wants to dance, I highly recommend investing your time and energy with Ms. Kathy, Ms. Megan, and their incredible staff that make Academy of Dance Arts.
Wayne C.
Sep 19, 2017
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My 6 yr old daughter recently saw the movie leap and asked to take dance lessons afterwards. Of course I said yes, what dad wouldn't. I asked around and several people said ADA was the absolute best. It is a 45min drive from our house but I can say it has been worth it. The other parents have been so nice and the staff is wonderful. Nothing but pure daddy joy seeing her dance.
