Business Details
24 Years
experience
Dance, Music & Theater Classes for Kids in Gainesville, GA
Elevate Performing Arts Center has been nurturing young talent and fostering personal growth through the performing arts since 2002. Our mission is to develop confident, respectful, and conscientious individuals by combining technical excellence in dance, music, and theater with essential life skills. With a team of experienced instructors, including founder Danielle Aikens-Holland who brings over four decades of artistic expertise, we offer programs for students from preschool through pre-professional levels. Our family-friendly environment features professional studios with safety-focused flooring, age-appropriate choreography, and personalized instruction tailored to each student's needs.We emphasize community engagement through volunteer opportunities, performance groups like our LEAD Performance Company, and partnerships with local organizations. Our faculty includes industry professionals with backgrounds in competitive dance, theater production, and special needs programming, ensuring comprehensive training that extends beyond the classroom. We maintain rigorous safety standards while creating a supportive atmosphere where students build self-esteem, teamwork skills, and artistic mastery.
Services
Dance Classes
Music Lessons
Theater Programs
Barre Fitness
Private Instruction
LEAD Performance Company
Special Needs Programs
Costume Rentals
Performance Opportunities
Summer Camps
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 22 years of experience in youth performing arts education
- Our faculty includes certified instructors with professional performance backgrounds
- We provide specialized programs for special needs students through Darby's Dancers
- Our studio features professional-grade floating floors for injury prevention
- We maintain a 6:1 student-teacher ratio for personalized attention
What people say
Professional staff
Caring environment
Excellent training
Kids love it
Great owners
Services
Dance Classes
We offer comprehensive dance training from preschool through pre-professional levels. Our programs include ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and acro in a supportive environment. Classes feature professional-grade floating floors for safety and age-appropriate choreography that emphasizes technical development while building confidence and teamwork skills.
Music Lessons
Private piano lessons focus on technique, theory, and performance skills with experienced instructors. Students receive personalized training tailored to their goals, including church performances, worship band participation, and accompaniment opportunities. We offer free trial lessons and two annual concerts for student showcases.
Theater Programs
Our in-house theater group provides performance opportunities through musical productions like Mary Poppins JR. Students develop acting, singing, and stagecraft skills through rehearsals and performances at local venues. The program includes auditions, costume design, and technical production elements for comprehensive theater education.
Barre Fitness
Elevate Barre offers low-impact fitness classes developed by dancers for all fitness levels. The program combines ballet-based movements with strength training to improve core stability, balance, and muscle tone. Classes emphasize proper alignment and injury prevention techniques in a welcoming environment for adults.
LEAD Performance Company
This advanced program provides competitive dance and performance opportunities for dedicated students. Members receive specialized training in multiple genres, participate in competitions, and perform at community events. The company emphasizes leadership development, technical excellence, and artistic expression through structured rehearsals and professional coaching.
People
Danielle Aikens-Holland
Founder & Artistic Director
With 42 years of dance experience and a BA in Music from Brenau University, Danielle founded Elevate in 2002. She has trained hundreds of students and established the studio as Georgia's charter member of More Than Just Great Dancing affiliated studios.
Justin Holland
School Director
As School Director, Justin brings extensive theater production experience from Atlanta Lyric Theater. He focuses on student development and community engagement through performing arts education while maintaining strong organizational leadership.
Emma Browning
Dance Instructor
Emma teaches ballet and hip hop with 12 years of training at Elevate. A University of Georgia graduate and former competition dancer, she combines technical expertise with a passion for helping students grow artistically and personally.
Bria Kellar
Special Needs Instructor
Bria leads Darby's Dancers program, combining her occupational therapy expertise with dance instruction. A local Northeast Georgia native, she creates inclusive dance experiences for children with disabilities through specialized teaching methods.
Eva St. Clair
Theater Director
Eva directs musical theater programs with a BFA in Theatre Arts from University of North Georgia. Her experience includes directing Shakespeare productions and working with Alliance Theatre's drama camp program to develop young performers.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We offer programs for children starting at 18 months through high school, with adult barre classes also available.
Do you offer trial classes?
Yes, we provide free trial lessons for both dance and music programs to help students find the right fit.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes, we offer recitals, community performances, and our LEAD Performance Company provides competitive opportunities.
What safety measures do you have?
Our studios feature professional floating floors for joint protection and age-appropriate choreography to prevent injuries.
Do you teach special needs students?
Yes, our Darby's Dancers program specializes in inclusive dance instruction for children with disabilities.
What dance styles are offered?
We teach ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, acro, tap, and musical theater styles at all skill levels.
Reviews (3)
Stacy Lynn
Jan 12, 2021
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My son, who is 14, participated in his first Tap class. He was very excited. The trial class was free (I didnt know that when I reserved a spot), which was a bonus! I couldn't watch the class to see how it went because parents aren't allowed to stay in the bldg or the lounge area. I WAS able to peek thru a slightly opened curtain from the outside sidewalk but didnt see much... plus I looked like a peeping Tom, LOL. The class was very small, which was better than being crowded. I'm hoping that will lend itself to more individual teaching and correction. The studio is convenient to my home, being
Jason Konzelmann
Sep 05, 2019
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Fantastic family atmosphere. Low pressure and very supportive to foster a love of dancing and performing arts within children.
Jennifer Martin
Jul 15, 2010
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This family business is owned and operated by two moral and ethical individuals. They have a passion for teaching music and dance and to create a fun-learning environment for all of their students (adult and children). They would not support or encourage any kind of ridicule toward another dancer(s).
