Business Details
25 Years
experience
Arts-Integrated Preschool & Dance Programs in Apex
Founded in 2001, Apa Preschool For The Arts (APA) began as a small dance studio with just six students and has grown into a thriving community serving over 2,000 students annually. Our journey reflects a commitment to artistic excellence and educational innovation, exemplified by the launch of Preschool for the Arts in 2009a program combining traditional academics with immersive arts education. Our team of dedicated educators and performers brings decades of collective experience in dance, music, and early childhood development, ensuring a curriculum that nurtures creativity and leadership. We prioritize inclusive, joyful learning environments where every child feels valued, with staff trained to foster confidence through artistic expression. Our facility in Apex, North Carolina, offers state-of-the-art spaces for both preschool and performance arts, supported by a management team that enables work-life balance for our founder and her family.Testimonials highlight our teachers' passion, the effectiveness of our arts-integrated curriculum, and the strong sense of community among families. We maintain transparency in operations, with clear communication channels for parents and a focus on continuous improvement based on feedback. Our competitive dance program, serving nearly 100 students, demonstrates our ability to balance structured training with creative exploration. The expansion to summer camps and holiday programs reflects our responsiveness to community needs while staying true to our mission. Through every growth phase, our core values of creativity, inclusivity, and educational excellence have remained unwavering.
Services
Preschool for the Arts
Dance Classes
Competitive Dance
Summer Camps
Track Out Camps
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer a unique arts-based preschool curriculum since 2009 with proven kindergarten readiness results
- Our competitive dance program trains nearly 100 students annually for regional competitions
- Dedicated preschool spaces designed specifically for early childhood arts education
- Experienced staff maintains low student-teacher ratios for personalized attention
- Year-round programming includes summer camps and holiday activities for K-5 students
What people say
Incredible teaching staff
Joyful learning environment
Exceptional kindergarten preparation
Creative problem-solving focus
Caring community atmosphere
Services
Preschool for the Arts
Our preschool program combines traditional academics with daily dance, music, and fine arts instruction. Designed for ages 2-5, it develops creativity while ensuring kindergarten readiness through play-based learning. The curriculum integrates artistic expression into core subjects, fostering confidence and social skills in a nurturing environment.
Competitive Dance
This program trains nearly 100 students annually across three competitive levels. Participants receive weekly instruction in various dance styles and compete regionally. The curriculum emphasizes technical skill development, performance artistry, and teamwork in a supportive environment that values personal growth alongside competitive achievement.
Track Out Camps
Seasonal camps provide structured activities during school breaks, featuring dance, theater, crafts, and themed programming. Available for K-5 students, these camps maintain educational engagement through creative play while offering flexible scheduling options for working families throughout the academic year.
Summer Camps
Weekly summer programs combine dance instruction with multi-arts exploration for children aged 5-12. Each session features themed activities, specialty classes, and performance opportunities while maintaining a fun, active environment that prevents summer learning loss through creative engagement.
Theatre & Voice Classes
Specialized instruction in theater performance and vocal training develops stage presence and technical skills. Classes focus on musical theater repertoire, character development, and performance techniques for children aged 5-18, culminating in seasonal productions and recitals.
People
Hillary Parnell
Owner & Director
Founder Hillary Parnell established APA in 2001 after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. With over two decades of dance instruction experience, she developed Preschool for the Arts in 2009 to address community needs. She leads a team of 20+ educators while balancing family life with four children.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children aged 2-5 in our preschool program and K-5 students in our camps and dance classes.
Is the preschool academically focused?
Yes, we combine traditional academics with arts education to prepare children for kindergarten through creative learning methods.
Do you offer before/after school care?
Our camps operate during school breaks, with preschool hours from 9AM-1PM. Extended care options available for select programs.
What dance styles are taught?
We offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary dance instruction for all skill levels.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! Preschoolers participate in annual recitals, while competitive dancers perform at regional competitions throughout the year.
How do you incorporate fine arts?
Daily art classes, music instruction, and creative movement activities are included in our preschool curriculum at no extra cost.
Reviews (6)
Ashlyn Michot
Aug 19, 2020
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APA is hands down the best studio in the area. The teachers are always professional and do their best to make sure the students all feel included and enjoy dance no matter their skill level. I danced there for 16 years in both their recreational and company programs and loved both. I now have the pleasure of working there as a teacher and love every minute of it!
Jill Manny
Jan 30, 2019
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We love APA! All 3 of my daughters have gone to preschool there and dance there now. Great staff, awesome facility, and the teachers and families are so great to be involved with as a community.
Jan Cecco
Nov 28, 2018
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We love APA!!! The teachers are incredible and my daughter has made such sweet friends there! Parents can watch classes from the TVs in the lobby. And the recitals? Oh my goodness, the recitals are absolutely amazing!!! =)
Lindsay Wood
Nov 17, 2018
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I love APA! Their staff is incredible, and the director does such a wonderful job of encouraging continued education in current dance trends and best practices for dance studios. Preschool for the Arts has an amazing and creative staff. I could not recommend a studio more highly.
Mk Cranford
Dec 21, 2017
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APA is one of the most professionally run and well-managed studios at which I have had the pleasure of teaching. There is a place for everyone at APA, whether a dancer is interested in studying recreationally or pre-professionally. I highly recommend APA to everyone!
Stacey Heighes
Oct 30, 2017
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My twins LOVE APA! They did the princess camp twice this summer and are now enrolled in the pre-k program. They literally cry to stay. Their teachers are super nice and our girls come home praising them and all the things they do in class. I can't say enough good things about this place. My girls stayed home with me until enrolling here and I am happy to see such a smooth transition.
