Business Details
Premier Dance Studio in Auburndale, FL
Esprit Dance Academy is a premier dance studio located in Auburndale, Florida, dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering a love for dance in students of all levels. Our studio offers a comprehensive range of programs, from recreational classes for beginners to elite competitive teams, ensuring every dancer receives personalized attention and opportunities to grow. With a faculty of highly trained instructors, many of whom have professional performance and teaching experience, we provide expert training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, and contemporary styles. Our family-focused environment encourages community building among dancers and parents, creating a supportive atmosphere where students develop not only technical skills but also confidence and lifelong friendships.We prioritize accessibility through flexible scheduling, including drop-in classes, and maintain a commitment to excellence through regular guest instructors and participation in regional and national competitions. Our all-inclusive tuition model simplifies enrollment by covering performance fees, costumes, and recital access, while our structured class framework ensures age-appropriate progression. Recognized for numerous awards at major dance competitions, we combine artistic development with character growth, preparing students for both stage success and personal enrichment.
Services
Recreational Dance Classes
Elite Competition Teams
Drop-In Workshops
Elite Ballet Program
Summer Intensive Programs
Parent Engagement Events
Performance Production
Guest Instructor Workshops
Recital Production
Dance Convention Preparation
Highlights and features
- We offer programs for every skill level from recreational to elite competition
- Our faculty includes certified instructors with professional performance experience
- We maintain a family-focused environment with parent engagement opportunities
- We provide flexible scheduling with drop-in classes and structured programs
- Our award-winning curriculum has earned recognition at national competitions
What people say
Exceptional instructors
Family-friendly environment
Award-winning programs
Professional productions
Flexible scheduling
Services
Recreational Dance Classes
Our recreational dance program offers accessible training for ages 3+ with no audition required. Classes combine ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary styles in a fun, non-competitive environment. Students develop foundational skills while building confidence and creativity through twice-yearly performance opportunities at our professional theater venue.
Elite Competition Teams
Our competitive program features award-winning teams in multiple age divisions. Dancers receive advanced technical training and choreography while participating in regional and national competitions. The program emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and artistic growth through regular masterclasses and performance critiques from industry professionals.
Elite Ballet Program
This specialized ballet program offers classical and contemporary training under the direction of a former professional ballerina. Students receive pointe work instruction, variations training, and performance opportunities in full-length ballet productions while maintaining technical standards aligned with major ballet institutions.
Drop-In Workshops
Designed for intermediate and advanced dancers, these workshops provide supplemental training in specific styles or techniques. Sessions focus on skill development in areas like acrobatics, partnering, or contemporary improvisation with rotating guest instructors from professional dance backgrounds.
Summer Intensive Programs
Our summer programs offer concentrated dance training with specialized tracks in ballet, contemporary, and commercial dance. Participants work with guest artists from major companies while developing performance skills through choreography workshops and end-of-season showcases.
People
Sonya Cheatwood
Director
With 25+ years in dance education, Sonya brings extensive leadership experience to our studio. She oversees curriculum development and faculty training while maintaining strong industry connections that benefit student opportunities.
Joey-Lynn Mann
Ballet Program Director
A former professional ballet dancer with international experience, Joey leads our elite ballet program. She specializes in classical technique and has trained students who've joined major ballet companies across the United States.
Christie Henderson
Competitive Team Coach
Christie has over 15 years developing award-winning competition routines. Her expertise in contemporary and jazz choreography has earned multiple top awards at national dance competitions for our studio teams.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater styles for ages 3+.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! All recreational students participate in June recitals, with competitive teams attending regional and national events.
How do I register for classes?
Registration is available online through our Parent Portal or by contacting our studio directly.
What are your class sizes?
We maintain small class ratios with 8-12 students for recreational levels and 10-15 for competitive teams.
Do you offer summer programs?
Yes, we offer summer intensives and workshops for continued training during June-August.
What is your dress code?
We require specific dancewear and shoes for classes, with detailed requirements available on our website.
Reviews (6)
Angela Lovering
Nov 19, 2020
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality
Being a dancer for over 20 years myself, I wanted my daughter to have the best dance experience and training. Sonya is not only a talented dancer she is an amazing teacher and choreographer, as well. She is very professional, patient and kind with all of her students. I highly recommend Espirt to anyone looking for a dance studio.
Being a dancer for over 20 years myself, I wanted my daughter to have the best dance experience and training. Sonya is not only a talented dancer she is an amazing teacher and choreographer, as well. She is very professional, patient and kind with all of her students. I highly recommend Espirt to anyone looking for a dance studio.
Calisse W.
Feb 21, 2019
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Quality dance education with superb owner. Miss Sonya is an award winning choreographer and is passionate about her students. If you want a positive dance experience with high quality training for your child this is the studio to invest in. It is located in a family friendly location in downtown Auburndale with high community involvement. Best dance studio
Jaedyn
Feb 07, 2019
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The best dance studio!everyone is welcomed,when you walk into the room you just hear the kids and adults laughing,mrs.sonya is a very talented teacher and owner,the classes will have different teachers all of them are very good!!!
Alayna Balayna
Jan 20, 2019
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I love it here, everyone is so friendly and it's amazing to be around such amazing dancers.
Abbie Sellers
Sep 14, 2018
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The best ever ! mrs sonya is the best dance teacher ever and she welcomes everyone into the studio and everyone is nice to everyone it's like one big family. when i was there the first time everyone seemed nice and they were all friendly to me.
Angela Weisheyer
Jan 27, 2018
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Mrs. Sonya is a real professional and really nice. I love the adult class and my daughter loves her class too.
