THE ACADEMY OF DANCE ARTS, celebrating its sixty-first year, is Charlottesville’s oldest and most respected school of dance education. Founded in 1947 by Alice Shisler, the Academy offers classes in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern and yoga.

Classes run for a thirty-week season from August to May. Highlighting the Academy’s history has been its dance contribution to the community with recitals benefiting local charities.

For sixteen years the Academy brought the Concert Ballet of Virginia’s full length “Nutcracker” to Charlottesville, introducing the beloved classic to local children and their parents.

The Academy produces an elaborate recital every two years. Too much time devoted to recital preparation detracts from dance technique and skills, which come from class work. In addition expense to parents is defrayed.

The Academy is extremely proud of students who have sought dance careers in college, established schools, or are performing on a national professional level.

All classes are taught, not given. Correction and praise are every student’s expectation. We are totally committed to the artistic and social development of the whole individual, believing every student to be special and unique.