About ACDA
The Arts Castle Dance Academy
The Arts Castle Dance Academy (ACDA) seeks to awaken the joy of dance with a combination of quality technique and personal expression. This objective is best met within a supportive, family friendly environment, open to dancers of all ages and abilities and cultivated by a nurturing, professional team of instructors.
ACDA offers professional instruction in a fun, non-competitive environment. We believe everyone should have an opportunity to dance. Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling and combo classes are offered beginning in August and running through May. For younger dancers, pre-academy classes are offered quarterly. In addition, the ACDA Dance Team provides additional performance opportunities for dedicated dancers.
You can now register for our 2024-2025 Dance Academy Season – classes starting in August.
*For those who’ve registered for past seasons please note that we’ve made some changes this year to make registering easier.
• We do not include a registration fee for our classes!
• Registering for multiple classes per child will include a 10% discount for every additional class the child is enrolled in.
• The $95 recital fee is included in the class price so you won’t have to pay for this separately.
• Permission/Health Form has been revised & should be completed online.
Permission/Health Form | Registration Info & Policies
The Arts Castle Dance Academy and Pre-Academy
Recognized as one of Ohio’s premier community teaching centers for the arts, The Arts Castle is proud to offer dance programming that is suitable for anyone, at any level, age and background. At The Arts Castle Dance Academy, we understand that every dancer’s journey is unique, which is why we offer both Academy and Pre-Academy dance classes to cater to a diverse range of interests and commitments.
Pre-Academy at The Arts Castle
Our Pre-Academy classes are designed for beginners and those interested in dance but may not be ready to commit to a full dance season. Held quarterly in convenient 8-week sessions, these classes provide a perfect introduction to the world of dance. While Pre-Academy dancers do not participate in recitals, they have the opportunity to showcase their progress to family and friends at the conclusion of each session. With a focus on building foundational skills and fostering a love for dance, our Pre-Academy classes offer a supportive and encouraging environment where students can explore various dance styles, including ballet, creative movement, jazz/tap combo and tumbling, and discover their passion for movement! Led by our nurturing instructors, these classes are great for building confidence and laying a solid foundation for further exploration in our Academy program and beyond.
The Arts Castle Dance Academy
The Arts Castle Dance Academy runs from Fall through Spring, offering a more comprehensive and immersive dance experience for those ready to commit to a full dance season. Students enrolled in our Dance Academy program participate in recitals, where they have the opportunity to showcase their talents and hard work on stage. With a curriculum that spans ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling, musical theater, lyrical, and ballet/tap combo classes, our Dance Academy provides professional instruction in a fun, non-competitive environment. The Dance Academy also includes adult classes for those wanting to rediscover their love of dance or take their first dance steps. Led by our dedicated team of instructors, Dance Academy classes focus on developing both quality technique and personal expression, nurturing each dancer’s growth and potential. Additionally, for dedicated dancers seeking more performance opportunities, our Arts Castle Dance Academy Dance Team offers exciting avenues for growth and expression.
In The Arts Castle’s mission to nurture the creative energies of the residents of Delaware County and surrounding areas, The Arts Castle Dance Academy is uniquely positioned to cultivate a lifelong passion for dance. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of dance. Our inclusive and family- friendly environment welcomes dancers of all ages and abilities, offering a supportive community where each individual can thrive. Whether you’re putting on your dance shoes for the first time or ready to pursue dance more seriously, we’re here to help you on your journey, providing professional instruction, performance opportunities and a nurturing atmosphere where you can truly shine. Join us at The Arts Castle Dance Academy and let your passion for dance come alive!
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ACDA Calendar for the 2024-2025 Season
Class Descriptions for the 2024-2025 Season
Every dancer’s journey is unique, which is why we offer both Academy and Pre-Academy dance classes to cater to a diverse range of interests and commitments.
Dance Academy Instructors
Chelsea Carbary | ACDA Dance Coordinator
Miss Chelsea grew up dancing, cheerleading and performing in musical theater productions, which eventually led her to continue pursuing her passion in college, where she danced on the Capital University Dance Team and danced professionally for the Columbus Crewzers, the dance team for the Columbus Crew. Chelsea graduated from Capital University with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management and a minor in Psychology. She previously worked in both Human Resources and Philanthropy for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and was the Manager of Member Relations for the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce. Chelsea has taught dance in varies capacities over the years and holds a certificate in Teaching Excellence from the National Dance Institute, learning their unique, engaging and inclusive methodology. Chelsea is proud to be the Varsity Coach of the Spartan Dance Team at Pleasant High School in Marion, a program she started in 2016. She has a passion for helping others, of all ages and skill levels, discover their own love of dance and brings this passion to The Arts Castle Dance Academy!
Carrie Clay | ACDA and Pre-Academy Instructor
Miss Carrie has been with The Arts Castle Dance Academy and Pre-Academy programs for over 5 years. Carrie is an intervention specialist by day and a dance teacher by night. Carrie started dancing at the age of 3 and has been dancing ever since! Carrie started her dance training at Sharon’s School of Dance in Sidney, Ohio under the instruction of Sharon Eikenberry. She joined the Sidney Dance Company at the age of 10 and trained and performed with them until the age of 18. Carrie is trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern contemporary, acro/tumbling, tap, musical theater, and jazz. Carrie is excited to continue to build relationships with her students and share her love of dance.
Lauren Cox | ACDA Instructor
Miss Lauren has been teaching ballet at The Arts Castle Dance Academy since 2019. She was classically trained in ballet for fifteen years and continues her ballet education in Columbus under the direction of professional and retired professional ballet dancers. She has been in dance productions such as The Nutcracker, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, and more. She is most proud to have created the first ever boys’ ballet program here at The Arts Castle. In her class, students will learn not only ballet technique, but also discipline, terminology, and storytelling, as well as staying informed on various opportunities to see professional ballet here in our community. Upon completion of her BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design, Lauren plans to earn her Master’s degree in Arts Administration and Policy.
Kalyn Kubbs | ACDA Instructor
Miss Kalyn, hailing from Marion, discovered her passion for dance at the age of four! Throughout her journey, she immersed herself in various dance ventures, from show choir and musicals to dance team and studio classes. Pursuing her dreams further, she attended Anderson University in Indiana, where she earned her BA in Dance Pedagogy. While at Anderson, Kalyn had many opportunities to choreograph and share her work on the stage, resulting in being a recipient of the programs “Excellence in Dance Composition” award. Today, Kalyn continues to share her love for dance as a dedicated educator and choreographer. Kalyn is excited to join the ACDA team and share her passion for dance with her students!
Jules Rizzo | ACDA Instructor
Miss Jules is a 2024 graduate of Denison University with a double major in Dance and
English. During her time at Denison, she was a dance TA and a Dance Department Fellow. Jules spent the Spring of 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. There, she had the incredible opportunity of taking classes at En Dance Studio in Shibuya, Tokyo, where she focused on the styles of contemporary and jazz. Jules spent the Summer of 2023 working with Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland, Ohio, which is the nation’s first physically integrated dance company. She received a Level
1 Physically Integrated Dance Teacher Certification from Dancing Wheels, based on the methodology of movement translations. Now, Jules will be working under Joshua Manculich and joining his company, Whirlwind Dance in Columbus, for their 2024/25 season.
About The Arts Castle
The Arts Castle is dedicated to nurturing the creative energies of the residents in Delaware County and surrounding areas by offering full access to a variety of multi-arts experiences such as classes, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and special events.
The Arts Castle was founded with a grassroots effort by the community and for the community. We are recognized as one of Ohio’s premier community teaching centers for the arts. Join us by taking a class, visiting an exhibit, or participating in one of our special events.