Academy Of Dance Westlake

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OPEN NOW - Closes at 9:30pm

I have a friend who goes to classes here and she just loves the place. I've seen her dance too and she can do so much. The costumes for recitals are always beautiful and the performances are very well done. ...‎

This studio strikes a balance between dancers who will become pros and kids who just need or want to dance. For the recreational dancer, it's probably the best studio a dancer could go to because they'll have access to pro-quality teaching and a passion for dance as an art-form. For the young dancer that has that something special and demands the skills, a bar set high enough, and that extra mentoring and skilled, perceptive arts training, Academy of Dance has that in spades. We've watched young dancers blossom there into working professionals and even one currently starring on "So You Think You Can Dance!" Go to any of their annual shows in June and you'll find choreography that makes you wonder where they found dancers so young who can do those sorts of amazing performances. The aspect of this studio that most impresses me as a Dad and that fills my heart day in and day out is the director and her teaching staff. They have working pros teaching there and it shows in how the dancers focus and value their classes. The Director hails from a storied dance career whose heart and soul is so wholly focused on sharing her love and passion for the art of dance that she only hires the finest teachers to impart skills and passion to the students. Ms. Alexander is one of those special special artists who can't help but give back to an art that has blessed her. I deeply honor and respect that about her. My daughter has only ever had access to amazing professionals who can genuinely and artfully teach and be authentic mentors for her. They are demanding of her when they need to be, expect her to work up to her potential, and they daily and continuously inspire her and care deeply for her. Her performances are the proof of her teacher's care and quality for her as a person and as a young artist. When a parent can find a place where their child can discover their soul, their talent and develop realizable aspirations, it is an amazing moment. I feel like I have those moments every time I walk into the Academy of Dance.

My daughter looks forward to coming home from school and dancing at Academy of Dance. The teachers are not only fabulous dance instructors but sincerely care about the kids. Each year I see so much growth in my daughters ability and she feels happy when she dances.The students at the studio are all supportive of each other and there is always an upbeat feeling there. She is also on the competition team and loves belonging to such a fabulous group of talented yet compassionate dancers.‎

My daughter is 13 and has been dancing at AofD for the past 7 (or 8) years. She LOVES the school and we love it too. It is like a big warm extended family. It is a wonderful school with a professional director and a fabulous staff of teachers. Lilly runs a great school, she knows how to direct and place the kids appropriately. The teachers are top quality. The know not only know how to teach dance, but also how to continually inspire and challenge the dancers and are wonderful role models too. Their values are top notch, absolutely the kinds of role models we, as parents, want for our kids. Each year at the recital we continue to be blown away at the progress and growth as a dancer, our daughter continues to make. Not only that, but the show is a complete joy to watch, wonderful dancing, appropriate costumes and music and happy smiling faces. I can't recommend this school enough.

My granddaughter has been with the Academy of Dance since she was two years old. She is now thirteen years old and is growing into an amazing person and dancer. Under the direction of Lily, with instruction from Ahja and Jen, she is a beautiful dancer. She is also learning team work and performance skills that she will use the rest of her life no matter what she choses to do. The competition teams are excellent, with creative and challenging choreography. With this combination, they are always winning top awards. There is an atmosphere of support for all the dancers with the older teens showing respect and mentoring the younger dancers. This attitude comes directly from Lily, Ahja and Jen and makes for a wonderful, supportive, safe environment for all. These days a place like this can be hard to find and I am so thankful we found it!

What can I say, this studio is THE best! I went there 20 years ago, & when I saw it was still around, I brought my 7 year old daughter in to sign up. Lily, the amazing owner, still remembered me, my best friend I had danced with, everything! Truly a wonderful studio! My daughter has just finished her 2nd year there, and can not wait until September comes for year #3! And her teacher Miss Jen.....fabulous!