The AoD strives to provide each student with the tools to not only become a confident, creative artist, but also to empower them to be able to achieve their greatest potential not only as a dancer, but as a person.
Core Values: Family, Respect, Confidence, Creativity (Artistry), Empowerment, Community
Imagine a place where you feel instantly at home. Warm, welcoming classmates begin feel like old friends. You become encouraged to step out of your comfort zone by your friendly, knowledgeable instructor who respects you as a person.
Your fellow classmates applaud your achievements and offer their assistance if you’re unsure about a step. You gain confidence in your abilities as you begin to develop a passion for dance, and you’re allowed to express your own creativity. Soon, you’re developing your artistry while dancing on stage in a year-end show, a performance company, or perhaps even a competition team. You become empowered to become your best self, inside and outside of the classroom. Step thru our doors into a world where you feel like part of the family! Welcome home!
The AoD is committed to providing quality dance education in a positive, safe environment that empowers each student towards their own personal excellence, both as a dancer and as a person. We’re building not just great dancers, but quality people as well.
The Academy of Dance was founded in 1970 by former San Francisco Ballet Company dancer, Bonnie Little Roberson, in the basement of her home in Warner Robins. She quickly outgrew her space and moved to a professional building as a one room studio. In 1984, the Pleasant Hill studio was built from the ground up as a dance studio. A year later, Judy McCune became the second owner as Mr. Roberson was transferred to California.
For 20 years, Miss Judy expanded the program to include new dance forms, such as lyrical and hip hop, as well as competitive teams and a performance company, Southern Spirit. In 2005, she passed the torch to Kim Rowley. Kim has expanded the Academy offerings once again to include classes for children as young as 2 years of age as well as a full-range of dance styles for all ages thru adults. A teacher’s teacher, Kim has created a training facility for young students to become teacher apprentices, junior faculty members, and full-fledged faculty members. All instructors at the Academy have now either become certified thru Dance Educators of America’s Teacher Training School or have degrees in dance. Many of her graduates have either gone to teach dance throughout the state of Georgia, or gone to college as a dance major or minor. High School Juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to participate in the Career Bound Dancers program which helps them transition into dance or careers beyond high school dance with hands-on assistance from Kim. Master teachers seek out the Academy to offer their classes and to partner with the school, with the latest being the Moscow Ballet. These master classes are offered to all local dancers. Believing that great teachers are always learning, Kim and her staff attend master seminars, conventions, and trainings to stay on top of the latest trends. Dancing to make a Difference is the studio tagline which encompasses the give-back charitable programs the studio has championed for the local community as well as performance opportunities at local charity events throughout the school year. The studio is also the home to Expressions Dance Company, LLC, which is a GA Non-profit organization dedicated to helping students experience the art of dance.
When you step through the front door of the Academy, you will be greeted with 2 dance studios, each fully equipped with sprung floors and non-slip marley floor coverings so that your dancer will have the safest flooring which will help protect their joints in jumps and help to prevent falls during turning. The in-house closed circuit TV system will give you the peace of mind of being able to watch your dancer progress throughout the year without the children being distracted by open windows. Our front desk is staffed with knowledgeable personnel ready to help you in any way needed! Our location is very convenient for families stationed at Robins Air Force Base, and being a Veteran-family owned business, we understand how military life affects families, so feel free to tell us all about that TDY, upcoming PCS, TLF, or any other thing that can pop up! We understand and we’re here to help!
