Reviews of The Academy of Dance Arts (Dance School)

Barbara Arentsen

We are very happy we found The Academy of Dance Arts and very thankful our children have had the opportunities to learn from such high caliber instructors. I recommend ADA to anyone I hear is looking for an excellent dance studio. Our children started attending ADA around the age of 10 because they wanted to be more serious about dance and ADA's emphasis on proper technique in all the dance genres and providing opportunities to perform/compete are very important to the studio. They have AMAZING instructors with very strong dance backgrounds (professionally with many accolades) and credentials. Individually, the coaches have won so many prestigious honors. The teachers coach the students as they do at professional studios/dance companies. ADA also has incredible facilities with six large studios. We have watched our children grow so much as dancers, compete at the highest levels across the country, gain confidence in their selves, and make great friends at ADA. The Academy of Dance Arts is a first-class dance studio.

John Marsala

This, below, from their website....Says it all as far as knowing how to train dancers...Not to mention the thousands who have developed great discipline and sense of achievement from the programs, to go on to other great careers. Most speak of "Their Academy Family." ******************************************************************************************** FROM WEBSITE: Below is a list of dancers who trained at The Academy of Dance Arts and were privately coached by Sherry Moray. These young Ballerinas are active Professional Dancers or a few that are recently retired from their career (indicated by "*"). Ashley Lynn - Principal Dancer, Ballet Austin Angeline Zuccarini - Principal Dancer, Stuttgart Ballet in Germany Heather Chin - Stuttgart Ballet, Taiwan Ballet * Jordan Gazdziak - Alabama Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre * Stephanie Wisner - Tulsa Ballet * Kristan Laubenstein - Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Austin * Samantha DeBenedictis - Alabama Ballet, Arizona Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet * Marissa DeBenedictis - Atlanta Ballet, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota Lauren Baznik - Zurich Ballet in Switzerland, Charlotte Ballet * Joanna Wozniak - Soloist, Joffrey Ballet Alyssa Frystak - Milwaukee Ballet, St. Louis Ballet * Mica Ward - Montgomery Ballet * Rachel Kuhr - Alabama Ballet, Professional World Class Belly Dance Star * ( My addition...World famous for Belly Dance On pointe.) Jessica Borowczyk - Bodiography Contemporary Ballet Co. * Maan Nabong - Alabama Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago * Gina Lathrop - Ballet Pacifica * Victoria Born - American Ballet Theatre * Rebecca Lemme - River North Dance Co. - Contemporary/Modern Choreographer Jill Economakos - Inaside Dance Co. - Modern Choreographer Robin Gayle - Soloist, Columbia City Ballet * Meghan Lynch - Royal Winnipeg Ballet - Canada, American Ballet Theatre II, Texas Ballet Theatre ...( My Addition...Currently Hired by Finnish National Ballet.) Julia Turner - Grand Rapids Ballet Co. Autumn Steed - Miami City Ballet, Alabama Ballet - Click for Photo Alexis Caruso - Ballet Austin, Nevada Ballet Theatre * Many of the Academy Ballet program dancers have gone on to receive full or partial dance scholarships at Major Dance Programs throughout the U.S. as well. Under Miss Moray's guidance and the Academy's Ballet Training Program, strong beautiful Contemporary/Modern Dancers are being produced. Due to their exceptional technical ballet foundation, Academy dancers have an edge which makes them sought after by Top College Dance Programs. Graduated Academy Dancers have also worked on Broadway, with major professional Tap Companies, and cutting edge world class Modern and Contemporary Companies, utilizing their ballet training every step of the way.

Daniella G

Not only remarkable education in dance, but a responsible academy also teaching strength training, injury prevention and nutrition.

Anonymous Account

Ii have had in the past a very bad experience at ADA. When I was at ADA I felt so un-welcomed. As far as the dance technique, Sherry Moray hires college student with dance experience as teachers. For a kid who is shooting to be a professional dancers, and a director who claims that she makes professional dancers, that's a risk to take, and Sherry should be concerned about the kids' safety, and caliber of training. Another thing about Sherry's studio is that the teachers are not willing to help students outside of class. When asking the studio's "best" teachers for privates, they always said that they were busy and booked full with the YAGP girls' privates, which is a HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE group of 8 or so girls from the studio hand chosen for YAGP international competition. No, "When are you available?" NOTHING. When first coming to the studio many kids ask about the YAGP program, because the studio has good reputation for that, just to find out that YAGP is THAT exclusive, which is why there are so may kids in the jazz program, because they had given up on being one of the "YAGP worthy favorites" in Sherry's eyes. If you do not have the natural rare ability to do ballet very easily, or just are not a Sherry favorite, there go your chances of YAGP. If you think,"Oh, I am going to get better at this studio in ballet," think again. The Saturday ballet morning classes are at lease filled with TWENTY PEOPLE, and when I say all ages, ALL AGES. my daughter would come home excited to get at leas a correction, or she would say, " Mom, Miss Irina was standing there watching me for a little bit more than all the other girls!" That's not what you want your little daughter to have. Like COME ON. Onto the jazz program, Ricky came to the studio when my daughter was nine years old, which was a while ago. Ricky has grown with the studio to be an amazing choreographer and coach, along with his wife Carrie, although Ricky may be amazing, Carrie is sort of another story. Carrie started teaching modern at the studio, and my daughter has told me multiple stories of how Carrie is always very rude or dismissive, and how she clearly has her favorites in the class. She has told me multiple accounts, even though this may seem small, she has said that she was walking with a "friend ( My daughter felt very very disconnected with all of the girls, and she RARELY has a hard time making a connection with ANYBODY, the teachers there really liked her)" and accidentally had bumped the teacher as Carrie was walking out of the staff area to THEIR CLASS, and the girls described to me that they said "Excuse me, we are sorry" TWICE, and Carrie gave a glare at them and walked on. If this is the type of treatment you want your daughter to receive ESPECIALLY aspiring professionals, you may want to think twice. In conclusion my daughter had been there from age seven to age thirteen, and we have moved on to other sports besides dance. I think my daughter would not have quit dance in the long run, if it were not for how this studio was, but I let her make her own decision. Thank you for considering my review.

Jennifer Greeno

My daughter has been dancing at ADA for the past two years and it has been such a wonderful experience for our entire family. Under the instruction of Sherry Moray and Ricky Ruiz (and the other highly trained ADA staff), she has grown leaps and bounds not only in her technique but also in her execution of movement. The entire teaching staff and studio were very welcoming upon our transition from our previous studio and it was apparent from the start that ADA is a very special place that encourages a love for dance, respect for others and a positive learning environment.

Louise Alving

Lauren's growth at the Academy of Dance Arts over the past 5 years has been phenomenal under the guidance of Sherry Moray and Ricky Ruiz. The focus is on technique over tricks, and there is great concern for correct placement and execution to avoid injury. Beyond technique, I am grateful to the studio for developing our dancers' character, love of dance, respect, and dedication which will take them so far in life. Whether you are interested in pre-professional development (several of Sherry Moray's students have become professional ballerinas) or dance simply for the joy of it... there is a place for you here. The friendships and mentorships are unparalleled. The studio is for many... a second home.

Elaine Marinakos

My daughter has been at ADA since she was 2 1/2 years old and she is now almost 11. Her love of dance has been so carefully cultivated by the amazing staff at ADA. I absolutely love watching the end-of-year recital, which is more of a Class-A production than a student recital. I am often times moved to tears by the passion and excellence that is brought to the stage each and every year. If you are looking for a studio that will foster the love of the art of dancing in a positive and constructive way, then look no further. ADA is a part of our lives that we wil cherish always.

Kris Guastaferri

Dance opportunities are available for your child in every genre and at every level! We are so thrilled to have discovered ADA 4 years ago. The staff is incredible; the choreography is sublime! This is a wonderful studio for any dancer to build technique, strength, endurance, as well as long lasting friendships.

Rebecca Voulgarakis

I have been a student at the Academy for the past 7 years, and I can honestly say that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The floors, costumes, etc. provided are all top quality. The atmosphere is warm and friendly; the studio becomes a "home away from home" for many of our dancers. The faculty are tough, but everything they do is done with love. Sherry Moray, the founder and artistic director, was a prima ballerina of the Chicago Festival Ballet under Maria Tallchief--the woman knows what she's talking about! Her alumni have gone on to great success in companies in the US and in Europe. I am currently in the process of auditioning for well-known college dance programs and am being accepted. Thanks to Sherry and all the other teachers, I am confident in my training and ability to be successful in the dance world.