Elementary Academy
Elementary Academy Information
Age 5 +
The adventure continues as your child explores dance at the elementary dance academy, building curiosity, passion, and creativity in every dance class.
Confidence grows as they discover self-expression through imagery, pantomime and engaging work in each dance lesson, helping them develop important social and emotional skills. As they progress, students begin laying the foundation for formal training in the Junior Academy, growing their love of learning at a supportive dance school.
Leap ‘N Learn is a safe, developmentally appropriate dance program that guides children from creative movement dance classes to beginning ballet.
Designed by master teacher Beverly Spell and child psychologist Dr. Annie Spell, this curriculum blends best practices in children’s ballet training with imaginative play, creating a positive and nurturing environment in every dance class and dance lesson.
Rooted in cognitive and neural development, Leap ‘N Learn supports growth through structured dance lessons and dance classes, helping children build motor, cognitive and social skills through dance that last a lifetime.
Ballet, Jazz and Acrobatics
Join The Ballet Club
Give your child the chance to step into the magical world of classical ballet! Each class introduces beloved stories through creative movement, storytelling and imaginative play, bringing ballet to life through dance, music, costumes, crafts and behind-the-scenes theatre fun.
What’s included:
Choreography & Creative Movement
Pantomime & Storytelling
Ballet-inspired Arts & Crafts
Story Time with Ballet Classics
Obstacle Courses & Imaginative Play
Behind-the-Scenes Theatre & Stagecraft Fun
An engaging blend of dance, creativity and play—perfect for sparking imagination while building confidence and joy in the arts!
Faculty Members
Andréa Gregori
Director of Ballet Curriculum
Gregori studied at the renowned Maria Olenewa State School as well as Rio Dance Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She spent two years as a Trainee at the Joffrey Ballet in New York City.
While still a dancer, Gregori decided to fulfill her passion for teaching and received extensive training in Russian Methodology under the Vaganova System. Later, she became proficient and certified in the Cuban (National Ballet School of Cuba) and English (Royal Academy of Dance) ballet methodologies. She is also an ABT® Certified Teacher—ABT® National Training Curriculum, Primary through Level 7 & Partnering.
Apart from her experience as a dancer and instructor, Gregori received certification in “Psycoballet” (dance therapy) from Dr. Georgina Fariñas Garcia at IPIA (Psychiatric Institute for Childhood and Adolescence) in São Paulo, Brazil. She also earned certification in Progressing Ballet Technique and Alixa Flexibility Method. She has been consistently attending ABT’s yearly workshops - Raising the Barre, covering diverse subjects pertinent to teaching classical dance forms. Continuing her education, she attends courses and seminars on Anatomy for Dance and young children's programs.
Throughout her thirty-six years of experience as a professional ballet teacher, Mrs. Gregori has prepared numerous students for the Royal Academy of Dance, The Cuban Ballet School and ABT’s exams, as well as national and international ballet competitions—winning many prizes. In addition, she assisted in producing a variety of full-length ballets, including Giselle, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, and Sleeping Beauty, and staged several suites and children’s performances.
Charlene Shaw
Shaw began her dance training at age six and has studied with critically acclaimed artists such as David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Finis Young, Merdith Baylis, Suki Schorer, Stanley Williams and Madam Antonia Tumkovsky. As a professional, Shaw danced with the National Ballet of New Jersey, performing many principal roles in classics such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Firebird, Stars and Stripes and Rodeo.
Along with being a versatile performer, Shaw has extensive teaching experience and is dedicated to providing a solid technical foundation to her students. Shaw's outstanding choreography has won numerous awards and has been recognized on the state and national levels.
Flávia Garcia Nascimento
Originally from Brazil, Garcia trained and graduated from The National Ballet of Cuba. From 2006 - 2012 Garcia was a member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she danced principal roles in such ballets as Raymonda, Balanchine's Four Temperaments & Glinka Pas de Trois, Giselle and Le Corsaire. She's participated in various competitions, such as Brazil's most acclaimed Joinville Dance Festival, where she won Gold.
In addition to the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Garcia danced with Joffrey Ballet 2 and Lazar Ballet NYC. Garcia has been invited to guest at many international galas, such as the Gala of the Stars in the Dominican Republic, performing Diana & Acteon with a member of ABT and NYIBC's Gala 2011. Other ballets in her repertoire include Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Gamazatti of La Bayadere, The River by Alvin Ailey and various original contemporary works. In 2015 she guested at Ballet Ness Ziona (Israel), where she performed Diana and Acteon and Elie Lazar's choreography.
Daisia Pulz
Pulz began her dance journey twenty years ago with Ballet East, formerly Susan Lyle Studios. Aspiring to become a professional dancer, she joined Ballet East’s Accelerated Training Program for homeschooling students.
Many organizations have recognized Pulz for her outstanding work in choreography and superior performance qualities. Recent distinctions include Honorable Mention and Merit Scholarship awards from 2017-2019 in Dance Composition/Choreography through the National YoungArts Foundation. In 2019, Pulz was honored to receive the “Aspire Award” for demonstrating passion, hunger and determination in dance by the Universal Ballet Competition. As a result, Pulz was invited to perform as a guest at the XXIV International Ballet Festival of Miami and performed as a guest with Brazilian Prima Ballerina Ana Botafogo for Ronaldo Fraga’s Eyes Through Brazil.
From 2018-2019, Daisia was honored to receive a full merit summer scholarship to world-renowned dance companies, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Lines Contemporary Ballet.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. We offer classes for both beginners and students with prior training. Our faculty places students in classes that best support their age, experience and developmental needs.
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Yes! Students have opportunities to perform in two shows throughout the year, including our annual Nutcracker and End-of-Season Performance, to help dancers build confidence, develop stage presence and celebrate their hard work with family and friends.
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Dance teaches much more than steps. Students develop confidence, perseverance, responsibility, teamwork, focus and problem-solving skills. These qualities support success both in and out of the classroom.
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Click here to view your child's required uniform and class supplies.
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Click here to register for our One-Week Class Pass, which is how enrollment is completed for all new students. During your trial week, our staff will help determine the best class placement for your child based on their age and experience.
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Our Elementary Academy is designed to build a strong foundation in dance while keeping students engaged, motivated and excited to learn. Classes combine age-appropriate technical training with creativity, musicality and performance skills, helping dancers develop confidence, discipline and a love of movement in a positive environment.