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Dance Arts Academy

4.2 ★★★★☆ 38 Google reviews · Ballet school in Traverse City, Michigan

Kids & teens Pointe Pre-professional

Plan your first class

  • Class price classes around $60 — many studios bill by term or month instead, so ask about tuition and any trial rate
  • Pointe pointe and pre-pointe work for dancers who are ready — the pre-pointe strengthening comes first
  • Pre-professional a serious, conservatory-style track for committed students aiming high
  • Recitals end-of-year performances and shows — ask about costume and performance fees when you enroll
  • Summer intensive holiday and summer intensive programs — these fill early, so ask about dates and auditions
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone +1 231-941-4244
  • Website & schedule danceartstraverse.com — enroll and see the live class schedule

Hours

Monday 11 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday 10 am–8:30 pm
Wednesday 10 am–8:30 pm
Thursday 11 am–8:30 pm
Friday 11 am–5:30 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–2 pm
Sunday Closed

Studio hours shift for holidays, recitals, and term schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The programs they offer

Ballet programs on the schedule at Dance Arts Academy, confirmed in families' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌸 Kids Ballet 41 mentions

“My daughter has been dancing here for 8 years since we moved to Traverse City from out of state.”

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🩰 Pointe

“Miss Sue was so nice and knowledgeable, she fitted my daughter for her first pointe shoes today.”

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Pre-Professional

“We are going to a pre-professional intensive this summer in NY.”

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☀️ Summer Intensives

All studios with summer intensives →

What families & students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 38 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“We have always felt welcome and supported even when we’ve left to pursue other activities.”

💛 nurturing, non-competitive 19 mentions

“The decorum and kindness that Betsy and Sue insist upon all their students displaying, is perhaps even more impressive than the world class instruction they offer.”

🎭 beautiful recitals & performances 12 mentions

“We have gone to other performances and when the owner realized my daughter couldn’t see from our seats, she found us alternate seats to make sure she had a wonderful experience.”

serious pre-professional training 6 mentions

“She has been in Company for 6 years and we are so happy with the beautiful dancer she has become.”

🗓️ well-run & communicative 17 mentions

“My wife and I are so proud that our kids get to be a part of such a professional yet nurturing organization.”

💪 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“She has been dancing at the studio for 7 years and has grown so much in her dancing and as a person.”

From the reviews

My daughters and I have taken multiple classes here. The owners and staff have been wonderful. Making sure the environment is as inclusive as possible and helping all of the kids to feel beautiful and have fun.

★★★★★ — J, Mar 2018

My daughter has been at DAA for six months. I could not imagine a better environment for her to grow as a dancer and as a person. The decorum and kindness that Betsy and Sue insist upon all their students displaying, is perhaps even more impressive than the world class instruction they offer.

★★★★★ — Alfiero, Mar 2019

My daughter has been dancing here for 8 years since we moved to Traverse City from out of state. She has been in Company for 6 years and we are so happy with the beautiful dancer she has become. I highly recommend this studio for all levels!

★★★★★ — Erica, Feb 2024

My daughter has studied on and off at Dance Arts Academy since 2009. We have always felt welcome and supported even when we’ve left to pursue other activities. We highly recommend DAA. The staff and faculty are all wonderful.

★★★★★ — Charlotte, Mar 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 38 reviews →

Your first ballet class at Dance Arts Academy

Nervous about walking into your first class? Almost everyone is — and a good studio expects beginners, whether your dancer is five or you're returning at fifty. Here's what to know. What to wear: comfortable clothes you can move in, with socks or bare feet; a leotard and tights are nice if you have them, but not required, and pointe shoes are years down the road — never day one. What to expect: class usually starts at the barre with slow, simple movements to warm up, then moves to the center — follow along, copy the teacher, and don't worry about getting it "right" the first time. Arrive early: come 10–15 minutes ahead to change, find a spot, and let the teacher know it's a first class so they can keep an eye out. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Ballet is for every age and every body. If you're returning from an injury or have a health concern, mention it to the teacher before class so they can offer modifications.

Where to find Dance Arts Academy

1015 S Garfield Ave Ste a, Traverse City, MI49686

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.