HeartBeat Dance Academy

HeartBeat Dance Academy offers classes in jazz, tap, musical theatre, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, dance conditioning, acro, and hip hop. The program also includes specific classes such as Dance Discovery, Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Tiny Tap, Mini Hip Hop, Tiny Tumbling I and II, Jr. Jazz, Ballet/Tap Combo, Tap I, Hip Hop I Jr., Acro I, Jazz I, Lyrical I, Musical Theatre Beg/Int, Hip Hop I Pre-Teen, Pom Prep Jr., Teen Tap, Acro I/II Teen, Jazz I Teen, Lyrical I Teen, Pom Prep, Contemporary I Teen, Progressive Ballet Technique, Adult Ballet, and Pointe. All classes begin with a warmup and stretch and end with learning a dance or combination, and dances and combinations change each month.

• Ages: 3–18 years old

HeartBeat Dance Academy was established in 2002 by director Teri Nash and has taught and inspired thousands of dancers since 2002. The program offers over 100 classes each week for dancers from beginning through competitive levels, with classes offered from beginning to advanced levels for ages 3–18. Many classes are broken down into pre-teen and teen levels so new dancers can be in classes with others in their age group. Classes are ongoing from September through June and wrap up with an annual June Show held at the Carlmont High School Performing Arts Center, and between June and September the program offers themed camps and intensives, fun classes, technical workshops, summer camps, and summer industry intensives.

HeartBeat Dance Academy uses the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) method for ballet training, beginning at Ballet I level and continuing through higher ballet levels, and dancers progress to each ballet level upon passing ballet exams for the current level. Progressive Ballet Technique classes use equipment like balls and resistance bands to strengthen dancers’ bodies with ballet technique as the foundation and require a minimum of two years of ballet training or teacher recommendation. Pointe readiness is reviewed periodically once dancers reach a certain level.

HeartBeat Dance Academy hires qualified faculty who inspire and nurture their dancers, and the program describes its environment in both the office and classes as friendly and supportive. The program describes its community as a family including staff, teachers, dancers, and parents. One parent shared that “The love for dance fills the HeartBeat dance studio from Ms. Teri and her instructors through to the kids,” and noted that their daughters feel welcomed, have fun, and challenge themselves in a show at the end of each season. HBDA’s “Walk it Out” team and choreographer Jeric Peregrino won 1st Overall at a 2026 event in San Jose, CA.

Last updated June 16, 2026.