Dance Academy USA

Dance Academy USA offers a wide range of dance classes and activities, including Summer Camps, Acro, Ballet, Ballroom, Breakdance, Contemporary, Creative Dance, Hip Hop, Intro to Dance, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Pilates, Technique, Tap, and Zumba. The program takes place in a new state-of-the-art dance facility and includes both recreational and specialized dance styles.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Camp option from Monday, July 10, 2023, 9:00 AM through Friday, July 14, 2023, 3:30 PM, with regular hours of operation Monday–Thursday 9:30am–9:30pm, Friday 12:30pm–7:30pm, and Saturday 9:30am–1:30pm

Dance Academy USA was established in 1990 by James and Jane Carter and has been in business for over 30 years. The studio describes itself as Silicon Valley’s Premier Dance Studio, the largest dance program and community in the Bay Area, and the most comprehensive dance program in Silicon Valley. DAU’s competition team, the Production Company, has grown from ten members to nearly two hundred and has been regarded nationally as a California powerhouse. The organization reports having served over a hundred thousand families in the communities of Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Mountain View, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell, Santa Clara, and San Jose.

Founding Director Jane Carter earned her Bachelor’s Degree from San Jose State University, where she was a member of the Spartan Spectrum Dance Team and studied Human Performance/Fitness with a minor in Nutrition and Food Science. Her background includes being selected by Dole Corporation in 1985 as an ambassador promoting dance, modeling, and aerobics in Japan, creating the first dance team for the NBA Golden State Warriors in 1985, dancing for the San Francisco 49ers as a Gold Rush cheerleader, serving as Managing Director of American Spirit Association, and serving as Artistic Director of School House Sports, which was once the largest dance studio outreach program in Northern California. She is also the former Director of the NBA Warrior Dance Team and former Creator and Director of Arena Football’s San Jose SaberKittens. Jim Carter is part of the leadership team and has been involved in the real estate industry since 1993 as a broker, syndicator, investor, and is President of the Real Estate Coaching Organization.

Dance Academy USA states that its mission is to provide an inclusive space for dancers that promotes teamwork, leadership, community, and lifelong friendships, with a goal of making the studio a great place for families, kids, and staff. The program describes its focus as not just about dance, but also about building strength of character through a nurturing environment and supporting young children as they become confident, resilient, and independent adults. DAU is described as a parent-trusted company for over 30 years and as “more than dance.”

Dance Academy USA has been recognized by Dance Teacher Magazine as one of the best private studios in the nation. In 2013, Jane Carter was awarded America’s Dance Educator of the Year by Co. Dance, and in 2014, Dance Teacher Magazine awarded her the Dance Teacher Award in the Private Studio/Conservatory Category, presented in New York City and described as the most prestigious dance teacher award in the United States and the highest honor in the Dance Education industry.

Testimonials from 2024 graduating seniors describe DAU as a place where they found love in new friendships and support from teachers, a safe space through ups and downs, a community where they felt most at home and met lifelong friends, and a place that made one student’s breakdance dream come true.

Last updated March 19, 2026.