Suwanee Academy of the Arts

Suwanee Academy of the Arts offers dance lessons including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary dance, and Acrobatic Arts classes. The program also offers music lessons such as Kindermusik classes, private piano lessons, guitar lessons, voice lessons, and violin lessons, along with drama classes that include acting exercises, improvisation, and performance opportunities. Additional activities include summer camps like Enchanted Princess camp, Broadway Bodacious Burger camp, Discover Dance camp, Broadway in the Park productions of Disney’s The Lion King Jr. and Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids, studio tours, private music lessons, adult offerings, and custom choreography services for quinceañeras, sweet sixteens, and weddings.

• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours during the school year run Monday–Thursday 3:00pm–8:00pm and Friday–Saturday 9:00am–1:00pm, with summer office hours Monday–Friday 10:00am–3:00pm

Suwanee Academy of the Arts states that its mission is “Inspiring a love of the Performing Arts they will treasure for life” and describes itself as an innovative, comprehensive performing arts academy with comprehensive curriculums taught by dynamic, caring instructors. The program describes itself as a nurturing home where musical, dramatic, and dance students develop, with classes for dancers ranging between two and eighteen years of age, music lesson options for infants to seven-year-olds through Kindermusik classes, drama classes that unlock imagination and inspire young actors to let go of fear with confidence, drive, and enthusiasm, and drama classes that nurture self-confidence, teamwork, and communication skills. It describes its environment as positive and energetic, with personalized guidance in a fun and supportive setting, and as a supportive family where both students and staff are encouraged to achieve the highest artistic standards.

The leadership and teaching team includes Marie Bagley (Customer Concierge), Elana Notle (Viola & Violin), Marissa Brown (Drama & Dance), Dr. Miaomiao Wang (Piano), Helen Yu Park (Voice), Alejandra Naranjo (Dance, Ballet, Contemporary, Acrobatic Arts), and Annette Mechling (Kindermusik). Staff credentials include extensive professional and educational backgrounds, such as Elana Notle’s more than 35 years of private viola and violin teaching and orchestral touring experience, Marissa Brown’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance from Shorter University, and Dr. Miaomiao Wang’s Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University and work with multiple opera institutions and universities. Helen Yu Park is a Juilliard graduate with performance experience at the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and on Broadway, and she has given master classes and private lessons in opera and musical theater in several locations. Alejandra Naranjo has danced with Suwanee Ballet for three years, is in her second year teaching Acrobatic Arts classes at Suwanee Academy of the Arts, specializes in contemporary dance, and offers custom choreography services for quinceañeras, sweet sixteens, and weddings. Annette Mechling is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator whose Kindermusik program has been designated a Top Program by Kindermusik International for many years, and she holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Flute Performance.

Suwanee Academy of the Arts serves families from the Suwanee, Duluth, Sugar Hill, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, and Buford communities and beyond, and it has a nonprofit organization, Suwanee Performing Arts, with upcoming events and live performances. A parent testimonial states, “I love watching my daughter bloom into a beautiful graceful young lady. Thank you Suwanee Academy of the Arts for your incredible influence during her growing up years. We love the classes and the teachers. Everyone there is so welcoming and friendly. And my child is learning and growing so much!”

Last updated July 31, 2026.