Ann Arbor Dance Classics
Ann Arbor Dance Classics, 3777 Plaza Dr., Suites 4 & 5, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
About
Ann Arbor Dance Classics offers dance classes in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and pointe. The program also includes the Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE), which is a group of dedicated dance students from Ann Arbor Dance Classics who are interested in pursuing an intensive study of dance and more performance opportunities than traditional dance classes allow.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Studio hours from mid-September to mid-June include Monday–Thursday 4pm–8pm, Friday 5pm–7pm, and Saturday 9am–3pm.
Ann Arbor Dance Classics was established in 1996 and is led by AADC Studio Director Deena Fournier. The studio states that it seeks to enrich each student with the best in dance education by providing high quality instruction in technique, artistry, and discipline, and by continuously evaluating its staff and curriculum. Its stated dance education objectives include instruction in terminology and technique, exposure to a broad range of classic forms of dance, work with various instructors and choreographers, valuing classical ballet as the foundation of other classical dance forms, emphasizing dance as artistic and self-expression, and attention to the discipline of dance. Ann Arbor Dance Classics states that it is dedicated to providing an intentionally welcoming and safe environment where all feel valued and cared for, and that it celebrates diversity in gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, financial means, education, religion, and political perspective. The studio states, “We value and respect the dancers who choose AADC for their dance education. We are dedicated to making this a positive and rewarding experience for every student at our studio.”
Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE) has five levels of participation. Level One is open to all AADC members; dancers must be 5 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least one ballet class or one dance class, and it includes a December performance. Level Two is by invitation only; dancers must be 7 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least two ballet and one jazz technique class, includes December and March performances, and requires completion of a minimum number of hours of summer study. Level Three is by invitation only; dancers must be 7 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least two ballet classes, one jazz technique, one modern/lyrical, and one ballet strength class, includes December and March performances and 2–3 competitions, and requires attendance at one convention and completion of a minimum number of hours of summer study. Tap Company is by invitation only; dancers must be 9 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least one tap technique class, one ballet, and one jazz class, and it includes a March performance and 2–3 competitions. All YDE members rehearse on Saturdays between 9:00am and 3:30pm, with a maximum of two absences per semester permitted, and all YDE dancers perform annually in December, March, and the June AADC recital.
All YDE members participate in the annual performance of “The Nutcracker” or an alternative fall production. Participation in “The Nutcracker” or an alternative fall production is open to non-company members with an audition required. Competition is offered in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, modern, contemporary, and hip hop, and competition team participation requires an audition. YDE Level Two and Three members may be invited to participate in competition groups at their respective technical levels. Solos, duets, and trios are available to those who are interested and may include ballet and pointe technique.
All YDE Level Two and Level Three members participate in an annual benefit concert. The benefit concert is intended to expose dancers to a broad array of dance styles, techniques, and to the works of different choreographers, and the organization values the benefit concert as an opportunity to give back to the community which supports them. Recent benefit concerts have donated proceeds to local organizations such as the Ozone House and the Interfaith Hospitality Network and to national organizations such as the Arms Wide Open Foundation.
Last updated July 17, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Studio hours from mid-September to mid-June include Monday–Thursday 4pm–8pm, Friday 5pm–7pm, and Saturday 9am–3pm.
Ann Arbor Dance Classics was established in 1996 and is led by AADC Studio Director Deena Fournier. The studio states that it seeks to enrich each student with the best in dance education by providing high quality instruction in technique, artistry, and discipline, and by continuously evaluating its staff and curriculum. Its stated dance education objectives include instruction in terminology and technique, exposure to a broad range of classic forms of dance, work with various instructors and choreographers, valuing classical ballet as the foundation of other classical dance forms, emphasizing dance as artistic and self-expression, and attention to the discipline of dance. Ann Arbor Dance Classics states that it is dedicated to providing an intentionally welcoming and safe environment where all feel valued and cared for, and that it celebrates diversity in gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, financial means, education, religion, and political perspective. The studio states, “We value and respect the dancers who choose AADC for their dance education. We are dedicated to making this a positive and rewarding experience for every student at our studio.”
Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE) has five levels of participation. Level One is open to all AADC members; dancers must be 5 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least one ballet class or one dance class, and it includes a December performance. Level Two is by invitation only; dancers must be 7 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least two ballet and one jazz technique class, includes December and March performances, and requires completion of a minimum number of hours of summer study. Level Three is by invitation only; dancers must be 7 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least two ballet classes, one jazz technique, one modern/lyrical, and one ballet strength class, includes December and March performances and 2–3 competitions, and requires attendance at one convention and completion of a minimum number of hours of summer study. Tap Company is by invitation only; dancers must be 9 years old by September 1st, be enrolled in at least one tap technique class, one ballet, and one jazz class, and it includes a March performance and 2–3 competitions. All YDE members rehearse on Saturdays between 9:00am and 3:30pm, with a maximum of two absences per semester permitted, and all YDE dancers perform annually in December, March, and the June AADC recital.
All YDE members participate in the annual performance of “The Nutcracker” or an alternative fall production. Participation in “The Nutcracker” or an alternative fall production is open to non-company members with an audition required. Competition is offered in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, modern, contemporary, and hip hop, and competition team participation requires an audition. YDE Level Two and Three members may be invited to participate in competition groups at their respective technical levels. Solos, duets, and trios are available to those who are interested and may include ballet and pointe technique.
All YDE Level Two and Level Three members participate in an annual benefit concert. The benefit concert is intended to expose dancers to a broad array of dance styles, techniques, and to the works of different choreographers, and the organization values the benefit concert as an opportunity to give back to the community which supports them. Recent benefit concerts have donated proceeds to local organizations such as the Ozone House and the Interfaith Hospitality Network and to national organizations such as the Arms Wide Open Foundation.
Last updated July 17, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.