About
Ann Arbor Dance Classics offers classes in dance styles including ballet, jazz, modern, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and pointe technique. The program 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.
Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE) has five levels of participation. Level One is open to all Ann Arbor Dance Classics members; dancers must be 5 years old by September 1st, must 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, must be enrolled in at least one ballet class, one jazz class, and one elective 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, must be enrolled in at least two ballet classes, one jazz, one modern, one competitive tech class and additional level-specific classes as required, 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. The Mini/Petite Comp Team is by invitation only for mini and petite level dancers; dancers must be 7 years old by September 1st, must be enrolled in at least two ballet classes and additional level-specific classes as required, 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, must be enrolled in at least one tap technique class and one ballet, jazz, or modern class, and it includes a March performance and 2 competitions.
All YDE members rehearse on Saturdays between 9:00am and 3:30pm, with a maximum of two absences per semester permitted. All YDE dancers perform annually in December, March, and the June Ann Arbor Dance Classics recital. All YDE members participate in the annual performance of “The Nutcracker” or an alternative fall production, and participation in “The Nutcracker” is open to non-company members by audition. YDE Level Two and Level Three members may be invited to participate in competition groups at their respective technical levels. Competition is offered in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, modern, contemporary, and hip hop, and solos, duets, and trios are available to those who are interested and may also include ballet and pointe technique. All YDE Level Two and Level Three members participate in an annual benefit concert, which provides the company with the opportunity to perform selected works intended to expose dancers to a broad array of dance styles, techniques, and to the works of different choreographers.
Ann Arbor Dance Classics was established in 1996, and the studio director is Deena Fournier. The program states that it seeks to enrich each student with the best in dance education and to provide high quality instruction in the technique, artistry, and discipline that comprise any dance class. It states that it continuously evaluates its staff and curriculum and lists objectives that include providing high quality instruction in terminology and technique, exposing students to a broad range of classic forms of dance, providing opportunities for students to work with various instructors and choreographers, valuing classical ballet as the foundation of other forms of classical dance, emphasizing dance as a means of artistic expression and self-expression, and enhancing the dancer’s educational experience with attention to the discipline of dance. Ann Arbor Dance Classics states it is dedicated to providing an intentionally welcoming and safe environment where all feel valued and cared for, and that it celebrates the diversity of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, financial means, education, religion, and political perspective. It states that these beliefs and practices apply to all the activities of the studio and that all are welcome to share in the learning, teaching, and joy of dance.
All Youth Dance Ensemble Level Two and Level Three members participate in an annual benefit concert, and 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. Ann Arbor Dance Classics 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.” The 2025/26 class schedule and 2025/26 calendar are now available.
Last updated January 5, 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.
Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE) has five levels of participation. Level One is open to all Ann Arbor Dance Classics members; dancers must be 5 years old by September 1st, must 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, must be enrolled in at least one ballet class, one jazz class, and one elective 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, must be enrolled in at least two ballet classes, one jazz, one modern, one competitive tech class and additional level-specific classes as required, 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. The Mini/Petite Comp Team is by invitation only for mini and petite level dancers; dancers must be 7 years old by September 1st, must be enrolled in at least two ballet classes and additional level-specific classes as required, 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, must be enrolled in at least one tap technique class and one ballet, jazz, or modern class, and it includes a March performance and 2 competitions.
All YDE members rehearse on Saturdays between 9:00am and 3:30pm, with a maximum of two absences per semester permitted. All YDE dancers perform annually in December, March, and the June Ann Arbor Dance Classics recital. All YDE members participate in the annual performance of “The Nutcracker” or an alternative fall production, and participation in “The Nutcracker” is open to non-company members by audition. YDE Level Two and Level Three members may be invited to participate in competition groups at their respective technical levels. Competition is offered in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, modern, contemporary, and hip hop, and solos, duets, and trios are available to those who are interested and may also include ballet and pointe technique. All YDE Level Two and Level Three members participate in an annual benefit concert, which provides the company with the opportunity to perform selected works intended to expose dancers to a broad array of dance styles, techniques, and to the works of different choreographers.
Ann Arbor Dance Classics was established in 1996, and the studio director is Deena Fournier. The program states that it seeks to enrich each student with the best in dance education and to provide high quality instruction in the technique, artistry, and discipline that comprise any dance class. It states that it continuously evaluates its staff and curriculum and lists objectives that include providing high quality instruction in terminology and technique, exposing students to a broad range of classic forms of dance, providing opportunities for students to work with various instructors and choreographers, valuing classical ballet as the foundation of other forms of classical dance, emphasizing dance as a means of artistic expression and self-expression, and enhancing the dancer’s educational experience with attention to the discipline of dance. Ann Arbor Dance Classics states it is dedicated to providing an intentionally welcoming and safe environment where all feel valued and cared for, and that it celebrates the diversity of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, financial means, education, religion, and political perspective. It states that these beliefs and practices apply to all the activities of the studio and that all are welcome to share in the learning, teaching, and joy of dance.
All Youth Dance Ensemble Level Two and Level Three members participate in an annual benefit concert, and 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. Ann Arbor Dance Classics 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.” The 2025/26 class schedule and 2025/26 calendar are now available.
Last updated January 5, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.