Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy

Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy offers Toddler Time, Mommy and Me, and Daddy and Me for ages 2-3, with 30-minute classes that require an adult to attend and participate. It also offers Introduction to Dance for ages 4-5, Pre-Dance for ages 6-7, and Level 1, 1a - 2, 2a for ages 8 and up. Ballet is offered at basic/beginning, intermediate, advanced, and pre-professional levels, and the academy also lists Acro, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop.

Programs

• Toddler Time — 2-3 · 30 minutes; adult must attend and participate with the child
• Mommy and Me — 2-3 · 30 minutes; adult must attend and participate with the child
• Daddy and Me — 2-3 · 30 minutes; adult must attend and participate with the child
• Introduction to Dance — 4-5 · 45 minutes
• Pre-Dance — 6-7 · 50 minutes
• Level 1, 1a - 2, 2a — 8 and up · 60 minutes; basic/beginning level
• Ballet — 8 and older · Offered in basic/beginning, intermediate, advanced, and pre-professional levels
• Acro — Listed as a class offering
• Tap — 8 and older · Listed as a class offering
• Modern — 8 and older · Listed as a class offering
• Contemporary — 8 and older · Listed as a class offering
• Hip-Hop — 8 and older · Listed as a class offering

At a glance

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Facility hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 12:00 pm-7:30 pm; Friday: 10:00 am-3:30 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am-3:30 pm; Sunday-Monday: closed

About the provider

Debra White-Hunt is the co-founder and artistic director, and Bruce Hunt is the Executive Director. Silvia Williams-Sims is President. The board of directors includes Michelle Hunt, Mable Jones, Shelly Norman-Hill, Margaret Bernstein, Atty. Roderick & Linda Gillum, PhD, and Attorney Sylvia Elliott. The academy is in its 39th season, has taught dance for 60+ years, and describes itself as a multi-talented and spirit-driven company and academy of dancers providing multi-level training in excellence through dance for the Detroit-Windsor International community. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and Debra White-Hunt is a Kresge Artist Fellow, a Milken National Educator, a Michiganian of the Year, and was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. The academy says it has a record of critical acclaim on 5 continents.

Ages 2-3 require an adult to attend and participate with the child. Intermediate requirements are for ages 10 and up and applicants must enroll through recommendation or audition and also enroll in Ballet Class. Advanced requirements are ages 10 and up and applicants must enroll through recommendation or audition. The pre-professional program is a 4-tiered program and students must audition. Tuition payments are due on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Tuition includes class instruction, concerts, rehearsals, photo day (2), and certificates.

What families say

“DWDA played an instrumental role in who I am today!” — Mary Sheffield, Detroit City Council President

“So many opportunities to learn fundamentals and perform at different events. Debra and Bruce run a top-notch dance academy!” — Wendy Goodwin

“I started DWDA at age three. Through dance, I learned the value of exercise. At DWDA I learned discipline, tenacity, and the pure joy of movement.” — Dr. Garen Wolff

Last updated September 27, 2026.