About
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy offers classes and programs in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Acrobatics, Gymnastics, Rhythmic gymnastics, and Elite Acrobatics. The program also includes a Performing Arts Preschool, recreational dance and gymnastics classes, youth Acrobatics & Tumbling, and several performance and team options such as a Performing Company, Pre-professional Dance Company: NW Fusion, Hip Hop Company, Ballet Company, Dance Troupe, and Xcel Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond gymnastics teams, as well as boys and girls artistic gymnastics. Families can also choose field trips, birthday party packages, supervised open gym time, an indoor play park, lunch bunch, and an All Day Activity Camp.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Main office hours in fall are Monday–Friday 9:00am–9:00pm, Saturday 8:30am–5:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am–5:00pm; in summer, Monday–Thursday 9:00am–7:00pm, Friday 9:00am–5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am–3:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am–3:00pm; 2026 summer camp schedule registration opens January 15th at 9:00am via email.
• Price: Cash, check, or EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) are accepted; no credit or debit cards.
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy is home to a Performing Arts Preschool that focuses on pre-reading and writing skills, literature, math and science, and a performing arts curriculum that includes art, drama, music, tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, and gymnastics for children ages 3–5. The academy offers half or full day camps during winter and spring break, school closures, and throughout the summer, with options that include preschool, dance, or gymnastics. Many dancers participate in an annual Nutcracker/Holiday showcase and a spring recital, and all gymnastics students and teams participate in an annual Gym Fest showcase. The academy hosts field trips and offers birthday party packages, supervised open gym time during parents night out, an indoor play park, and lunch bunch.
The academy was started by Carla Webber in 1974 under the original name Portland Gymnastics Center and Carla Webber Studio of Dance. In 1984, the business was divided, and the dance side was sold to Mellanie (Fletcher) Heniff, who renamed it Westside Dance Academy, while the gymnastics side was sold to Chuck Richards. In 1995, Mellanie Heniff bought back the gymnastics side and renamed the combined program Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy. Over the years, the academy added a Preschool Program in 1992, the Elite Acro Program in 1993, Rhythmic gymnastics and the Westside Pro-Shop in 1997, the Westside Training Center in 2000, Ballet Company in 2006, Hip Hop Company in 2009, and the Excel Gymnastics Program and Dance Troupe in 2012.
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy is home to an award-winning dance program and Oregon’s first youth Acrobatics & Tumbling team. Its mission statement focuses on providing a safe, fun, positive environment; promoting creativity and fitness; inspiring students to achieve their goals; developing self-esteem by instilling the values of good sportsmanship, self-discipline, respect and accountability; and enriching the lives of students and the community through excellence in education, dance and gymnastics. The academy’s vision is to be the Northwest's “Ultimate Academy” and the leader in education, dance and gymnastics, with values that include shared responsibility for safety, excellence and integrity known as the “Westside Way,” quality education and training, and listening with results. The academy states that it is enriching the lives of its students and the community through excellence in education, dance and gymnastics.
The leadership team includes owners Brad Hampton (Dance Program & Company Director), Denise Nontavarnit (Gymnastics Program Manager), and Simone Fallgren (Operations Manager, Elite Acrobatic Company Director, Youth Acrobatics and Tumbling Director, Acting All Day Activity Camp Supervisor, Events Director). Additional leaders include Carrie Berg (Registrar), Lisa Adams (Accounts Manager), Cathy Cano (Customer Service), Maddi Gloria (Dance Accelerated, Troupe & Performing Company Director), Jessica Turner (Recreational Dance Director), Cait Powers (Ballet Company Director), Trinity Moore (Hip Hop Crew Director), and Erica Walter (Performing Company Administrative Assistant). Gymnastics and acrobatics leadership includes Drew Grow (Optional and Compulsory Team Director), Andrea Vidovic (Accelerated Gymnastics Director), Kaelyn Person (Xcel Supervisor), Jenni Owens (Recreational Gymnastics Director), Luis Nadora (Boys Team Director), and Izzy Troccoli (Youth Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach/Supervisor). The Performing Arts Preschool is led by Director Cara Bartel, and camps, parties, field trips, and Parents Night Out are supervised by Sydney Parker.
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy also operates the Westside Mini Gym and the Westside Training Center as additional program locations.
Last updated March 29, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Main office hours in fall are Monday–Friday 9:00am–9:00pm, Saturday 8:30am–5:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am–5:00pm; in summer, Monday–Thursday 9:00am–7:00pm, Friday 9:00am–5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am–3:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am–3:00pm; 2026 summer camp schedule registration opens January 15th at 9:00am via email.
• Price: Cash, check, or EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) are accepted; no credit or debit cards.
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy is home to a Performing Arts Preschool that focuses on pre-reading and writing skills, literature, math and science, and a performing arts curriculum that includes art, drama, music, tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, and gymnastics for children ages 3–5. The academy offers half or full day camps during winter and spring break, school closures, and throughout the summer, with options that include preschool, dance, or gymnastics. Many dancers participate in an annual Nutcracker/Holiday showcase and a spring recital, and all gymnastics students and teams participate in an annual Gym Fest showcase. The academy hosts field trips and offers birthday party packages, supervised open gym time during parents night out, an indoor play park, and lunch bunch.
The academy was started by Carla Webber in 1974 under the original name Portland Gymnastics Center and Carla Webber Studio of Dance. In 1984, the business was divided, and the dance side was sold to Mellanie (Fletcher) Heniff, who renamed it Westside Dance Academy, while the gymnastics side was sold to Chuck Richards. In 1995, Mellanie Heniff bought back the gymnastics side and renamed the combined program Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy. Over the years, the academy added a Preschool Program in 1992, the Elite Acro Program in 1993, Rhythmic gymnastics and the Westside Pro-Shop in 1997, the Westside Training Center in 2000, Ballet Company in 2006, Hip Hop Company in 2009, and the Excel Gymnastics Program and Dance Troupe in 2012.
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy is home to an award-winning dance program and Oregon’s first youth Acrobatics & Tumbling team. Its mission statement focuses on providing a safe, fun, positive environment; promoting creativity and fitness; inspiring students to achieve their goals; developing self-esteem by instilling the values of good sportsmanship, self-discipline, respect and accountability; and enriching the lives of students and the community through excellence in education, dance and gymnastics. The academy’s vision is to be the Northwest's “Ultimate Academy” and the leader in education, dance and gymnastics, with values that include shared responsibility for safety, excellence and integrity known as the “Westside Way,” quality education and training, and listening with results. The academy states that it is enriching the lives of its students and the community through excellence in education, dance and gymnastics.
The leadership team includes owners Brad Hampton (Dance Program & Company Director), Denise Nontavarnit (Gymnastics Program Manager), and Simone Fallgren (Operations Manager, Elite Acrobatic Company Director, Youth Acrobatics and Tumbling Director, Acting All Day Activity Camp Supervisor, Events Director). Additional leaders include Carrie Berg (Registrar), Lisa Adams (Accounts Manager), Cathy Cano (Customer Service), Maddi Gloria (Dance Accelerated, Troupe & Performing Company Director), Jessica Turner (Recreational Dance Director), Cait Powers (Ballet Company Director), Trinity Moore (Hip Hop Crew Director), and Erica Walter (Performing Company Administrative Assistant). Gymnastics and acrobatics leadership includes Drew Grow (Optional and Compulsory Team Director), Andrea Vidovic (Accelerated Gymnastics Director), Kaelyn Person (Xcel Supervisor), Jenni Owens (Recreational Gymnastics Director), Luis Nadora (Boys Team Director), and Izzy Troccoli (Youth Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach/Supervisor). The Performing Arts Preschool is led by Director Cara Bartel, and camps, parties, field trips, and Parents Night Out are supervised by Sydney Parker.
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy also operates the Westside Mini Gym and the Westside Training Center as additional program locations.
Last updated March 29, 2026.
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