Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about starting dance at Academy of Dance Arts — ages, tuition, levels, the company, the recital and what to wear. Can't find it? Call 414-354-8020.
Getting started
What age can my child start dance classes at ADA?
As young as 2. Our Dancer & Me class welcomes 2- and 3-year-olds with a parent or caregiver, Creative Dance starts at age 3, and Elementary Ballet & Tap begins at 5. Older beginners are welcome too — we have Beginner classes for ages 6–12 and adult classes for 18+.
Does my child need dance experience to enroll?
No. Every age group has a true beginner entry point: Dancer & Me, Creative Dance and Elementary for young dancers, and dedicated Beginner classes (ballet/tap/jazz combo, hip-hop, lyrical, modern/contemporary) for kids ages 6–12 who are new to dance. Dancers with experience are placed in the gemstone level that fits.
How do I try a class before committing?
Book a free trial class. Pick a class from the schedule that fits your dancer's age, let us know you're coming, and come dance — no commitment. Call 414-354-8020 or use the free trial form and we'll confirm a time.
How do I register, and how does the parent portal work?
Register online through our Studio Pro parent portal — create a family account, add your dancer, choose classes, and set up auto-pay. The same portal is where you'll view your schedule and account all season. You can also register in person at the studio.
How much do dance classes cost?
Tuition is based on total weekly class time: one 45-minute class is $66 a month, one hour is $77 a month, and two hours a week is $145 a month (September is a smaller partial payment). There's a $25 annual registration fee per family, and a 5% discount for paying the season in full before the first class.
When do classes start, and can we join mid-year?
The 2026–27 season begins Monday, September 21, 2026 and runs 32 weeks through May, followed by the June recital. Dancers can join any time a class has room — tuition is monthly, so you only pay from the month you start.
Classes & levels
What are ADA's age divisions and gemstone levels?
ADA organizes classes by age and experience: Dancer & Me (2–3), Creative Dance (3–5), Elementary (5–9), then the gemstone levels — Pearl & Ruby (7–10), Amber & Amethyst (11–13), Emerald (12–14) and Sapphire & Onyx (15+) — plus Beginner classes for ages 6–12 and Adult classes. Each level trains in the styles appropriate to its age.
What dance styles do you teach?
Ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, modern and lyrical, plus creative movement for preschoolers and jumps/turns/tricks technique classes for company dancers. Young dancers start in combination classes; from Pearl & Ruby up, styles are taught as separate classes.
What level is right for my dancer, and how do dancers move up?
Age is the starting point, and experience fine-tunes it — a 9-year-old who has never danced starts in a Beginner class, while a 9-year-old with two years of training joins Pearl & Ruby. Teachers evaluate dancers during the year and recommend the next level each spring. If you're unsure, call us and we'll place your dancer.
When can my dancer start pointe?
Pointe is offered by ballet-teacher recommendation only, typically once a dancer is in the Emerald or Sapphire levels with consistent ballet training and the strength to go on pointe safely. Dancers must be enrolled in a ballet class to take Pointe I/II or II/III.
Do you have classes for boys?
Yes — all ADA classes are open to boys and girls. Hip-hop, jazz and tap are especially popular with our boys, and every level welcomes them.
Do you offer adult dance classes?
Yes. Adult Ballet/Contemporary meets Tuesday 7:30–8:30 pm and Adult Hip-Hop & Jazz meets Thursday 7:45–8:45 pm. Both are beginner/intermediate-friendly, and adult tuition follows the same monthly rate as youth classes.
How long are classes?
Dancer & Me is 30 minutes; Creative Dance and most Beginner and Pearl & Ruby classes are 45–60 minutes; Elementary and upper-level classes run 60–75 minutes; company technique classes run up to 90 minutes.
Company, recital & logistics
What is the ADA Dance Company and how does my dancer join?
The ADA Dance Company is our competition program — Micro Mini, Mini, Junior, Intermediate, Teen and Senior companies in jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and technique. Dancers join by audition or teacher invitation and take company classes in addition to their level's technique classes.
Is there an annual recital?
Yes — every class performs in our June recital at the Germantown Performing Arts Center (June 11–13, 2027), with on-stage rehearsals the week before and picture days in May. Families consistently tell us the recital is the highlight of the year. Costume costs are billed separately from tuition.
What should my dancer wear to class?
A simple uniform by class and level: young dancers wear a black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers (plus caramel tap shoes for tap); upper levels have a little more flexibility; hip-hop is fitted athletic wear with clean indoor-only sneakers. Hair is always secured off the face.
Where can I buy dancewear and shoes?
Right at the studio. The ADA dance boutique stocks leotards, tights, shorts, skirts, tap shoes, ballet slippers, jazz shoes, lyrical/contemporary shoes and ADA logo gear.
Can parents watch class?
Three times a season. Parent visitation weeks are November 16–21, 2026, February 15–20, 2027, and May 10–15, 2027 (which doubles as costume pick-up). Outside those weeks, dancers focus better with the door closed — but you're always welcome in the lobby.
What happens if my dancer misses a class or the weather is bad?
Tuition is not credited for missed classes, but ask the front desk about make-up options at your dancer's level. If we ever need to close for weather, we let families know directly.
Do you offer summer classes?
Yes. ADA runs a separate summer session each year with a shorter schedule of classes and camps. Summer dates and classes are announced in the spring.
Location & community
Where is Academy of Dance Arts located?
9036 N. 51st Street, Brown Deer, WI 53223, on Milwaukee's north side. Phone: 414-354-8020.
Which communities do you serve?
Families come to ADA from Brown Deer, Glendale, Mequon, River Hills, Fox Point, Bayside, Menomonee Falls, Germantown and across greater Milwaukee — most within a 15-minute drive.
How long has ADA been open?
Since 1983. Academy of Dance Arts was founded by Roberta Rehberg-Boorse and has been owned and directed by Lindsay Stammer since 2000 — one of the longest-running dance studios in southeast Wisconsin.
Ready to Join the ADA Dance Family?
Find your dancer's class, sign up for a free trial, or register today — we'd love to meet you.