Academy of Dance Arts

Academy of Dance Arts has been training dancers in Milwaukee since 1983, when founder Roberta Rehberg-Boorse opened the school. It sits at 9036 N 51st St in Brown Deer and operates with a philosophy centred on high-quality instruction in a positive atmosphere.

The academy teaches a broad range of styles: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Pointe, Modern, Irish, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Creative Movement. Each style has its own character. Ballet demands grace and precision through formalized steps and intricate patterns. Jazz combines classical ballet and modern techniques with popular dance vocabulary. Tap uses the sound of metal taps on shoe heels and toes as percussion, rooted in the jazz tradition. Hip-hop encompasses breaking, locking and popping — street styles that evolved from 1970s dance culture. Modern dance prioritizes a dancer's own interpretation over structured steps, while Contemporary blends modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Pointe work is the advanced ballet technique of supporting body weight on the tips of fully extended feet. Lyrical combines ballet, jazz, acrobatics and modern while maintaining its own identity. Creative Movement introduces young children to dance through music, helping them develop physical skills and creativity.

The school employs what it describes as an "extraordinary team of professional, diverse and expertly qualified instructors." Teachers are fully qualified to provide expert training across the range of styles offered. Families report strong relationships with teachers across years of study; one review notes that "my family has had multiple generations dance here."

The academy's mission is to serve dancers seeking either a professional career in dance or personal benefits including poise, physical fitness and self-confidence. Classes run on a schedule you can download from their website. Summer programmes are available alongside regular term classes. The school holds recitals that families describe as well-produced and impressive.

You'll find a school committed to professional standards and positive instruction across multiple dance styles. Classes range from Creative Movement for young children to advanced Pointe technique. The academy welcomes both those aiming for a dance career and those seeking fitness and confidence.

The academy employs a professional, diverse and fully qualified teaching team led by founder Roberta Rehberg-Boorse, who established the school in 1983.

The academy welcomes any student who enjoys studying dance, from young children in Creative Movement through to those seeking career training.