American Dance Academy

American Dance Academy has been teaching dance in Hockessin for over 30 years. Located at Lantana Square on Route 7, the studio sits in a large shopping centre with ample parking, multiple stores and restaurants, and easy access from both Delaware and Pennsylvania.

The facility includes two dance rooms with hardwood sprung dance floors and high ceilings. These are top-of-the-line floating floors built with special cushioning to help prevent injury and give dancers height in jumps and leaps. There's a large waiting room with 36-inch flat-screen viewing monitors for each dance room, and a student lounge where older students can relax, do homework and prepare for classes.

The studio teaches ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and lyrical dance, plus baton and hoofing. Classes run from preschool through advanced levels. All students attend an annual spring recital—a chance to perform an entire year's work. The studio also runs a bi-annual Holiday Show in December, optional but popular. For serious dancers age 6 and up, the ADA Dance Company requires many hours of weekly training and competes at the highest level, receiving high scores and special awards. Dancers also study year-round with visiting guest teachers and choreographers. For those age 4+ who want to perform more informally, performance opportunities include parades, local sports games, nursing home visits and community events—with no mandatory attendance, so dancers attend what fits their schedules.

The faculty has all been teaching for multiple years with higher education backgrounds in dance, music, education and child development. Pre-school and elementary teachers have decades of experience with children 10 and under and strong classroom management skills. Intermediate and advanced teachers have professional dance experience, training at arts universities, work with professional dance companies and pro-sports teams, and university-level teaching credentials. Guest teachers and choreographers working in the industry visit multiple times a year for master classes.

Classes begin in September and end with the spring recital. Summer dance programs include camps and intensives. The studio emphasizes technique alongside socialisation, use of energy, coordination, body awareness and confidence—starting with basic technique and progressing to combinations and complete routines.

Classes focus on teaching technique alongside building confidence and self-esteem. You'll work on coordination and body awareness, starting with basic steps and progressing to combinations and full routines, with optional performance opportunities throughout the year.

All faculty have 5+ years at ADA with higher education in dance, music, education or child development. Pre-school and elementary teachers have decades of experience with young children. Intermediate and advanced instructors have professional dance backgrounds, university training and pro-company experience. Guest choreographers and dancers from the industry visit for master classes multiple times a year.

The studio welcomes students of all ages and skill levels in a safe, nurturing environment, with classes starting from preschool age.