Artisan Dance Studio

Artisan Dance Studio sits at 4140 Indianola Ave in Columbus and serves dancers of all ages with a mission to inspire and empower through dance. The studio runs two main streams: a youth program with recreational classes, a dedicated ballet academy, a competition team, and a tap ensemble; and an adult program with classes across ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop.

The Artisan Ballet Academy is built on the curriculum developed by Marcia Dale Weary, founder of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, known for producing dancers of the highest caliber. The academy focuses on classical ballet technique, history, and artistry, fostering work ethic and discipline alongside a genuine love for the art form. Youth dancers can also join the Artisan Competition Team, which blends technical excellence with artistic expression through competitive performances. The Artisan Tap Ensemble is a performing group specializing in tap dance that brings choreography to community events, festivals, fundraisers, and cultural celebrations, sharing the history of tap through synchronized footwork and engaging performances.

For adults, the studio offers a diverse selection of classes in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. In addition to regular classes, adults can participate in enriching workshops and performance opportunities, including an annual Nutcracker production and a Showcase. Youth classes are structured by weekly time commitment, with pricing from $44/month for 30 minutes per week up to $270/month for unlimited classes. An annual registration fee of $25 applies. Adults can try a new student offer of $29 for 2 weeks of unlimited classes, or pay $16–$20 for single drop-in classes (depending on length), $75–$85 for 5-class packages, or $160/month for unlimited membership (up to 20 classes per month, with a 4-month minimum commitment).

The studio runs summer camps and intensives for youth, including story-driven dance camps for ages 5–12, a ballet intensive for academy students, and competition team prep camps. Workshops for adults include an Absolute Beginner Tap Workshop (4 weeks, foundational technique and choreography), a Precision Jazz Workshop inspired by the Radio City Rockettes style, and an Absolute Beginner Hip Hop Workshop for adults with little to no dance experience. The Competition Team participates in a boot camp in August and audition week to prepare for the season.

Youth classes require a free trial class to be booked. Adult students must register for class at least one hour before the start time. A 7-minute late policy applies to youth classes, and an 8-hour cancellation policy applies to adult classes.

Youth classes offer a supportive environment where young dancers learn at their own pace, from beginner to advanced levels. Adult drop-in classes are welcoming to all skill levels. Register at least one hour in advance, and arrive on time; classes with fewer than three students may be cancelled one hour prior to start.

The faculty includes principal dancers and professionals with major company experience. Erica Alvarado trained at Ballet Arts in Tucson and has performed with BalletMet, Atlanta Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego, Milwaukee Ballet, and Ballet Tucson, dancing leading roles in works by George Balanchine and contemporary choreographers. TyLeigh Baughman trained at Tulsa Ballet's Center for Dance Education and has danced with BalletMet since 2017, performing in roles such as Odette and Clara, and at the Joyce Theater in New York City. Kara Braunreiter has been on the Artisan faculty for over a decade as Competition Team Director and Artisan Tap Ensemble Director, trained with tap artists Hillary Marie and Karida Griffith, and completed Broadway Dance Center's Teacher Training Program. Teresa Catterlin holds a BFA in dance performance from The University of Akron and has performed with Columbus Modern Dance Company, Columbus Contemporary Dance Company, and other groups; she is a co-founder of Artisan Dance Collective and holds a Master of Science and is a board-certified nurse practitioner. Drew Chodash trained at the University of Florida and the José Limón Dance Foundation and is a member of Artisan Dance Collective. Christina D'Amico has danced at the studio since 2016 and taught there since 2017, trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, and contemporary. Ashleigh Dersom trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater, attended the Rockettes Summer Intensive and Broadway Dance Center, and joined Artisan Dance Collective in 2023 before becoming a youth instructor.

Recreational classes cater to all levels and interests; the adult program welcomes beginners, and absolute beginner workshops are offered for tap and hip hop.