City Dance & Music

City Dance & Music has served metro Atlanta's children, teens, and adults for 28 years. Founded by Pamela Dionne in 1998 and formerly known as Atlanta Dance and Music Academy, the school offers classes and private lessons across multiple disciplines: ballet, salsa, bachata, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, modern, tap, and music instruction. The faculty brings more than 100 years of combined teaching experience, drawn from esteemed music institutes, dance companies, and universities.

The school caters to all levels, from absolute beginners to pre-professionals, semi-professionals, and post-professionals. Children and teens aged 2½ to 18 can enrol in structured dance programs designed to build confidence, focus, and teamwork. The early childhood division, in partnership with June's Academy of Ballet, serves ages 3–6 with pre-ballet and creative movement classes. Older children progress through exploratory, preparatory, and training divisions, with options including street jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, tap, acro dance, and musical theater. Pre-professional students train at least 10 hours weekly in ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and tap.

Adults can take weekly classes in ballet, salsa, bachata, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, modern, and more, with drop-in and term options available. The school also offers private dance and music lessons. Both children and adults have access to summer dance intensives and camps for various skill levels.

City Dance & Music is home to CityDance, Inc., a non-profit community partner founded in 2005 that provides training, workshops, financial assistance, and performance opportunities. Through CityDance, Inc., young dancers can audition for the CityDance Ensemble (ages 12–18), a pre-professional training program requiring 10–15 hours weekly of instruction, and the CityDance Apprentices (ages 10–16). Adult artists can join the CityDance Artists' Development Program (19+) or the CityDance Collective, a community-based contemporary ballet company. CityDance Unity welcomes former dancers and community members seeking creative movement at any stage of life.

The studio offers sliding-scale pricing for committed students whose families need financial assistance. Studio hours are Monday–Friday 4–9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Performances and community partnerships are central to the school's mission; students and companies regularly perform at festivals, partner organizations, and community events throughout metro Atlanta and beyond.

Class sizes and structure vary by age and level, but you can expect instruction from teachers trained at top dance companies and universities. First-time adult students should contact the studio to confirm which class suits their experience level. Children are evaluated and placed individually based on their age and ability.

The leadership includes Executive Director Crystal Faison-Mitchell (MA in Community Mental Health and Pedagogy Certificate from Laban Trinity Conservatory), Ballet Director Harry Mark Burns Jr. (BFA from NYU, former soloist with Dance Theatre of Harlem), and Founder Pamela Dionne (28 years teaching ballet, trained with Joffrey Ballet and San Francisco Ballet). Faculty members include Emily Vanderkley (four seasons with Atlanta Ballet, Royal Caribbean, teaching since 2011), Annosha Biggins (BA in Dance from Kennesaw State University, modern dance concentration), Blayne Mowrer (Disney and cruise line performer, assistant choreographer for Dance Moms), Marley Carter (choreographer and CityDance Collective member), Charray Helton (BFA from Dominican/Alonzo King LINES program), Katharine Clark (formerly with Kansas City Ballet and Sarasota Ballet), and Ilo Elder (Emory University Dance and Movement Studies major).

Classes for absolute beginners are available across all age groups, and children are placed individually regardless of prior experience; adult drop-in options are offered.