St Louis Academy of Dance

St. Louis Academy of Dance (SLAD) is a full-service dance studio in Olivette offering classes six days a week for dancers aged 3 months and up. The studio serves all skill levels across a wide range of styles: ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tumbling, poms, and creative movement. Specialized programs include adaptive dance classes welcoming children with genetic differences, cognitive disabilities, physical challenges and sensory processing disorders, plus early childhood classes (Babies, Tykes, and Tots) that pair caregivers with their children in movement and music education.

The teaching faculty includes owner and artistic director Kacy Voskuil, who trained at SLAD under founder Linda Green and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Webster University. Co-director Emily Edwards is a Stephens College graduate (Cum Laude) and current Assistant Director of Pazazz, the studio's performance company. Additional faculty include teachers trained at institutions including the University of Iowa, Joffrey Ballet School, and through intensive study at Martha Graham School and American Dance Festival, as well as Renée Austin, a Washington University graduate with training from renowned choreographers.

Classes are organized by level and age: pre-dance for ages 3–6 combines ballet and tap fundamentals; youth levels 1, 2, and 3 require ballet alongside jazz, modern, and lyrical; junior and teen levels (ages 9–13+) also require ballet prerequisites; adult beginner and intermediate options are available with limited or no experience required. Hip hop is offered in age-specific tracks: Mini (5–7), Kids (6–9), Tween (10–14), and Advanced (teen/adult). The studio also runs early childhood sessions in 6-week blocks and offers private instruction, studio rental, and a summer intensive program (FUNtensive).

Performing opportunities include Showtime, the Choreography Project, Pazazz Performers (the studio's performance company), and a Pazazz Concert. The studio has been named SLAD Family home by members since at least 2010, and customer testimonials highlight the welcoming environment, supportive parent community, and strong instruction at all levels.

You can try a free trial class to see what SLAD offers. Classes run Monday through Saturday, with multiple time slots most days to fit your schedule. You'll find age-appropriate instruction, whether you're starting at 3 months in a caregiver-and-child class or joining an adult beginner ballet session.

The studio is led by owner and artistic director Kacy Voskuil, trained at SLAD and a Webster University BFA graduate, and co-director Emily Edwards, a Stephens College graduate (Cum Laude) and Assistant Director of Pazazz. The faculty includes teachers with degrees from Webster University, Washington University, University of Iowa, and training from Martha Graham School, Joffrey Ballet School, American Dance Festival, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

The studio welcomes dancers from 3 months old and offers classes at all skill levels, including beginner adult classes with limited or no prior experience required.