Steeple Arts Academy of Dance

Steeple Arts Academy of Dance has been the dance centre of Mountain Brook since 1935. Originally founded as the Lola Mae Jones School of Dance and located upstairs over Browdy's in Mountain Brook Village, the studio moved in 1958 to the Red Church Building on Church Street, where it was renamed Steeple Arts Academy of Dance. The building's historic marker stands as a testament to the studio's deep roots in the community. Through decades of careful stewardship, the interior has been redesigned multiple times to create what the studio describes as some of the most beautiful dance studios in the South.

Now in its 90th anniversary season, Steeple Arts operates as a private school for girls stressing classic training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Ballroom. The studio's philosophy emphasises inclusivity over competition. Every child is encouraged to experience the joy of dance regardless of talent or ability, with a focus on developing a love of the art form rather than pursuing trophies. Students learn not only dance technique but also grace, poise and social amenities, taught to hold their heads high with self-confidence and pride.

Director Deanny Coates Hardy represents the third generation of leadership, having studied all styles of dance under her mother Lola Mae Coates since age 2½, and with well-known teachers and choreographers in New York, including Madame Alexandra Danilova and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. She has studied with master teachers such as Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchett, Luigi, Darrell Retter and Janice Barringer. As a graduate of Mountain Brook High School where she was a member of the Dorians dance team, and The University of Mississippi where she performed with the Rebelettes, Deanny brings deep expertise in dance team technique taught in the Dance Team Prep classes. A large percentage of members performing with Mountain Brook High School Dorians and Mountain Brook Junior High Spartinettes have been taught and coached by Miss Deanny.

The teaching staff spans generations, with many instructors trained at Steeple Arts themselves, including Annette Troxell Collins, Bee Lewis, Lucy Spann and Molly Norris. Annette Collins, who began training at age seven and graduated from Rhodes College in 1977, teaches Adult Ballet, Adult Jazz, Senior Advanced Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop and Jazz classes. Bee Lewis, who began ballet at age two and joined Steeple Arts in 1979, teaches Pre-Ballet, Petite Ballet, combination classes, Junior Advanced Ballet, Pre-Pointe and Pointe classes. Mary Haley Byrne Griffin, who danced at Steeple Arts for 15 years beginning at age three, teaches Ballet/Jazz classes and Advanced Ballet and Pointe classes. Mary Ellen McElroy Wall studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip-Hop and High Stepper Jazz at Steeple Arts before becoming a Spartanette and Dorian, and now teaches Combination Classes and Advanced Hip Hop and Dance Team Prep classes. Kelly Ireland danced at Steeple Arts for 16 years beginning at age two and assists with Pre Ballet and combination classes. Monica Wesson, who began at age three under founder Lola Mae Jones and was selected as a student teacher in 1969, serves as a substitute teacher and helps with recitals and special events.

Classes span all ages and levels. For the youngest students, Pre-Ballet and Petite Ballet classes serve ages 2½ through 5. Kindergarten through second grade can enrol in Ballet/Jazz or Ballet/Tap combination classes. Third through fifth grade students choose from Ballet/Jazz, Tap/Jazz or Ballet/Tap combinations. Upper elementary through high school students (5th–12th grade) progress through Intermediate, Junior and Senior Advanced levels in Ballet, with separate Introductory through Senior Advanced Pointe classes for qualified dancers. Teen Tap classes, Hip Hop & Jazz classes, and Ballroom (6th grade) round out the youth offerings. Adult classes in Ballet and Jazz are also available. The studio additionally offers choreography services for pageants, musicals and dance team competitions, as well as private lessons and coaching for auditions, tryouts and instruction.

Classes are carefully graded by age and advancement with limited enrolment to maintain quality instruction. New students immediately become part of the Steeple Arts family and experience professional, qualified teachers in a safe, supportive and fun environment focused on building strong fundamentals and a lifelong love of dance.

The teaching staff includes Director Deanny Coates Hardy (third generation, trained since age 2½ under her mother and with master teachers in New York including Madame Alexandra Danilova); Annette Troxell Collins (Rhodes College graduate, teaching since 1977); Bee Lewis (teaching since 1987); Mary Haley Byrne Griffin; Mary Ellen McElroy Wall; Kelly Ireland; Monica Wesson; and Kathy Nolan. Most teachers were trained at Steeple Arts itself.

The studio emphasises that every child should have a positive experience regardless of talent or ability, teaching basic fundamentals to all students to give them a strong foundation in the art.